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42 Unique Ideas for Your "Something Blue"

By Shira Savada

September 15, 2015

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Ryan Ray Photography

These ideas prove that there's always a new way to update an old tradition.

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Ryan Ray Photography

Blue has been connected to weddings for centuries, thanks to the Old English tradition of the bride having "Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue" to bring her good luck on the big day. But there's no need to stick to the old standbys when searching for your "something blue." Instead, take a cue from these real brides who found unexpected ways to incorporate the hue into their big day. Here, you'll find a roundup of the prettiest blue touches, both big and small.

Want to opt into this classic wedding tradition, but don't want to go to over the top? Try stitching a bit of navy ribbon or embroidering your betrothed's name into the hem of your wedding dress. Prefer something subtle that your guests can still see? Wrap a bit of silk ribbon around your bouquet (this one's by Bows + Arrows Flowers). If you're looking for an idea that's a bit bolder, roll up to the ceremony or drive off into the night in a blue vintage car, or ask your bridesmaids to wear midnight blue gowns. Searching for something food-related? Order a blue wedding cake, so your guests can get in on (and taste!) the fun. Of course, there's always the classic choice of choosing a pair of blue wedding shoes—prepare to fall in love with the most perfect blue suede flats ahead.

Whatever your wedding style—traditional, contemporary, or bohemian—there's a way to bring a pop of everyone's favorite wedding color to your own big day. Whether you dress your bridesmaids in tonal shades or sport a sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring (like Kate Middleton), there's something that each and every bride will love. Ready to feel the blues? Click through to discover both vintage and modern ways to include the happy, traditional hue in your wedding.

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A Pale Bouquet

Harwell Photography

22 Beautiful Bouquets That Can Double as Your Something Blue

A barely blue bundle of hydrangeas, like this bouquet by Fishers Flowers, can check the "something blue" box in a very subtle way.

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Head to Toe

D'Arcy Benincosa Photography

While many brides choose to wear a white wedding dress and matching shoes, there's no rule against wearing color. This bride donned a Leanne Marshall and suede Valentino lace-ups to match, which surely brought her plenty of luck on the big day.

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Setting the Tables

Elizabeth Messina Photography

These Statement Linens Will Take Your Wedding Reception to the Next Level

Your "something blue" doesn't have to be something you wear or carry with you on the wedding day. In this instance, the reception, created by Duet Weddings and Flower Wild, fulfilled the tradition. Hand-dyed linens, complementary taper candles, stemmed glassware, and a ribbon at each seat brough just the right amount of blue into this big day.

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True Blue Toppers

Maureen M. Evans

These flower girls each wore a halo of dried blue hydrangea, which were created by Hart.

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Bridesmaids in Blue

Corbin Gurkin

Statement Earrings That Are Perfect for Your Wedding Day

This bridal party started their day in "something blue" rompers from Tobi. Once they changed into their dresses, they kept the blue theme going thanks to their dip-dyed tassel earrings.

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In the Navy

Petronella Photography

Your bridesmaids will be happy to help you check off your "something blue" when you ask them to wear something as chic as this group's Something Peridot dresses. The saturated navy color is universally flattering.

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Statement Dress

Corbin Gurkin

This bride wore a one-of-a-kind wedding dress thanks to Natalie Taylor Humphrey, who painted a floral motif onto her Kate McDonald Bridal

gown.

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A Cute Clutch

Charlotte Jenks Lewis

A bold blue clutch—like this one by Saint Laurent—is a good choice for your "something blue," especially if you're looking for something you'll use again after the big day.

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A Handful of Blue

Samm Blake

Putnam & Putnam tucked just a few tweedia blooms into this mostly white and yellow bridal bouquet. Consider other blue blooms, like delphinium, muscari, and nigella, if you're looking to make a similar statement.

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Stack It Up

Greer Gattuso

50 Beautiful Wedding Cakes That Are (Almost!) Too Pretty to Eat

This three-tier wedding cake from Melissa's Fine Pastries was done in the prettiest shade of sky blue. The subtle dotted pattern gave it a texture.

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Buttoned Up

Steve Steinhardt

Black tie, blue jacket. Both of these grooms wore Tom Ford tuxedos, but one opted for a patterned blue jacket instead of the traditional head-to-toe black.

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Tying the Knot

Kate Anfinson Photography

7 Ways to Fold a Table Napkin for Your Big Day and Every Day

Trade in traditional white napkins for blue ones, which serves as an easy and statement-making "something blue" wedding detail. These powder blue napkins from Party Crush Studio popped against traditional white plates. Their unique fold was a nice touch, too.

