August 21, 2009

Which Leg Gets the Wedding Garter?

The left? The right? Does it really matter which leg you wear your wedding garter on?

The short answer is: It is up to you which leg you want to wear your wedding garter. You aren’t going to get cooties or bring yourself 10 years of bad luck if you wear your pretty little wedding garter on either your left or right leg.

Historically, garters were purely functional and worn on both legs to keep up socks and stockings. (Check out my post about wedding garter history.) Because of the duel leg purpose, garters used in today’s weddings can be worn on either leg.

Here are 3 tips for legs and wedding garter wearing…

1.) Don’t think about it too much. Just put your wedding garter on and which ever leg you reach for first is the best leg for you. With the dress, the shoes, the makeup and all the other “newness” of the day, just wear your wedding garter where it is most comfortable for you.

2.) Main and tossing garter go on the same leg. If you have one wedding garter on each leg, your groom might grab the wrong one by accident, defeating the purpose of a tossing garter. So, wear both wedding garters on the same leg. The main garter goes on first and the tossing garter goes on second. If the tossing garter is closest to the bottom, then it will come off first, which is what you want for the toss.

3.) Make sure you have “the talk” about which leg the garter is on. Maybe you can talk about it the night before or whisper just before hands start to wander, but either way you two should discuss which leg you plan on wearing your wedding garter. If your partner has a road map, there might be less of a chance for fumbling hands and awkward moments during the main event.

For more wedding garter questions, check out my garter 101 blog series!

Julianne Smith on 8/21/09

C o m m e n t s

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• Great tips. I think too many of us get to caught up in what is right or wrong and cause extra stress. What should be important is what is comfortable for the bride and groom to be and how they want their wedding to go. Garter included.

  Posted by: Claire · July 16, 2010 at 2:49 am

• Great blog and great post! I have always thought that the garter should go on the right but since there are so many modern brides throwing tradition out the window these days…who cares! As long as it’s pretty, why not even wearing one on both?!?

  Posted by: Sarah Wedding · May 24, 2010 at 7:22 pm

• [...] want to learn more about the wedding garter or not sure which leg gets the garter, then follow this link and read the answers by Julianne [...]

  Posted by: How Stunning Are These Garters? | Splendid Affairs · May 6, 2010 at 1:13 am

• I didn’t really think about which was the “correct” leg for the garter. Glad it doesn’t matter; one less thing to worry about

  Posted by: Amberdawn · April 20, 2010 at 1:51 am

• [...] but fun advice and information too. For instance, last month she posted an article called “Which leg gets the wedding garter?” I have to admit I’ve never given it a thought. And back in July she shared an article [...]

  Posted by: Bride Online: Julianne Smith Wedding Garters | Charlottesville Area Weddings Blog · September 10, 2009 at 10:36 pm