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Everything You Need To Know
Welcome! You got Q's, we've got A's! Below is a list of your most commonly asked questions about wedding garters, heirlooms and everything in between. If you don't find what you need or you still have questions, no worries. Just email info@thegartergirl.com. We're real humans on the other end of that email. (Shocking in this day and age, I know!) Let's make this the easiest part of your wedding planning process!
The short answer is it depends on what you order. Couture Collection is about 2-3 weeks. Just Say Yes Collection is about 1-2 weeks. Custom Design is about 1-2 months.
The long answer goes a little something like this: It depends on what you order. OK, just kidding, but seriously though it really does depend entirely on what you order. No matter what you order there are two parts to the process in order for you to receive your order - production then shipping. Your order needs production time and shipping time. Allow us to explain...
For production of the Couture Collection styles, it will take about 2 to 3 weeks for us to hand make your heirloom for you. Your item will be made to order, just for you, which means that when you place your order is when we get to work. If you’ve added the hand embroidery to your order, expect that it will add a bit of extra time for production, as we will send you a photo to approve your embroidery before we ship it off.
For production of the Just Say Yes Collection styles, these heirlooms are pre-made (by-hand, of course). These items are already made and are ready to go once you place you order. Your items will be packed up for shipping within 3 business days of when you place your order.
For production of the Custom Design styles, this is where time really varies as each client is different. Custom orders usually takes about 1 to 2 months for us to work back and forth together to design you the perfect heirloom and for me to hand make it for you. There’s so much that goes into custom designs that we encourage you to sign up here and I’ll send you an email with additional information about the custom process.
After production (of any style), the next step is shipping. Shipping times are in addition to the above listed production times. If you select Regular Shipping at check out, your heirlooms will be shipped via UPS Ground, which is 1 to 5 business days. If you select Rush Shipping at check out, your heirlooms will be shipped via UPS Next Day Air, which is 1 business day. If you select International Shipping (anything outside of the U.S.) at check out, your heirlooms will be shipped via UPS Worldwide, which is 12 business days or up to 1 month, depending on the country.
If you need your garter sooner than any of the above listed production and shipping times, please email info@thegartergirl.com to talk about your rush order. Rush orders can absolutely be accommodated. We got you, don’t worry!
So, you forgot about your garter until now?! It happens all the time, no worries! Rush production and expedited shipping can be accommodated. The above listed shipping and productions are approximations and no matter what style you're interested in, we work with clients all the time to meet their timing requests.
We haven’t missed a wedding yet and we don’t plan on missing yours!
Please email us at info@thegartergirl.com to ask about rushing production and/or shipping your order.
Who doesn’t love a good gift!? Yes, all orders arrive in a branded gift box tied with a bow. Inside the gift box is your garter and an heirloom bag for saving your garter after your wedding. Remember, your garter is an heirloom, it's meant to be saved and passed on through generations. (It's #tooprettytotoss!)
It's the perfect bridal shower present, if we do say so ourselves!
We don't include an invoice or payment order information inside the shipping box. The only thing in the shipping box is your garter heirloom. So, you're safe to send this as a gift. Please email info@thegartergirl.com if you'd like to add a gift note to you order.
Trying to be sneaky, huh? Good for you! Please email us at info@thegartergirl.com and we would be happy to remove the branding on the outside shipping box. Your secret is safe with us!
Shipping within the United States is free for orders over $150 that are not needed within 2 weeks (14 days). Regular orders (not needed within 2 weeks) are shipped via UPS Ground 1 to 5 business days with tracking. For orders shipped in the U.S. that are not needed within 2 weeks (14 days), the shipping rate is $12 for orders less than $150, or free for orders over $150. Orders needed within 2 weeks (14 days) of the purchase date require Rush Shipping and do not qualify for free shipping. The Rush Shipping rate is $60 and orders are shipped via UPS Next Day Air, which is 1 business day.
International (outside the U.S.) orders are sent vis UPS Worldwide and the rate is approximately $50, depending on location. International orders take a minimum of 12 business days or up to a month. The customer is responsible for any and all customs, duties, fees, or import taxes associated with the order.
