What can replace the garter toss at a wedding?

• History of the wedding garter
• Why do you need a leg garter for a bride?
• On which leg does the bride wear a wedding garter?
• How to make a garter for a bride for a wedding with your own hands?
• What does it mean to catch a garter at a wedding?
• How to choose a wedding garter?

While watching romantic comedies, many have probably noticed that at a Western wedding, the groom throws a garter at the wedding, which he removes from the leg of his beloved girl. Where did this tradition come from and what does it mean? Our tradition of throwing the bride's accessory arose quite recently, but Russian couples are increasingly trying to follow it.

History of the wedding garter

The elegant garter for a wedding has an ancient history . The word “garter” came into Russian from France, where the accessory had an exclusively practical function. It served to support pantaloons, and not only women, but also men used this comfortable item of clothing.

Photo of a wedding garter on the leg

But wedding traditions associated with the garter arose in England, and historians have differing opinions on this matter:

1. According to the first legend, the custom of throwing a garter at a wedding was introduced by the English monarch, who later even created the Order of the Garter . At one of the balls, his lady love dropped an intimate item of clothing, and the king picked it up, wanting to please the girl. Initially, the king was going to return the accessory, but he saw the grins of those around him. He decided to publicly declare that the garter of the woman he loved was bound to bring him good luck, and he tied it on his own leg.
2. Another tradition has a less romantic context . In some counties of Great Britain there was a custom according to which guests themselves tried to tear the garter from the bride’s leg right at the altar. Many were not happy with this state of affairs, and the girls began to throw the accessory into the crowd.

In the modern world, an interesting tradition originated in the 90s of the last century in the USA. Focusing on the West, Russian newlyweds also began to use a garter.

What is it and why is it needed

A bride's garter is a strip of fabric decorated with ribbons, lace, brooches and other details that is worn on the leg above the knee. Previously, this accessory had an exclusively practical function - it supported stockings, but today it is used as a cute and piquant addition to the image of the newlywed.

According to tradition, after the bride has sent her bouquet into the hands of her unmarried friends, the groom removes the garter from her leg and then throws it to the unmarried men.

The custom comes from Europe, but it has already taken root in other countries, as it allows you to diversify the celebration and add a competitive touch to the program. This is a casual fun in which all guests enjoy participating.

Attention! If a girl does not understand why a bride needs a garter, and she does not like this custom, it is not necessary to wear the accessory. In addition, if there are no unmarried men at the wedding, the custom becomes meaningless.

It is believed that more than one bride's garter is worn, but two accessories are needed. The groom takes off the first garter at the wedding and throws it to the guests. Such an accessory is usually wide, richly decorated and in harmony with the image of the bride. The second garter, the “honey” one, is thinner and more elegant; it is intended exclusively for the legal spouse. He sees her only on the first wedding night; sometimes he has no idea about the existence of the second accessory until that moment.

Why do you need a leg garter for a bride?

Throwing the Bride's Garter by the Groom
There are several reasons that force brides to wear a garter under their dress to the wedding. A garter is needed for the following purposes :

1. The first and most common is following the Western tradition . The garter tossing by the bride or groom is a highlight of the wedding ceremony.
2. The accessory can also be used to create a complete image of a beautiful bride. Knowing that the outfit is thought out to the smallest detail, the girl will feel feminine and confident.
3. A bridal headband is a very sexy item of clothing. Many girls wear an elegant ribbon to give a pleasant surprise to their loved one on their wedding night.
4. Often an accessory turns into a family treasure, passed on by inheritance. While a wedding dress is quite difficult to preserve and may go out of fashion, a garter always looks stylish and sexy. After many years, a regular headband will be called an heirloom.

Bride's Wedding Garter
When thinking about creating a wedding look, include a feminine garter in your outfit.
You can keep its presence a secret and surprise your significant other, but if you are brave enough, implement the ancient tradition according to which the groom removes the garter holding his stockings and throws it to his friends.

How to remove a wedding garter from the bride's leg

Some regions have their own traditions for removing the accessory, but most often it is approximately the same. This can be done in several ways; usually the newlyweds agree on this point in advance. Remember a few simple tips:

1. Do this at the end of the wedding, after the guests have risen from their seats and started dancing. Choose the time according to the situation, there are no strict restrictions, vary this moment.
2. The bride can lower the accessory a little, it will be easier for the groom to remove it, and the beautiful tradition will not turn into vulgarity. It is better to check in advance and make sure that the garter moves normally and there will be no hitches or awkward pauses during the removal process.
3. In order to take some beautiful shots, it is better for the bride to sit on a chair in a well-lit place and inform the photographer in advance. Or come up with interesting additions to the ceremony, make it more romantic, or give a cheerful touch to the event.

You can remove the garter in different ways, most often the bride chooses the method and tells the groom what and how best to do it. There are several options, each couple will choose the method that is best suited:

1. Removal with teeth, when the bride lifts the hem and the groom removes the accessory without using his hands. This option is common, but some consider it too vulgar and inappropriate for romantic weddings. Here it is important to place the garter low and make sure that the dress does not ride up.
2. You can do this by hand. In this case, very beautiful and romantic photographs are obtained: the groom kneels on one knee in front of the seated bride and slowly pulls off the accessory, the photographer will have time to take many good shots.
3. If a girl is shy or does not want to raise her hem in front of guests, she can first remove the garter herself and hand it over when the need arises. Some people put it in a beautiful box or wrap it in a scarf, adding extra solemnity to the ceremony.

