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Garter Toss Songs

The Garter Removal and Toss is one of the most humorous traditions at any wedding reception and can be loads of fun.  Depending on your personality, it can be reserved, edgy or quite risqué, so you have a wide range of musical styles to choose from.

As the Garter is removed by the Groom, a song can be played. This can also accompany a game of some sort where the winner receives the Garter or could remove the garter also.

Once the garter is removed it is tossed to the single and unmarried men and whoever catches it is traditionally the next in-line to get married! Sexy songs are great for the garter removal.

Some Garter removal & toss song suggestions are...

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More about the Garter, Garter Toss and Removal

Most people are surprised to learn that the removal of the garter is one of the oldest wedding traditions around, going back hundreds of years.  In the 1600’s, the bride and groom were escorted to the “wedding bed,” and the groomsmen would actually compete to snatch the garters off the poor bride! 

The winner would then pin the garters to his hat as a prize for good luck.  Fortunately, but the nineteenth century the groom had taken to removing the garters himself, but he usually sponsored a horse race or some other competition the next morning as part of a weekend celebration with the winner earning the lucky garters.

What was the point of all this attention to the bride’s garters?  It was considered symbolic proof of her lost virginity and the groom’s “possession” of her after the marriage was consummated.  Fortunately, today none of that archaic symbolism holds any weight and the garter removal and tossing is all about fun.

Today’s Garter Traditions

Most brides wear two garters – one for the groom to remove at the reception, which is lower on the leg, and one as her own wedding keepsake.  If the bride is shy about everyone looking at her, she should make sure she keeps the garter the groom will remove fairly low.  If she’s game for him to climb a bit higher, she can be as adventurous as she wants to, always keeping in mind that her grandparents may be watching as well as her friends.

The garter is usually removed toward the end of the reception, about an hour before the end of dancing.  The bride is seated in a chair and the groom removes the garter while a special song is played – usually something playful. 

Often the guests will clap and cheer the groom on while his hands creep up her leg toward the garter.  Some grooms even remove the garter with their teeth!  How far you want to go is entirely up to you, but keep in mind the ages of your guests and how much you’re willing to show.  After the garter is removed, the groom should triumphantly display it over his head and take a bow.

Next, line up all of the eligible bachelors and make sure the photographer is ready – this is a great photo op.  The groom should toss the garter over his shoulder, back to the men.  The single man who catches the garter is said to be the next to marry. 

A picture of him with the woman who caught the bouquet is nice, particularly if you have him put the garter on the woman who caught the bouquet.  If you do this, choose another fun piece of music like The Mission Impossible Theme or Jaws.  Your guests will be delighted, and you may even spark a new romance at your reception.

For even more Garter Removal song and game ideas, check out The Wedding Reception Kit.