Junior Rasmussen
The wedding garter is a piece of bridal lingerie worn under a wedding dress on the upper thigh. It is usually made of lace and features an elastic band that holds it in place. The tradition of wearing a garter under the wedding dress dates back to the Dark Ages when it was considered good luck to take home a piece of the bride's clothing. Today, the garter is often worn for sentimental reasons, as a way to include something meaningful in the wedding, or simply because it makes the bride feel beautiful. While some brides choose not to wear a garter due to the gendered history behind the garter toss tradition, it remains a popular accessory, with around 85% of brides in the UK and US choosing to wear wedding garter sets.
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What You'll Learn
It's a fun, lighthearted tradition
The wedding garter is a fun, lighthearted tradition that dates back to the Dark Ages, when it was considered good luck to take home a piece of the bride's clothing. The garter toss is a playful way to engage with guests and show off the couple's chemistry. It's also a chance for the bride to surprise her partner with something special and meaningful.
The garter is typically worn just above the knee or around the mid-thigh, and many brides choose to wear theirs all day. It's usually made of lace, satin, or elastic fabric, and can be embellished with bows, rhinestones, or crystals. Some brides wear two garters—one to keep as a sentimental heirloom and one to toss.
The garter can be a fun way to incorporate family traditions, such as using vintage lace from a family member's wedding dress or veil. It's a way to feel beautiful and special on your wedding day, completing the bridal look and making you feel like a bride.
The garter tradition has evolved over time, and today it's more about fashion, fun, and sensuality. It's a lighthearted way to add a unique touch to your wedding and create lasting memories. Whether you choose to wear a garter or not, it's ultimately a personal decision that should reflect your style and preferences.
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It's a symbol of love and luck
The wedding garter is a thin band of elastic fabric worn by brides under their wedding dress, usually on the upper thigh. It is often made of lace and is typically worn just above the knee. In the past, garters were used to hold up stockings, but today they are worn as a decorative item and as part of the “garter toss” tradition.
The garter toss is a wedding tradition where the bride's partner removes the garter and throws it into a crowd of single men. The person who catches the garter is believed to be the next to get married. This tradition dates back to the Dark Ages when it was considered good luck to take home a piece of the bride's clothing. Over time, the tradition evolved into wearing and removing a garter to protect the bride from over-eager guests. Today, the wedding garter is a symbol of love and luck, with many couples using it as a way to inject sentimentality and fun into their wedding day.
Many brides choose to wear a garter because it makes them feel beautiful and special on their wedding day. It is often seen as a way to complete their bridal look and surprise their partner with something meaningful. Some brides wear garters that have been passed down in their families, while others have them custom-made from fabric that holds personal significance, such as their mother's wedding dress or their grandmother's veil.
The garter is also a way for couples to incorporate their personality and style into their wedding day. They can choose a garter style or colour that reflects their unique taste and helps them enjoy the day. For some, the garter is a fun and lighthearted way to interact with their guests and showcase their chemistry as a couple.
In addition to its symbolic value, the garter can also be a practical choice for brides. It can be worn all day, providing comfort and support under the wedding dress, especially for those choosing a fitted or mermaid-style gown. Ultimately, the decision to wear a garter under the wedding dress is a personal one, and brides can choose to embrace or forgo the tradition based on their preferences and comfort level.
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It's a family heirloom
Wedding garters are a thin band of elastic fabric worn around the thigh under a wedding dress. The tradition of wearing a garter 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 for themselves. This evolved into the tradition of wearing and removing a garter, to protect the bride from over-enthusiastic participants.
Today, wearing a garter is a personal choice, and brides may choose to wear one for a variety of reasons. One reason is sentimentality and the desire to wear a family heirloom. A bride may choose to wear a garter that has been passed down through her family, or she may have a new garter made from fabric that has personal meaning, such as her mother's wedding dress or her grandmother's veil. This allows the bride to feel connected to her family history and carry a piece of it with her on her wedding day.
For some brides, wearing a garter made from family heirloom fabric is a way to honour their family and feel their presence on their special day, especially if they are no longer with them. It is a way to feel connected to the women who came before her and to continue their legacy. The garter can be designed to include an inside story or a personal touch that is meaningful to the bride and her family.
