The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

A VARIATION OF THE GARTER DANCE

IN A TYPICAL WEDDING RECEPTION THERE IS A GARTER DANCE WHERE
THE GROOM TAKES THE GARTER OFF THE BRIDE AND THROWS IT OVER
HIS SHOULDER TO ALL THE SINGLE MEN. THE BRIDE THEN TAKES
HER BOUQUET OF FLOWERS AND THROWS IT OVER HER SHOULDER TO
ALL THE SINGLE WOMEN. IT THEN FOLLOWS THAT THE MAN WHO CAUGHT
THE GARTER PUTS IT ON THE LEG OF THE WOMAN WHO CAUGHT THE
BOUQUET. THE VARIATION ON THIS IS THAT WHICHEVER LEG
THE MAN PUTS THE GARTER ON, MIKE TELLS THEM IT'S THE WRONG LEG
AND THAT THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN ON THE
RIGHT LEG.
MIKE NIXON IS THE MEMBER OF A WEDDING BAND AND THIS IDEA
CAME TO HIM WHEN SOMEONE ASKED HIM AT ANOTHER WEDDING
WHICH LEG IS THE GARTER SUPPOSED TO GO ON? MIKE TOOK
ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR A LITTLE LIGHT-HEARTED
FUN AND NOW USES THIS VARIATION AT EVERY WEDDING HE PERFORMS AT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; WEDDING