Junior Rasmussen
The wedding garter is a piece of bridal lingerie, usually made of lace and elastic, worn on the thigh under the wedding dress. The tradition dates back to the Middle Ages when it was considered good luck to take home a piece of the bride's clothing. Today, the groom removes the garter from the bride's leg during the wedding reception and tosses it to a crowd of bachelors, signifying the bride's transition from maidenhood to married life. While some brides uphold this tradition as a meaningful part of their celebration, others find it antiquated and unnecessary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Holding up stockings |
| Good luck charm | |
| Proof of consummation | |
| Fashion statement | |
| Lingerie | |
| Bridal boudoir shoots | |
| Heirloom | |
| Entertainment | |
| Part of wedding photos | |
| Garter toss | |
| Garter dance | |
| Garter removal | |
| Garter alternatives |
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What You'll Learn
Garter history and origin
The wedding garter is said to be one of the oldest wedding traditions, with its origin dating as far back as the 14th or 19th century. It is highly debated, with some arguing that it traces its roots to medieval Europe or the Dark Ages.
During this period, it was customary for family and wedding guests to accompany the newlyweds to their bedroom to ensure the marriage was consummated. In the frenzy, guests would rip the bride's clothes, hoping to obtain a piece of her attire as it was believed to bring good luck. This led to the creation of the garter toss, where the groom would toss the bride's garter to the guests to appease them and avoid any intrusion.
The garter itself, a thin band of elastic fabric, was originally designed to hold up a woman's stockings. It was worn throughout history by both men and women but became less common after the invention of pantyhose in 1959. In modern times, garters are worn for fashion, especially in weddings, where they are often chosen as the "'something blue' accessory.
The garter toss tradition has evolved over time, with some cultures auctioning off the garter or having men compete for it through foot races or horseback riding. Today, the garter toss is often considered a fun and lighthearted wedding ritual, though some couples may opt to skip it due to its controversial nature.
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Garter alternatives
The wedding garter toss is a tradition where the groom removes the bride's garter and throws it to a group of single male guests. The recipient of the garter then puts it on the woman who catches the bouquet. However, many couples are choosing to forgo this tradition or put a modern twist on it. Here are some ideas for garter alternatives:
The Anniversary Dance
This idea involves inviting all the married couples to the dance floor and playing a few slow songs. Couples then gradually leave the dance floor, starting with those married for the shortest time, and ending with the couple married the longest. The longest-married couple is then presented with the bouquet and/or garter. This idea is a beautiful way to honour the commitment of the longest-married couple.
The Hot Potato Game
In this game, all the single ladies form a circle and pass a bouquet to each other while music plays. When the music stops, the person holding the bouquet wins and keeps it. This game is a fun way to involve the single ladies at the wedding.
The Whiskey Box Toss
Instead of tossing the garter, the groom tosses a bottle of whiskey to the male guests. This alternative, inspired by Peruvian culture, adds a fun twist to the traditional garter toss and offers a practical gift for the winner.
Toss an Alternative Object
Instead of tossing the garter, the groom can throw another object, such as his boutonniere, a soft ball, or even a bouquet of dollar bills or lottery tickets. This option allows you to keep the tradition of tossing an object without using the garter.
Balloon Drop
Hide a garter or other prize in a balloon and drop it along with other balloons onto the dance floor. Guests can then pop the balloons to find the prize. This alternative adds an element of surprise and fun to the traditional garter toss.
Candy Toss
Fill a bowl, vase, or basket with candy and toss it out to all guests, or just the single ones. This alternative is a sweet way to include everyone or target a specific group.
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Garter removal
The garter toss, also known as the garter throw, is a wedding tradition that takes place during the reception. It is entirely optional and many couples choose to skip it. The garter toss is meant to be lighthearted and fun, but some couples may find it awkward or uncomfortable.
If you do decide to include the garter toss in your wedding, here are some tips for the garter removal:
Choose an appropriate song
Talk to your partner beforehand and pick a song that you both like and that will put you at ease. If you want to keep things classy, avoid songs that might offend any older guests. Your wedding band or DJ may be able to suggest suitable songs and offer advice.
Prepare the garter
You can wear the garter just above your knee, which is the narrowest part of your thigh, to prevent it from rubbing against your other leg. Alternatively, you can adjust it and place it higher if that feels more comfortable. If you don't want to wear the garter all day, you can put it on just before the toss.
