The History of The Garter

Posted on April 19, 2011

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Here at Beneath The Gown we are getting into the busy time of wedding season. Spring and summer brides are arriving for their fittings but also to purchase the ever so important lingerie for beneath their gown. In addition to the beautiful European lingerie that we carry, we also have wonderful bridal accessories like garters. We thought it would be fun to discuss the history behind the ever so sexy garter.

The Very First Garter

Apparently back in England in the 14th Century the brides attire was seen as a good luck charm. It was believed that anyone who could get a piece of the brides garments would have good luck for life. Ancient stories have said that at times the brides dress was literally torn off of her much to the dismay of the bride and groom.

In order to stop the tradition of taking the brides dress off the bride and groom began the tradition of throwing the garter at the guests. However this tradition did not pan out either because the male guests got quite rowdy and would all attempt to grab the garter themselves.

It was than that the tradition was changed once again and this time it became custom for the groom to remove the garter from his bride. In order to keep all the bachelors happy the groom would toss the garter to the eligible bachelors.

The Other Garter Story

The other story is supposedly the garter became a source of proof. It was decided that their needed to be proof that the bride and groom would consummate their marriage. So embarrassingly the bride and groom had no choice but to allow witnesses to come into the bedroom to testify. As part of the proof the witnesses would have to get the garter and show everyone else.

It was still considered good luck to grab a piece of the brides undergarments, so witnesses would wait in anticipation. Obviously the bride and groom were not to keen on this tradition. So the groom began to toss the garter into the crowd of witnesses. Eventually it moved from tossing the garter in the bedroom to tossing it at the wedding reception and leaving the bride and groom alone on their wedding night.

If this really was the first garter tradition I think we can all safely say we are glad they moved it from the bedroom to the reception.

Today’s Garter Tradition As We Know It

Today in the 21 century the garter is worn by the bride as a gift to her groom. Some brides even purchase a less expensive garter to throw and keep a more luxurious version as a keepsake.

Many weddings still keep on with the tradition of the groom removing the garter and tossing it to the eligible bachelors. The saying is that the bachelor to capture the garter is next to get married and is asked to put the garter on the single woman who catches the brides bouquet.

Other brides wear garters that have become a family heirloom and becomes their something old, borrowed or even something blue. Today garters come in an array of materials and designs. From the simplest delicate french lace to extravagant garters encrusted with precious stones.

Whether you choose to do the toss, pass it down in the family or have it just as a keep sake for your groom, the garter tradition continues to live on.