Tips and Tricks :: The Garter

Did you know the history of the wedding garter dates pretty far back? It’s been around for a while, and the traditions of how the garter is incorporated into a wedding day have changed a whole lot. And thank goodness, because in 14th century Europe the garter tradition was pretty awkward. After the wedding celebration had ended, the Bride and Groom would go to their suite to undress and then sit in their bridal bed together. Guests would enter the room and “fling” stockings and garters at the couple. Whoever was able to get their garment to land on the nose of the Bride or Groom would be the next to marry. What the heck was going on in 14th century Europe?! There are actually several accounts of how this all used to go down, this version was one of our personal favorites based on how ridiculous it is.

Luckily, we’ve refined the garter toss in today’s wedding traditions and while many Brides choose not to do a garter toss at her reception, she still wears a garter at some point on her wedding day. If for no other reason than to have the heirloom to pass down, and for the photo op of putting it on of course!

In today’s tips and tricks post, we’re answering the question of “which leg does it go on?” Every time a Bride gets dressed, the garter is one of the last items to go on. Without fail, a Bride looks up at us and asks “wait… which leg?” We never knew the answer, so we did some research. Turns out… no one knows. Well, everyone and every source we checked with thinks they know which leg is best, but there were too many conflicting answers. Sometimes it’s the left leg because it’s the same side as your ring finger. Sometimes it’s the right leg because that’s “just tradition”. So today, this 28th day of June, two thousand and fourteen, we are making the executive decision that there is NO right way to wear the garter. It officially doesn’t matter! Every Bride out there gets to choose which leg is more comfortable, and that’s the one it goes on! There you have it, problem solved.

Speaking of wearing a garter, we’ll throw another tip your way. Assuming you are NOT doing a garter toss at the ceremony, we suggest you put the garter on while getting ready, take a photo of that moment, and then take it off. Those things hardly ever stay up where they belong and you don’t want that pretty little negligee falling down between your feet as you walk down the aisle. Have your maid of honor stick it in her purse and bring it to the reception. When the festivities are over, sneak away to put it back on so you’re wearing it when you make your way to the honeymoon suite. (And tell the guests they’re not welcome… this isn’t 14th century Europe).

If you ARE doing the garter toss at the reception, go ahead and do the same fake out garter photo when you get ready, but remember to put it back on prior to the garter toss. Usually a Bride doing a toss will have two garters, one to keep and one for the Groom to remove then throw at the single men in the room. In that case, we suggest only putting the toss garter back on and keeping the heirloom garter in your MOH’s purse for later. Don’t let the Groom take the wrong one off… you may never get it back.

Happy Friday!