The garter tradition is one of those wedding moments that can go a lot of different ways depending on the couple and the crowd. Some couples lean into the humor, some keep it quick and simple, and plenty of couples choose to skip it altogether.
If you’re including it in your reception, you can do both a garter removal and a toss, skip the removal and simply do the toss, or put your own spin on the tradition.
The music should fit whatever version you choose.
One Song or Two?
If you’re doing both the garter removal and the toss, you can use one song for the entire moment or choose a different song for each part.
Using two songs can be a fun way to give each moment its own feel. The removal can be playful, while the toss can shift into something more upbeat and fun.
For example:
Garter Removal: Pony – Ginuwine
Garter Toss: Another One Bites the Dust – Queen
If you’re only doing the toss, just choose a song that fits the personality and energy you want for the moment.
And one quick reality check:
The garter does not fly very far.
If you actually want to toss it across the room, consider wrapping it around something with a little more weight. I’ve seen grooms put the garter around a Nerf football so they can actually get some distance out of it.
Otherwise, grooms… you might want to practice.
Garter Removal & Toss Song Ideas
There isn’t one particular style that works for this tradition. Some songs make more sense for the removal, some work better for the toss, and others could work for either.
Classic & Fun
- Ginuwine – Pony
- Def Leppard – Pour Some Sugar on Me
- Warrant – Cherry Pie
- Kenny Loggins – Danger Zone
- Queen – Another One Bites the Dust
- George Thorogood – Bad to the Bone
- Hot Chocolate – You Sexy Thing
- Right Said Fred – I’m Too Sexy
R&B & Hip-Hop
- Nelly – Hot in Herre
- 112 – Peaches & Cream
- 50 Cent – Candy Shop
- Justin Timberlake – SexyBack
- Big Pun ft. Joe – Still Not a Player
Country
- Big & Rich – Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)
- Shania Twain – Man! I Feel Like a Woman!
Something Different
- Bad Bunny – Tití Me Preguntó
- Aloe Blacc – The Man
- Aminé – Caroline
- Justin Timberlake – Suit & Tie
- Panic! At The Disco – Death of a Bachelor
- Blue Swede – Hooked on a Feeling
Keep the Moment Moving
The garter removal or toss isn’t really about finding the perfect song. It’s about creating a fun moment without letting it drag.
If everyone is laughing and having a good time, we can let the moment breathe a little. If it starts feeling awkward, there’s no reason to stretch it out. We move on.
Just like the music during open dancing, it’s about reading the room.
You Don’t Have to Do It
The garter removal and toss are completely optional.
If you think the tradition will be fun, include it. If you want to do the toss but not the removal, that’s fine too. And if neither one fits your wedding, skip them altogether.
More couples are choosing not to include the garter tradition, while others still have a great time with it. What matters is choosing the traditions that actually fit your wedding rather than doing something simply because it appears on a traditional reception timeline.
For more ideas for special dances, reception traditions, and music throughout your wedding day, visit my Songs for Your Wedding page.