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Blue Velvet

Brumley & Wells Photography

26 Nontraditional Looks for the Fashion-Forward Groom

The groom get in on this tradition, too. Make like this guy and wear a gray-blue bow tie, pocket square, and ribbon-wrapped boutonniére.

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Up in Smoke

Edward Winter / READYLUCK

This couple filled the air with a colorful smoke grenade, then snap a few photos with the blue cloud around them. It was a unique play on the tradition.

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An Unexpected Accent

Maureen M. Evans

Blue bachelor buttons are a cute addition to any bouquet, but Hart took things one step further at this wedding by adding a bolder component: dried tropical leaves that had been painted an electric blue. What made the blue accents pop even more was the juxtaposition of this unexpected detail with the more natural, typical bouquet elements, like red roses and smoke bush.

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A Getaway Car

Ryan Ray Photography

A vintage Chevy—or any blue ride as sweet as this one—means you'll drive off into the sunset in your "something old" and "something blue."

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Sweet Signs

Elizabeth Messina Photography

These Adorable Photos Will Convince You to Invite Kids to Your Wedding

Having a bunch of kids in your wedding? Unify their looks with soft blue velvet capes and jackets, just like this crew. Bonus points if you each young attendant a calligraphed sign to hold, too.

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Berry Nice

Corbin Gurkin

Modern, minimal weddings call for cakes of the same style. This buttercream confection by Lowdnes Grove was aligned to one side and then sparsely adorned with a handful of fresh blueberries, bring just a hint of blue into the reception.

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With This Ring

Elizabeth Messina Photography

70 Colored Engagement Rings We Love

This bride's engagement ring was an oval-shaped aquamarine, but a right-hand ring in the light blue stone would be just as dazzling.

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For Happy Tears

Anna Delores Photography

Whether vintage or new, an embroidered hankie with blue thread is a great (and practical) way to incorporate "something blue" into your wedding. Consider wrapping it around your bouquet or asking your maid of honor to have it handy.

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Hidden Wedding Date

Thayer Allyson Gowdy

The elegantly calligraphed wedding date penned by Bernard Maisner not only appeared on the wedding's invitation, but it was also embroidered in a soft blue thread and sewn into the bride's wedding dress. Guests won't see a detail like this, but you'll know it's there.

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"Something Blue" Sisters

Ryan Ray

Let your sisters or maids of honor serve as your "something blue" in pale halter-necked dresses like these by Hayley Paige.

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Fancy Footwear

KT Merry

Chic "Something Blue" Wedding Shoes

Have you decided you want to wear blue shoes? You can't go wrong with icy blue sandals, like this Marchesa pair.

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A Preppy Touch

Anagram Photo

If preppy is your go-to style, make like this bride and wrap a monogramed swath of gingham (or seersucker) around your bouquet. If your style is more modern, a blue ikat print or polka dots would work, too.

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Flower Power

Kurt Boomer Photography

Flower girls don't just have to carry the flowers—they can wear them, too. These light blue dresses with floral details (plus the attendant's fresh flower crowns) were a winning combination.

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A Blue Wedding Dress

Peter and Veronika

Colorful Wedding Dresses That Make a Statement Down the Aisle

The barely-there hue of this bride's wedding dress meant she checked off her "something blue" in a subtle way. Opt for a similar shade or go bold to really make a statement.

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Dad in Blue

Corbin Gurkin

Let your dad be your "something blue," just like this creative bride did. She gifted her father a hand-painted bow tie by artists Natalie Taylor Humphrey, which paired nicely with her royal blue heels from Manolo Blahniks.

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Bundles of Blue

Elias Kordelakos

Tie the Knot in Santorini dressed up this beachy ceremony structure with clusters of hydrangeas in range of soft blues. It's a great setup if you're getting married on the sand and don't want to block the waterfront views.

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42 Unique Ideas for Your "Something Blue"

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A Pale Bouquet

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Head to Toe

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Setting the Tables

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True Blue Toppers

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Bridesmaids in Blue

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In the Navy

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Statement Dress

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A Cute Clutch

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A Handful of Blue

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Stack It Up

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Buttoned Up

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Tying the Knot

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Blue Velvet

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Up in Smoke

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An Unexpected Accent

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A Getaway Car

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Sweet Signs

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Berry Nice

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With This Ring

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For Happy Tears

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Hidden Wedding Date

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"Something Blue" Sisters

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Fancy Footwear

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A Preppy Touch

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Flower Power

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