Junior Rasmussen
The wedding garter is a longstanding tradition and a highly debated topic. It is a small band of elastic or lace, often decorated with lace, beads, or rhinestones, that is worn by the bride around her upper thigh. The garter is typically removed by the groom and tossed to a group of bachelors, signifying the bride's transition from maidenhood to married life and bringing good luck to the catcher. While some couples view it as a time-honored custom, others find it tacky and unnecessary. Ultimately, the decision to include a garter in a wedding depends on personal preferences, with some brides choosing to incorporate it as a special heirloom or a fun element, while others opt for alternatives or forgo it entirely.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To hold up stockings, for fashion, or as a wedding tradition |
| Symbolism | Luck, transition from maidenhood to married life, consummation of the union |
| Style | Around the upper thigh, on the knee, as a necklace or bracelet |
| Colour | Classic white or ivory, or luxurious lace or satin |
| Customisation | Heirloom, "something blue", matching lingerie or accessories |
| Ritual | Garter toss, garter dance, garter removal |
| Popularity | Polarising, some consider it tacky or grotesque, others timeless and elegant |
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What You'll Learn
Garter history and meaning
The garter is a thin band of elastic fabric that was created to hold up a woman's stockings. It is worn around the upper thigh, just above the knee, where the leg is most slender, to keep the stocking from slipping. Garters were worn by both men and women throughout history, but the invention of pantyhose in 1959 decreased their necessity. Today, they are worn for fashion, particularly in the context of weddings.
The wedding garter tradition is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages or the Dark Ages. During this time, it was customary for married couples to perform a "bedding" ritual to prove they had consummated the marriage. Wedding guests would follow the newlyweds to their chamber and even rip off pieces of the bride's wedding gown as a form of "encouragement". The bride and groom would toss the garter, along with the bouquet, to appease the crowd and get some privacy.
In modern times, the garter toss is a fun and optional wedding reception activity. It is considered good luck, and the person who catches the garter is said to be the next to get married. The garter is also seen as a symbol of a bride's transition from maidenhood to married life.
While some couples revere the garter toss as a time-honored custom, others find it tacky or antiquated. There are various ways to modify or skip the tradition altogether, such as having a separate "tossing garter" or simply tossing the bouquet without the garter. Ultimately, the decision to include the garter toss in a wedding celebration is a personal choice.
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Garter styling
Garters have been worn throughout history by both men and women, originally designed to keep long socks or stockings in place. In the eighteenth to twentieth centuries, they were tied just below the knee, where the leg is most slender, to prevent the stocking from slipping down. The invention of pantyhose in 1959, however, significantly decreased the need for garters in everyday wear.
Today, garters are worn for fashion, rather than function, particularly in the context of weddings. Wedding garters typically come in a ruched, satin style or a lace band. While this accessory is available in a variety of colours, most brides typically select one in white or blue. Some garters even feature delicate bows, appliqués, beading, rhinestones, or crystals.
The garter toss tradition is a heavily debated topic, with some couples revering it as a time-honoured custom, and others finding it tacky. The tradition originated in the Middle Ages when it was believed that a bride's attire held protective and lucky qualities. Guests would fight and rip off pieces of the bride's clothing, so the garter toss was a way to appease guests in a more controlled environment.
If you want to participate in the garter toss tradition but are uncomfortable with the idea of your partner fishing around for it, you can hand your garter to your partner instead. Alternatively, you can skip the garter toss entirely.
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Garter alternatives
Although the garter toss is a well-known wedding tradition, it is a polarizing concept for most brides. Some couples revere it as a time-honoured custom, while others find it antiquated, unnecessary, and even tacky.
If you're looking for alternatives to the garter toss, here are some ideas to consider:
- Skip the garter toss altogether and not replace it with anything. This gives more time for open dancing and mingling.
- Abbreviate the custom: buy a garter and skip the part where someone has to wear it and toss it to a select group of loved ones.
- Throw wedding favours to all your guests on the dance floor. Ensure that the favours are non-fragile.
