Is the Awkward Tradition of Tossing the Bridal Bouquet and Garter Finally Dead?

I wish I had a video of my parent's wedding reception because my the way mom's bouquet toss went down was legitimately bizarre.

Get our free mobile app

My mom got re-married on May 9, 1998 - the same day as my senior prom. You might think my mom getting married on the day of my prom was mortifying, but no. The real mortifying part of the day happened at the reception and it happened to me.

I think my mom was convinced I was mad she was getting married on the day of my prom and that I was going to do something stupid to sabotage her day, but I kind of didn't care. I mean, it definitely took away from what was supposed to be my day, but I wasn't stupid enough to act like a fool at my mom's wedding. My mom has never been afraid to call me out in front of anyone, friend or stranger, if she thinks I'm being disrespectful.

I had no desire to catch the bridal bouquet and yet when my mom tossed it, it landed right at my feet. I picked it up, completely horrified. My mom was not amused and thought I was playing around, so she made me move to the back of the crowd so she could toss it again.

The bridal bouquet flew from my mom's hand and there it was again. Right at my feet.  This time, I didn't pick it up because I wasn't about to get accused in front of a bunch of people for plotting something sly. Unfortunately for me, my mom insisted on giving her bouquet one more heave-ho and...you guessed it. It landed at my feet again. By that time, the reception hall was roaring with laughter. My mom wasn't amused, but her guests were. I swore then and I swear now, I had nothing to do with the bouquet finding its way to me each time.

I've kind of not ever thought the bridal bouquet toss was cute or funny and I've always thought the garter toss was even worse. I'm not a prude, but seriously, who wants to be shoved up on a dance floor and made to feel humiliated for being single? Worse yet, who wants a stranger's head between their legs all up in their business?

A co-worker mentioned she's recently been at two different weddings in Bradford county where the DJ called the bride and groom to the floor for the bouquet and garter toss and they, along with their friends, had no idea what the bouquet and garter toss even was. The DJ had to explain, in great detail at each wedding, what each toss was and how to do them.

Is it true that people in their 20s don't know what the bouquet and garter toss are? Or do they know and think it's just as awkward as I've always thought it was? Has the age-old tradition of removing the garter (which served as a represented the consummation of marriage - creepy, huh?) finally died?

I think I can count on three fingers the number of times the bouquet and garter toss were truly funny at weddings I attended. All of the dozens upon dozens of times were just uncomfortable and awkward.

I love a suggestion that The Knot shared as a replacement for the bouquet and garter toss and that's instead to have a special dance for married couples where the DJ eliminates couples based on the number of years they've been married. The last couple left on the dance floor is given the bridal bouquet. When you think about it, it's a nice way to honor the longevity of someone's marriage and also keeps single people from being put on an embarrassing display.