The garter removal is one of those fun wedding traditions that can be as simple or as entertaining as you want to make it. Traditionally, the bride takes a seat in the middle of the dance floor as we explain what's about to happen and prepare the groom for his cue. He might be standing right in front of her, or waiting nearby if he has a more dramatic entrance in mind.
As we start the music, the groom makes his way over to the bride, kneels in front of her, and reaches underneath her dress to find the garter before sliding it down and off her leg.
For some couples, it's a quick and playful moment. For others, it's a chance for the groom to put on a little show and entertain the room before the garter toss.
If putting on a show isn't your personality, there's nothing wrong with keeping things simple. The groom can walk right over, remove the garter, and move along to the toss.
We're not saying every groom has to turn into Magic Mike, but if that's where the music takes you, a few smooth moves can usually get your guests laughing and cheering you on pretty quickly.
Sounds simple enough, right? Let's find out!
Listen to the Garter Removal Playlist
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20 Fun & Playful Garter Removal Songs
From smooth and sexy to funny and completely over the top, the right garter removal song can help set the tone for whatever the groom has planned. We picked 20 songs that give you plenty of room to play it cool, put on a show, or have a little fun with the moment.
1. Pony by Ginuwine
There is a reason Pony has become one of the most recognizable garter removal songs. That opening beat gets an immediate reaction, and the Magic Mike connection gives the groom plenty of encouragement if he decides to put on a little show.
2. Hot In Herre by Nelly
The opening beat is instantly recognizable, and once Nelly gets to “It’s getting hot in here,” your guests already know exactly where this is going. A fun choice for a groom who wants to play into the moment without taking it too seriously.
3. Whatta Man by Salt-N-Pepa feat. En Vogue
This one lets the bride’s side of the moment do some of the talking. The familiar “What a man” hook is playful, flattering, and usually gets plenty of smiles while the groom makes his way toward the garter.
4. SexyBack by Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland
That unmistakable opening gives the groom an entrance before he even makes a move. SexyBack works especially well when he plans to have a little swagger, dance his way over, or make the removal part of the show.
5. Your Body by Pretty Ricky
Smooth R&B and a slower groove give this one a completely different feel from the big crowd-pleasers. It is a good fit for couples who want the garter removal to lean a little sexier without turning it into a comedy routine.
6. Too Close by Next
Anyone who knows this late-’90s R&B favorite knows exactly why it made the list. The lyrics and slow groove practically invite the groom to have a little fun with the bride before going after the garter.
7. Leave The Door Open by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak & Silk Sonic
Smooth, flirty, and full of throwback soul, this one gives the moment some personality without requiring the groom to put on a full performance. Sometimes a little confidence and a good groove are all you need.
8. Nice & Slow by Usher
The title pretty much gives the groom his instructions. Usher’s slow R&B groove works perfectly for taking your time, playing to the crowd, and letting the anticipation become part of the fun.
9. A Good Night by John Legend feat. BloodPop®
Bright, upbeat, and flirtier than many of John Legend’s wedding favorites, this one keeps the garter removal playful without making it overly suggestive. It is a great middle ground for couples who want fun without going full Magic Mike.
10. Real Good Man by Tim McGraw
Country couples get a little swagger too. The “real bad boy, but a real good man” attitude gives the groom something to work with while keeping the moment playful and unmistakably country.
11. Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye
Sometimes the joke lands before anything even happens. That opening vocal is so recognizable that guests usually know exactly what kind of moment is coming, making this classic an easy way to get a reaction without the groom doing much at all.
12. Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye
Another Marvin Gaye classic that does most of the work for you. The slow groove and unmistakable lyrics immediately give the garter removal a playful, suggestive tone while leaving plenty of room for the groom to ham it up.
13. You Sexy Thing by Hot Chocolate
Fun, familiar, and just cheesy enough to work. The “I believe in miracles” opening gets recognized quickly, and the title says everything your guests need to know once the groom starts making his move.
14. Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins
This is where we start trading smooth for ridiculous. If the groom wants to approach the garter like he is heading into a highly classified mission, Danger Zone gives him all the unnecessary dramatic intensity he could possibly need.
15. Bad to the Bone by George Thorogood & The Destroyers
That opening guitar riff gives the groom instant swagger whether he actually has any dance moves or not. Walk over slowly, throw on the attitude, and let the song handle the rest.
