The wedding garter tradition stretches back centuries, from medieval "bedding ceremonies" to the modern garter toss. Today, the majority of brides still choose to wear a wedding garter on their big day—but few know the fascinating history behind this bridal accessory.
New to garters? Read our guide on what a garter is first.
Origins · Garter toss · Garter removal · UK vs US · Helpful guides
The Origins of the Wedding Garter Tradition
The wedding garter tradition has evolved dramatically over the centuries—from a practical garment to a cherished bridal keepsake. Here's how it happened:
Dark Ages
The "bedding ceremony"
18th Century
Fling the Stocking
Victorian Era
The race for the garter
Modern Day
Something blue tradition
The Dark Ages: Where It All Began
The wedding garter tradition originated in medieval times, when it was considered good luck to take home a piece of the bride's clothing. Wedding guests would accompany the newlyweds to the bridal chamber to witness the consummation—and would often try to rip pieces from the bride's dress as lucky tokens.
The garter emerged as a practical solution: rather than having her dress torn to shreds, the bride would remove her garter and toss it to the crowd. This satisfied the demand for a "lucky" keepsake while protecting both the bride and her gown.
The bridal garter also served as proof of consummation, with the groom sometimes presenting it to family and friends the following morning.
The 18th Century: Fling the Stocking
By the 1700s, both brides and grooms wore ribbon garters as a practical necessity—they held stockings up. After the wedding celebrations, guests would follow the couple to the bridal chamber for a game called "Fling the Stocking."
Unmarried men and women would remove the stockings from the bride and groom, then toss them over their shoulders. If your stocking landed on the married couple, you'd supposedly be blessed with a successful marriage of your own.
The Victorian Era: The Race for the Garter
As the 1800s arrived, a new custom emerged: the "race for the garter." Single groomsmen would dash from the church to the bridal home, with the winner being rewarded with the garter, tossed to him by the bride.
This tradition evolved into the groom throwing the garter to his groomsmen, with the lucky catcher pinning it to his hat for good fortune.
During Queen Victoria's reign, the prudish sensibilities of the era meant that tossing a garter was considered rather scandalous. This led to the emergence of the bouquet toss as a more modest alternative—a tradition that continues to this day.
The Modern Wedding Garter Tradition
Today, the wedding garter has become a romantic, intimate accessory rather than a public spectacle. Many brides wear one simply as a beautiful, secret detail beneath their dress—a luxurious touch that only their partner will see.
The garter also makes a perfect "something blue" when made with a hint of blue ribbon, silk, or crystal. Browse our something blue garters to see how brides incorporate this tradition.
"I find the history fascinating—garters have gone from public spectacle to private luxury. Today, most of our brides keep theirs as a beautiful keepsake, often displayed in a wedding memory box."
