Garter Toss Alternatives, and Wearing a Garter Without a Toss

You can wear a garter without a garter toss. Plenty of brides wear one only as their something blue, or as a keepsake, and nobody sees it come off. If you want a moment at the reception instead, you could toss your bouquet, hold an anniversary dance, have the groom throw something else, or toss a separate toss garter so you keep your real one.

Why so many couples skip the toss

In the traditional garter toss, the groom takes the bride's garter off in front of the guests and throws it to the unmarried men. Some couples love the fun of it. Others find it awkward with grandparents watching, or simply not their style. Our page on the tradition behind the wedding garter explains where the custom comes from.

Skipping it is common, and nobody will think it odd. You still get to wear a beautiful garter.

Ideas to use instead

Keep the garter as your something blue

Wear it all day, out of sight, as your something blue, and keep it afterwards. Many of our something blue garters have just a small blue bow or a touch of blue tulle, so they still look like ivory lace in photographs.

Toss the bouquet instead

If you want one throwing moment, let it be the bouquet. Many florists will make a smaller tossing bouquet, so you can keep your real one.

Hold an anniversary dance

Ask every married couple onto the dance floor. The band or DJ calls out the years, and couples sit down as their number passes, until the couple married longest is left. Give them your bouquet, or a small gift. It is a lovely moment, and grandparents usually win.

Let the groom throw something else

Some grooms throw a rugby ball, a bottle of something good, a scratch card or a pair of tickets to the unmarried guests. It keeps the fun of the scramble without taking anything off.

Make it a private moment

Some couples ask their photographer for a few quiet minutes, and the groom takes the garter off then, with only the camera watching. You get the photograph without the audience.

Pass it on

Keep your garter for a sister, a friend or a daughter to borrow at her own wedding. It becomes her something borrowed and something blue in one. Or have it framed with your invitation; our post on framing your wedding garter shows how.

If you still want a toss

Wear two garters. Keep your keepsake garter on and toss a simpler one. Our toss garter is made to the same size as your main garter, so it sits just as comfortably until it comes off. If you want a pair that matches, the Elme bridal garter set comes with a lace keepsake garter and a matching toss garter.

Wearing a garter all day without a toss

Wear it on your thigh, a little above the knee, where it will not slide down when you walk or sit. Measure your leg at that spot before you order, so it is snug without pinching. Which leg is up to you: our post on which leg to wear your wedding garter on covers the old customs.

Put it on before your dress, then walk up and down and sit a few times. If it moves, it is a little loose. Ours are made in our Bath workshop and come in a dust bag, so you can keep yours safe after the wedding.

Browse all our wedding garters.

Sarah Jane x