How to Plan a Garter Toss

Although this tradition dates back to Medieval French times, the garter toss has become a comedic staple of today's American wedding receptions. Follow these steps to ensure a memorable toss on the big day.

Instructions

1. Time the toss. Although the garter removal and toss is traditionally performed towards the end of the reception, after the bouquet toss, it is ultimately up to the bride and groom to decide where it will best fit with the rest of the plans. It may be best to decide this prior to the wedding day to avoid any confusion at the reception.

2. Select a song. Do an Internet search for "garter toss music" or check out theknot.com for ideas. Past song ideas have ranged from "Macho Man" to the "Mission Impossible" theme song. Let your personality come through in the song choice and have fun with it!

3. Grab the garter. At the reception, have the bride sit in a chair, usually on the dance floor, but any open area will work as long as guests can see what is happening. Lift up the bride's dress carefully or dive in and get the crowd cheering! The garter is traditionally worn on the right leg. If the bride is wearing two garters, only remove the lower one as the upper one is for her to keep. This step can be as romantic or as comedic as fitting for the bride and groom's personalities.

4. Gather the guys. Plan to have the DJ call all the single men to gather in the location where you removed the garter and the bride tossed her bouquet. The groom will either turns so his back is facing the men and toss the garter over his head or he can face the men with his eyes closed and fling it like a rubber band.

5. Congratulate the winner. According to tradition, whoever catches the garter will be the next to wed. The photographer will be close-by, ready to snap a photo of the groom with the lucky guy. You can plan on the photographer wanting to take photos of both the garter and the bouquet winner together.

6. Get down on the dance floor. After the bride and groom have danced their first dance and all other family dances have taken place (i.e. father/daughter), have the DJ invite the winners to dance with each other. Another option is to have the garter winner slip the garter onto the bouquet winner's leg.

Tips & Warnings

• Many internet companies offer unique garters that vary from athletic teams to fraternity letters.

• If the winners happen to be bitter enemies, cut off the tradition after the photographs have been snapped or ask the photographer to snap candid shots only.