During the reception, the groom will remove the garter from underneath the bride's gown (with his hands or teeth) and toss it into the crowd. The garter toss is very similar to the bouquet toss. The bachelor that catches the garter is believed to be married next.

What is the point of a garter toss?

The Garter Toss

To pacify the crowd and ease the bride's mind, the groom began tossing out a piece of the bride's wedding attire to distract the guests as the newlyweds made a quick escape from the reception. The garter toss is one way to rally all of the gentlemen to the dance floor.

What does the garter symbolize?

Good Luck and Fertility

In the late Renaissance period, the garter began to symbolize good luck and sometimes even fertility. During these years and for hundreds of years after, the garter remained a lucky symbol for whoever held or wore it.

What is the history of the garter at weddings?

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.

Why does the groom get under the bride's dress?

Photographed by Megan Madden. Wedding season is almost here, and if you'll be a guest at multiple summer weddings, you might see one or two instances of the wedding garter toss. In this long-standing tradition, the groom reaches under the bride's dress to remove the garter and throws it to the male wedding guests.

The ultimate garter toss

39 related questions found

Why do grooms cry when they see the bride?

For grooms who had to endure initial rejection from the bride's parents, or those who had to fight hard and do a lot to get their own parents' clearance to marry the girl of their dreams, watching that same woman walk slowly down the aisle towards them could result in a rush of emotions so intense that tears just start ...

Why can't the bride and groom see each other before the wedding?

And as you consider integrating the tradition into your big day, some questions might come up, like, well, where does the tradition come from? The tradition of not seeing your spouse before the wedding is exactly what it sounds like: avoiding your partner before the ceremony starts.

Is the garter toss awkward?

The garter toss can be even more uncomfortable—for the bride, the groom and everyone watching—in addition to singletons participating. The groom digs around under his bride's dress to remove a lacy piece of lingerie, then flings it into a crowd of cheering single men—all witnessed by their family and friends.

Is garter toss still a thing?

The wedding garter is a piece of bridal lingerie worn under the wedding dress. ... The garter toss is very similar to the bouquet toss. The bachelor that catches the garter is believed to be married next. Today, couples are observing this tradition in new and modernized ways, which we'll go into a bit later.

Does the wedding garter symbolize virginity?

The garter tradition originated back to the 14th century. In parts of Europe the guests of the bride and groom believed having a piece of the bride's clothing was thought to bring good luck. ... When the groom removed the garter from the bride, this represented the bride's relinquishment of her virginity.

What can you do instead of garter toss?

Passing on the Love: Bridal Bouquet and Garter Toss Alternatives

• Couples Dance. Instead of giving your bouquet to the single ladies, consider doing the opposite; give your bouquet to the couple that has been married the longest. ...
• Gift Card Toss. ...
• Something Borrowed. ...
• Toss the Boutonniere. ...
• Thank the Mothers. ...
• Final Thoughts.

Do you have to wear a garter for wedding?

You may be a bride wondering 'do I need to wear a wedding garter?' , but it really is not something that you absolutely have to wear on your wedding day. It is, like every other wedding accessory, a choice that is completely up to you as the bride and your style.

Why was rice thrown at weddings?

In olden times, marriage meant expansion, from building a family to increasing one's assets. Rice (most likely chosen for its availability and low cost) symbolized both fertility and prosperity, and tossing it at couples implied best wishes and good luck-for newborns, good harvests, and everything in between.

When did they start throwing rice at weddings?

The tradition of throwing rice goes back centuries. Ancient Romans would shower a newly married couple with wheat, which symbolized fertility. By the Middle Ages, wheat had been replaced with rice, which was also considered to be a symbol of fruitfulness.

What does the groom pay for?

The groom is traditionally expected to pay for the marriage license and officiant's fees, and buy the bouquet for his "date" (the bride), as well as her engagement and wedding rings and a gift; he should also purchase boutonnieres and gifts for his groomsmen.

What is the bouquet and garter toss?

In most wedding receptions the bride will do the bouquet toss first and then the groom will do the removal of the garter. The woman who catches the bouquet will then have to sit down and let the man who caught the garter to put on said garter on her leg.

Why does the bride wear something blue?

"Something borrowed" from a happily married friend or relative was believed to bring good luck for the union and even fertility. The color blue was meant to ward off the evil eye, and it also stood for love, purity, and fidelity. And the sixpence was intended to bring prosperity to the couple.

How common is garter toss?

The Knot 2018 Real Weddings Study found that only 33% of to-be-weds were planning on incorporating the garter toss into their wedding, down from 41% in 2016. As with all wedding traditions, the garter toss is an option, not a requirement — so do it if you want to, and skip it if you don't.

How do you announce a garter toss?

Begin music and announce: “Lets give the bride and groom a little “mood music”! Once the groom has removed the garter, tell him not to throw it until you give him a three-count (you can do this when you initially confer with him).

Which month is bad luck for marriage?

The belief that July is an unlucky month for weddings is a superstition that has endured for generations. It's origins can be traced to several old, anonymous rhymes that warn couples married in July of everything from bitter-sweet memories to laboring for daily bread!

Can I stay with my fiance the night before the wedding?

It really is entirely up to you. There isn't a rule that says you have to but here's what's most important: that you relax. You'll want to rest up so you're totally prepared for your wedding. ... Discuss whether you're staying together the night before the wedding right here and see a few of our favorite suggestions below!

What colors are bad luck for a wedding?

10) The color of your wedding dress is said to determine the quality of your marriage. Yellow, grey, green, pink, red and black are all supposed unlucky colors.

Who can walk bride down aisle?

The answer is anyone! Anyone can walk the bride down the aisle as long as that's what the bride wants on their wedding day. Whether it's the parents, the groom, or someone else, “traditional” doesn't matter unless it's something that makes you feel good about your day.

How does the groom get to the altar?

Traditionally, he walks down the aisle solo but some grooms prefer walking down the aisle escorted by both parents. Other grooms prefer a more subtle approach by entering the ceremony from the side of the venue (following the officiant and followed by the groomsmen) to take his place at the altar.

Is the groom supposed to look down the aisle?

There is no rule for whether the groom can watch the bride walking down the aisle or not. It's something the couple agree between each other, and it doesn't matter what the registrar or the vicar says. The walk down the aisle is wonderful and will only ever happen once – so don't let the groom miss it!