The garter toss originated in the 14th Century as a tradition called 'flinging the stocking'. It was said that a person who possessed a piece of the brides attire would be showered with good luck. 'Flinging the Stocking' involved the wedding guests invading the 'bridal chamber' and cheering as the 'ushers', seated at the foot of the bed, took turns pulling the stockings off the bride, groom and bridesmaids and flinging them over the bride and grooms head for good luck. 'Flinging the stockings' became quite a rough and rowdy tradition and was eventually replaced with the garter toss. In early times, the bride would toss her garter to the men in the bridal party, however they were often drunk by this stage and would often try to forcibly remove the garter from the bride. Because of this, the bride started throwing her bouquet instead of garter. Nowadays, the tradition of the garter toss is popular once again. It is now customary for the groom to remove the garter (usually with his teeth) and often to a 'sexy' song and throw the garter to a group of unmarried male guests. The man who catches the garter is said to be the next to marry. Courtesy of advertiser tribune.com http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/502529.html?nav=5089