Placing a penny or coin in the bride’s shoe is one of the most cherished and longstanding wedding traditions.
Rooted in superstition and symbolism, this custom is believed to bring good luck, financial prosperity, and protection to the couple.
In this article, we will discuss the reasons behind this tradition and its importance in wedding ceremonies across different cultures.
Let’s get straight to the point
The tradition of placing a penny (or coin) in a bride’s shoe dates back to Victorian Britain, where it symbolised good luck, financial prosperity, and protection from evil spirits.
Originating from the rhyme “Something old, something new…and a sixpence in her shoe,” the coin represents the couple’s hope for a secure and happy marriage.
Though the sixpence is no longer in circulation, modern brides often use a penny or personalised coin, sometimes turning it into jewellery or keeping it as a keepsake.
The tradition spans various cultures, symbolising wealth, family connection, and lasting happiness in marriage.
The Origins Of The Tradition
1. A Victorian Wedding Custom
The origin of placing a penny in the bride’s shoe can be traced back to Victorian Britain.
The well-known rhyme, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe,” played a significant role in establishing this custom.
The sixpence, a small silver coin, was a symbol of wealth and prosperity, ensuring that the newlyweds would never face financial hardship.
2. Symbolism Of The Sixpence
The sixpence coin, first introduced in the 1500s, was a valuable piece of currency during its time.
Brides placed the coin in their shoe as a way to bring good fortune into their marriage.
The sixpence symbolised not only financial stability but also protection from evil spirits that were thought to disrupt the couple’s happiness.
Although the sixpence is no longer in circulation, the tradition has continued with brides using a penny or other coins.
The Significance Of The Penny In The Shoe
1. Financial Stability And Wealth
One of the main reasons a bride places a coin in her shoe is to symbolise financial prosperity.
By doing so, the bride is believed to be ensuring that her marriage will be blessed with material wealth.
The penny, or any other coin used, becomes a powerful symbol of the couple’s wish for a secure and prosperous life together.
2. Protection From Evil Spirits
Weddings were traditionally seen as highly significant events, and it was believed that they attracted malevolent forces.
To prevent bad luck or harm from coming to the couple, the sixpence or coin acted as a talisman.
Placing it in the shoe was a way to keep the bride and groom safe from these evil influences. This belief in the coin’s protective power has allowed the tradition to persist for generations.
3. Connection To Family
For many brides, the act of placing a penny in their shoes has become a family tradition passed down through generations.
The coin often comes from the bride’s mother or grandmother, adding a layer of sentimental value to the practice.
This gesture represents the connection between the bride’s past and her new life as a wife while also symbolising the family’s hopes for her future.
Modern Interpretations Of The Tradition
1. Wearing The Coin As Jewellery
In modern weddings, some brides have adapted the coin tradition into more practical and fashionable options.
One popular idea is to have the penny made into a piece of jewellery, such as a necklace or bracelet.
This way, the bride can still carry the symbolic meaning of the coin while avoiding any discomfort that might come from placing it in her shoe.
2. Incorporating Special Coins
While the sixpence was originally used, modern brides often opt for a penny or another coin with personal significance.
For instance, the coin could be from a special year—perhaps the year the couple met or the year they got engaged.
This gives the tradition an extra personal touch and adds even more meaning to the practice.
3. A Keepsake For The Future
Many brides choose to keep the penny after the wedding as a meaningful memento.
Some even pass it down to their own daughters when they marry, creating a new family tradition.
The coin becomes a treasured symbol of not just good luck, but the enduring love and support of family throughout the generations.
The Tradition in Different Cultures
1. Sweden: Gold And Silver Coins
In Sweden, there is a similar tradition where the bride’s mother gives her a gold coin to place in her right shoe and her father gives her a silver coin for her left shoe. This ensures that the bride will never lack material wealth in her marriage.
The symbolism of these coins goes beyond just good luck, representing the parents’ wish for their daughter’s future security and happiness.
2. Spain And Latin America: The Arras Coin
In Spain and Latin America, the arras coin plays a similar role. During the wedding ceremony, the groom presents the bride with a coin, which symbolises his willingness to share all his present and future wealth with her.
This coin is often passed down through generations, becoming a family heirloom. The practice ensures that the couple’s marriage is based on mutual support and financial stability.
3. Poland: Coins Instead Of Confetti
In Poland, a unique twist on the tradition involves guests throwing coins instead of confetti as the bride and groom exit the ceremony.
The couple then collects the coins together, which symbolises their joint responsibility for their future wealth and prosperity.
This ritual underscores the importance of partnership and collaboration in marriage.
4. Lithuania: Coins On The Dance Floor
In Lithuania, coins are used during the wedding reception as part of a special dance.
Guests throw coins onto the dance floor as the bride and groom perform their first dance.
One of these coins is engraved with the couple’s initials, and whoever finds this coin is honoured with the next dance with the newlyweds.
This custom not only brings good luck to the couple but also allows the guests to participate in a joyful and meaningful tradition.
The Cultural Legacy Of The Coin-In-Shoe Tradition
1. Timeless Symbolism
Despite changes in currency and culture, the tradition of placing a penny or coin in the bride’s shoe has endured.
Its timeless symbolism of wealth, protection, and good fortune continues to resonate with modern brides.
While the specific coin used may differ from bride to bride, the core meaning of the tradition remains intact: a wish for the couple’s future success and happiness.
2. A Modern Revival
Though the sixpence is no longer in circulation, many couples are bringing the tradition back into the spotlight.
Some brides choose to purchase vintage sixpence coins from online retailers, while others embrace modern adaptations using special pennies or other coins.
The tradition’s revival speaks to its lasting appeal and the deep cultural importance of wishing good luck and financial security in marriage.
Conclusion
The tradition of placing a penny in the bride’s shoe has its roots in Victorian England and continues to be an integral part of weddings today.
Whether brides choose a sixpence, penny, or another special coin, the gesture represents good fortune, financial prosperity, and protection from bad luck.
By incorporating this tradition into their wedding, brides can honour the past while creating new, meaningful memories that will last a lifetime.
Whether carried in a shoe, turned into jewellery, or passed down as an heirloom, the coin remains a timeless symbol of a couple’s hopes for a happy and successful marriage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you put in your shoe when you get married?
Before a wedding, the bride’s mother gives her daughter a gold coin to put in her right shoe.
The bride’s father then gives her a silver coin to put in her left shoe. The coins symbolise their wish that the bride will never go without money.
Why do they take the groom’s shoes?
The culprits, also known as the sisters, cousins and other female relatives of the Bride, then loot the shoes and find a discrete hiding place for them.
Their objective is to achieve monetary gain later on following the marriage ceremony when the Groom needs his shoes to leave the venue.
Why is it good luck to put a coin in your shoe?
In Victorian England, the bride was given a sixpence coin to put in her shoe for good luck.
Carrying the coin into her wedding day was thought to attract wealth and it was believed to be most effective if it was placed in the shoe by her father.
What does coin symbolize in wedding?
“In today’s modern world, the symbolism of the wedding coins represents a promise of prosperity in the couple’s marriage, as well as a promise to always protect each other’s wealth.”
Do brides still receive horseshoes?
These days we tend not to take this too literally, but horseshoes are still one of the more meaningful wedding day keepsakes.
After the confetti throw, an older lady of the family will often give the newly married bride a gift of a decorated wedding horseshoe, to bring good luck to her new marriage.
