Some brides prefer their garters blue, some like them lacy and some like to wear more than one, but most brides couldn't tell you the history behind the bridal garter. After reading this, they surely can!
The garter tradition is believed to have originated during the medieval times, when a witness would bring back a piece of the bride's clothing to show proof that the marriage had been consummated.
The tradition most similar to the garter toss however, was based on the European wedding tradition called "flinging the stocking." This was a tradition traced back to the 14th and 15th century where the bride would throw her garter to eager groomsmen. The man that caught the garter was said to have good luck following the "flinging".
Having a bunch of men compete for one garter led to a bit of a drama. Groomsmen, generally intoxicated from the reception, would race to catch the garter, and would sometimes attempt to retrieve the garter before the bride threw it, etc.
Depending on the tradition, once a groomsman had possession of the garter, he would present it to another woman.
In addition to good luck, another theory surrounding the garter was that the groomsman who caught it would be the next to get married. In this case, many men actually AVOID the garter!
Wedding Garters
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