Traditional dictates that when the bride tosses her bouquet into a group of single girls at the wedding, the one to catch it will be the next to get married. It’s not usually an accurate prophecy, but it’s a fun tradition to incorporate into your wedding. Another popular tradition is the garter belt toss. The groom reaches under the bride’s skirts to retrieve the garter from around her thigh; then he throws it to a group of single male guests. Whoever catches the wedding garter is presumably next to tie the knot.
Vintage Garters
Vintage wedding garters usually incorporate a lot of lace— in fact, some of them resemble a satin and lace scrunchie. Some are adorned with intricate patterns of tiny beads or pearls as well. If you love all things vintage, shop for a wedding garter with a classic look. Maybe there is a garter that someone in your family used at her wedding, and you can make it double as your “something old” or “something borrowed,” as in the traditional bridal rhyme.
One-of-a-Kind Garters
Your wedding garter doesn’t have to be vintage or traditional in any sense of the word. You can get as creative as you want with it. Satin flowers or lace butterflies make a pretty addition to the circlet of lace. If your man is in the military, the Coast Guard, or the Air Force, why not surprise him by adding a tiny medal, seal, or insignia to the customized garter. Paracord garters, bead garters, camo garters, and other unique styles are all possibilities. Just remember, you will have to wear the garter throughout the wedding ceremony and part of the reception, so be sure that it’s comfortable enough.
Garters with a Message
Some brides choose to add a message to their wedding garter. Ask the seamstress or artist who makes your garter to embroider or print a few special words for your groom onto the garter. If you plan to have a garter belt toss, include your last name and the date of your wedding. You could also have the words “You’re next!” on the garter, as a message for the single man who catches it.
Variations on the Garter Toss
Not every wedding includes a garter toss. Sometimes the couple waits until later to remove the garter, and they keep it as a souvenir of the wedding. Other couples do a garter toss, and then ask the man who catches it to place the garter around the leg of the woman who caught the bouquet. Some couples use two garters, keeping one and tossing the other. Both garters are worn on the same leg, with the tossing garter lowest and the keepsake garter higher. Whichever method you choose, be sure your man knows which leg you placed the garter on so he can access it quickly when the big moment arrives.
