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Step 1
Couples should discuss the removal of the wedding garter several weeks before the wedding. If you are exchanging vows in a religious ceremony and celebrating the reception in a house of worship, this custom may be frowned upon. Check with the clergy to make sure it is permissible.
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Step 2
If the removal of the wedding garter will take place, decide at what point during the reception it will occur and, more specifically, where. It is customary for a special seat of honor to be given to the bride in the center of the room for this occasion. It normally takes place after the meal, cutting of the cake and most of the evening's festivities have passed.
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Step 3
The garter is usually placed on the left thigh. If the bride isn't comfortable with exposing this much flesh during the reception, or if there are elderly guests who may find this offensive, she can lower the garter to just above her knee.
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Step 4
The groom should kneel on one knee at the feet of the bride, gently taking her calf in his hand while she raises her dress, ever so slightly, to tease him. This will generally draw some cat calls from the men in the audience. The groom then slips his hand up the bride's dress until he locates the garter, which he then slowly removes, making sure not to raise her leg too high or to show undo impropriety.
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Step 5
Once the groom has removed the garter, the bride is to remain seated. The groom may tease the guys with the garter by twirling it in his hand for all to see his trophy. He then slings the garter toward all of bachelors who hope to catch the garter, a symbol of good luck and fertility.
