Since 2009, we've seen our fair share of bouquet tosses and garter tosses at weddings big and small, so we figured we'd share a couple playlists of our favourite songs, in case you need some inspiration for your big day!
What Is A Bouquet Toss?
The bouquet toss is a fun wedding tradition where the bride tosses her bouquet into a crowd of her "single" female wedding guests. Essentially, the bride tosses her bouquet and the lucky lady who catches it is believed to receive the good luck of being the next one to become "un-single" by finding her own love in a happy relationship.
How to do the Bouquet Toss
In case you haven't seen a bouquet toss before, here's how to execute a perfect wedding toss during your wedding reception.
- Have your MC call "all the single ladies" to the dance floor.
- Your Audio technician can begin playing your chosen bouquet toss song on the PA
- Your MC can guide all the ladies to stand on one side of the dance floor. The bride should stand on the opposite side of the dance floor, with her back to the single ladies
- Whenever she wishes, the bride will toss her bouquet over her head (without looking) into the crowd of single ladies
- One lucky lady will catch the bouquet and be proclaimed to be the next person to find a good partner
The bouquet toss really isn't that difficult. But like most party situations, it can be ruined with a poor choice of song.
Songs For Bouquet Toss
The bouquet toss song really depends on you (the bride) and your personal style. It's also good to think about your audience and what sort of music they might like - more specifically will there be explicit lyrics in the song or not? Beyond that, it really just comes down to the groove and lyrics.
This song generally should be up-beat and happy. Most people go for something that makes people want to dance. "Single Ladies," by Beyoncé became an obvious when that was released a few years ago, but something more original can't hurt.
Here's a list of great Bouquet Toss song options to get you started. Feel free to choose one of these for your own bouquet toss, or use this list as a starting point to find one that is more suitable to you personally:
Related: The Best Wedding Reception Dance Songs
Now, just make sure check out your surroundings before tossing that bouquet. You don't want to toss it into any candles or get it stuck in the rafters! Other than that, just smile and have fun!
And now for the garter toss...
What Is A Garter Toss?
The Garter toss is a slightly more edge tradition than the bouquet toss. It isn't for everyone.
Generally, sexy music is played while the bride takes a seat on the dance floor. The groom then proceeds to feel around under the brides dress and pull the "garter" off one of her legs. He slides it down her leg and off her foot, then tosses it into a crowd of his "single" guy friends. The one who catches it will have good luck finding a relationship of his own.
The garter toss can even be preceded with the groomsmen doing short and sexy solo dances in front of the bride...as you can see in this video of the best garter toss ever!
How to do a Garter Toss:
In case you haven't seen a garter toss before, here's how it works:
- Before the reception begins, the bride should choose a garter and put it half way up one of her thighs
- After the bouquet toss, the groom finds a seat for the bride and puts it on the centre of the dance floor. The bride sits down
- Your audio technician can begin your chosen garter toss song on the PA
- Your MC can invite the "single" guys to the dancefloor
- The groom will then remove the garter from underneath the brides dress
- Just like the bouquet toss, the groom will stand on the opposite side of the dance floor from the "single" guys and toss the garter over is shoulder
If you're more of a conservative couple, or you think your guests are very conservative, you might want to pass on the garter toss. Digging around in a girls dress in front of a crowd isn't for everyone. And that's OK!
If you do decide to go for it, just like the bouquet toss, just be sure to choose a groovy song that makes people want to dance. Since this is a pretty "sexy" affair, sexy lyrics and a dirty theme is welcome.
Songs For Garter Toss
Here's a list of great garter toss songs that we have hand picked for you. These are sexy tunes with funky grooves. Pick one of these for your own garter toss or use this as a launching pad to find one of your own.
And there you have it! Some great song selections to get you started with your bouquet toss song and your garter toss song.
When Do You Do the Bouquet Toss and Garter Toss?
Generally, the bouquet toss and the garter toss go together, one after the other. Usually the bouquet toss first, then the garter toss.
Usually, it's best to do this after dinner and right before you want the party to begin. Most couples use this as a great way to attract all their guests to the dance floor. After the tosses, all your guests will be standing around the dance floor and ready for the dancing to begin.
The tosses can work well right after your first dances (related: 5 Proven Wedding First Dance Tips) or even during a break, if you have a band performing your dance music.
Better yet, if you have hired a band for your wedding, get them to perform the bouquet toss and the garter toss sometime during their first set. Bands like ours (the Phonix) will have some great song suggestions for you to use for the bouquet toss and the garter toss. Of course, if we don't play the song you want, we can cue up a recording on our PA for you. Just let us know beforehand :)
How About A Live Band for Your Bouquet Toss and Garter Toss?
The Phonix is a Vancouver wedding party band that has performed countless bouquet tosses and garter tosses since 2009. We feature a brass section, two incredibly engaging lead singers, and the funkiest rhythm section in town.
If you are planning a wedding, we would love to hear from you. Our family of friendly musicians would love to help your family celebrate the big occasion. We absolutely love turning wedding dance floors into hot, sweaty and unforgettable messes!
Just check out what some of our past brides and grooms have to say:
Just click here to get in touch with us. We'll meet you for a coffee and make sure we design the perfect live music party for you!