It’s often not until you start the research process for your own wedding that you suddenly start thinking about things such as lucky horseshoes and other bridal keepsakes. But the tradition of giving favours to a newly married woman has actually been around for years. So where did these traditions come from? Here are some of the histories behind bridal keepsakes, and my modern take on the lucky horseshoe:
Wooden spoons
Although giving a wooden spoon may seem like a bit of a booby prize when it comes to wedding keepsakes, it actually has romantic origins. The love spoon is a traditional gift of love in Wales and would be made by a man to give as a gift to his intended lady. They would be carefully and intricately carved to show the recipient how much care and devotion she would receive from her beloved. If the lady in question kept the spoon, the man’s love was returned; if, however, it was sent back, it meant that his love was unrequited. Today, decorated wooden spoons are often given to newlyweds as a symbol of their love – let’s hope none of the spoons are returned!
Lucky sixpence
Everyone knows the rhyme, “Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue”, but did you know that the rhyme finishes, “and a silver sixpence for her shoe”? As you’re probably aware, it’s considered lucky if the bride wears something to symbolise each of the components of the rhyme, and traditionally the bride’s father should provide a lucky silver sixpence to go in her shoe, to symbolise prosperity within the marriage.
Horseshoes
Horseshoes have a long history of being associated with good luck, and are probably the most well known of good luck charms to give to the bride and groom. The Romans believed that the ‘U’ shape protected against evil, and there are also stories relating to mythology, such as iron being a good luck metal and a crescent moon shape symbolising prosperity. Remember, a horseshoe should never be turned upside down in case the good luck falls out!
Modern twists of luck
In the run up to my own big day, I took up the craft of Fimo clay modelling, making my wedding cake toppers and also keepsakes for my two bridesmaids. Having not been able to give up my new found love of this craft, my creations have branched into lucky horseshoes to give to friends on their wedding day. My horseshoes are not just any old horseshoes however; they are horseshoes featuring the bride and groom (or at least a cartoon version of them!)! These have been such fun to make, and I’ve enjoyed having different styles of wedding dress to create, different hairstyles and different suits!
Here’s one I made for our good friends Sim and Charlotte. I especially enjoyed making the groom’s top hat for this one!
And this is my latest creation for our friends Louise and Dan, who get married this Jubilee weekend. The ‘Cadbury’s’ purple ribbon is designed to match their wedding colours:
The beauty of the above is that they can be created to suit any bride and groom’s colours, themes and styles, so each one is different, and I like to think they give a unique and personalised keepsake – and hopefully bring a little bit of luck to the newlyweds along the way!
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