Wedding ceremonies and traditions are a beautiful event that is remembered not only by the newlyweds, but also by all the guests of the celebration. If a girl is supposed to throw a small bouquet into the crowd of her friends during the wedding celebration, then the groom will need the bride's garter, which he throws at his unmarried friends. It is believed that the one who catches the accessory will get married soon. A happy marriage awaits such a man.
Appointments and history of appearance
The word "garter" is of French origin, but the history of the beautiful accessory's appearance belongs to the English. Initially, it was invented as an inseparable part of a woman's or man's wardrobe. In the Old World, clothes were wide and voluminous, often falling down, which is why a garter was needed on the leg of a bride and groom or free girls and gentlemen. Gradually, men's trousers acquired the usual length, and women for a long time used the accessory to fasten underwear or stockings on the body.
One legend says that the famous British monarch Edward III saw at a ceremonial event that the garter ribbon of the lady accompanying him had slipped and fallen to the floor. The king picked up the accessory to return it to its owner, but seeing the malice of the courtiers around him, he put the garter on his own leg, explaining his action by the fact that such a ritual brings good luck. After this incident, the monarch established the Order of the Garter, which is still considered the highest award in England.
There is also another version of the origin of the tradition, where wedding garters are used. In the Old World, there were loose morals towards women. Guests tore pieces of fabric from the bride's dress or veil while she stood before the altar. The newlyweds did not like this, so a little later the newlyweds themselves began to throw a small accessory onto the crowd of invited guests. Today, this item is a tribute to tradition and plays an aesthetic role.
After the advent of tights and stockings with elastic bands, the ribbon was forgotten, but at the end of the last century, American newlyweds revived the wedding tradition.
How to wear and throw
Every wedding tradition has its own rules, and the use of a garter for the bride is no exception. What is the accessory for:
- A smart ribbon completes the image of the young bride.
- The wedding garter is a symbol of the girl's innocence and purity.
- It is needed to maintain the tradition, in which not only the newlyweds but also the invited guests participate.
- Many brides buy 2 ribbons, one of which remains in the family as a keepsake, and in some cases is even passed on to children on their wedding day. The groom throws the second accessory to his friends.
It makes no difference which leg the bride's garter is worn on. It all depends on the preferences or habits of the newlyweds. Traditionally, the accessory is worn on the right leg, 7-10 cm up from the knee. This way, the groom won't have to lift the bride's dress up high when removing the accessory during the wedding ritual, and a low-hanging ribbon will be more suitable for photographs.
At the end of the celebration, after the ceremonial removal of the wedding cake, the groom removes the garter from his young wife, throwing the accessory into the crowd of friends. To do this, the man picks up the girl in his arms and carries her to a chair in the center of the banquet hall. The woman stands on the seat, and the husband carefully dives under the dress, trying to remove the bride's garter with his hands, after which he throws the ribbon to his friends. The man who catches the accessory, according to tradition, must plan his own wedding. American grooms usually remove the ribbon with their teeth.
Many girls are embarrassed to take off the intimate part of their wedding wardrobe in public, so they get rid of it themselves and only then pass it on to the groom. The newlyweds themselves should answer the question - why do you need a garter at a wedding, or how to use it, based on their preferences for holding the celebration. Shy brides do not have to take off the ribbon in front of guests; a boutonniere is perfect as an accessory for the traditional throw.
Design options
Fashion designers and designers annually present new models of wedding accessories, so it will be easy for girls to choose a suitable bridal garter. The most popular are soft blue accessories. It is in this shade that the ribbon personifies the modesty and innocence of a young girl. But you should choose an intimate wardrobe item based on personal preferences, the color of your underwear, your wedding dress or its length.
Accessories are available in various options. Ribbons can be narrow, wide, satin or openwork made of nylon fibers. It is best to choose models that have an elastic band sewn into the inside. In this case, the garter will be perfectly fixed on the leg and will not slip off throughout the day. A wedding accessory made of satin ribbon without an elastic band slides on the skin and can rub or cause discomfort. They try to tighten such a wardrobe item too much on the leg, which causes circulatory problems and pain.
Thin ribbons, decorated with various decorative elements, are more suitable for short wedding dresses with a long train.
To understand the purpose of a particular wedding ribbon, you need to know what such an accessory is called. The "lucky" one is put on above the knee and thrown to unmarried friends. The "honey" garter of the bride remains on the girl and serves as a symbol of the beginning of the honeymoon. Beads, rhinestones, fabric flowers, beads or various feathers are used to decorate accessories. However, it is important for girls to remember that oversaturation of the design makes the accessory flashy and vulgar. Also, the bride should know how the groom will react to such an unconventional garter, because its removal occurs in public. During the ceremony, neither of the newlyweds should feel discomfort or inconvenience.
Popular signs
Like any other tradition, the wedding garter has acquired its own signs:
- The unmarried friend of the groom who catches the accessory must put the garter on the girl who got the bride's bouquet. It is believed that such a couple will have a happy future and will soon get married.
- According to the sign, the bride should not see herself in full wedding attire before the wedding. But in order to complete and evaluate the resulting image, the girl needs to see herself in the outfit before the main event. In this case, a garter will help, because a hidden accessory is not necessarily put on during the fitting.
- It is believed that the young man who catches the garter will quickly find his other half and will be happy with her all his life.
- It is not recommended to give the accessory to someone personally. In this case, the man who receives the garter will be able to have influence on the bride and use it.
Also, the groom should not mix up the accessories and throw a "honey" ribbon to the guests instead of a "lucky" garter. It is believed that after such an incident the marriage will quickly fall apart. It is necessary to remember that these are just signs that will not necessarily come true in real life.
Recommendations for selection
What nuances are taken into account when choosing a bride's garter:
- The fabric from which the accessory is made. It is not allowed to purchase a product made of artificial or cheap materials.
- Density of the product. For a summer celebration, a ribbon made of thin lace or silk is selected. If the wedding falls in the winter, then the garter is chosen from denser fabrics.
- Sensitivity of the bride's skin.
- Decor. Different decorations are allowed for a young bride. These can be rhinestones, feathers, beads and seed beads. If an adult woman chooses a garter, it is better to opt for a more modest design of the accessory.
- Size: The bandage should fit snugly on the leg, but not constrict the skin.
It is not necessary to buy a fashionable wedding wardrobe item in expensive salons. In the handicraft departments you can find many suitable materials and finishing options for garters. In this way, it is easy to make a unique wedding wardrobe item with embroidered initials of the newlyweds.
