A wedding garter on the leg is an attribute without which it is impossible to imagine a modern bride. In this article you will find out where the tradition of wearing this element came from, what function it served before and what it does now; signs associated with a garter, as well as how to wear and remove it correctly.
The garter is a thin elastic fabric strip decorated with lace, ribbons and rhinestones. Most often done in light colors.
In past centuries, this detail of a woman's wardrobe performed an important function - it held the stockings, thereby preventing them from sliding down. Today, this accessory is purely decorative, and brides wear it only to maintain traditions.
Purpose of use
First of all, you need to figure out why the bride needs a garter on her leg. Initially, it served a practical function. At a time when tights had not yet been invented, this product supported stockings and pantaloons. It was used not only by women, but also by men.
This attribute was first used at weddings in the UK. There is a legend according to which once upon a time an English monarch, while at a ball, saw that his companion’s pendant had fallen off. The man picked it up and was about to give it to the lady. True, when he saw that the guests were grinning at him, he immediately found a way out of the situation. He said that the accessory from his beloved’s leg would definitely bring good luck and he put it on himself.
Another legend sounds more realistic. The chronicles say that in some English counties there was a very strange custom. The guests tried to remove the accessory from the girl standing at the altar. True, this tradition was not to the liking of the newlyweds and therefore, over time, it was replaced by another. The product was simply thrown to the guests.
This custom gained popularity only at the end of the last century. There are several explanations for why a bride's garter is needed. First of all, this is a tribute to traditions and fashion trends. Throwing this accessory is a bright end to the celebration. This is a very funny event, during which the newlyweds seem to pass the baton to their unmarried friends.
There is another explanation for why a garter is needed. The attribute helps to create a complete image. At the same time, the girl feels more sexy and feminine, and gains self-confidence.
Often this accessory becomes a family heirloom. It is passed on from generation to generation. After all, it is difficult to keep a dress in proper shape for many years. In addition, its style may simply become unfashionable. A small attribute remains relevant even after a long time.
To this day, there is debate over how many garters a bride should have. Some argue that just one is enough, which is thrown to the guests for good luck. Others say that there should be two such attributes. The second one is worn slightly higher than the first. This product is left for the newly made spouse. He must take it off his wife on their wedding night. It is she who becomes a kind of relic.
Superstition or fashion
In different cultures, customs, superstitions and signs associated with weddings have been developed over centuries. This was done in order to make the marriage ideal both for themselves and for higher powers. Each stage of the wedding was thought out to the smallest detail, and in the end it resembled a well-rehearsed performance.
Now some wedding traditions, which have nevertheless been preserved at least in a modified form, are observed because it is so customary. This is a kind of support for their own culture, so some couples don’t even think that something can be changed in the usual wedding scenario.
Many traditions are borrowed from other peoples. The resulting symbiosis of customs is needed not to appease the spirits and gods, as before, but to make the wedding the way the newlyweds themselves want. Since there are no longer strict frameworks for holding a wedding ceremony, the bride and groom are free to organize their celebration in any format.
Interesting!
Which leg is it worn on?
Garters on the leg should be fixed strictly according to the rules. Despite the fact that there are no strict requirements for it, certain nuances still need to be taken into account. According to tradition, the bride's garter is placed on the right leg and placed slightly above the knee. It is strongly not recommended to tie it at the center of the thigh. Otherwise, instead of a romantic custom, there will be banal vulgarity. Naturally, the girl will no longer look mysterious and tender.
Withdrawal rules
Traditionally, this accessory is removed by the groom from the bride to be thrown to his single friends. The custom is quite fun and interesting, but it is extremely important to think about making the girl feel comfortable.
According to the rules, the husband must remove this attribute with his teeth. True, not every woman may like such actions. Many of them consider it vulgar. Someone is simply afraid that the groom might tear his stockings or accidentally bite him. Naturally, it is not at all necessary to completely abandon this interesting custom. You can choose another option for its implementation. Among them:
- The bride's wedding garter is removed by the husband, but only with his hands. Due to this, you do not have to lift the hem of the outfit too high;
- the attribute is removed in advance when guests do not see it. After this, the bride just needs to hand it over to the groom;
- the girl herself takes off the accessory in front of guests and gives it to her newly-made husband;
- the bride lowers the item a little so that it is slightly below the knee, and then the accessory is removed by the groom in any convenient way.
Such methods can be used not only by shy people. Often they are resorted to in cases where believers, as well as elderly people who are not able to understand such liberties, are invited to a wedding celebration.
Newlyweds are advised to determine in advance exactly how the wedding garters will be removed on such a significant day. Thanks to this, awkward situations can be prevented. If two such products are used, the groom must find out in advance which of them should be thrown to the guests.
