Traditionally, the wedding garter most often symbolizes love and luck. In the Middle Ages it was more tied up with notions of virginity and the consummation of marriage; these days it's more of a fun, lighthearted wedding way to show off the couple's chemistry and interact with their guests.
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. Often, this is a special-made, decorative "toss garter" used (sometimes doubling as a bride's "something blue").
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.
Do brides still wear garters? Although for the most part they're unnecessary, yes, many modern brides do still wear garters. Today, this is as much up to the couple as is which knee the groom proposes on and what happens when someone objects at the wedding.
There is no rule as to whom should buy a garter for a bride. If she has her heart set on one particular garter, why should she not buy it for herself? It could be one in a style she loves and knows would suit her dress.
Traditionally, the wedding garter most often symbolizes love and luck. In the Middle Ages it was more tied up with notions of virginity and the consummation of marriage; these days it's more of a fun, lighthearted wedding way to show off the couple's chemistry and interact with their guests.
In Christian weddings, there is a tradition that is followed where towards the end of the reception the groom has to remove the garter his bride is wearing.
Many brides want to keep their wedding garter after their wedding. It is a small little wedding keepsake. The nice thing to do if you catch the garter is ask the bride if she wants it back. If the bride is busy, give the garter to one of her bridesmaids or the maid of honor to pass it on.
"These days, removing the garter is basically the male equivalent to the bride's bouquet toss. The bride sits on a chair so her new husband can take her garter belt off her leg and toss it to a crowd of bachelors.
As superstition has it today, the lady who catches the bouquet and the man who catches the garter will be the next two to get married. This doesn't necessarily mean to each other, but it is a fun idea.
The veil came to symbolize modesty and obedience. In many religions it is seen as a symbol of reverence for women to cover their heads. When white wedding dresses were worn to symbolize chastity, the white veil followed suit.
Something blue
Blue is the color of love, purity, faithfulness, and modesty. To keep with tradition, the bride can wear a blue piece of jewelry. But for a modern take, you can write a little note or other small message in blue on the bottom of her shoes.
Wedding garters these days are almost always ornamental more than functional. At a wedding, the bride can wear two garters—one as a keepsake and the other for the garter toss. Both garters are worn above the knee of the right leg.
"Wearing hair down can feel much more comfortable than wearing it up in an unusual style that a bride isn't confident in," says bridal hair specialist Sheila Raye Stone. "It also gives a nice frame for the face and softens the neck and shoulders."
The custom of having a bridal bouquet dates back to ancient times when woman would carry strong herbs and spices from reasons such as warding off evil spirits to creating lust and fertility. Flower girls and brides maids would carry sheaves of wheat which symbolized growth.
The back of the dress should touch the floor. The reasoning behind this is so that you can easily walk down the aisle in your wedding gown without fear of tripping.
The History Of The Garter Toss Is Surprisingly Disturbing
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. Often, this is a special-made, decorative "toss garter" used (sometimes doubling as a bride's "something blue").
You can pass your garter on to a friend or family member, creating an special wedding heirloom, a new family tradition or the bride's something borrowed. (If your garter was blue, it could be her something blue too!)
There is no traditional leg that a garter should be worn on. Garters were designed to keep stockings up on both legs, and so it can be worn on any leg that feels natural to you. We recommend you wear your garter just above your knee on either leg.
This is entirely up to preference. If the person who catches the bouquet wants to keep it (and the bride wants to give it up), they totally can. If not, many newlyweds opt to either give their arrangements to guests as favors or donate the flowers to a charity the next day.
Membership of the order is limited to the sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and no more than 24 living members, or Companions. The order also includes supernumerary knights and ladies (e.g. members of the British royal family and foreign monarchs).
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.
This leaves many wondering which finger their new ring should go on or if they should even be wearing their engagement ring to the ceremony. It's perfectly normal, however, to wear both the engagement ring and the wedding ring during your wedding ceremony – how you wear them is up to you.
Usually, flower girls and ring bearers range from ages three to eight years old. But don't let that stop you from giving those roles to someone younger or older, or even to adults, especially if you're not too keen on the idea of including children in your wedding.