Yes, yes and yes. The Garter Girl ships all over the world.
Please know that we are not responsible for any taxes or customs payments that might be associated with receiving your item in your country of shipment.
Once you place your order, you'll receive an email confirming you order. Once your shipping label has been printed and your package is ready to go, you'll receive another email with tracking information for your package. From your tracking email, you'll be able to follow your shipment the entire way to your doorstep.
Please note that all emails will be sent to whatever email address you used to place you order. (So, if you use your random email address that you only use for your wedding or for online shopping, you're going to need to check it!) Pretty please check your junk and spam folders, as well as promotions tab in Gmail, as our emails sometimes get lost in the shuffle.
If you have any shipping or tracking questions, simple email us info@thegartergirl.com.
If you live in the Washington, DC area and you need your garter at the last minute, you may make arrangements to pick your garter up in person by emailing info@thegartergirl.com. For all other orders that aren’t rushed, shipping is preferable.
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Returns and/or exchanges cannot be accepted. A wedding garter is considered an intimate item, sort of like undergarments or bathing suits. Thus, returning or exchanging your intimate item is not possible. We agree, it is a bummer, so thank you for understanding.
That being said, we have no interest in unhappy clients. We want to make sure that you are in love with your heirloom. If you have any questions, concerns or just want to chat before or after placing your order, we want to talk it out with you. Please email us at info@thegartergirl.com.
We hear you. It can be hard to make choices, especially when you are making lots of wedding planning choices and you just want to order 2 or 3 and decide later. (Decision fatigue anyone!?!) However, we can't accept returns on intimate items.
We know that not accepting returns is counter culture to the way many e-commerce businesses operate, especially the large big-box stores and tech giants. But, this policy is how we can continue to serve you with high-quality handmade items and remain a small business.
Just know that we only want you to be happy and for you to love your heirloom forever. We are here to answer any questions, make suggestions and talk you through the entire process to ensure that you love your garter heirloom so much that you want to save it for your daughter.
Please email us anytime at info@thegartergirl.com and let's chat before, during and after you place your order.
Yes, you may cancel you order as long as production hasn’t already started on your order and/or your order hasn't been shipped. Please email us at info@thegartergirl.com to ask about canceling your order.
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The only size that we carry is yours. Ensuring that your garter heirloom fits you properly just as you are, and makes you feel amazing is all that we do and all that we care about.
Wedding garters in the Couture Collection and Custom Design styles are made-to-order, so ensuring that your garter fits you just as you are is not a problem. Made-to-order means that once you place you order, we'll get to work on your garter. Your heirloom will be made just for you in the size that you need.
Wedding garters in the Just Say Yes Collection are pre-made to fit 14 to 22 inches around. If there is enough time prior to the date that you need your item, custom sizes on the Just Say Yes Collection styles will most certainly be accommodated at no additional charge.
When you place your order, there will be a space to indicate your preferred size, as well as information about measuring and more. Please note that if you leave the sizing question blank when you place your order, your heirloom will be made to fit 14- 22 inches around.
If you have any questions at all about sizing, please do not hesitate to email us at info@thegartergirl.com.
It is always best to measure first, especially if you have size concerns or you're just curious.
To properly measure for your garter, stand up and use a tape measure to go around the part of your leg where you want to wear your garter. We recommend that you wear your garter just above your knee a few inches at the narrowest part of your leg. If you don’t have a tape measure, use a piece of string and then lay the string along a ruler. The number in inches that you get with the tape measure going around your leg is your size. Please let us know this number or put it into the information box when placing your order.
For what it's worth, we don’t judge any size. You are amazing just as you are and yours is the only size we carry. Period.
If you have any questions or drama about size, it's all good, just email us at info@thegartergirl.com.
To perfectly measure for your garter, we wrote some information in the question above. We also made a video for you about How To Measure For Your Garter, we'll embed it below...