Throwing target
This custom originated among the British back in the fifteenth century. Back then it was believed that a piece of the newlywed’s attire would bring good luck. It is for this reason that people tried to take possession of them in every possible way. They even tore shreds from the veil and dress. In order to keep the outfit intact and safe, and to avoid such a barbaric attitude, a garter began to be used for weddings. The British believed that whoever caught it would have good luck throughout the year. All endeavors during this period will be successful.
Over time, attitudes towards this attribute have changed somewhat. According to popular belief, whoever catches this accessory will soon start a family. There was also a popular sign that said that whoever caught the wedding attribute should pass it on to his beloved. After performing such actions, it will not be difficult for him to achieve reciprocity from her.
Recommendations for selection
Garters for the bride are presented in an incredibly wide range. They can have different designs and colors. Most often they are made blue. This shade is considered a symbol of innocence. True, when choosing such an accessory, you also need to take into account the color and style of the dress, as well as the model of underwear, and personal taste preferences.
The bride's garter can be wide. Most often, satin ribbons or lace are used when sewing it. To prevent it from slipping, an elastic band is fixed on the inside. Thanks to its presence, even a large, massive decoration will be located strictly in a certain place.
Thin versions are most often made from satin ribbons, which are decorated with various decorative elements. Such products are ideal for short dresses equipped with a train. They are also appropriate when choosing a fluffy dress with bright decor.
Such attributes are often decorated. For this purpose, artificial and fresh flowers, beads and rhinestones, even feathers can be used. With such decor the product looks even more attractive and stylish. The main thing is to know a sense of proportion. If there are too many decorative elements, the accessory will no longer be piquant and sophisticated.
Types of garters
When choosing this wedding detail, the bride’s eyes will run wild from the variety of types and colors. The garter should be neat and attractive. If you decide to wear two accessories, then the garter that the groom will have to remove from your leg during the celebration should be wider and more magnificent than the “honey” one. You can choose a beautifully decorated garter, but not too fussy. This detail should remind you of the image of a gentle bride, so give preference to a snow-white or blue shade (traditionally they mean purity and innocence).
It is not necessary to choose a garter to match the style of your dress. But if the shades match, it will create a more harmonious image.
Features of self-production
The price of such jewelry is quite low. Therefore, many girls buy them in bridal salons or online stores. True, the bride’s garter can also be made with her own hands. In this case, the accessory will be unique and fit perfectly into the created image.
Before you sew a garter, you need to prepare everything that will be useful in your work. Make sure you have the following materials:
- snow-white lace, the width of which is 3.5 cm;
- satin ribbons. You need ribbons 2.5 and 1 cm wide;
- rubber;
- pin, as well as thread and needle;
- lighter;
- centimeter;
- scissors.
To sew a garter for the bride, two parts are cut from the lace, the length of which is 70 cm. These elements overlap each other by approximately 3 cm and are immediately swept away. After this, the parts must be sewn on a machine and the basting seams removed.
A ribbon 70 cm long is applied over the resulting stitch. A ribbon 1 cm wide is used. A pair of seams are made along its edges with an indentation of 1 mm from the cut point. This leaves room for subsequent fixation of the elastic.
There is no need to stitch the side parts. It is enough to singe them with a lighter. Now the elastic band is cut off. The length of this element should be 35 cm. It is fixed on a pin and threaded between the lace part and the ribbon. After this, the side parts are already sewn. At the final stage, the edges of the accessory are sewn together, and the edges are singed or processed using an overlocker.
To create an original decor, a bow is formed from a wide ribbon. Its edges need to be trimmed and then fallen off to avoid shedding. It is recommended to attach this element using a glue gun. It is advisable to fix it on the side opposite to the final line. To give the product an even more attractive look, it can be additionally decorated with rhinestones. At this stage, the accessory for the bride has already been created with your own hands.
The pendant is rightfully considered one of the important elements of a wedding dress. There are many signs and customs associated with it. The accessory helps complete the look and is used directly during the celebration. Naturally, this attribute should look as attractive as possible and strictly correspond to the chosen style. Therefore, his choice should be approached with special responsibility.
Design options
Previously, the bride's garter was a lace ribbon sewn with her own hands. Now there are a huge number of options for this accessory. Most often, it is sewn from lace, silk or satin, decorated with a variety of decorative details: brooch, cameo, rhinestones, stones, feathers, buttons, embroidery, 3D appliqués, etc.
You can embroider or put rhinestones on the garter with the initials of the newlyweds or the wedding monogram, making it personalized.
The bride's garter can be either narrow or wide. It’s up to you to decide which accessory to buy for your wedding! Just keep in mind that a narrow garter will look better on a miniature leg, and vice versa.
A garter can both reflect the personality of the bride and emphasize the style of the celebration, for example, for a nautical wedding, the garter can be sewn from blue fabric and complemented with a brooch in the form of an anchor or a steering wheel; for a celebration in the style of Marie Antoinette, it can be decorated with a cameo and feathers; for a vintage wedding, it can be sewn made of fabric with a floral print and decorated with pearls.
