Often the blue item is the garter. Brides of ancient Israel wore blue ribbons on the border of their wedding cloths to denote, love, modesty and fidelity. These are ideals still associated today with that color. Blue also denotes the purity of the Virgin Mary and is the most popular of all colors. In ancient Israel brides wore a blue ribbon in their hair to symbolize their fidelity A Silver Sixpence in her Shoe is to wish the bride wealth.
Some brides still place a penny in their shoe during the marriage ceremony.
This bridal custom is the most purely symbolic custom of all and its meaning has remained unchanged throughout the years.