I love bringing a little bit of the Edwardian era to people on their wedding day by lending them something special. They should enjoy their life together like they never have before.
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The tradition on a wedding day of something borrowed comes from an English Victorian-era verse:

Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in her shoe.

Each item in this poem represents a good luck token for the bride. Tradition says that if she carries all of these tokens on her wedding day, her marriage will be happy. "Something borrowed" is supposed to be an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage will carry over to the new bride. I don't remember what I "borrowed" on my wedding day, and I didn't know about the silver sixpence part of the tradition until I began borrowing trinkets from the past to make jewelry for my line, Lizzy Couture, but I do love the traditions.

My favorite antique trinkets and fobs come from England and France from the 1800s all the way through the 1960s. I also use antique English silver fobs that are tarnished yet smooth from wear, and old French lace and metallic trims from the late 1800s. I love how the lace is aged and stained from wear, and the silver metallic trim has begun to tarnish from age. It gives the jewelry just the character I'm looking for.

A few other favorites are antique tulle from the Edwardian and Victorian eras, dress trim and old hat flowers borrowed from an era where a hat was included in everyday attire. All of it fascinates me. Who wore it? Where did they wear it? What was it used for? Some of the pieces I've borrowed from the past come with so many questions.

Then came the day I first saw some old silver sixpence coins from England. They were real silver and the old patina on them was so beautiful that I made them into earrings. I leant these earrings to many of my friends when they got married for good luck. I have also leant my English fob and pearl necklace. The old tarnished silver fob mixed with the dirty Haskell pearls look as though you have stepped right back into the Edwardian Era, my favorite wedding era.

There is something about the Edwardian Era that brings me happiness. It was the reign of England's King Edward VII from 1901-1910. It was the era of new industrial technology and social changes. People experienced new-found wealth and indulged in cuisine, fashion, travel and entertainment as they never had before. I love bringing a little bit of this to people on their wedding day by lending them something special from that era. They should enjoy their life together like they never have before.

Below, some Edwardian-inspired jewels by Lizzy Couture:

Something Borrowed

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