- Incorporate alcohol into the toss by throwing a box (without the alcohol in it) of your preferred alcohol.
- Use a t-shirt cannon: make a custom shirt for the event with your wedding date and your names on the front.
- Do a charity toss: get an item representing the charity of your choice, such as a stuffed animal for an animal conservation foundation.
- If you still want the fun moment of your partner peeling off your garter and then tossing it, consider getting a separate "tossing garter".
- Hand your garter to your partner instead of having them find it under your dress.
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Garter toss
The garter toss, also known as a garter throw, is a wedding tradition that takes place during the reception. The tradition is meant to bring good luck to the bride and groom, with the garter itself symbolising good luck as the person who catches it is said to find love and get married next.
The ritual involves the bride sitting in a chair with the groom kneeling before her. The groom then ducks under the bride's dress to remove the garter from her leg using his hands or teeth and tosses it into a crowd of single men. Some brides choose to hand the garter to the groom instead of having him find it under her dress. The garter is usually made of lace, satin, silk, or tulle and is held in place above the knee with elastic.
The garter toss is a highly debated tradition, with some couples considering it a time-honoured custom while others find it tacky and unnecessary. The origin of the tradition is also questionable, with some believing it traces back to medieval Europe when it was considered good luck to snag a piece of the bride's dress, while others argue it is a more recent invention.
Today, many couples choose to forego the garter toss entirely or modify it to suit their preferences. For example, some couples may opt for a separate "tossing garter" to be thrown into the crowd, while others may choose to skip the tradition altogether if they are uncomfortable with it. Ultimately, the decision to include a garter toss in a wedding is a personal choice and can be tailored to the couple's comfort and preferences.
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Garter as an heirloom
The garter is a well-known wedding tradition, but it is not solely reserved for weddings. The garter is a meaningful heirloom, a small token of a couple's big day, to be cherished and passed on through the generations. It is a way to carry a piece of your family history with you on your wedding day.
The garter has evolved over the years, and its meaning has changed. It is no longer a symbol of virginity and the consummation of a marriage, as it was in the Middle Ages. Today, it is seen as a fun, lighthearted way for a couple to show their chemistry and interact with their guests. The garter is also a symbol of love, luck, and family tradition. It is often made with heirloom materials, such as the lace from a mother's wedding dress or the tulle from a grandmother's veil, and passed down as part of a wedding dress keepsake.
The garter is a highly personal choice, and some brides choose not to wear one at all. For those who do, it is an opportunity to be sentimental and connect with their family history. It is a way to honour the women who came before them and to create a new family heirloom. The garter can be passed down to future generations or saved for a daughter.
The garter is also a practical choice for a bride's wedding day and wedding night. It can be selected to match the lingerie a bride has chosen for her first night as newly married, adding a chic and sexy element to the celebration. It is a small but significant detail that can be customised and made unique, with some couples opting for a separate "tossing garter" to keep their heirloom safe.
The wedding garter is a special and historic tradition, and for many couples, it is an important part of their celebration. It is a way to honour the past, celebrate their love, and create new memories to be cherished forever.
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Frequently asked questions
No, garters are not only worn at weddings. Garters were originally designed to keep long socks or stockings in place and were worn by both men and women. However, the invention of pantyhose in 1959 decreased the need for garters in everyday wear. Today, they are worn for fashion, particularly at weddings.
The wedding garter tradition is believed to have originated in medieval Europe. Back then, a bride's attire was considered lucky, and guests would rip off pieces of the bride's wedding gown. The garter toss was a more controlled way of sharing the good fortune. Some historians argue that the tradition is older and that removing the garter and presenting it was a ploy to get privacy and appease guests who wanted to watch the consummation of the marriage.
No, wearing a garter at a wedding is entirely up to the bride. While some brides love the idea, others find the accessory and associated traditions antiquated and unnecessary. If you do decide to wear one, you can make the garter toss activity more modern and inclusive. For example, you can hand the garter to your partner instead of having them find it under your dress.
