Before I get started on how I feel about garters, I have a final plea. We officially have 4 days left to raise the remaining $145 to make our goal for our Charity Water Campaign. I would take time to tell you about how important water is to life (just think how much you use daily), or tell you that some people don’t even have enough to drink much less bathe in. I could tell you that children have to share water with wild animals, in which the children get last dibs. But I think it would be more effective if you took just a few minutes of your time to go to the Charity Water website and read “Why Water” or better yet watch a few of the videos they have posted. Those were of course the two methods which convinced me that this was necessary and that I wanted to help. Our goal was to raise $1000 and we are SO close. $20, $10, even $5 can help. Watch those videos because if you do you will know the impact of your $5. You will know the value of your money and I have a feeling you might consider it well spent. PLEASE, help us meet our goal which more importantly helps families have clean water to drink, bathe in and an ample supply to support crops and livestock. Water reduces diseases and saves lives. I thank you in advance!
On to garters… If I *did* have a garter, it would likely be that one above. How cute is that? It is part of the “Old New Borrowed Blue” collection of items at this Etsy shop. In addition she uses her proceeds to help oppressed women and you know I appreciate that. However this post is not about that garter, it is about garters in general. I was shopping with one of my bridesmaids over the weekend when we came by a wedding aisle. She asked if I had a garter, to which I responded, “I’m not wearing one.” She was shocked and seemingly horrified. “You HAVE TO have one,” she said passionately. My problem is I can’t get past this:
You know, the infamous groom getting swallowed by your wedding dress while his head reaches nameless regions all while every single person in your family is watching. My grand parents are invited. They don’t need to see this and to be quite frank, I don’t want them to. Call me prude, but I can’t help but think this is tacky and outdated. In addition, I don’t have tiny thighs and the thought of a lacy rubber band cutting off my circulation all night does not appeal to me. Finally, the whole purpose is for this to be thrown out to all the single men. Now explain why I want something that has been residing on my upper thigh all day and removed by my new groom’s teeth to become the new possession of one of our single friends or perhaps my little brother? Awkward. For those reasons, I do not plan to have a garter. However her plea made me think, Am I over analyzing this innocent little gesture which generally garnishes a few laughs albeit awkward laughs? Is there a classier way to incorporate the garter tradition or do you have to stick with the whole groom coming out of the dress scenario for it to really be worth it?
What do you think about garters? Are they tacky or a must have tradition?
I completely understand about the issue with having your family members there watching, and the concept of tossing the garter to the single men.
But, you don’t necessarily have to stick with tradition. Your husband doesn’t have to go in and remove it with his teeth, nor do you have to wear it all day.
It’s a tradition, just like the cutting of the cake, the bouquet toss, and the first dances. No need to over analyze it
You can always choose to keep the garter tradition but change it up a bit.
For instance: Instead of you wearing the garter and your husband retrieving it and tossing it to the guys, why not have all the single men stand in a circle facing each other with eyes closed, your husband will then hide the garter somewhere amongst the reception (not too difficult a place), and the guys can go search for it. It makes the search and competition a bit more fun!
Great ideas Marisa! Thank you for the suggestions!
and now the $1000 has been reached. Congrats on so much awareness of this problem….Happy wedding.
Thank you so much Charmaine! I appreciate your help more than you know!!
If you think the garter toss tradition is bad, you should check into the original tradition of where they changed it to the garter toss… crazy stuff… if I was getting married back in the day (I think it was early 1800′s) I would definitely NOT do the original tradition, or just not get married hahaha! The old traditions are an interesting read, but the one from where the garter toss came about what definitely the worst!
I am so glad I came across this post! I feel the same way. I have absolutely no interest in wearing a garter or doing a garter toss. Everyone probably thinks i’m crazy and prude but I would rather spend time at my reception doing other things.