Something new ditched for something nearly new.

Rachel Shields LONDON, April 12: Superstitious brides have followed the mantra "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" since the Victorian era, but this year, budget-conscious women seem to be turning their back on the "new" entirely and plumping instead for second-hand wedding gowns, antique rings, and even used flowers.

EBay has reported a 60 per cent rise in wedding dress listings over the past three months, second-hand wedding dress websites such as the Dress Market and Almost New are reporting a massive increase in trade, while Oxfam is now struggling to cope with the demand for its second-hand gowns.

While the number of …