Twist on Tradition: Tacky or Fun?

Also, I apologize for all the parentheses? I don't know why I like them so much.

Other ideas are welcome, but I'm not really a fan of the "longest couple's" dance. I don't have a real reason as to why, it just doesn't appeal to me.

I think that's fine! Honestly, if it's normal for your crowd I think you're fine. Every wedding that I've been to has had both. I think they're fun if you know your guests get into it! I would recommend putting the garter on right before toss time. My friend last summer made the mistake of wearing it all day so by the time it got tossed it was a soggy, sweaty mess. Not fun for the person catching it lol.

FI is really excited to do the garter toss because I found one that is made from a tag they use in the jets:

Ooh good tip. I might have to sneak it on right before.

And that's awesome! Do you guys have a story involving jets? Or is it just for fun?

My fancy one is going to be higher up for after the wedding, so the toss one will be pretty simple. Haven't actually decided on one though.

Ooo that's a good idea to have a fancy, sexy one! Did you find yours at your bridal salon or online?

Haha well my FI is a WSO in a Navy fighter jet squadron. He sits behind the pilot in the F-18 navigating the jet and launching missiles. So he's Goose in Top Gun. In the fighter community they have lots of things with the 'Remove Before Flight' slogan. I thought it would be fun since we're inviting his buddies from the squadron and flight school.

I'll most likely be getting it from an artist off Etsy (I'm addicted, I'm getting SO much wedding stuff off of there).

That's really unique! Love that it's tied in like that.

We're skipping the fryer toss, but I don't see anything wrong with doing it. I did get a garter on Etsy for my something blue and I love it!!

There's a few Pintrest pictures I'm using for inspiration that involve garters. So I definitely want one, regardless haha

I think that would be fine! I got a garter set from Etsy and is my something blue. I love it!

ETA: FH wanted to remove it with his teeth and I was able to talk him out of that. I just couldn't bear the thought of doing that in front of my family lol

Same here! I told him he is most certainly not shoving his face up my dress in front of our guests.

Also, your garter is beautiful! What shop did you buy from?

@Sarah, yeah that was my main concern about the prize being carnival-esque. But I also wanted something that made everyone actually want to get involved, even if they weren't single. That's why I'm open to any better ideas haha

I think that all sounds fine! Honestly, drunk guests are probably going to be seen doing a lot worse than the groom touching the bride's leg.

And for the tosses, just don't make it a big deal so if a recently single person wants to slip into the shadows it's fine. A gift card seems like a good idea, but it's one more unnecessary item to keep track of.

Both are still really popular in my crowd, but I have noticed a trend towards letting all men and all women participate, especially when there are only a few singles. And don't force them to dance together or anything weird. I like it, it's just a bit of fun, though admittedly I don't always participate when I am a guest.

The dancing together thing is exactly what I'm not wanting! So there will be no "We're next" implications. Just hoping to see some good old fashioned brawling over flowers and elastic haha

I think the prize is tacky. It's not a carnival.

The gift card idea seems tacky.

@futuremrsmack I am looking at those same set on Etsy. I am glad you posted a pic, I wasn't sure till seeing yours. I will have to put my order in

I love the idea of a gift card but then I'm tacky AF. Seriously though, I'm not a fan of flowers so catching a bouquet is no great prize. A target gift card? Yeah, I'm all in. Especially if it's a, everyone come participate thing, and not a, everyone come and watch the singles fight over some flowers.

See, I would be all in too if it means I get something useful. I'd probably half-ass it otherwise, but I also have always liked to watch. (Scene from Bride Wars comes to mind). But at the same time, a prize for that seems kind of like a raffle prize. Which is why I'm getting others opinions.

If you're going to commit to the garter/bouquet toss, I'd say just go through the whole thing & not the gift card idea. Especially if your family has always done this and use to it.

I'm skipping it because I'm the youngest sibling/cousin on my side of the family (so everyone is married) & on FH side, he's the oldest (with cousins in the teens).......soooo that's just awkward as shit.

We're doing both and he's removing the garter the same way your FH is. I think its a cute idea.