We completely understand that it can be confusing to you to get the right fit for your wedding garter, especially since we do not offer returns at The Garter Girl. To help you have confidence that you're ordering the right garter size for your body, we offer the perfect wedding garter size measuring kit.
This kit will be shipped right to you. It includes the information and tools you'll need to measure for your garter and get the perfect fit you deserve. Here's a link to more information about the Just As You Are Wedding Garter Size kit.
I also made a video for you on How To Perfectly Fit Your Garter. I'll embed it below...
If you have any questions or concerns about sizing, just email us at info@thegartergirl.com.
Ahh, great question and you're not alone! You'd be surprised at how many times we're asked which leg wears the wedding garter. The short answer is that it does not matter which leg you wear your garter on. Put it on the left or the right, the garters goes one whatever leg feels normal and natural to you.
We made you a short video for you to explain further which leg wears the wedding garter...
If you have any questions, please email us at info@thegartergirl.com to discuss.
Believe it or not, there are lots of questions as it relates to the wedding garter placement and location. So, you're perfectly normal to ask about where on your leg should you wear your garter. Furthermore, you might be worried that your garter show through your wedding dress.
In general, I recommend that you wear you order just above your knee a few inches at the narrowest part of your leg. When you wear it low, closer to your knee, the garter won't rub on your other leg when you walk (down the aisle) and dance.
Also, wearing your garter low is important when wearing a fitted or mermaid style wedding dress, because closer to the knee is where the dress will start to flare out to give you room to walk and move around. If your garter is close to the knee, in your dress' flare-out point (that's a technical term), your garter has less of a chance of showing through or bulging out underneath your wedding dress.
If you're wearing a ball gown style wedding dress, you're all good, you can wear your garter anywhere on your leg that feels good to you.
I made you a quick garter placement video about where to wear your wedding garter...
First things first, we don't have a "standard size” wedding garter here at The Garter Girl. The only size that we have is yours. Period. No human is a standard size, not even you!
If you order a pre-made wedding garter or you don't tell us your preferred size when placing you order, your garter heirloom will be made to fit 14 to 22 inches around.
This means that your garter will stretch to fit 14 to 22 inches around. You can move your garter up or down on your leg, depending on what feels good to you. We recommend that you wear your garter close to your knee at the narrowest part of your leg.
If you have any questions, please email us at info@thegartergirl.com to discuss.
Oh, wow, do we hear you! We've got our own body issues over here too, you're not alone. It can be scary to feel like you are highlighting or calling attention to a part of your body that might not be your favorite.
We certainly don’t want you to be self conscious or uncomfortable in any way on your wedding day. This is why having a proper fit on your garter is so important. If your garter fits you - just like your favorite pair of jeans - it won't be uncomfortable and something that's nagging you or on your mind during your wedding. You want your garter to fit you just right, just as you are, so that it's seamless and comfortable.
Many of our wedding garters are made-to-order and this means that your garter will be made to fit you perfectly, just as you are. Wearing something that is too small or too big is uncomfortable, period. Your garter heirloom will be made to fit you, so it will be just right.
Please email us at info@thegartergirl.com to discuss sizing or to ask any questions.
Having a garter that doesn’t fit is upsetting. Not to worry, we can solve this problem for you!
First things first, once you receive your wedding garter, please make sure to try it on ASAP. Please do not wait until the morning of your wedding to find out that there are fit issues with the garter.
You want your garter to fit you snug, like it won't fall down as you're walking, dancing or otherwise moving around. You don't want it so tight that it cuts off circulation, but you do want it to fit you well so that it won't slip down your leg when you're on the move on your wedding day.
When you try your garter on, make sure to play around with the placement and move it up or down your leg depending on what feels good to you. If the garter is too high, it might feel tight and simply sliding it down closer to your knee might feel better to you.
Also, we recommend that you wear it around a little bit to get a feel for it. It's like a new pair of anything, it always feel different when you first put it on, but after a little bit it starts to feel more comfortable.
