Bouquet & Garter Toss: Should You Include It?

What Is the Bouquet and Garter Toss?

The bouquet and garter toss is a wedding tradition that most of you are probably familiar with, especially if you grew up in the Pacific Northwest going to weddings. During the reception, the bride and groom will toss their wedding bouquet and garter to their single guests. Traditionally, the bouquet is thrown to the unmarried female guests and the garter to the unmarried male guests. This tradition fits naturally into your overall wedding timeline, usually placed after the first dance and before the open dancing begins.

This tradition is still popular today, but it has evolved over the years. For example, some couples choose to remove the gender aspect of the tradition and throw the bouquet and garter to all of their single guests. Others choose to have a fun game or competition before the toss to determine who gets to catch the bouquet and garter. (More on this later)

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History Of The Bouquet And Garter Toss

The origins of the bouquet and garter toss are a bit unclear, but it is believed to have originated in France during the 14th century. During this time, it was considered good luck for guests to get pieces of the bride’s dress and her garter as souvenirs. To appease their guests, the bride and groom would throw their bouquet and garter to the guests, who would then fight to catch them.

The tradition continued to evolve over the years, and by the 19th century, it had become a more formalized tradition. The bride and groom would toss the bouquet and garter to their single guests, and whoever caught them was said to be the next to get married.

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Benefits Of Doing The Bouquet And Garter Toss

The bouquet and garter toss is a great way to add some fun and excitement to your wedding reception. It is also a fun activity that helps get your guests involved and makes them feel like they are part of your special day. It also serves as a great photo opportunity, and it is a great way to honor a longstanding wedding tradition. Make sure your wedding videographer is ready to capture the action shots of the toss as well as the candid reactions from your guests.

The bouquet and garter toss also serves as a great photo opportunity. Not only will you get some exciting action shots of the bride and groom tossing the bouquet and garter, but you’ll also get some cool pics of your guests trying to catch them.

Finally, the bouquet and garter toss is a great way to honor a longstanding wedding tradition. Especially for your older guests, it may be an element of the wedding they are looking forward to, and that will leave them disappointed if it’s left out.

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How To Set Up The Bouquet And Garter Toss At Your Wedding

The first step is to decide who will be participating. Once you have decided, you will need to find a suitable spot for the toss. Depending on the size of the venue, you may want to designate a specific area, such as the dance floor. The next step is to decide on the music that will be played during the toss. This is a great opportunity to get your wedding DJ involved. They can help you pick the perfect song to get your guests pumped up and ready for the toss. Browse our music planning tools for inspiration on the right track to build the energy.

Once you’ve decided who will be participating, you’ll need to find a suitable spot for the toss. Depending on the size of the venue, you may want to designate a specific area for the bouquet and garter toss, such as the dance floor or a designated “toss area.”

The next step is to decide on the music that will be played during the toss. This is a great opportunity to get your wedding DJ involved. They can help you pick the perfect song to get your guests pumped up and ready for the toss.

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How To Make The Bouquet And Garter Toss Fun And Memorable

Once you have the toss set up, it is time to make it fun and memorable. Have your wedding DJ play some upbeat music to get your guests excited and ready to catch the bouquet and garter. You can also have your DJ play a game of "hot potato" with the bouquet and garter before the toss, adding a fun element and giving your guests a chance to show off their skills.

Finally, you can add a personal touch by having your wedding DJ announce the names of the people who are about to catch the bouquet and garter. Pair this moment with our cold spark machines for a dramatic, show-stopping effect that will have your guests talking for years.

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Reasons Not To Do The Bouquet And Garter Toss

There are a variety of reasons why a couple might choose not to include a bouquet and garter toss in their wedding in 2023. Some of these reasons include:

1. The couple may not want to single out their single friends and family members at the wedding. In today's society, being single is not seen as a negative thing and it might be uncomfortable to put friends and family members in the spotlight in this way.
2. The couple may want to focus on more modern and inclusive traditions, rather than sticking to traditional customs that might not hold as much significance for them.
3. The couple may not want to perpetuate the idea that the next step in life is to get married. With more and more people choosing to stay single or to not have children, the bouquet and garter toss can feel out of step with current views on relationships and family-making.
4. The couple may want to avoid any potential discomfort or embarrassment, as not everyone may be excited about participating in the bouquet and garter toss.
5. The couple may want to avoid the physical contact during a pandemic and follow the health guidelines and regulations.

Ultimately, the decision to include a bouquet and garter toss in a wedding is a personal one, and the couple should do what feels most meaningful and authentic to them.

Bouquet And Garter Toss Alternatives

If you decide to skip the bouquet and garter toss, there are plenty of other fun and creative alternatives. Have a cake cutting ceremony, a dance-off, or a scavenger hunt. Set up a photo booth so guests can take fun and memorable photos together throughout the evening. Hold a trivia game about the couple or their relationship. Our DJ can MC all of these activities. See how we handle interactive reception moments for even more ideas to keep your guests engaged.

You can also make your reception unforgettable with our dancing on clouds effect for the first dance, or our event lighting to set the perfect atmosphere for every moment of the night.

Here are some ideas:

• Have a cake cutting ceremony: Instead of the bouquet and garter toss, you can have a cake cutting ceremony. This is a great way to get your guests involved and will help create a memorable moment.
• Have a dance-off: Have your wedding DJ play some fun music and have a dance-off between the bride and groom and their single guests. This is a great way to get your guests involved and will surely create some fun memories.
• Have a scavenger hunt: Have your wedding DJ lead your guests in a scavenger hunt around the venue. This is a great way to get your guests mingling and having fun.
• Set up a photo booth: Photo booths have become very popular in recent years, and they can be a great way for guests to take fun and memorable photos together.
• Hold a trivia game: A trivia game about the couple or their relationship can be a fun and interactive way to get guests involved in the celebration.

Finding The Right Wedding DJ To Play The Music

No matter which wedding tradition you choose, it is important to find the right wedding DJ to play the music. A wedding DJ can help make your special day even more memorable by playing the perfect music for your wedding ceremony, reception, and all the events in between. They can also help you choose the perfect songs for the bouquet and garter toss.

If you are looking for a wedding DJ for your Oregon wedding, look no further than DJ Cutt Entertainment. We specialize in providing top-notch wedding services, including music, AV, sound, lighting, photo booths, and more. Check our pricing to find the right package for your event, or contact us today to start planning your Oregon wedding.

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