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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/3/2008 1:01:28 PM
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Okay, so here's my stupid question for the day: What is the history of the garter?
I never even thought about having one, because I don't like the idea of my FH on his knees under my dress (well, not in front of all our guests anyways  ) Also, it's another expense we don't need, so we decided not to do the garter toss.
I was just reading the other thread on garters and noticed that a few people are wearing them, but not throwing them. What are people's reasons for wearing them even if they aren't throwing them?
I guess i'm just wondering what this tradition is all about, cause I have no idea 
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Living in bliss in Victoria, BC - Married in Bulgaria on May 15, 2006
18.May.08 - vow renewal / second celebration for family here in Canada - 65 people attending!
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/16/2007 6:00:20 PM
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| This is what I found: Hundreds of years ago, it was common practice for the guests to follow the wedding couple to their bed. As the years past, the tradition started getting out of hand with some of the guests trying to disrobe the bride. To ward off the guests, the groom would throw the garter.
Blondie
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 9:01:22 PM
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whoa...
Jules 
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/6/2008 7:49:45 PM
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| YIKES!!!! WOW... thats scary Anyhow... thanks for asking the question... i was wondering the same thing... lol and i agree with you about not liking that idea!!! We arent having one either
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/13/2007 5:15:52 PM
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| Heres what I found: The wedding garter and the husband’s removal of it represented the bride’s virginity and the symbolic relinquishing of that status. In the 14th century, the bride had gotten tired of drunken male guests growing impatient and trying to remove it themselves. It was a lot less trouble just to throw the bouquet at them. It wasn’t until late in the 19th century that the bouquet and garter toss became segregated affairs and nowhere is the event as rowdy and injury causing as the United States. The Wedding Day Garter
The tradition of throwing the garter began in France. Tossing the garter and bridal bouquet isn't just a way of relieving the bride of poor leg circulation and bad allergies. Today, it indicates that the gentleman who catches the garter and the lady who catches the bouquet will be the next to marry. However, in ancient days, wedding guests believed it would bring good luck if they left the wedding celebration with a piece of the bride's attire. Sometimes the tradition became uncontrollable, as wedding guests would rip at the bride's gown. Grooms soon began tossing the garter to protect their brides from the chaos, still offering a piece of luck to male wedding guests. Brides soon began throwing their bouquets as gifts of luck for female wedding guests.
The man who catches the garter and the lady who caught the bouquet may start the next dance. It is also common for the recipients of the bouquet and garter to have a photograph taken with the bride and groom. The garter is placed on the brides right leg, just above the knee. The bride may choose to wear both a garter to throw as well as a garter that she would keep.
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/18/2006 4:34:00 PM
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Its to hasten the consumation of the marriage.
K + J 05/23/06
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/3/2008 1:01:28 PM
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Wow.
Well.... I think that cements my decision not to have one, lol  Seems very strange. Thanks for looking that one up for me girls... I wonder why the Bride wore it in the first place? Hmmm....
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Living in bliss in Victoria, BC - Married in Bulgaria on May 15, 2006
18.May.08 - vow renewal / second celebration for family here in Canada - 65 people attending!
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