16. The Pink Panther Theme by Henry Mancini
Sneaking up on the garter suddenly becomes the entire joke. The Pink Panther Theme is perfect for a groom who wants to creep, crawl, investigate, or dramatically search for the garter like this is somehow much more complicated than it really is.
17. The Stripper by David Rose
You may not know the title, but there is a very good chance you know the music. This classic striptease theme turns even the most innocent jacket removal into a performance and gives the groom permission to be completely ridiculous for a minute.
18. Mission: Impossible Theme by Danny Elfman
Your mission, should you choose to accept it: retrieve the garter. Crawling across the dance floor, sneaking around the chair, or treating the bride’s dress like a high-security operation only makes this one better.
19. James Bond Theme by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
For the groom who would rather be smooth than silly, the James Bond Theme gives him an entrance with built-in confidence. A slow walk, straightened jacket, and completely unnecessary secret-agent attitude can go a long way here.
20. Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky) by Bill Conti
Because apparently removing a garter can also be an athletic achievement. If the groom wants to stretch, shadowbox, psych himself up, or treat the whole thing like he has been training for this moment his entire life, Rocky is ready for him.
Want to Put on a Show?
If you're comfortable being the center of attention, this is one wedding tradition where being a little ridiculous can actually make it better. You don't need choreography or an elaborate routine. A lot of the fun comes from playing off the music and the reactions from your guests.
Take off your jacket and throw it to one of your friends. Dance your way toward the bride. Drop to the floor and crawl the last few feet. Slide across the dance floor or stop halfway there and work the crowd before continuing.
Depending on the couple and their comfort level, we've even seen grooms turn the whole thing into a playful little lap dance before finally removing the garter. You can make it sexy, funny, completely over-the-top, or somewhere in between.
The important part is knowing your personality. If you're naturally outgoing and your friends are going to lose their minds watching you put on a show, have fun with it. If the thought of performing in front of everyone sounds absolutely horrifying, don't force it. A quick garter removal that feels natural to the two of you will always work better than an elaborate performance you're uncomfortable doing.
Want to Make It a Little More Interesting?
If you're already planning to have a little fun with the garter removal, you can kick things up a notch by giving the groom an extra task or two along the way.
1.Use a blindfold.
Put a blindfold on the groom and let him figure out the rest by touch. Finding the garter is already interesting enough when you can see what you're doing, so taking away his vision can make the whole process a lot more entertaining for everyone watching.
2.No hands allowed.
Have the groom keep his hands behind his back and retrieve the garter without using them. Taking his hands out of the equation can make a pretty simple task surprisingly entertaining to watch.
3.Use props.
This one takes a little planning from both the bride and groom. Before the garter removal, hide a few ridiculous items underneath the bride's dress for the groom to discover while he's searching for the garter. A rubber chicken, a piece of laundry, or just about anything unexpected can work. Each time he pulls something else out, the joke gets a little bigger as your guests start wondering what could possibly come out from under there next.
Or combine a few ideas.
Use the blindfold, take away the use of his hands, hide a surprise or two under the dress, or mix a few of these ideas together. Sometimes the funniest moments are the ones where your guests have no idea what's coming next.
Tips for Your Wedding Garter Removal
1.Pick a song your guests will recognize.
A familiar intro, beat, or lyric can get a reaction before the groom even makes his first move. Choose something with enough personality to set the tone and give him something to work with.
2.Keep it simple if that's more your style.
Not every garter removal needs to become a performance. If the groom would rather walk over, retrieve the garter, and move on to the toss, there's nothing wrong with keeping it simple.
3.Let’s Plan It Together.
If there's a prop, surprise, planned routine, or something ridiculous up your sleeve, we can help with a custom mix or edit, work out the timing, and make sure our announcements fit whatever you have in mind without giving away the surprise.
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Wedding DJ Services in Stockton, Modesto & Sacramento
Art Of Sound is a wedding DJ and photo booth company serving Stockton, Modesto, Sacramento, and surrounding Northern California communities. We help couples plan celebrations that reflect their personalities, from meaningful ceremony music to the moments that bring everyone together on the dance floor.
Our experience with weddings goes beyond selecting songs. We help couples plan how the different moments of their reception flow together, including the garter removal and the transition into the garter toss. Whether you're keeping it simple or planning something a little more entertaining, we can help with the music, timing, announcements, and any surprises you have planned so everything fits naturally into the reception.
If you’re still looking for a DJ for your celebration, explore our wedding DJ services or get in touch. We’d love to hear about what you have planned.