Do I need a garter?

[nikkiana]

Do I need to bother buying a garter if I have no intention of having a garter toss? Do they serve any other purpose other than being itchy on your leg all day until it get's thrown?

[*Stacie*]

hahaha... good question. I don't think you need one if you don't plan on having a garter toss.

[Emily]

I don't think you need it if you aren't going to throw it...but I did find this on the history behind it:

Tossing the wedding garter is an old tradition. It is said that in the days of old the bride and groom had to consummate their marriage. But in order for it to be proven it was common tradition to have people like family and friends come into the room with the couple to witness it. The "witnesses" would obtain the garter as "proof" of the consummation. Also having any article of the under garments was considered to be good luck so sometimes things would get out of hand in the newly wed's bedroom as crazed onlookers snatched at clothing to get for good luck. This was not appreciated much by the bride nor many grooms, hence the groom started tossing the garter out so that no one would need to obtain it themselves.

Because of modesty, this tradition has been modified and moved from the bedroom to the reception. Now today we have the traditional garter toss, which is meant to bring good luck to the man who catches it. He is said to be the next one to marry. In some cultures the men stand and wait for the garter to be tossed. Other cultures they actually compete for it. The men may compete for the garter in a foot race or by horse (this is a medieval practice). At least it is better than having the men chase the bride and put her upside down to get the garter off... This is what used to happen! , in yet other places, they even auction the garter off. As strange as these twists on the wedding garter tradition may sound they are all just traditions. Take' em or leave' em.

[Aubrey]

I didn't have a garter and we didn't do a garter toss, so I'd say no, you don't necessarily need one!

[jillian]

I say save the money and nix the garter!

[Mrs. Pickering]

I say if you don't want it you don't need it!! :)

[Krissy]

I didn't have one...it soo would have bothered me. I would have ended up with my hand either up my dress or grabbing my leg all evening.

[~Lizzybeth~]

Yeah, if you don't want one, you really don't need one.

[belle67]

We aren't doing a garter toss so I didn't buy one. :D

[nikkiana]

That fixes it then! No garter for me!

[wendy9879]

I'm an oddball here. I bought a garter and have no intention on tossing it. It's my "something blue".

[*Stacie*]

Emily - That is a very cool history lesson!! :)

[-->Kat<--]

Nice to know where that tradition came from. I'll have a garter but I'll be handing it to FH instead of having him go under my dress to get it.

[Jaci]

Emily, thanks for the info!

[KathyandJer]

Thanks for this thread...I'm debating this myself. I mean, Jer would love the garter idea, but if it's $15 or $20 that's not necessary to spend??? Hmmmm, will have to think/talk about this more!

[Alice]

Do I need to bother buying a garter if I have no intention of having a garter toss? Do they serve any other purpose other than being itchy on your leg all day until it get's thrown?

Nope! Their original purpose was to hold stockings up... but that was way back before elastic & lycra & such wondrous stuffs were invented. :} Nowadays, they're only tradition (or, if you're a stripper, they're a handy place to keep money ;D ). If you're not having a garter toss & don't have any other attachment to the idea of wearing a garter, then don't bother.

Personally, I spent way too much time as a stripper to want to wear a garter on my wedding day. ;P

[Alice]

Thanks for this thread...I'm debating this myself. I mean, Jer would love the garter idea, but if it's $15 or $20 that's not necessary to spend??? Hmmmm, will have to think/talk about this more!

You shouldn't have to spend that much. Frederick's of Hollywood usually stocks white garters for pretty cheap (I don't see them on their website, but I know I've seen them in the actual stores), and mall accessory stores like Claire's & Icing often have them, too (around Prom time, if nothing else). And, of course, there's always eBay... with a little bit of patience, you should be able to score a garter for $5 or less. :}

[Kari]

Micheals has some for less than $3.00

[Uma]

I'm not having a garter toss, but I wanted a garter, so I'm having one. I really like how the blue garter looks over the white stockings

[Raychel]

I had a garter although there was no garter toss. It is where I attached my "something old"