A wedding is a special moment in every woman’s life. During the preparations, most attention is usually given to the hall, dress, music, or food. However, the wedding itself is also connected with many traditional rites which, regardless of our belief in superstitions, have become firmly rooted in Polish culture. One of these is the obligation for the bride to wear a wedding garter. Nowadays, it serves a purely aesthetic purpose, but the variety of available designs and styles means it is worth considering before purchase which garter for the wedding to choose so that it matches the effect we want to achieve.
Why do we wear a garter?
Although today garters are mainly associated with weddings and prom balls, their history actually goes back to the Middle Ages. Back then, they served primarily a practical function – stockings, which were an essential part of every outfit, were made from materials with little stretch. As a result, they often slipped down the legs and caused discomfort. To prevent this, garters were introduced, equipped with special buckles to hold the stockings up all day long.
Today, garters are mainly used at proms or weddings. In both cases, they are meant to bring luck and success. If you are wondering which garter for the wedding will work best, it is worth considering a few important matters.
White, or maybe blue? Which garter color for the wedding is in line with tradition?
Traditionally, the wedding garter should be white – or possibly beige or ecru. In the past, it symbolized the woman’s purity and was meant to bring happiness in marriage. Nowadays, more and more women choose a blue garter to also have “something blue” on them, fulfilling the condition of another superstition.
It was once believed that the garter would ensure the newlyweds a good, harmonious, and satisfying married life. Meanwhile, the blue color was supposed to stand for… the husband’s faithfulness. That is why many women, when wondering which garter for the wedding will work best, ultimately decide to use practical white-and-blue garters.
Style – do we match the garter to the dress?
As for types of garters, today the market offers a great many different models. But before deciding on one, it is worth thinking about which garter will best suit our dress.
Although it is a piece of clothing that is theoretically invisible, due to its popularity it is often shown during wedding photo sessions. Therefore, you should choose a type of garter that will harmonize with the whole outfit.
Among the most popular models are definitely lace garters – they are decorative, do not irritate the skin, and are made of stretchy material. On the market, you can also find garters that match the style in which the dress was made – for example, a delicate embroidered garter works well with a boho dress, while a thin silk one perfectly complements a gown in the glamour style.
When choosing a garter, you should also pay attention to its size – although due to their elasticity they are rather universal, you should check whether a given model does not slip down the leg. After all, no bride would want to be looking for her garter on the dance floor.
A few words about tradition
Although most women focus mainly on aesthetics when choosing a wedding garter, it is also worth remembering a few traditions that are inseparably connected with this piece of clothing.
First of all, remember that the garter is worn on the left leg, the one closer to the heart, which is meant to symbolize love and feeling. It is best to put it just above the knee so it does not slip down. Moreover, tradition says that the bride should not remove the garter until the wedding night. Then the groom must take off the garter without using his hands – if he succeeds, the couple can count on undying passion and desire in their relationship.
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