In addition to sentimentality, wearing a garter can also be a fun and playful element of the wedding day. It is an opportunity for the bride to surprise her partner with something special and unexpected. The garter can be designed with the partner's taste in mind, adding an extra layer of excitement and intimacy to the tradition.
For many brides, wearing a garter that is a family heirloom is a way to honour tradition, infuse sentimentality into their wedding day, and create a lasting memory that can be passed down to future generations. It is a way to feel connected to their family history and create a unique and personalised experience on their special day.
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It's a fashion accessory
Wedding garters are a fashion accessory that has stood the test of time. They are generally made of lace, satin, or silk, and feature an elastic band to hold them in place. They are often decorated with delicate bows, appliqués, beading, rhinestones, or crystals. Garters are typically worn just above the knee, which is the narrowest part of the thigh, to prevent them from rubbing against the other leg. This placement is also ideal for tighter-fitting dresses as the dress will flare out at this point.
For some brides, the garter is a fun accessory that makes them feel beautiful and special on their wedding day. It is a way to surprise their partner with something unexpected and add a little sensuality to their outfit. Some brides choose a garter design that has personal meaning, such as one made from fabric from their mother's wedding dress or their grandmother's veil. Others may select a garter in a particular colour or style that matches their personality.
The garter is also a way for brides to feel like they are taking part in a longstanding tradition. It is a bridal accessory that has been worn for centuries, and while some may view it as antiquated, it is still a popular choice for many modern brides. Ultimately, the choice of whether or not to wear a garter is a personal one, and brides should select what makes them feel comfortable and confident on their wedding day.
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It's a way to surprise your partner
The wedding garter is a piece of bridal lingerie worn under a wedding dress on the upper thigh. It is usually made of lace and features an elastic band that holds it in place. The garter is often seen as a way for the bride to surprise her partner with something special and unexpected.
The garter is typically worn just above the knee, which is the narrowest part of the thigh, to ensure it won't rub against the other leg when walking or dancing. Brides often choose the design of the garter, knowing their partner will like it or that it will hold a special meaning for them. For instance, it could be designed around an inside story or made from fabric that has personal significance, such as the lace from her mother's wedding dress or the tulle from her grandmother's veil.
The garter is also a fun and lighthearted way to showcase the couple's chemistry and interact with their guests. During the wedding reception, it has become a tradition 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 dates back to the Dark Ages, where it was considered good luck to take home a piece of the bride's clothing.
Some brides choose not to include the garter toss tradition, feeling uncomfortable with the idea of their partner removing the garter in front of their family and friends. However, there are alternatives, such as the bride taking off her garter and handing it to the groom to toss, or having a separate "tossing garter" to ensure they get to keep their own garter as a memento. Ultimately, the decision to wear a garter and whether to include the garter toss is a personal choice, and brides can choose to make it as fun and meaningful as they wish.
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Frequently asked questions
Brides wear a garter—a thin band of elastic fabric—under their wedding dress for a variety of reasons. Some brides wear it as a fun, lighthearted way to show off the couple's chemistry and interact with their guests. Others wear it for sentimental reasons, as a way to infuse something special and meaningful into their wedding day. Some brides wear it because it makes them feel beautiful and like a bride.
The whole tradition of the wedding garter dates back to the Dark Ages or the Middle Ages when it was considered good luck to take home a piece of the bride's clothing. Family and guests at the wedding would accompany the newlyweds to the bedroom and try to rip the bride's dress to keep a 'lucky' piece of it for themselves. This tradition soon turned into wearing and then removing a garter, in order to protect the bride from over-enthusiastic participants in the wedding party.
Wedding garters are generally made of lace, satin, silk, or chiffon. They feature an elastic band that holds them in place. Modern wedding garters often feature embellishments like delicate bows, appliqués, beading, rhinestones, or crystals.
The wedding garter is typically worn on the upper thigh, just above the knee—the narrowest part of the thigh. This is especially ideal if the bride is wearing a fitted dress like a mermaid-style gown.
During the wedding reception, it has become tradition for the bride's partner to remove the garter from underneath her gown and toss it into a crowd of male wedding guests. It is believed that whoever catches the garter will be the next to get married.
