If we talk about outdated wedding traditions, then this category includes throwing a bouquet and a garter in the classic form. And if everything is not so bad with the bouquet (this tradition is still popular all over the world), then the very fact of removing and throwing an element of the bride’s underwear into the crowd of the groom’s friends looks dubious. There are decent options for replacing this ritual with something more modern.
The Svadebka.ws portal will tell you what you can throw instead of a bride’s garter and what you can do to replace this tradition at a wedding. Perhaps you will find a more pleasant alternative for yourself.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
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 :
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Signs about throwing
The tradition of taking a small piece of fabric from the bride’s wedding dress originated in the Middle Ages. The guests believed that this would bring happiness. But such customs threatened the bride to be left without a dress at all, because everyone wanted to snatch a piece of happiness. That's why a special garter was invented, which the groom threw to the guests. Today this tradition is widespread in Western countries. Our newlyweds also adopted this interesting fun.
It is not customary to give a garter into the hands of any of the guests (the sign says that the person who acquires the accessory in this way will have power over the bride).
Another superstition: if the groom throws a “honey” garter to the guests instead of a “lucky” one, the marriage will not last long. The loss of this garter promises loss of fidelity to the spouse.
To throw or not to throw
Of course, almost all newlyweds now perform this ritual. Everything will depend on the style of the wedding, on the wishes of the newlyweds and guests. If everyone invited is married, married or just in a relationship, then there is no point in throwing a garter. It will look awkward and may offend guests. In addition, if you yourself do not want to perform this ritual at your own wedding, you do not need to force yourself for the sake of tradition. This is your holiday!
How to remove and throw a garter
This ritual should be performed only after the bride has thrown her bouquet to her bridesmaids.
It is better for the newlyweds to agree on which leg and at what height the garter will be worn in advance. Rehearse several times at home so that everything goes smoothly at the most crucial moment.
Take care of the musical accompaniment of this process. Romantic music will create an intimate atmosphere, while more playful music will add fun to the event.
The groom must carry the bride in his arms to the center of the hall, then carefully lift the hem of the dress and easily remove the garter with his hands (some do this with their teeth, but there is no tradition behind this action. It’s just a fun element). To make it easier to remove the garter, the bride can place her foot on a chair or sit on it. The groom then turns his back to the guests and throws the garter at random towards the crowd. The one who caught it, according to legend, should find his soul mate in the next 12 months.
The newlyweds remove the “sweet” garter when they are alone with their beloved. This is an intimate moment that should happen on your wedding night.
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 :
- The garter, located on the right leg, is usually intended for single guests of the holiday.
- 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.
Signs for marriage, groom: tips and reviews
Lyudmila : after her divorce from her husband, she was completely disappointed in men and didn’t want to let anyone in. The elder sister came and asked me to embroider peonies for her. When the painting was finished, I decided to spend the weekend at a camp site, where I met the most delightful man in my life. And when the wedding was over, my sister told me how she and my mother decided to switch my attention to the painting and attract a worthwhile man into my life.
Galina : all my friends have been married for a long time, but I’m not. And I went on a date, but the men stubbornly did not perceive me as a bride, only as entertainment. I decided to speed up the issue and started the first flower in my house - spathiphyllum. And you won’t believe it, not even six months have passed, and my fiance and I are getting ready! For girls, omens work - believe and everything will work out.
Want to know even more signs? You may like our articles:
- Signs associated with a house, apartment - interpretation;
- Signs about health - interpretation;
- Signs associated with guests, being a guest;
- Signs about a mirror - look, break, give: interpretation;
- Signs about bees, honey, bee stings: interpretation.
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:
- According to the most common belief, the owner of a woman's garter will soon invite friends to his own wedding.
- 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
Signs for marriage: how to recognize the groom and about the groom?
In this section we have collected signs for marriage, namely how to find out, details about the groom:
- If you prick, cut or otherwise injure your finger on New Year's Eve, you will get married soon. If a drop of blood falls on the clothes of a single man, this is your future husband;
- Licking raw dough means a bald husband;
- The food began to burn - the dark-haired groom was in a hurry to get married;
- The guy, on his own initiative, met a girl on Thursday - she will soon get married. But if a man delays, someone else will propose;
- On Sunday you need to go for a walk and choose a groom. You need to smile at single men as many times as what date it is on the calendar. And the one who will conclude this date (for example, the 30th, the 30th man smiled) is your future betrothed;
- While staying asleep in a new place, you need to say “I’m sleeping in a new place, dream of the bridegroom” and at night the image of your groom will appear;
- I dreamed about dead people and were talking about marriage, about family, about men - listen, this promises a groom. And if you dream of deceased relatives and an unfamiliar man, this is your betrothed;
- We met a guy, and a streak of bad luck began - a heel broke, mascara floated, the hairdresser cut his hair unsuccessfully. These are all harbingers that you have started a relationship with your future husband;
- A strong desire to change your appearance? Change and the next man who meets you himself is your chosen one;
- Did a stranger give you turquoise? If not married, he will be your husband. If you are married, ask for his name, that is what your husband will be called. If a woman, ask the name of her father - this is the name of her future husband;
- Doves coo in a dream - for a quick marriage. If a man is holding a dove, this is your betrothed.
Signs about the wedding will help speed up marriage
