Tossing a garter is one of the oldest wedding traditions still practiced in modern weddings. Removing the bridal garter -- a decorative cloth band of fabric and elastic traditionally worn slightly above the knee to hold up a pair of stockings -- is now mostly a symbol of eroticism and is usually placed higher up on the thigh.
The marriage custom gives the bride, groom and other wedding attendants a moment of irreverent fun during the wedding reception, allows the couple to personalize their celebration and can create creative wedding photography ideas. However, the tradition can also cause some embarrassment and should be discussed when planning a wedding reception.
Blue Wedding Garter - Two Marriage Customs in One
Today, many modern North American brides wear two garters. Sharon Naylor, author of 1001 ways to save money -- and still have a dazzling wedding, writes that one bridal garter is used for the traditional reception garter toss and the other as a keepsake of the wedding day that is usually taken off by her new husband during the privacy of the honeymoon. These keepsakes are sold in a wedding garter set for brides who want to make sure their accessories match.
Most garters produced today are geared especially toward brides and include decorative embellishments including lace and ribbons. Some incorporate the color blue to gives brides an easy way to fulfill two traditions at the same time.
Planning a Wedding with Bridal Garters
During a wedding reception, the garter toss comes shortly after the bouquet toss and is geared toward the single men in attendance. Sometimes a production is made of the new bride showing a bit of leg as her new husband takes the garter off and tosses it to the group of men. The unmarried woman who caught the bridal bouquet and the unmarried man who caught the bridal garter traditionally share the next dance.
The tradition of taking the bride's garter off and tossing it to unmarried men during the wedding reception may seem like harmless fun but it can lead to embarrassment or pressure from both the bride and the wedding guests themselves. Consider the guests -- especially if children or older people will be in heavy attendance. Mothers may not appreciate their children seeing such an erotic show, unmarried men may not want to be singled out and girlfriends may be unhappy with their significant others fighting over another woman's lingerie.
Altering the bridal garter toss to fit the mood and expectations of both the bridal party and their guests can help maintain a fun and celebratory reception. For instance, the groom may choose to take off his new wife's garter by reaching underneath her dress but not lifting it up to expose her leg if the bride would be less embarrassed or the strait-laced guests would be less offended. Similarly, if the groom knows his groomsmen are interested in the game but aren't sure about the rest of the guests, tradition allows him to toss the garter to just the groomsmen and ushers.
Wedding Photography Ideas for Bridal Garters
Removal of bridal garters, tossing a blue wedding garter or even the American wedding tradition of having the man who caught the garter put it on the leg of the woman who caught the bridal bouquet are all opportunities for wedding photographers to capture the action.
Steve Sint of Wedding Photography: Art, Business & Style offers some basic advice: Wedding photographers who want to capture the bridal garter toss should make sure they're in a position where the thrower's hand or arm won't block any faces (which can usually be avoided by knowing if the bride and groom are left or right handed.
However, the bridal garter toss should inspire creative wedding photography ideas such as:
- The garter against a mirror or other wedding accessories before the bride has put it on.
- The bride putting on her blue wedding garter before the wedding.
- If the couple is adventurous and playful, a picture of the bride holding up her dress to above the knee to see the garter.
- A "down-the-leg" angle during the bridal garter removal.
Remember: the American wedding tradition of tossing bridal garters is supposed to be fun. Brides and grooms can make sure the custom remains so by considering their guests when planning a wedding and making sure they tell their attendants and photographers what they want.
Heidi DeVries - Heidi DeVries was a resume screener for a communications firm and shares tips to secure an interview and be a successful job applicant.
Join the Conversation