Something Old, Something Blue / Sugared Almonds / Traditional & Contemporary Wedding Anniversary Gifts

Q. Please tell my why we have the following traditions - something old, something new, something borrowed something blue and the throwing of the bouquet and garter.

A. The something old/something blue saying dates back to olden English days and it is meant to bestow good luck on the bride. It means:

Something old - protects the bride and links the wedding day with her past. Something new - brings success and good luck to the bride's future life. Something borrowed - transfers happiness to the bride when borrowed from a happily married woman. Something blue - signifies loyalty and faithfulness. You can also add: A silver sixpence in her shoe - wishes the bride wealth.

In mediaeval times wedding guests would follow the bride and groom to their wedding chamber after the end of the ceremony. It was considered good luck to try and grab a part of the bride's clothing and this developed into throwing of the bouquet and garter instead.

Q. What do the five sugared almonds in bonboniere represent?

A. The five sugared almonds represent fertility, health, wealth, luck and happiness and traditionally they are given to the female guests at your wedding.

Q. What at the traditional and contemporary wedding anniversary gifts?
  
A. Traditional

• 1st - Paper
  
• 2nd - Cotton
• 3rd - Leather
• 4th - Fruit, Flowers
• 5th - Wood
• 6th - Candy, Iron
• 7th - Copper, Wool
• 8th - Bronze, Pottery
• 9th - Pottery, Willow
• 10th - Tin, Aluminium
• 11th - Steel
• 12th - Silk, Linen
• 13th - Lace
• 14th - Ivory
• 15th - Crystal
• 20th - China
• 25th - Silver
• 30th - Pearl
• 35th - Coral
• 40th - Ruby
• 50th - Gold
• 55th - Emerald
• 60th - Diamond

Contemporary 

• 1st -Clocks
• 2nd - China
• 3rd - Crystal; Glass
• 4th - Electrical appliances
• 5th - Silverware
• 6th - Wood
• 7th - Desk sets
• 8th - Linens; Lace
• 9th - Leather
• 10th - Diamond jewellery
• 11th - Fashion jewellery; Accessories
• 12th - Pearls; Coloured gems
• 13th - Textiles; Furs
• 14th - Gold jewellery
• 15th - Watches
• 20th - Platinum
• 25th - Sterling silver
• 30th - Diamonds
• 35th - Jade
• 40th - Rubies
• 50th - Gold
• 55th - Emeralds
• 60th - Diamonds