Its a toss up!
During the planning process, we often ask clients if they will be incorporating the bouquet and garter toss at the reception. Another question sometimes follows the answer to this question. What is the
purpose of the Bouquet and Garter toss?
In the fourteenth century, a traditional practice of tossing the bouquet and garter resulted in a single female and male that catches the bouquet and garter would be next to marry.
The Emcee can incorporate this element before the cake cutting ceremony or before the couple makes their getaway. The toss bouquet is usually a smaller version of the bridal’s actual bouquet. The garter is a beautiful band of lace fabric.
The Emcee will announce the bouquet and garter toss. The bride makes her way to the dance floor with her toss bouquet. The Emcee then invites “all the single ladies” to gather on the dance floor. With her back turned, the bride throws the bouquet over her head. With great anticipation, the bride turns around to see who the lucky person is that caught the toss bouquet. The garter toss is slightly different. The bride sits on a chair while the groom lifts her dress to remove her garter. The Emcee then invites “all the single men” to gather on the dance floor. The groom whips the lace garter over his head, and Like the bride, he is excited to see which one of his friends caught the lace garter.
The bouquet and lace garter toss winners usually take pictures with the happy couple; we can continue the fun by placing the lace garter on the leg of the bouquet winner. This part of the reception is fun. Coordinate this entertaining tradition with your Emcee. Make it fun, unique, and
appropriate for your audience. Remember, this is your wedding day, and you can be creative. If you choose to pass on this tradition, it’s okay.
