What Is The Meaning Behind The Garter Toss?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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At modern weddings, the removing and tossing of the garter is now the privilege of the groom at the reception. He tosses the

garter to the unmarried male guests at the wedding

. It is thought that catching the garter will bring you good luck and in, some cases, indicate that you will be married next.

What is the history behind the garter toss?

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.

What does the garter toss symbolize?

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 is the purpose of a garter on a bride?

The function of a garter is

to hold up stockings on the bride’s legs

. Therefore, there is no correct leg to wear it on. You may choose to wear your garter on either your left or your right leg based on your personal preference. Many brides choose to wear two garters: one to toss, and one to keep.

Why do grooms go under the bride’s dress?

Wearing a garter started

as a means of getting a piece of the bride’s lucky charm

. The concept moved from that to being a symbol of newlyweds consummating their marriage. So, in the eyes of family, friends and all guests, the garter will be given to a person who attended the wedding as a witness of the event.

Who buys bride garter?

The answer is:

Anyone can buy the wedding garter

.

The mother of the bride can get her daughter a special wedding garter. (Maybe the mother of the bride uses lace from her wedding dress to have a custom bridal garter made using the heirloom material!)

Why can’t couples see each other before wedding?

You’ve probably heard that it’s bad luck to see your fiancé on the wedding day before your ceremony. The reason being that,

back when marriages were arranged

, the bride and groom weren’t allowed to see or meet each other at all until they were at the altar.

Why does the bride stand on the left?

We hate to break it to you, but you might not love the reasons—the tradition behind the bride standing on the left side of the altar actually

stems from the old days of “marriage by capture

,” meaning the groom needed to leave his right hand (aka, his fighting hand which he used to hold the sword) free in the event that …

Why does the couple go on a honeymoon?

The honeymoon gives

a couple time to feel the feelings and to explore what they mean

. It’s a time to look at each other and absorb their new reality that they have made a (usually) very public statement that they are in it for the long run.

Why do brides 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.

What is a good song for garter removal?

  • “Whip It” by Devo.
  • “You Sexy Thing” by Hot Chocolate.
  • “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” by Fall Out Boy.
  • “A Little Less Conversation” by Elvis Presley.
  • “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke, Pharrell, and T.I.

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 do Grooms remove garter with teeth?

If you’ve ever cringed watching a groom use his teeth to remove a garter from his new wife’s upper thigh, you might have wondered who thought such a sexually charged wedding tradition would be a good idea. These days, removing the garter is

basically the male equivalent to the bride’s bouquet toss

.

Do I have to wear a garter on my wedding day?

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.

Does the bride buy the garter?

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.

Why pearls should not be worn on wedding day?

Wearing Pearls on Your Wedding Day

It’s also said that you should never wear pearls on your wedding day because this

symbolizes sorrow and tears and will usher in bad luck in the future

. Wearing pearls will lead to trouble and sadness between the couple and deterioration in your relationship.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.