My Lucky Charm

There’s a photo of my great aunt getting married in the early 1950s. She’s wearing a dark suit and it’s all a bit austere - the rationing of the war still lingers. She’s not carrying a bouquet – instead, she’s holding ribbons from which dangle a silver horseshoe, a wooden spoon, and a rolling pin. They were given for luck and as a symbol of her domestic future. I reckon she should have given back the spoon and rolling pin - possibly violently. But we love the horseshoe!

Photo Credit: Celebrate The Year.

Of course, today’s brides with their exquisitely coordinated ensembles may not be too keen to carry the last-minute gift of a fancy horseshoe (although personally I love this idea...) but it’s a shame to ditch them completely. Good luck horseshoes used to be everywhere at weddings. In the confetti, on the napkins and the cake, on congratulations cards, sometimes even sewn into the hem of the bride’s dress.

Photo Credit: Wedding in a Teacup

Since forever, the iron horseshoe has been a protective and good luck talisman. You were supposed to find one that had been thrown by a horse, not buy a new one. People would nail them at their doors to bring good fortune and to protect the house from bad fairies and witches (fairy folk hate iron). The English and Irish nail horseshoes with the ends upwards, to keep good luck inside; other countries nail them the other way round, so that good luck can shower out.

Photo Credit: Wedding in a Teacup

We love that iconic horseshoe shape; it balances and echoes the heart shape. We love the lucky seven nail holes (we’re itching to thread some Teacup ribbon through them!). Horseshoes are perfect for natural, country-style weddings, or simply those with a retro twist. And who’s going to turn down the chance of good luck at their nuptials? Bring back the horseshoe!

Photo Credit: Wedding in a Teacup