Why A Garter Toss?

[DJ Craig]

Recently a client asked about the origins of the garter toss.

I did some research and found some interesting myths. There are many legends surrounding the birth and meaning of this ancient wedding formality.

One story has it that in the 14th century, it was customary for the Bride to toss her garter to the men. But sometimes the men got too drunk, and would become impatient and try to take the garter off her ahead of time. Eventually the Groom got into the act and saved his bride from the unruly mob by removing and throwing the garter himself.

Nowadays, all Single Men are invited to gather around while the Groom removes the garter from the Bride's leg. The Groom then tosses the garter to the motley crew, er... single bachelors. If all goes well, one lucky guy catches the garter unharmed.

The music for this traditonal formality ranges from "Misirlou", the frenetic and macho Dick Dale surf guitar on steroids anthem, to Barry White's seductive "Never Gonna Give You Up".

I do have my own explanation of the true relevence of this ancient ritual;

This is the final test to see if our Groom has what it takes to be a good husband. Part of this test is his ability to use his manly powers of seduction to mesmerize his mate long enough to remove an intimate piece of clothing. This could be considered the unofficial start of the Honeymoon!

This is also an opportunity for the Single Men to display their cunning, strength and physical agility in attempting to catch the garter. Single ladies should take notice. The catcher of the Garter is clearly mentally and physically superior to his competitors and is a most desirable mate. He can claim bragging rights over all other single men here and tradition has it that he will be the next to get married.

DJ Craig

[Heather]

That's interesting... We opted to not do the garter toss or bouquet toss. We did an anniversary dance instead.

[birdie]

Originally Posted by DJ Craig

I do have my own explanation of the true relevence of this ancient ritual;

This is the final test to see if our Groom has what it takes to be a good husband. Part of this test is his ability to use his manly powers of seduction to mesmerize his mate long enough to remove an intimate piece of clothing. This could be considered the unofficial start of the Honeymoon!

This is also an opportunity for the Single Men to display their cunning, strength and physical agility in attempting to catch the garter. Single ladies should take notice. The catcher of the Garter is clearly mentally and physically superior to his competitors and is a most desirable mate. He can claim bragging rights over all other single men here and tradition has it that he will be the next to get married.

DJ Craig

Hahaha. I'm taking a course called "Mating Systems and Strategies" and this fits right along with what we have been talking about. And people say that humans aren't really animals... The males vying for access to females, showing them they are apt to breed and have good genes and will produce viable and healthy offspring. DJ Craig, are you really a biologist?

[BJC777SRL]

Originally Posted by birdie

And people say that humans aren't really animals... The males vying for access to females, showing them they are apt to breed and have good genes and will produce viable and healthy offspring. DJ Craig, are you really a biologist?

I read another myth/legend attached to garter toss that went something like this:

In ancient times, once the couple was married they were required to consummate that marriage...and there had to be witnesses present for validation!?!?!??! Eventually, CLEARLY because of privacy issues, it evolved into the witnesses staying out of the room, and the groom tossing the garter out the door to prove they were consummating!

[peckmiranda]

Originally Posted by BJC777SRL

I read another myth/legend attached to garter toss that went something like this:

In ancient times, once the couple was married they were required to consummate that marriage...and there had to be witnesses present for validation!?!?!??! Eventually, CLEARLY because of privacy issues, it evolved into the witnesses staying out of the room, and the groom tossing the garter out the door to prove they were consummating!

That's a good legend!!!

Ugh garter tosses are my least favorite part of weddings!! I'm sorry, but I do NOT want my grandparents to see my new husband digging around up there. Actually, I don't want ANYONE to see that!! I guess I'm not much of a PDA girl

[NovemberGal]

Miranda, I know LOTS of people who don't like the garter toss. We didn't do it either. I really hate it...and I'm usually just watching! Although I think I've only seen it done once or twice.

It was funny, early in the planning we were talking to a dear friend of DH's family (basically a second father to him), and he started saying, "There is one thing I really don't want you two to do--" and I interrupted and said "don't worry Dan, we're not smashing cake in each other's faces." He said, "Good! Then there's one other--" "Don't worry, we're not doing a garter toss either." "Good! That's everything then." It made me laugh!

[dj bill]

Very informative!

I find that most brides and grooms will either do the Garter Toss just because they have seen it at a lot of wedding before and feel that since it is a tradition why would they differ.

Or...as of late I find a lot of people, even some of the people who responded in this thread, have chosen to not do this entirely.

Bottom line is it is your wedding and you can choose to present it however you want. Ask yourself why and then if it fits in what your goal is for your wedding reception then choose to do it or not.

In North Dakota, where I have DJed for many years now, they actually auction off the garter. I would be interested to hear if DJ Craig has heard of that.

Looking forward to being a part of your wedding community.

DJ Bill

[DJ Craig]

Thanks, Bill and welcome.

I've never heard of an auction for the garter. Sounds like a a fun alternative.

Many of my clients are choosing to forgo this formality and/or the bouquet toss. It's one less interruption of the party.

As you said, it comes down to their personal preference!

DJ Craig

[Brandonsgirl]

That's VERY interesting...I guess I never thought of where it came from! Thanks for the info!

[bluocean]

That is a very interesting topic about the origins of the garter toss. Thank you DJ craig for the information.