If you’re wondering, where is the garter worn like bride-to-be, Samantha, you’re in luck! Today we’re answering the question in our latest Ask Emmaline series.

She writes us with the following.

“Hi Emmaline! I want to wear a wedding garter and do the toss at my reception. My question is, where does wedding garter go? Does the garter need to be worn on a certain leg or does it not matter? Thanks!”

Great question, Samantha! Ah, where is the garter worn: that one’s easy! The garter is worn just above the knee.

If you like, it can be worn on your thigh, but really, the rule is this:

– the wedding garter is worn wherever it is most comfortable!

And should you wear the garter on the right or left leg?

– it doesn’t matter which leg your garter is worn, choose whichever is more comfortable!

And we’ll add another commonly asked question: is a garter worn today?

– Yes! A garter is a timeless tradition most brides still wear today. It’s a fun way to add a personalized touch to your bridal attire and fun to toss at the reception.

Now, on to another thing: the garter removal.

If you are comfortable with the garter removal tradition where the groom removes your garter during the reception and then tosses it to bachelors (and the one who catches it is said to be next to marry), then you may wear it on your thigh or just above your knee.

If worn just above your knee, it’s much easier to remove (and quicker, too) if you’re nervous about being the center of attention for this tradition. If not, wear it on your thigh and let it double the way it was meant to: to hold up your stockings.

The original reason why a garter was worn was to keep the bride’s stockings up.

The only thing that doesn’t make sense to me, though, is why wear just one? Wouldn’t you need to wear two to keep the stockings up? Perhaps that is where the tossing garter came from, so you can keep both up and have one to toss, one to keep. :)

Now stocking are really easy to wear, with more modern stockings like these than what was available years ago.

Now, the garter is worn simply for fun and out of tradition’s sake.

And last but not least, where do you buy a garter? You can buy garters online on Etsy, especially if you’re looking for custom garter designs. We spotted these at designer Robots and Roses and we love the dupioni silk flowers!

Now that you know where the garter is worn, it’s time to find one of your own to wear!

You can find many pretty wedding garters to choose from in the shop.

Happy Planning!

xo
Emma

P.S. Do you have a wedding question? Just Ask Emmaline!