Love it or hate it? The Bouquet & Garter Toss
When Tradition Meets Personality
One of the weddings we’re featuring took place at the beautiful Barn at Fernstone Retreat in Farmington, Pennsylvania, just outside of Ohiopyle. This day leaned slightly less traditional and fully embraced a rock-inspired, autumn, and Halloween-adjacent vibe — moody, intentional, and full of personality.
While the couple skipped some classic elements, they kept a handful of traditions simply because they sounded like a good time. The bouquet and garter toss were less about following rules and more about creating a moment everyone could enjoy.
In a twist we don’t see every day, the person who caught the garter didn’t place it on the person who caught the bouquet, and that was perfectly fine. Instead, it led to laughter, cheering, and an unexpected moment where the groom ended up dancing with the groomsman who caught the garter. It was fun, it was memorable, and it fit the couple perfectly.
This is such a great example of how traditions don’t need to be followed step-by-step to be meaningful. Sometimes, they just need to be yours.
Making It an Event
The second wedding we’re sharing was more traditionally structured overall, but it was filled with deeply heartfelt details that made each moment feel intentional. This beautiful Catholic wedding in Fryburg, Pennsylvania was classic, emotional, and timeless.
Their reception at St. Michael’s Hall in Fryburg, Pennsylvania turned the bouquet and garter toss into a full-on event. The maid of honor caught the bouquet, and her boyfriend caught the garter shortly after. In a moment that felt straight out of a rom-com, he placed the garter on her to cheers from the crowd.
One of our favorite details? The groom used a mechanic’s wheely creeper to retrieve the garter from the bride — a personal touch that had everyone laughing and made the moment uniquely theirs.
This wedding showed how even very traditional timelines can feel fresh when couples lean into personality and planning.
So… Bouquet Toss, Garter Toss, Both, or Neither?
Whether you love tradition, want to tweak it, or prefer to skip it entirely, our biggest piece of advice is this:
Choose the traditions that sound fun to you.
We also love when things are a little planned, even spontaneous-feeling moments benefit from intention. When couples think through why they’re doing something (or not doing it), the result is usually a moment that feels relaxed, joyful, and authentic.
There’s no right or wrong way to celebrate. There’s just your way.
And whether you’re tossing a bouquet, sliding a garter, dancing with your best friend, or cheering from the sidelines; we’ll be there to capture it all.
