What You Need to Know about Wedding Garters
A wedding garter is a key component of a bride’s attire though it’s hidden underneath her wedding dress. Though many girls have this accessory, not everyone knows what it’s actually needed for and what stands behind the tradition of tossing it.
Today, we are going to answer to the most widespread questions concerning wedding garters for you to be aware of all the peculiarities of using this accessory.
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What Are Garters for Wedding?
Traditionally, a garter is a narrow band of fabric worn on the leg to keep up stockings. However, modern garters aren’t used to support stockings anymore but serve as a part of a famed wedding tradition of tossing a garter.
There are two versions of the emergence of this ritual. The first one is that it brings good luck to own a piece of bridal attire. And as brides didn’t want to have their outfit to be torn apart, they decided to wear a specific article of clothing to be given out as the lucky piece. And it was a garter. Other sources state that wedding garters for bride were used as a symbol of the newlyweds consummating their marriage. The family members or friends could take the garter as proof of consummation.
Besides, modern brides use garters for other purposes as well. For instance, this piece can be worn for a wedding night. This small accessory adds sexiness to the bride’s look and is really intriguing.
Wedding Garter Toss Tradition
You must have heard about the wedding garter toss tradition before. It consists in a groom removing a wedding garter either with his hands or teeth and tossing it to unmarried male guests. This tradition usually follows another one, the bridal bouquet tossing. According to the superstition, the girl who caught the bouquet and the man who caught the garter are the next to be married though not necessarily to each other. In some cases, those who catch a bouquet and a garter are supposed to share a dance, but that tradition isn’t always followed.
How to Wear a Garter?
It’s not important what leg you wear bridal wedding garters at. So, you can wear it on the right as well as on the left leg depending on how you like more. Some brides have two garters in order to toss one and keep the other for themselves. If you are one of them, place the garters on the same leg but locate the one for tossing lower so that it is easier for the groom to remove it.
Actually, wedding garters can be worn on a leg as well as above the knee. It depends on what’s convenient for you. The majority of brides opt for the latter variant in order not to cut off blood circulation or rub the garter against the other leg.
What’s the Garter’s Price?
First of all, you need to know where to buy wedding garters. They are sold at the majority of bridal boutiques, some lingerie shops and, of course, online shops. At brick-and-mortar stores, the garters are usually more expensive and cost around $30-120. Online shops offer more affordable options and you can buy this accessory for $20-30 while some shops sell even cheaper variants for $2-8.
Along with the type of a shop you are going to buy a garter at, its design also matters. As a rule, unique wedding garters with high quality lace, crystals and creative designs cost more than their rivals from tulle or simple lace.
Is It Necessary to Wear a Garter All Day Long?
In truth, not all wedding garters are very comfortable and so, sometimes, it can be a real challenge to wear them from the wedding’s start to end. If you feel uncomfortable in a garter but want to have a garter toss tradition, you can put the garter on until a few moments before the throw. Some people think that a bride should wear the garter all day long no matter if the groom will throw it or not. But our opinion is that such victims are pointless.
Styles of Wedding Garters
There are several basic styles of wedding garters. They can be made of lace, tulle or silk and usually have an elastic basis or are ruched. It makes them universal for any bride. A wedding garter can be rather minimalist as well as can be adorned with bows, crystals and appliques. Moreover, it can be dedicated to a certain theme, like vintage wedding garters or bohemian ones.
Also, some brides opt for a set of two garters. You can do that for the beauty purposes only as well as in case if you plan to toss one garter and keep the other one. The garters in a set can be identical as well as different but in the same style and color scheme.
As to the garter color, many girls choose a matching color to their wedding dress. So, ivory and white garters are among the most popular. If you want to have something blue, a garter can be that item. But basically, it’s possible to use a garter of any color. For instance, if your wedding is in a black and white color scheme, a black and white garter is the perfect choice.
Now, you can boast of enough knowledge about wedding garters and understand if you need this accessory or not. We think that it’s a cute addition to a bridal look though it’s not seen for the major part of the wedding.
