Tossing wedding garters at weddings are considered one of the oldest surviving traditions. Yet history tells us it wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
The tradition originated in England during the 14th century. Wedding garters were created on the wedding day from the bride’s dress. Well that’s a lovely idea you say. Not quite, guests would literally tear at her gown in the hope to obtain their own piece for good luck. Hence later the wise and wonderful design of the separate bridal garter evolved.
These days, it’s a fun tradition that’s enjoyed by everyone. Removing wedding garters are basically the male equivalent to the bride throwing her bouquet. The bride usually sits on a chair so her new partner may slide the garter off her leg and toss it to a crowd of attending bachelors. Supposedly, whoever is lucky enough to catch it will be next to get married.