The garter toss is easily one of those wedding moments everyone talks about—even if it’s for all the awkward reasons. Here’s the real deal: during the reception, the groom removes the garter from the bride’s leg (usually with way too many cameras pointed their way) and tosses it behind him to a crowd. But who’s he supposed to throw it to, anyway?
Turns out, the garter usually gets tossed to all the single guys at the wedding. Yep, just like how the bride throws her bouquet to the single ladies. It’s meant to be a fun, lighthearted way to get everyone involved—plus, there’s a running joke that whoever catches the garter is next to get married. Don’t worry; nobody’s making anyone walk down the aisle right away.
You might wonder why this is still a thing. Believe it or not, the garter toss goes way back, with roots in good luck superstitions (and a healthy dose of wedding party shenanigans). If the idea makes you nervous, you’re not alone. Lots of couples update this tradition to make it less cringey and more comfortable for everyone involved. We’ll cover how that works, plus some tips to keep your suit looking sharp while you’re in the spotlight.
- The Meaning Behind the Garter Toss
- Who’s Included in the Garter Toss?
- How to Pull Off the Toss Like a Pro
- Making the Tradition Your Own
The Meaning Behind the Garter Toss
The groom garter toss has a pretty wild history. This tradition started in England and France as far back as the 14th century. Back then, wedding guests believed snagging a piece of the bride's clothing would bring good luck. People even tried to rip the bride’s dress! To avoid wardrobe disasters, brides started wearing a special garter on their leg, meant to be tossed instead of torn off.
Fast forward to today, and it’s more about having a laugh and keeping up with the classic vibes of a wedding reception. The groom is expected to slip the garter off the bride, and then throw it to a crowd of single guys. Whoever catches it is said to be next in line to get married, a bit like catching the bouquet.
For some couples, the whole thing is just a way to get the guests cheering and the cameras snapping. But there’s also a competitive edge: folks love to see who will snag the garter, even if it means diving across the dance floor. The tradition gives you a break from posed photos and lets everyone loosen up, especially if you're feeling stiff in your groom suit.
Check out this quick timeline of key facts about the garter toss:
| Century | Event |
|---|---|
| 14th | First mentions of guests grabbing bridal clothing for luck |
| 16th | Special garter introduced to protect the wedding dress |
| 20th | Bouquet toss and garter toss both pop up at Western weddings |
| 21st | Couples personalize or skip the toss for comfort |
If you're not sure about doing the garter toss, remember it’s your day. Whether you want to keep the old tradition or mix things up, as long as you're comfortable (and your groom suit isn’t about to rip), you're good to go.
Who’s Included in the Garter Toss?
If you haven’t been to many weddings, the groom garter toss can feel a little confusing. So, who’s actually supposed to stand up for this thing? Tradition says it’s all the single guys—friends, cousins, even co-workers, as long as they’re not married. This part kind of mirrors the bouquet toss, but obviously, on the guys’ side. If you’re single and invited to a wedding, there’s a good chance you’ll get called up for this one.
It’s usually the DJ who makes the call. They’ll ask all single men to gather around the dance floor. Sometimes, people get roped in whether they want to or not, but it’s totally fine to sit it out if you’re really not up for it—no one should feel pressured. Over the years, some weddings have even softened the rules. Engaged guys, divorced friends, or just about anyone might join for the fun of it.
Here’s a quick overview of how it breaks down at most weddings:
- All single men (traditionally): This covers anyone who isn’t married.
- Friends and family: Brothers, cousins, college buddies—if they’re not married, they’re in.
- Optional participants: Some laid-back weddings invite all the guys up, just to keep things playful.
Interestingly, about 78% of American weddings still include the garter toss, according to bridal industry data from 2023. But the vibe has changed—a lot of couples skip the cringey moments, like putting the garter on the bouquet catcher’s leg. Instead, it’s just a goofy, lighthearted break from the formal stuff. And if you’re worried about your groom suit getting wrinkled, don’t stress. The actual tossing part only takes a few seconds, so your look will stay sharp.
How to Pull Off the Toss Like a Pro
You don’t want the groom garter toss to turn into the most embarrassing two minutes of your wedding. So let’s talk about how to nail it—without looking awkward or messing up your groom suit.
- Practice the move. No shame in this—grab a sock at home and test your tossing skills. A lot of grooms forget that tossing something light can end up going nowhere or flying too far.
- Pick the right spot. Make sure you’re not tossing into a chandelier or directly at Grandma. Give yourself enough space, and gather all the single guys to one side so everyone’s in on the fun.
- Tame the nerves. People will be laughing, but remember, this is basically a silly party trick. If you’re uneasy taking off the garter in front of a crowd, just talk it out with your partner and keep it simple—some couples skip the fanfare and hand off the garter with no fuss.
- Dress smart. Sitting down can wrinkle your suit, so brush off your pants and jacket before standing up. The garter moment equals photos, and you don’t want to look ruffled.
- Get your DJ or MC to help. Ask them to build up the energy a little, or cue your favorite track. It can make the whole thing way less awkward and more about fun.
Timing also matters. Most couples do the garter toss right after the bouquet toss so the energy stays high and everyone is already paying attention. According to The Knot's 2024 wedding stats, 47% of couples who do the garter toss and bouquet toss, schedule them back to back for smoother flow.
| Tip | Why it Helps |
|---|---|
| Practice tossing the garter | Prevents it from landing awkwardly or missing guests |
| Communicate with your partner | Keeps the vibe comfortable and fun |
| Check your suit | Helps you look sharp in photos |
If you want to put your own spin on it, swap the music, toss a fun-themed garter, or invite everyone—single or not—to join in. It’s your reception, so the rules are flexible. Just don’t forget to actually bring the garter to the venue. Yes, couples really do forget it sometimes, which can lead to a mad scramble mid-reception. Trust me, you don’t want that stress in your fancy suit.
Making the Tradition Your Own
Not every couple does the garter toss the exact same way. The best part? You can totally put your own spin on it so it fits you and your crowd—no forced awkwardness required. If you're worried about keeping things fun (and not cringey), here are some popular ways couples tweak this old-school tradition. Adding a little twist or even skipping it altogether has become pretty common at modern weddings.
- Skip the Toss: If the thought of the groom garter toss stresses you out, there’s no rule saying you have to include it. More couples now just do the bouquet toss or replace both with a fun group dance.
- Keep It PG: If Grandma’s in the front row, you can make the moment way less suggestive. Instead of going under the dress, have the bride pass the garter to the groom, or slip it over her shoe for an easy grab. This keeps the vibe light and everyone comfortable.
- Everybody Gets Involved: Instead of inviting only single men, have all your friends join the toss. Or turn it into a couples game, with prizes for whoever catches the garter and bouquet. It’s a good icebreaker and doesn’t single anyone out.
- Match Your Style: Sometimes couples pick a garter that matches the groom suit colors, or just skip the lace altogether for something a little more them—think sports team garters or funky fabrics.
- Make It a Giveaway: Turn the toss into a mini raffle. Number cards are given out, and whoever’s card is drawn wins the garter. It totally takes the pressure off everyone, especially if you're not superstitious!
More than 60% of couples tweak this part of the reception, according to wedding surveys from The Knot. So if you think this is just a formality, think again—it's all about making things feel right for you and your guests. Keeping your wedding traditions fresh and personal means no one’s left dreading the next reception highlight.
And here’s a quick bonus tip: if you do keep the tradition, make sure your groom suit is ready for a moment in the spotlight. Check that your shirt’s tucked in and your tie is secure before the big toss. You’ll look sharp in every photo, and that’s one wedding memory you’ll actually want to share later.