For hundreds of years, brides have been honoring the tradition of wearing a sixpence in their shoe on their wedding day to bless the marriage with wealth and prosperity.

Embarrassingly enough, I had never heard of this tradition until quite recently.  Further research concluded that I was not alone!

What is a sixpence?

According to Wikipedia, the  sixpence was a a British form of currency worth a 40th of sterling, or six pence.  In England, the first sixpences were struck in the reign Edward VI in 1951 and continued until they were obsolete in 1971.

What does the sixpence have to do with weddings?

In a nutshell, the sixpence tradition began in the late 17th century as a part of the dowery gift to the groom.  As time went on, the coin became more of a good luck charm worn in the left shoe of the bride on her wedding day.

How can you incorporate the sixpence in your wedding?

Several ways.  There are several sites on the internet that sell sixpence coins for a very reasonable price.  Go ahead and purchase the coin and, as tradition calls for, wear it in your left shoe.  Save the coin and start a new tradition.  Pass it along to family members, friends or one day, your daughter.

Go back to the root of the tradition and make the groom wear sixpence cufflinks!  Click the picture below to order your own set.

Channel your inner vintage diva with this necklace accented with a pearl and stamped with your initials.

Or a locket combination:

Give the gift of sixpence.  Etsy seller Mon Amour Boutique gets it right with this classic card.  The tale of the tradition is written on the back of the card.  What a perfect shower gift!

A bottle of nice wine and this sixpence stopper would make a fabulous wedding or shower gift!