How did the tradition of throwing the garter and the bouquet to wedding guests begin?
Throwing the garter began in France when pieces of the bridal attire were thought to be good luck charms. The garter would be thrown to all of the guests at the wedding. The guest who caught it would have good fortune and could expect good luck. Today in the U.S., the groom removes the garter and throws it to a group of unmarried men. The man who catches it is said to marry next. The tradition of throwing the bouquet has since become a tradition as well – a spin-off of the garter toss.