Garters, your way
By Never teh BrideLovely reader Demi made me realize I have entirely ignored one aspect of the bridal ensemble. I have, at one time or another, touched on jewelry, hair, make-up, gowns (but of course), and undies. But I have never, not even once, mentioned garters. Probably because I was traumatized as a little girl when I happened to catch the bridal bouquet at a wedding, not realizing that I would then be required to sit still while a man thirty years my senior shoved a garter up to my thigh. ::SHUDDER::
Anyway, Demi presented me with a most unusual request:
My friend is getting married in September and I have been tasked with finding a University of Texas themed garter. All of the ones I have found so far are horribly tacky (cheap lace, plastic charms). Can you recommend any websites that makes elegant custom garters?
She’s right, you know. I have a theory that no one pays much attention to the quality of the garter because it’s hidden on the bride’s leg for most of the wedding and eventually comes to adorn the rear-view mirror of car of the man who catches it. Goodness knows he doesn’t care whether it’s handcrafted from fine lace and embellished with delicate beadwork. And it’s a truly archaic custom, according to Snopes, which explains that the groom’s public removal of his wife’s garter is a traditional way of announcing to all present his undisputed right by way of marriage to the use of her body. (Edit: This isn’t quite true, after all, though in some cultures a garter has represented the virginal girdle)
So, where does one procure a custom garter? One that won’t look cheap or tacky or fall apart? Unfortunately, most garter makers specialize in cheap and tacky. But some will–for a bit more money, of course–craft for you something that meets your individual needs. I have compiled a (very) short list.
Designer Marissa Toni (who is apparently much loved by celebrities like Kelly Osbourne, fashion designer Betsey Johnson, Melissa Rivers and Fergi from the Black Eyed Peas) will make you a special custom garter to highlight a special wedding day.
Hand-Crafted Creations will make you a themed garter designed to your specs. They will work with any fabrics and embellishments you send them. Such as a U. of T. jersey, perhaps?
Your Way Garters will also design a garter based on your specs. All you have to do is tell them what colors, fabrics, and so forth you’re dreaming of and they’ll think of something.
Hope this helps, Demi. Stay tuned for a post that more fully explains garter lore. Go Longhorns!
June 14th, 2006 at 11:29 am
I’m betting most places don’t put any thought into garters because – as you say – they end up just decorating rear-view mirrors. Too bad. A pretty garter is a fun thing to wear. It’s like a secret smile.
Yep, I made my garter. Made the lace, put the kit together. It was caught by an eleven-year-old kid whose leap for it would have been the envy of Michael Jordan! LOL! His mother tried to make him give it back to me. She was sure I wanted it back. No, really, I made it with the sure and certain knowledge that it was NOT coming back. As I said at the time, if I really wanted to, I could make another just as easily.
Actually, the history of the tossing of the garter isn’t about the groom’s right to the bride’s body at all. Once upon a time, there was a bawdy custom where the bridal party would all take part in undressing the bridal couple and putting them to bed. Then the assembled guests would take turns throwing the bridal (and groomal) stockings at the couple. Hitting the bride or groom with their stockings was considered good luck.
Eventually, smart couples decided instead of getting smelly socks thrown at their faces at the end of an exhausting day, it made more sense to throw things at their guests for the bridal luck to rub off on them. Hence the tossing of the bouquet and the garter.
June 14th, 2006 at 11:46 am
You’re right, of course, Twistie. There is an interesting and complex history to the garter tradition. It’s also linked to the very old custom of trying to grab a bit of the bride’s dress (or other clothing) to take home. Guests could thereby symbolically take away a bit of the wedded couple’s luck for themselves
Snopes isn’t always ‘all that,’ I guess!
June 14th, 2006 at 12:12 pm
Just a note for ladies who might want to wear a sheath style or bias cut dress: Skip the garter. Or put it on just before all the throwing silliness. But you certainly don’t want your guests spending the ceremony wondering what that weird lump is on your leg.
For a mermaid or slender a-line dress you would want to at least wear it below your knee where it for sure won’t show.
June 15th, 2006 at 12:56 am
How sick and disgusting! I am certain now more than ever that I will never do the garter thing.
I can’t believe someone made a little girl partake in that overly sexual tradition, I was practically traumatized watching one as a Junior Bridesmaid.
June 15th, 2006 at 9:55 am
Ack! I wasn’t going to wear a garter at all, as my dress is knee length and we’re having a Vegas wedding, but seeing those pretty, pretty ones at Marissa Toni makes me thing I’m making a mistake! And I leave for Vegas in one week! Ah, well. There’s always the vow renewal.
August 7th, 2006 at 7:46 pm
Our company makes Pocketbook Garters out of feminine – not frilly – fabrics. They have a small pocket so the bride (or bridesmaid) can carry a lipstick, a hotel room key, an aspirin, whatever, without having to lug around a purse. Best of all, the pocket is detachable so it can easily be removed in the ladies room for easy access, and then replaced.
We offer several styles, and each coordinates with a matching Keepsake Poche (elegant silk or velvet pocket for jewelry or mementos), g-string, and sachet filled with cardamom and cinnamon. Elegant and practical. I know women who use their garter when they go out clubbing because it’s so handy.
http://www.alittlelingeriecompany.com
August 29th, 2006 at 10:43 pm
Hmmm – I have NEVER made any garter out of Jersey material. I work with lace, sheers, and satiin most of the time.
Everything is custom made to the specks of each of my clients. I am very proud of the personalized Monogramming I have been doing as well. Garters from Hand-CraftedCreations are high quality and at a great price . Many of my clients have actually told me I should charge more. However – for the time being I believe that my pricing is competitive and gives a great value to my lovely brides.
Thank you for highlighting me in your blog – although it was a little off base with the mention of the Jersey thing
However – I do cater to my clients needs!
Sincerely,
*Victoria* HCC Garters ~ Hand-Crafted Creations