Positioning
Typically, the bride sits in a chair with the groom kneeling before her. The bride can then lift her skirt slightly, just below the knees, and the groom ducks under the skirt to reach the garter.
Removing the garter
The groom can use their hands or, if both parties consent, their teeth to remove the garter. The groom then slides the garter down the bride's leg and over her shoe.
Toss the garter
After removing the garter, the groom tosses it into a crowd of male guests or bachelors. The person who catches the garter is said to be the next one to marry.
Remember, the garter toss can be adapted to fit the needs of non-traditional couples, same-sex couples, and unique wedding visions. Feel free to experiment with alternatives to make the activity your own.
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Garter toss
The garter toss is a wedding tradition that takes place during the reception. The tradition is meant to be a fun activity for guests and is often done around the same time as the bridal bouquet toss. The bride sits in a chair with the groom kneeling before her. The groom then ducks under the bride's gown to remove a garter from around her leg using their hands or teeth. The garter is then tossed into a crowd of single men or bachelors, and whoever catches it is said to be the next to get married.
The garter toss tradition is thought to have originated in medieval Europe, although some believe it may have begun in the Dark Ages. During this time, guests would try to rip off a piece of the bride's dress as it was considered good luck. The garter toss was a way to appease these guests and stop them from tearing the bride's clothes.
In modern times, the garter toss is a controversial tradition. Some couples revere it as a time-honoured custom, while others find it tacky or sexist. It is entirely optional, and many couples choose to skip it altogether. Some brides may find it antiquated or uncomfortable, especially with the groom removing the garter in front of family and friends.
For those who wish to include the garter toss in their wedding, there are ways to make it more comfortable and personalised. Brides can opt for custom-made garters with their favourite colours or monograms. The groom can also remove the garter together with the bride, making it a playful celebration of their union. Alternatively, the couple may choose to replace the garter toss with a different activity, such as a "bouquet and key toss" or another game that includes all wedding guests regardless of gender.
Ultimately, the decision to include a garter toss in a wedding is a personal one. Couples can choose to uphold the tradition or forgo it entirely based on their preferences and comfort levels.
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Garter as lingerie
Wedding garters are a piece of bridal lingerie worn under a wedding dress on the upper thigh. They are generally made of lace and feature an elastic band that holds them in place. During the wedding reception, it is customary for the bride's partner to remove the garter from underneath her gown and toss it into a crowd of male wedding guests. This tradition is meant to bring good luck and fertility to the newlyweds, with the garter serving as a token of luck for the guests.
While the tradition of wearing a garter during a wedding is polarising, with some brides finding it antiquated and unnecessary, others choose to embrace it as a meaningful part of their celebration, an accessory for wedding photos, or a sexy addition to their wedding night lingerie. For those who want to include the garter toss but are uncomfortable with the idea of their partner removing it in front of their family, a separate "tossing garter" can be used.
Garters as lingerie can be a bold and daring choice, adding a touch of vintage sophistication to your lingerie collection. They can be worn around the waist or hips and are typically made of lace, satin, or mesh. Garters are both functional and decorative, originally serving the practical purpose of holding up stockings before the invention of elasticised stockings. Today, they are often chosen to enhance intimate apparel or complete a sophisticated look.
When choosing a garter as lingerie, it is important to consider the fit and adjust the straps to the desired length so they reach the tops of your stockings. For a cohesive and refined look, garters can be paired with matching lingerie or thigh-high stockings. They come in a variety of styles, from timeless and classic to bold and daring, allowing you to express your unique style and make a statement.
Whether you decide to wear a garter for your wedding or as lingerie, it is a personal choice that should reflect your comfort and style.
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Frequently asked questions
A wedding garter is a piece of fabric-covered elastic that a bride wears on her thigh under her wedding dress. It is generally made of lace and features an elastic band that holds it in place. In the past, garters were used to hold up stockings.
The wedding garter tradition dates back to the Middle Ages or the Dark Ages. Wedding guests would wait outside the bedchamber for the newly married couple to consummate their marriage. Guests would then rip the bride's dress to keep a 'lucky' piece of it. The groom would then toss the bride's garter to the crowd to confirm consummation.
The wedding garter tradition is still common, with around 85% of brides in the UK and US choosing to wear wedding garter sets. However, some brides choose not to wear a garter because they don't want to include the garter toss, feel uncomfortable wearing one, or don't like the style.
