Garter Toss: What It Means, Who Does It, and Why It Still Matters

When you hear garter toss, a lighthearted wedding tradition where the groom removes a decorative garter from the bride’s leg and tosses it to single male guests. Also known as garter removal tradition, it’s often paired with the bouquet toss and meant to bring luck to the catchers. But it’s not just about fun—it’s a relic of medieval customs that once signaled proof of consummation, and today it’s being rewritten by couples who want meaning over mimicry.

The garter removal tradition, the act of the groom taking off the bride’s garter before tossing it. Also known as groom garter tradition, is often misunderstood as outdated or overly performative. But when done with consent, humor, and inclusivity, it can be a joyful moment. Many modern grooms skip the theatrical removal entirely and just hand the garter to a friend to toss, or let the bride place it on a guest herself. The wedding garter customs, the rules and rituals surrounding the garter’s use and distribution at weddings. Also known as wedding traditions, vary wildly—some couples use two garters: one to keep and one to toss. Others skip it altogether. There’s no rulebook anymore, just what feels right.

It’s not just about who catches it. The real question is: why does this tradition still exist? For some, it’s nostalgia. For others, it’s a chance to make guests feel included. And for many couples, it’s a chance to laugh together before the party really starts. The garter toss, a lighthearted wedding tradition where the groom removes a decorative garter from the bride’s leg and tosses it to single male guests. Also known as garter removal tradition, doesn’t have to be awkward. You don’t need to do it standing on a chair. You don’t need to pull it off with dramatic music. You don’t even need to use a garter at all—some couples use a ribbon, a charm, or even a small token that means something personal. What matters is the intention behind it.

If you’re thinking about including the garter toss in your wedding, ask yourself: Is this something we both enjoy? Does it feel like us? Or are we doing it because we think we should? The posts below show real examples—couples who turned it into a group dance, others who gave the garter to their best friend regardless of gender, and a few who just kept it as a keepsake and skipped the toss entirely. There’s no right way. Only your way.