Once the garter is off, it’s time to bring the guys out and see who’s willing to make the catch.
Traditionally, we invite the unmarried men to the dance floor, get everyone lined up behind the groom, and give him a little room to work with. Then he turns his back to the group and sends the garter flying over his shoulder. Whoever catches it is supposedly the next one getting married. No pressure, guys.
And yes, the garter toss is one of those wedding traditions couples either love, change up, or skip completely. If it sounds like your kind of fun, go for it. If calling out the single guys isn’t your thing, there’s no rule saying you have to do it that way—or do the toss at all.
If you are keeping it, the music can make a pretty simple toss feel like a whole event. A big intro gives us something to work with while we call the guys out, and the right beat can turn a line of reluctant bachelors into a crowd that suddenly takes catching a piece of elastic very seriously.
We pulled together 20 garter toss songs with plenty of hype, swagger, and just enough ridiculousness to make the moment fun.
Alright, gentlemen. Bring ’em out.
Listen to the Garter Toss Playlist
Prefer to listen while you browse? Hit play above and check out why each one made our garter toss list.
20 Best Garter Toss Songs
The garter toss does not need a love song. This is the part where we want some energy. These picks range from big party records and hip-hop swagger to rock songs that make the whole thing feel like a competition. Pick the one that sounds most like your crowd and let the guys have their moment.
1. Levels by Avicii
That instantly recognizable build gives us plenty of time to call the guys out before the beat takes over. It keeps the moment upbeat, celebratory, and more party than tradition.
2. Turn Down for What by DJ Snake & Lil Jon
Subtle? Absolutely not. If you want the guys coming onto the floor loud, hyped, and ready to compete for a garter like there is a trophy involved, this one gets there fast.
3. Bring Em Out by T.I.
Honestly, the title does half of our job for us. That “bring ’em out” hook is practically built for calling the guys onto the dance floor and setting up the toss.
4. LET ’EM KNOW by T.I.
A newer T.I. pick with plenty of confidence and swagger. It gives the garter toss a fresh hip-hop option while still carrying the kind of attitude that works when the guys take over the floor.
5. Party Up (Up In Here) by DMX
The second that hook hits, the room knows the energy just changed. This one works especially well with a rowdy group of friends who are going to turn the toss into a competition whether you planned on it or not.
6. Let’s Go by Trick Daddy feat. Lil Jon & Twista
“Let’s go” is about as much instruction as the guys need. The hard-driving beat keeps everybody moving and gives the toss a big, sports-arena kind of buildup.
7. Can’t Hold Us by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton
Fast, familiar, and full of momentum. This is a great choice when you want the garter toss to feel like another part of the party instead of stopping everything for a formal tradition.
8. Sexy And I Know It by LMFAO
A little confidence never hurt anybody. This one brings the comedy, gives the guys permission to strut their way onto the floor, and keeps the whole thing from getting too serious.
9. SexyBack by Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland
That opening is recognizable almost immediately, and the swagger fits right in. It also makes a fun musical handoff if you used something playful or sexy during the garter removal.
10. Suit & Tie by Justin Timberlake feat. JAY-Z
Smooth, polished, and made for a room full of dressed-up guys. This one keeps the energy confident without going as hard as some of the bigger hype songs on the list.
11. Big Pimpin’ by JAY-Z feat. UGK
If your group appreciates the joke, this one brings instant old-school swagger. It is a playful choice for the guys who are going to walk onto the floor acting like this moment was made for them.
12. Classic Man by Jidenna feat. Roman GianArthur
Sharp suits, confident walk, garter toss—the theme pretty much writes itself. Classic Man gives you swagger without needing the moment to become completely over the top.
13. This Is How We Do It by Montell Jordan
A party classic that works with almost any age group. The familiar opening makes it easy to pull people in, and the groove keeps things fun while everyone gets into position.
14. I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred
Completely serious garter toss? Not today. This is for the guys who are willing to lean into the joke, work the imaginary runway, and make their entrance half the entertainment.
15. Another One Bites the Dust by Queen
The bass line is unmistakable, and the title gives the catch a whole new meaning. It adds just enough mock competition to make everyone wonder who is about to be the next one “biting the dust.”
16. Fight For Your Right by Beastie Boys
Loud guitars, rebellious energy, and a hook everybody can yell along with. A great fit for a group of guys who need absolutely no encouragement to get competitive.
17. Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top
Wedding suits finally get their own soundtrack. That guitar riff gives the guys a little swagger on the way out and works especially well if your crowd leans rock or country.
18. We Will Rock You by Queen
Few songs can turn a room into a cheering section this quickly. The stomp-clap beat makes the toss feel like a sporting event, which is perfect once the guys start jockeying for position.
19. Back In Black by AC/DC
That opening guitar riff walks onto the dance floor before anybody else does. It is cool, confident, and an easy pick when you want classic-rock energy without making the moment too goofy.
20. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns N’ Roses
When the guys are crowded together waiting for one tiny garter to come flying at them, “Welcome to the Jungle” suddenly feels pretty accurate. Big rock energy for a toss that is about to get competitive.
Who Do You Call Out for the Garter Toss?
Traditionally, the garter toss calls the unmarried men onto the dance floor. We make the announcement, give everybody a chance to get into position, and then get the groom ready for the toss.
But “traditionally” does not mean “required.” Some couples love the classic version. Others do not want to single out their unmarried guests, do not have enough guys who would actually want to participate, or simply want to change the rules. That is completely fine.
If you want to open it up to a different group, toss something other than the actual garter, or skip the tradition altogether, tell us how you want to handle it. The goal is not to force a wedding tradition into your reception. It is to make the traditions you actually want feel like they belong there.
Make the Toss Feel Like a Moment
The actual toss might only take a few seconds, but the buildup is where the fun happens. A good song gives us time to bring everyone out, let the guys talk a little trash, and make sure the groom has enough room to send the garter backward without launching it directly into somebody’s dinner.
You can keep it simple with one clean toss, or have a little fun with a fake throw before the real one. Just let us know ahead of time if you have something planned so we can work the music and announcements around it.
Tips for Your Wedding Garter Toss
1.Pick something with an intro we can use.
We need a little time to call everyone out and get them into position. A recognizable intro or strong beat helps the moment start before the garter ever leaves the groom’s hand.
2.Think about who will actually participate.
If only two unmarried guys are going to walk onto the floor—and one of them is hiding in the bathroom—the traditional setup may not be the best fit. You can change the group, change the rules, or skip it.
3.Let’s Plan It Together.
Tell us whether you want the traditional call for the single guys or your own version. We can handle the announcement, timing, music, and transition so the toss moves quickly and the party keeps going.
Already an Art Of Sound couple?
Found your garter toss song? That’s one more thing you can check off your checklist! Don’t forget to add it to your wedding planning form.
Log in to your Planning Portal anytime to access your wedding planning forms, update your song selections, and continue planning the details of your wedding day.
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 toss and the moments that lead into it. Whether you want the traditional call for the unmarried guys or your own version of the toss, we can help with the music, timing, announcements, and transition so it feels like part of the celebration instead of an interruption.
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.