For your information!

To make it easier to remove and not raise the dress very high, you can move the element slightly below the knee before the ceremony.

The garter on the bride's leg is not a mandatory accessory and is used optionally. The tradition came from America and took root with us because the bride always threw a bouquet to the girls, while the guys were left out. It is worth thinking through the ceremony in advance so that it looks romantic and is memorable for all guests.

On which leg does the bride wear a wedding garter?

In order for the garter to fulfill the function that old traditions attribute to it, it is necessary to correctly place the accessory on the leg . There are no strict rules on this matter, but it is believed that the garter should be placed on the young person’s right leg just above the knee.

Many people wonder how many garters a bride should have at her wedding. In some regions of North America, it is customary to wear the tape on both legs at once, and each option has a specific meaning :

1. The garter, located on the right leg, is usually intended for single guests of the holiday.
2. The second piece of jewelry, located on the left, is considered a more intimate item and is removed at the end of the evening. Taking off her garter, the girl says goodbye to innocence and a free life. This type of garter is also called a “honey garter” because it marks the beginning of the honeymoon.

How many garters should there be at a wedding?
If the bride wants to use only one garter to perform the custom, she should choose the right side. This way the accessory will be charged with the necessary love energy and will bring good luck to its future owner , who will soon start a family.

What is the name of the garter on a bride's leg?

The name comes from the French "jarret", meaning the popliteal cavity. In Italy, garters are called garriettiera and are typically embellished strips of fabric that were once used for stockings but are now a stylish accessory.

In many countries there is a belief that this piece of clothing should be blue. This came from the ancient Jews, where the blue tint was considered a symbol of fidelity. Nowadays, one or two garters are worn, it all depends on the traditions that the newlyweds follow. They are called differently:

1. On the right leg - “happy”. It is usually placed a little above the knee because at the end of the wedding, usually after the bride has thrown her bouquet, the groom must take it off and throw it to the single guys. Whoever catches it will have a happy and long family life, as well as an early marriage.
2. On the left - “sweet” or “honey”. It is worn well above the knee. The garter is removed by the groom on the wedding night and kept as a symbol of love that brings good luck.

For your information!

In America, it is customary for the guy who catches the garter to dance with the girl who gets the bridal bouquet. This tradition can be found in our country.

As for design and decor, there are no special requirements; each bride chooses an accessory to her taste. Some use the same options for both legs, but most often the product that will go to the future husband is decorated more richly, since it will remain as a family heirloom.

How to make a garter for a bride for a wedding with your own hands?

Many young couples strive to create a wedding with their own hands, making accessories, decorations and decorations themselves. The garter was no exception, the production of which was devoted to many master classes.

Watch the video on how to make a garter for the bride with your own hands:

Garters are made not only from openwork lace and shining lace, but are even crocheted.

We offer several simple options for creating a wedding accessory that you can make yourself.

In order to sew a lace garter, you need to stock up on the following :

• wide strip of lace 1 meter long;
• thin satin ribbon for decoration (you can choose any color);
• sewing machine, thread, needle;
• glue gun;
• several goose feathers;
• scissors.

The lace must be elastic so that the resulting decoration fits tightly on the leg. Having measured the required strip of fabric, the excess lace is cut off and the edges of the piece are sewn together.

Photo of a handmade garter for a bride for a wedding

It is better to attach all decorations for the future accessory using a glue gun. Rhinestones and beads are usually used, but goose feathers look delicate and airy. A narrow satin ribbon will be needed to make an elegant bow out of it, which is also glued to the workpiece. You can choose absolutely any color, but it is recommended to use a soft blue or blue tint.

A satin garter also looks very stylish. The technology for making a silk accessory is not too different from creating a lace ribbon.

To give elasticity, a strip of satin fabric is decorated with a wide openwork ribbon along its entire length. Decorate satin garters with small flowers made from the same material

a sexy crocheted garter on their leg . However, by choosing high-quality threads and an interesting pattern, you can create a real work of art.

What does it mean to catch a garter at a wedding?

If the bride's bouquet is always caught by unmarried girls who want to quickly meet their soulmate, then the garter is the prerogative of the guys. What happens if a young man catches this accessory and what to do with the garter:

1. According to the most common belief, the owner of a woman's garter will soon invite friends to his own wedding.
2. The French believe that a man catches a garter at a wedding in order to become a happy man for whom Fortune always smiles.

An interesting custom is played out in the USA: there a young man who has caught the bride’s gift must dance with the girl who received the wedding bouquet

Removing the garter can happen in different ways. In the simplest version, the groom simply removes the garter with both hands while his betrothed is sitting on a chair, and then throws the accessory to his friends. However, some couples make the throwing process more fun, and the groom removes the tape with his teeth, diving under the skirt of his beloved girl with his head. This method is quite problematic - the elastic band of the product can cause pain to the bride, so it is better to do it with the hands of the newly-made spouse.

Signs associated with the bride's garter