Superstitious brides cling to an old tradition

Brides find unique ways to incorporate the lucky color of blue into their wedding.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Brides probably don’t know exactly why they’re wearing something blue on their wedding day, but they’ve been doing it for so long few want to break with tradition.

Research traces an early printed version of the good-luck poem, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue,” back to at least 1883. (Back then, there was another line attached to the end: “And a sixpence in her shoe.”)

Superstition, yes, but why take a risk on such an important day?

“I guess I do believe in it — I did it,” says Theresa DiMasi, editor-in-chief of Brides.com, who wore blue toenail polish at her wedding. “There’s something that feels sort of solid about it. But I also believe it’s a personal thing — you can do it your way or not do it all.”

The most common way to add blue these days is a blue garter, DiMasi says, but there are more options than one might think: makeup, flowers, jewelry, a sash, or a little blue lace around the dress’ hem, she suggests.

At the most recent round of bridal fashion shows, there were some lovely pale blue dresses that have a hint of color but maintain the cool look of a true white.

Just a splash

DiMasi particularly liked the Reem Acra blue gowns, but she also acknowledges that it’s easier to incorporate just a splash of blue.

Bianca Alexander, director of makeup artistry for MAC Cosmetics, would reach for blue eye shadow. (Yes, blue eye shadow!) A powder-blue matte shadow works well for a 1960s-inspired, doe-eyed look, she says, and will photograph nicely whether the pictures are in color or black and white. “It’ll just be a pop of color on the lid.”

The rest of the bride’s makeup should be natural and neutral, with just a light color on the cheeks and lips and a coat of mascara — not blue mascara.

A more glamorous look would be a pewter-colored shadow with a blue tone to it. That, she says, could have a bit of shimmer, but a matte shadow with a similar gray-blue eye liner is a safer bet if you’re not used to wearing blue yet still want intense color.

Many women still treat blue eye shadow as taboo, but Alexander says they needn’t.

Not a trend

“Blues that don’t work is any blue that screams ‘trend,’ especially for a wedding,” she says. “For spring, acrylic colors are so hot in spring fashion, but I’d stay away from things that could look so dated in the future. If it looks like true blue on, it will look really blue in a photograph.”

She adds: “Think dark denim blue.”

Bright blue is OK, though, if we’re talking about jewelry. Mixing diamonds with glistening colored gemstones has become more popular for engagement rings and wedding bands. And if blue doesn’t make it to the rings, there are still necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

Jewel tones

Detra Segar, vice president and general manager of Tiffany & Co., which has its own signature blue box, suggests sapphires, tanzanite, blue tourmaline and aquamarine.

“These colorful blue gems are combined with brilliant Tiffany diamonds in Tiffany Celebration rings,” she said.

For those unwilling to invest so heavily in a superstition, there are the disposable and more affordable blue flowers.

DiMasi herself carried a blue hydrangea in her bouquet simply because she liked the look. She has seen other brides put a blue flower in their hair, wrap a satin ribbon around flower stems or tuck a little blue crystal in the bouquet.