A wedding garter is an item of clothing traditionally worn by a bride at her wedding. It’s usually placed on her thigh, just below the knee. The groom removes it during the wedding ceremony and tosses it to the other men in attendance (often during the tossing of confetti).
The history of garters dates back to medieval times when they were used to keep long stockings (or “hose”) up. They were often made out of silk or embroidered with flowers or designs; today they’re often made from nylon or satin ribbon wrapped around a bow knot at one end and attached to elastic so they can stretch over your thigh!
Wedding Garter History
The origin of the garter toss at weddings derives from a 14th-century tradition in France. Back then, the bride and groom had to show proof of consummating the marriage after the wedding night. The friends and family of the couple would stay in the room and obtain the wedding garter as ‘proof’ of the consummation. Another common tradition from centuries ago was the ripping apart of the wedding dress while on the bride as anything worn by the bride was considered ‘good luck’. The garter toss became a part of the wedding reception out of modesty for the bride.
Today, the garter toss consists of the groom taking off the garter from the bride at the wedding reception. The garter toss takes place after the bride tosses her bridal bouquet. The bride wears the bridal garter on her right leg, a few inches above the knee and her husband is to take it off with either his hands or teeth and throw it to the groomsmen. The groomsman who catches the garter is considered ‘lucky’ and ‘the next to be married.
Although the history behind the wedding garter toss is a bit strange, it’s still a fun wedding tradition for your reception. Wedding garters are considered bridal lingerie, and many great designers such as Florrie Mitton make beautiful wedding garters for your special day.
Wedding Garter Tradition
The garter is a symbol of fertility, luck, love, and protection. The groom removes the bride’s garter (or stockings) and tosses it to his groomsmen, who must catch it in their teeth. The person who catches the garter will be next to marry.
The practice of tossing the bride’s wedding garter at a bachelor party has become popular since the 1990s. Some believe that catching this tossed item ensures good luck for those involved in its retrieval; however, there are no documented cases to support this belief.
Wedding Garter Meani
A wedding garter is a symbol of fertility and love, as it is believed that by tossing the bouquet and catching it you can catch yourself a husband! The lace, ribbons, beads, and bows also represent your future happiness.
The custom of throwing the bride’s garter at her groom’s feet began in medieval times when knights would capture their lady’s fair by stealing their garters. As this was considered a romantic gesture, ladies often wore garters to entice these knights!
Today most people would rather not have the groom run around like an animal trying to grab something from his bride’s leg—but don’t worry! You can still have fun with this tradition. With our range of gorgeous wedding garters, we promise that no one will be disappointed at how stunning your wedding day attire looks!
Wedding Garter FAQs
Who buys the garter?
There is no set rule for who typically buys a bride’s wedding garter. If you want to buy one for a friend for her bridal shower, it can be a thoughtful gift. If you want to pick out your own bridal garter for your own wedding, that is perfectly acceptable, too.
How much does a garter cost?
A wedding garter can cost anywhere from $15 to $125 (for extremely ornate garters). The average price is around $20 to $35. The more ornate the style, the more expensive they tend to get.
What are the different styles of wedding garters?
Wedding garters typically come in a ruched, satin style or a lace band. They can come in any color. Brides can keep it simple with traditional white, use the garter for their something blue, or, really, choose any color of the rainbow. Some garters feature delicate bows, appliqués, beading, rhinestones, or crystals.
When should you order your garter?
You can order your wedding garter as early as you want. As with all things, if you want a custom garter design, you’ll need to check with the designer on their production time frame.
What leg is the garter worn on?
There is no particular leg that you should wear your wedding garter. You can put the garter on whatever leg feels comfortable and natural to you. There is no good or bad luck involved with either leg.
Where do you place the garter on your leg?
It’s generally recommended that you wear your wedding garter just above your knee. This is usually the narrowest part of your thigh and your garter won’t rub your other leg when you walk or dance. Also, if you are wearing a mermaid or tighter fitting wedding dress, around your knee is where your dress will flare out, making this an ideal location for your garter. You can, of course, adjust it and put it higher if that feels more comfortable.
Do you have to wear your garter for the entire wedding?
You’ve got a few different options when it comes to wearing a garter on your wedding day. The first is to wear the garter all day, whether or not your partner will be removing it and throwing it into a crowd later in the evening. Look for a style that’s made of soft stretch lace that will lay flat against your skin instead of one made of gathered fabric. If you’ve got your eye on something more ornate, you can always keep it in your purse until a few moments before the throw. Once it’s time, head to the bathroom, slip it on, and head for the dance floor.
