There is also a thing at some weddings where not only is the bouquet thrown to predict the next woman to get married, the bride wears a garter belt which she throws - the single guy who catches is the next man to get married. There is a whole long list of creepy wedding traditions you can feel free to ignore, though I did see one bride really really get into the "throwing the garter" thing.

I think the husband takes the garter off his bride, tosses it to all the single dudes, and the dude who catches it has to slide the garter onto the leg of the lucky lady who caught the bouquet.

I think the husband takes the garter off his bride, tosses it to all the single dudes, and the dude who catches it has to slide the garter onto the leg of the lucky lady who caught the bouquet.

Indeed I caught the garter at my sister's wedding when I was about 9 years old, and nearly caused a riot when I put it on her bridesmaid and (not knowing where to stop) kept going up her leg into x-rated territories.

Yeah, Groom takes the garter off. At a FAC-type wedding I attended, they were all coy, and the Bride had the thing at half mast, on her calf, so her modesty could be preserved. I found that creepy. Also? Attempting to do a dollar dance when you don't believe in dancing? There is no way to do that and look suave.

one of Daniel's nephews played the garter retrieval for laughs, disappearing entirely under his beloved's voluminous skirts.

No one is throwing any of my undergarments. Or taking them off me in public.

Do not try to tell people you aren't registered for gifts, regardless of the reason. They will be pissed and before you know it, angry mob.

I tried to tell my dad that, but he said we have everything we need. He definitely should not get a job as a wedding planner.

Chronic pain sucks, and I don't begrudge him his medication.

You don't sound judgey at all, Steph. I hope I don't, and if I did I apologize. I'm with you on the need to treat chronic pain.

No, you didn't sound judgey at all -- I just wanted to reiterate my own position. Because I know I sound horrified at Dad's stoned-ass suggestions (and I am), but that doesn't mean I think he shouldn't take pain meds.

I know nobody suggested that I said that; I guess I just wanted to be clear. I may not want the money apron dance thing (WHAT), but I get where it came from, and while I hate the idea, I love my dad and have compassion for his situation.

One variant of the money dance has people pinning money to you.

Mad skeevy.

I went to a Polish wedding where this occurred. Mostly, old friends of the bride's father who boozily attempted to use 'safety' pins. Lot's of fumbling around the bodice.Icky, icky, icky. And, I kid you not, by the end of the evening, the bride's dress was blood stained.

The couple was very young and could certainly use the money, but it all just came off as barbaric.

I'm a much bigger fan of the Italian tradition exhibited during the last wedding I officiated...ornate envelopes stuffed with dough. There seemed to be a competition for who had the nicest envelope, but no blood was let.

I think the husband takes the garter off his bride, tosses it to all the single dudes, and the dude who catches it has to slide the garter onto the leg of the lucky lady who caught the bouquet.

Yeah, that's teh one I've always found mad skeevy.

And I've heard of and seen the money dance thing but also find it horrible.

So at the wedding I attended with the garter thing -

Grandma. Caught the bouquet , the DJ ( what was he doing on the floor) caught the garter. All was well 'till the DJ tried to get cute and put the garter above grandma's knee and she pulled out a switchblade. (Did I mention that the groom's family was Italian and from jersey.)

All was well 'till the DJ tried to get cute and put the garter above grandma's knee and she pulled out a switchblade.

They should have filmed that and showed it every Christmas.

None of this makes me want a to-do. Although, I must say that major family gatherings with Daniel's family are tons of fun. I haven't been in the same room with any of my own family in years, so I have no idea....