Who Catches The Garter: Wedding Traditions Explained

Catching the garter at a wedding is a Western tradition that dates back to medieval times. The person who catches the garter is traditionally supposed to be the next person to get married and, in some variants of the custom, places it on the leg of the person who catches the bouquet. However, this tradition has been criticised for singling out single guests and implying that marriage is their end goal. It has also been described as rapey and creepy, with many people expressing discomfort at the idea of a stranger sliding a garter up their leg in front of a crowd.

The person who catches the garter is next to get married

The tradition of tossing the garter at a wedding is a Western wedding custom that dates back centuries. During the reception, the bride's partner removes a garter from the bride's leg and tosses it to a group of unmarried men. The person who catches the garter is traditionally supposed to be the next person to get married. This belief has led to the phrase "you're next" being embroidered on some garters.

While this superstition is not taken seriously by most people today, the garter toss remains a common wedding activity. However, the tradition has evolved to become more inclusive, with anyone who wants to participate—men, women, children, singles, or non-singles—being allowed to join in the fun.

If you catch the garter at a wedding, there are a few options for what to do with it. You can keep it as a memento, give it to a friend or family member, or return it to the bride, who may want to keep it as a wedding keepsake. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make, and you can choose to do whatever feels right for you.

Garters were once used to hold up stockings

The wedding garter is said to be one of the oldest wedding traditions, dating back to the Dark Ages. After the wedding festivities, guests would accompany the newlyweds to their bedroom to ensure their safe arrival and wish them well. It was considered good luck for guests to take home a piece of the bride's clothing. At the time, the garter was used to hold up a woman's stockings.

The garter toss was eventually incorporated into the wedding reception to keep guests at bay and pass on the good fortune. The superstition was that the person who caught the garter would be the next to marry. This tradition has evolved over time, with some people now believing that the man who catches the garter will marry the woman who catches the bouquet.

In the past, garters were worn by both men and women to hold up their socks. As hemlines got shorter, women began wearing garter belts around their waists to keep their stockings in place discreetly. The invention of elastic and pantyhose in the 1960s meant that garters were no longer necessary for this purpose. However, the tradition of wearing and tossing a garter at weddings has persisted.

Today, the wedding garter is a piece of bridal lingerie worn under the wedding dress. It is typically made of ruched satin or lace and can be bought in any colour, though most brides choose white or blue. The garter is usually worn just above the knee on the narrowest part of the thigh to prevent it from rubbing against the other leg.

The garter toss is now a personal choice for the couple. Some brides choose to skip this tradition altogether, while others opt for a separate "tossing garter" to keep the real one as a keepsake.

The bride usually tosses the garter to a crowd of bachelors

The wedding garter toss is a Western wedding tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. In the modern version of this tradition, the bride tosses the garter to a crowd of bachelors, and the person who catches it is said to be the next to get married. The garter toss is often seen as the male counterpart to the bouquet toss, where unmarried women compete to catch the bride's bouquet.

The garter toss tradition has evolved over time, and today, it is meant to be a lighthearted and fun activity for willing participants. However, it is not for everyone, and some couples may choose to skip it altogether if they find it awkward or uncomfortable.

There are different opinions on what should be done with the garter after it is caught. Some believe that the catcher should keep it as a good luck charm, while others suggest giving it back to the bride or passing it on to a friend or family member as a keepsake. Ultimately, it is up to the individual catcher to decide what to do with the garter, and they may choose to simply have fun with it and not worry about its fate.

While the garter toss tradition has been a part of Western weddings for centuries, it is essential to respect the comfort and consent of all participants. Some people may find the idea of catching the garter and putting it on someone else's leg uncomfortable or inappropriate, especially if there are children involved. As such, it is becoming less common, with many couples opting for alternative activities or skipping the tradition altogether.

The garter is placed on the leg of the person who catches the bouquet

The tradition involves the bride tossing her bouquet into a crowd of single women, and the groom tossing the garter into a crowd of single men. The person who catches the garter then places it on the leg of the person who caught the bouquet. This act is meant to be playful and lighthearted, but it can be uncomfortable for the participants, especially if they are strangers or minors.

In recent years, there has been a shift away from this tradition, with many couples choosing to skip the garter toss altogether or modify it to make it more inclusive and comfortable for all guests. Some couples opt for a more modern approach, such as allowing anyone, regardless of gender or relationship status, to participate in the garter toss. Ultimately, the decision to include or modify the garter tradition is up to the couple, but it is important to consider the comfort and consent of all involved.

The garter is a token of good luck

The garter is believed to bring good luck and fertility to the couple. This belief stems from the idea that owning a piece of the bride's attire, especially something as intimate as a garter, would transfer some of her good fortune to the recipient. In addition, the garter is regarded as having protective properties in various traditions. Wearing the garter was thought to protect the bride from evil spirits on her wedding day, a widespread superstition in medieval times.

Today, the man who catches the garter is jokingly assumed to be the next to marry. The garter is typically caught by all the singles at the wedding, and whoever catches it is supposed to pass it on to their future partner. This is why you might sometimes see "you're next" embroidered on the garter. However, this part of the tradition has fallen out of favour in modern times, as most people don't believe that catching the garter will lead to their imminent walk down the aisle.

If you catch the garter, what should you do with it? Many brides may want to keep their wedding garter as a small keepsake. The polite thing to do is to ask the bride if she wants it back. If she is busy, you can give the garter to one of her bridesmaids or the maid of honour. Of course, you can also keep the garter for yourself and try your luck as the next person to get married! Alternatively, you could give the garter to a friend or family member, especially if the bride is a relative, turning the garter into a family heirloom.

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