Do you have to toss your garter?
Whether or not you toss your garter is entirely up to you. If you aren’t into the garter toss, don’t do it. If you (or your partner) would rather not toss your bridal garter at your reception, that is perfectly okay.
Blue Wedding Garter
The color blue is the color of fidelity, constancy, and truth. It’s the color of the sky, the sea, and the Virgin Mary in the Catholic tradition. Blue is also said to be a calming color that helps with communication and mental focus; it represents loyalty and intelligence.
- Navy blue bridal garter set
- Monogrammed Embroidered WHITE Lace Wedding and Toss Garters
- Blue lace garter set
- Dusty Blue Lace Bridal Garter
- Personalized Blue Wedding Garter Non Slip Your Are Next
Wedding Garters With Rhinestones
If you’re looking for something with a little more pizzazz, why not consider a wedding garter with rhinestones? Rhinestones are the perfect accent to any bride’s ensemble, and they’ll help her feel like a princess on her special day.
Rhinestones aren’t the only option out there, though. Crystal wedding garters are another popular choice because they add sparkle to your look while staying true to your overall theme. If you want an even more subtle touch of elegance (or if you’re looking for something that has some stretch), lace is also a great option—and it comes in multiple colors!
If you’re plus size or have larger thighs, don’t worry about finding something that fits your body type—many garters come in plus sizes ranging from 0X-6X!
- Tulle garter set for wa edding with gold rhinestones
- Rhinestone bridal garter set
- Crystal Rhinestones with Rose Gold Details
- Burgundy rhinestone bridal garter
- Rose Gold Lace Wedding Garter
Wedding Garters With Crystals
Crystals are the most popular choice for wedding garters. They are a good choice for bridal garters, bridal garter belts, and more. There are many different colors of crystals to choose from which makes them perfect for any wedding theme or color scheme. Crystals can be made into all sorts of shapes so you will never have trouble finding one that goes perfectly with your wedding gown!
Crystals can be made into all sorts of shapes so you will never have trouble finding one that goes perfectly with your wedding gown!
- Light ivory tulle wedding garter with crystals
- Gold Crystal floral beaded leaves wedding garter
- Luxury rhinestone and pearls leg garter for bride
Wedding Garters With Lace
Lace wedding garters and lace garter belts are classic choices that bring the look of romance to any wedding. The delicate nature of lace is perfect for boho-inspired weddings, but it also makes for a sophisticated bridal party with a modern twist.
Lace wedding garters can be worn by any brides who want to add some personality to their look. If you’re looking for something different, try pairing your traditional lacy white garter with another accessory like a veil or headpiece for an elegant bridal look.
These garters are made from soft yet durable satin that won’t break easily like other types of fabrics might do over time after multiple uses (and even daily wear). They’re also easy enough to clean using warm water and mild detergent so they’ll stay looking good as new long after they’ve been used in place of tradition during ceremonies at venues around town where we’ve done our fair share!
- Light ivory tulle wedding garter set with rose gold lace and flower
- Off white wide wedding garter set with clear crystal drop
- White chiffon and lace garter set
- Light Blue Lace Bridal Garter Set
Plus Size Wedding Garter
If you’re looking for a plus size wedding garter, we’ve got plenty of options that will fit your needs. We have traditional white garters with rhinestones or crystals, plus size lace garters, and a wide variety of other colors.
Plus size wedding garters are perfect for brides who want to wear something over the top but don’t want to take away from the dress by wearing a long veil. You can look as pretty as possible without being too distracting on your big day!
- Elegant golden tulle wedding garter set
- Personalized tulle wedding garter with pearls and crystals initials
What to do with the garter after the wedding? how to use a garter on the wedding day?
You will probably have a garter toss at your wedding. The groom will take off his bride’s garter and throw it to the single men in the room, who then try to catch it. There are different ways you can use this tradition:
- The groom can throw back the garter to his bride after they have danced together for their first dance as husband and wife.
- The bride can choose one of her bridesmaids to pass on her bouquet before taking off her garter; when she does, she gives her bouquet to that same person who then passes it along as well.
So, which one is your favorite? Do you know of any other alternative uses for a garter? Let us know in the comments below!
Comments are closed.