What Is This For???

On occasions when I sold bridal garters, I usally get asked, "So small, how to wear?" Many people get confused between a garter belt and a garter.

Garter belts

A garter belt is worn around the waist. It's original purpose was to hold the stockings up, but now it's been made into an erotic piece of lingerie with all sorts of suggestive designs.

On the other hand, a bridal garter is small, because it is traditionally worn just above the right knee of the bride, under the bridal gown.

Various bridal garters

Tossing the garter is a tradition dating back to 14th Century France. At the end of the wedding reception, the bride would throw the garter to the assembled unmarried female guests and shower the recipient with good luck. The one who catches it is thought to be the next person to marry.

In countries where the garter is not part of the bridal attire, the bride's bouquet of flowers is used for this purpose, instead.

It is now customary for the groom to remove the garter and toss it to a group of unmarried male guests.

A bride may wear two garters; one for the traditional tossing of garter and the second one to be kept as a cherished keepsake.