Which leg does the wedding garter go on?

July/21/2020

So which leg does it go on?

This is one of my most common questions, outside photography that is. 

One would think after the number of weddings I've managed to shoot over the years, I'd know the answer. I don't, I guess it won't make my photography any better knowing. I was curious nonetheless, so I decided to do some research for myself.

It doesn't matter.

The bottom line, it doesn't matter and I can't imagine you'd get taken to "Wedding Jail" even if it did. 

A tradition from the dark ages. 

According to one article I read, this tradition goes back to the dark ages. After watching Game of Thrones (GOT) I just can't see it. But then again I can't see dragons either, I wish I could... but I digress. 

The story goes, wedding guests would accompany the couple to the bedroom to see them there safely, it was a good luck tradition to get a piece of the bride's attire. "Um excuse me darling, mind if I cut a piece of your dress off for good luck"

Ripping the bride's clothes off?

Later on, this developed into people tackling the bride and ripping her clothes off, huh?? I guess it made the grooms job easier but really, how strange. 

Game of Thrones, a fairytale?

I've worked with a few brides who'd make GOT look like a fairytale if you even looked at their dresses funny, let alone ripped at it, there would be carnage! 

In the 1900s garters were in common use to hold up underwear. Since the invention of elastic, garters are no longer used for practical purposes but stayed around for aesthetic purposes. Ultimately the garter became an affordable/practical "Give Away" enabling the tradition of passing good fortune to still carry on.  

Tossing the garter in South Africa

I'm not sure about Europe but it isn't done in the UK. As we South African's know, it's a tradition here and quite a fun one but sometimes disastrous consequences. I've seen people literally tackle each other on the dancefloor. We've all seen those pictures where a strapless dress reveals way more than it should during the mayhem. 

Wedding Garter Tips:

  • Be sure to wait for your photographer before putting it on.
  • Get bridesmaids to help you put it on even if you don't need them. The pictures resulting from this are fantastic and fun.
  • Take it off for the wedding, most garters are scratchy or simply slide down. You don't need that walking down the aisle.
  • Don't forget to take it with to reception. Assign that task to a bridesmaid. 
  • You don't have to toss it, many brides don't.
  • Your wedding your rules but don't be bridezilla either...