THE TRADITION BEHIND THE GARTER

There are certain traditions related to weddings that we don't necessarily question, we just go along with them. Throwing the bouquet, having a maid of honor, certain traditions are just accepted, and we don't really think too hard about why we do these things, they're just done at weddings. Well, one tradition we want to explore is the tradition behind the garter.

The garter toss originally started in the Dark Ages, and the crowd would rush at the bride, in an attempt to get the garter off and get a piece of her dress. In that time, it was considered good luck to have a piece of the dress. Thankfully, that tradition has changed quite a bit since then, and is now a much more playful tradition, where the bride is able to keep her dress in one piece.

While the tradition behind the garter has certainly changed since the olden times, it is also one that you don't necessarily have to follow. For some, having the groom remove the garter in any way can be an uncomfortable experience, especially in front of friends and family, and for those who'd rather skip it, that's perfectly acceptable.

Now, wedding traditions are falling out of favor as brides and grooms are changing things to fit them and their personalities. If you still want to partake in this fun tradition, do so, and don't worry about your guests trying to rip your dress. If you don't, don't feel any pressure to partake in this tradition. It's no longer a requirement for you in your wedding, it's all about what you and your groom want instead.

If you do choose to get a garter, you can choose from a whole variety of styles, including options that are blue or any other color, as well as the traditional white. You can also choose to have the groom remove it himself or you can remove it and hand it over to him to toss to the guests. No matter what you decide, as long as you two are comfortable with it, that's all that matters.