Rhiannon Hendricks
The wedding garter is a piece of bridal lingerie worn on the thigh. It is traditionally removed by the groom during the reception and tossed to unmarried male guests, who then wear it on their hats for good luck. The garter toss is a highly debated tradition that originated in the Dark Ages when it was considered good luck to obtain a piece of the bride's clothing. Today, the garter is often personalised by brides who choose to incorporate their favourite colours, monograms, or even family heirlooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To keep stockings in place |
| Placement | Just above the knee or on the upper thigh |
| Fabric | Lace, stretchy lace, gathered fabric, silk, or ribbon |
| Colour | White, blue, or multicoloured |
| Design | Bows, appliqués, beading, rhinestones, or crystals |
| Cost | $15 to $125 |
| Tradition | Garter toss, garter dance, or garter removal |
| Symbolism | Good luck, transition from maidenhood to married life, consummation of marriage, or submission to partner |
| Modern Interpretations | Inclusive gender-neutral toss, creative and personalised rituals, or skipping the tradition |
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What You'll Learn
History of the wedding garter
The wedding garter is said to be one of the oldest wedding traditions, with its origins buried in mystery. One theory suggests that the tradition started in the Dark Ages, when it was considered good luck to obtain a piece of the bride's clothing. Family and guests would accompany the newlyweds to the bedroom to ensure they arrived safely and would rip the bride's dress to keep a 'lucky' piece of it. This later evolved into the bride tossing her stocking or garter to the guests to prevent damage to her dress.
Another theory suggests that the garter served as proof of the consummation of the marriage. In medieval times, married couples were expected to consummate their union immediately, and some wedding guests would try to watch to make sure it was done. The garter was presented as "proof" to appease these onlookers.
Over time, the garter toss evolved into a ritual where the groom removes the garter from the bride's leg and tosses it to unmarried male guests. This is now often paired with the bouquet toss, with the person catching the garter believed to be the next to marry.
The garter is also regarded as having protective properties in various traditions. It was thought to protect the bride from evil spirits and symbolise her transition from maidenhood to married life.
While the tradition has been criticised for being outdated and unnecessarily gendered, many modern brides still choose to include it in their weddings, either as a fun ritual or as a special heirloom to be passed on.
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Garter placement
The placement of the garter is an important consideration for brides who choose to wear one. A wedding garter is typically worn on the upper thigh, just above the knee, on either leg. This is the narrowest part of the thigh, and placing the garter here ensures that it won't rub against the other leg when walking or dancing.
The garter should fit snugly so that it doesn't fall down but also not too tight, as to avoid leaving marks or cutting off circulation. It is recommended to try on the garter before the wedding day to ensure a good fit, and to select a garter made of high-quality material so it doesn't rub or chafe if the wearer sweats.
Brides can choose to adjust the placement of the garter to a position higher on the thigh if that feels more comfortable. For those wearing a mermaid or tighter-fitting wedding dress, placing the garter around the knee is ideal, as this is where the dress will flare out.
The garter can be put on just before the toss ritual if the bride chooses to wear one only for this purpose. Some brides also opt to wear the garter as part of their wedding-night lingerie, stashing it away until they retire for the night.
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Garter removal
The garter toss is a wedding tradition that takes place during the reception. It originated in the Dark Ages when people believed that having a piece of the bride's dress brought good luck. During this time, guests would follow the couple to their marital bed, ripping at their clothes. The garter toss tradition was a way to appease the crowd and give the couple some privacy.
Today, the garter removal and toss are done during the reception as a fun activity. The bride sits in a chair with the groom kneeling before her. The groom ducks under the bride's gown to remove the garter from around her leg using his hands. The bride can help by pulling her dress up a little and extending her leg slightly. The groom then tosses the garter to a crowd of bachelors, and whoever catches it is said to be the next one to marry.
The garter removal symbolises the bride's transition from maidenhood to married life, and the garter itself still signifies good luck. While some people find the tradition crude and grotesque, others view it as a cute and funny form of wedding entertainment.
If you want to include the garter toss in your wedding, there are a few things to keep in mind. Talk to your partner in advance and pick a song that you both like and that won't offend any grandparents or delicate ears in the room. Discuss with your wedding planner or event coordinator so they can get you a chair and be prepared. Relax and enjoy the moment, and remember that it's your wedding day and you're already married!
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Garter toss alternatives
The wedding garter is a piece of bridal lingerie worn under a wedding dress on the upper thigh. The garter toss tradition originated in the Middle Ages or the Dark Ages when it was considered good luck to obtain a piece of the bride's dress. To appease guests, the bride would toss her garter to the crowd. In modern times, the groom removes the garter from the bride's leg using his hands or teeth and tosses it to a group of his single male friends.
However, the garter toss is entirely optional, and many couples are choosing to forgo this tradition. Here are some alternatives to the garter toss:
Toss Alternatives
- Toss a signed football or another object that reflects your wedding theme.
- Toss your bouquet to your mother as a gesture of appreciation.
- Toss wedding favours or something soft like handmade knitted scarves to your guests.
- Toss a box (without alcohol) of your preferred alcohol.
Game Alternatives
- Play "The Shoe Game".
- Play a giant Jenga game with dares written on each piece.
- Have a frozen T-shirt contest where couples try to put on a frozen T-shirt first.
- Do an "anniversary dance" where all couples are on the dance floor, and the DJ counts down how long each couple has been married, with the longest-married couple winning.
Charitable Alternatives
- Toss a stuffed animal to represent an animal conservation foundation.
- Use a t-shirt cannon and donate under the name of whoever catches the shirt.
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Garter personalisation
Wedding garters are a piece of bridal lingerie worn under a wedding dress on the upper thigh, traditionally to hold up stockings. The garter toss tradition originated in the Dark Ages when it was considered good luck to obtain a piece of the bride's clothing.
Today, the garter is often personalised by brides to match their wedding lingerie or to incorporate vintage lace, silk, or other materials with personal significance. Garters can also be customised with colours, bows, appliqués, beading, rhinestones, or crystals. Some brides choose to add their initials and wedding date to the garter.
For example, a bride could use vintage lace from her mother's wedding dress or include pearls from her grandmother's veil. Garters can also be made from family materials such as a father's necktie.
The Garter Girl, a company that creates custom wedding garters, offers a range of personalisation options, including colour, fabric, and the incorporation of family heirlooms. They also offer custom wedding heirloom handkerchiefs and ring bearer pillows made from family materials.
When personalising a wedding garter, it is important to consider not only the aesthetics but also comfort and functionality. The garter should be made of a stretchy material that lays flat against the skin and is placed just above the knee to prevent it from rubbing against the other leg when walking or dancing.
Ultimately, the decision to wear a garter and how to personalise it is entirely up to the bride, and there is no right or wrong way to do it.
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Frequently asked questions
The wedding garter tradition dates back to the Dark Ages, when it was considered good luck to take home a piece of the bride's clothing. Family and guests would accompany the newlyweds to the bedroom and try to rip the bride's dress to keep a lucky piece of it. This tradition evolved into the bride and groom tossing their garters and bouquet to appease the crowd and protect the bride.
The garter toss symbolises the transition from maidenhood to married life and the consummation of the couple's union. It is also considered good luck, with the belief that the person who catches the garter will be the next to marry.
Couples can modernise the garter tradition by incorporating personalised touches, such as custom-made garters with sentimental tokens or heirloom pieces. Some couples choose to alter the traditional garter toss activity, such as both partners throwing garters or including all wedding guests regardless of gender. Others may opt to skip the tradition altogether or replace it with a different activity, such as a "bouquet and key toss".
