Love and Lobster Coastal New England Weddings

The wedding garter may bring to mind a dainty white loop of ruffled fabric, but today’s brides are adding some snap to that prized piece of elastic.

Gone are the lackluster garters that itch more than they impress, and in their place are handmade items adorned with anything from peacock feathers to the couple’s names stitched into satin. Creating among the best we’ve seen is Julianne Smith, a crafter and designer extraordinaire who left a career in politics and PR to become the “Garter Girl.” After an assignment to find a friend a unique garter left her empty handed, Julianne crafted one herself, and her garter shop was born.

Julianne’s most adventurous creations include a couture French maid garter bedecked with black feathers and a Superman-themed garter for a superhero-loving groom. For the environmentally conscious, her line of garters made from recycled plastic bottles is anything but trashy. And if none of those choices quite fits the bill, she’ll work directly with brides to design a custom garter, like this stunner festooned with a peacock feather and a strip of fabric from a bridesmaid’s dress.  Be sure to check out her blog for answers to common garter-related questions, such as “If I wear it, do I have to toss it?” and “Which leg gets the garter?”

Options like these might kill the garter tossing tradition for good – who wants to part with elasticized prizes like these?