If your garter is too tight, take it off carefully. Next, try stretching the elastic a little bit by gently pulling on it to loosen up the elastic. Don’t pull hard, a few gentle tugs might do the trick. Your garter is made of elastic and sometimes it needs a little stretching out to loosen up from being brand new for you.
If your garter is too loose, try to move it up your leg to the biggest or wider part of your leg.
If you have any concerns at all, please email us at info@thegartergirl.com right away.
It can be an unusual feeling to put your garter on for the first time, since we are guessing a wedding heirloom isn't a part of your day-to-day fashion.
Your wedding garter should be snug and feel like it will stay up and on throughout the entire wedding day from walking down the aisle to the last dance at the end of the reception. But, it should not be tight or uncomfortable. Your garter might leave a mark or two on your legs, similar to socks, but it shouldn't cut off the circulation in your leg.
If you have any concerns at all, email us info@thegartergirl.com right away to discuss.
The only size that we carry is yours. So, technically, yes, The Garter Girl has plus and petite garter sizes.
Many of our garter styles are made-to-order, which means we make it to whatever size you need. Additionally, we can accommodate and welcome size adjustments and changes to ensure that your garter fits you perfectly just as you are.
Your garter should fit you, not you fit into your garter.
Please email us at info@thegartergirl.com to discuss sizing.
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If you found a garter on our website or blog that you can’t purchase, as in there is no “buy” button, it is most likely a custom wedding garter. Custom designs aren’t available for purchase outright through the website, because, they were, well, custom!
Please email us at info@thegartergirl.com to find out about the availability of the design that you love. We have lots of materials and can usually re-create custom designs and would love to make something special for you.
In addition, if you know you want a custom wedding garter design, you can sign up here and we'll email you lots more information to get you started.
There are two types of custom wedding garters. Garters made from your family materials take about 3 months to hand make for you. This three months includes our first contact, shipping material, design discussion, production, approvals and shipping everything back to you.
Custom garters in general (not made from your materials) typically take about two months from first contact to when you have your garter in your hands.
The above listed times are approximations. We're ready and willing to move faster than the above timeframes. We haven't missed a wedding yet and don't plan on missing yours!
If your wedding is coming up, please get in touch with us as soon as possible email us at info@thegartergirl.com to check on availability.
For answers to all of your custom wedding garter design questions, sign up here and we'll email you lots more information about the custom design process.
With all custom garter heirloom designs, the first step is to take care of the deposit. Go here for the family materials custom design deposit, or go here for the custom garter design deposit.
Once your deposit is taken care of, we'll start talking design details, pricing and timing. We'll go back and forth on a design until you're happy with it. Then, we'll do a final breakdown for you to see all of the elements together in one spot before doing the payment. After payment, we'll get to work and hand make your heirloom for you. Once it's complete, we'll send you photos to approve. Once you approve, we'll ship your custom design off to you. We will not ship without your approval.
For answers to all of your custom garter design questions, sign up here and we'll send you lots (and lots!) more information about how the process works, pricing and more.
If you have no idea what kind of garter heirloom you want, you just know you haven’t found it yet, that’s OK! We are decision ninjas and will help you hone in and make a choice.
Please email us at info@thegartergirl.com to let us help you. We pinky promise to make your garter the easiest part of your wedding planning process.
Yes, yes and yes! Did we mention yes?! We love using your family heirloom materials such as your grandmother’s veil or your mom’s wedding dress to make garters.
You can go here to see the family material wedding garters that we've made.
For more information about the family materials design process and answers to all of your questions, sign up here and we'll send you all the information as well as a link to the family materials deposit.
Oh yes, we looooove making garter heirlooms from military uniforms. Please sign up here and we'll send you all the details about the custom wedding garter design process as well as a link to the custom garter design deposit.
Giving you a definite price is a little difficult at this beginning stage of the process. Until we know a little bit more about what you want and what you love, we can't give you a firm price. Custom wedding garters are, well, custom and therefore everyone wants and deserves something unique.
Hopefully you've had a chance to look around on our site to get a sense of our starting price points.
For more information about the custom garter design process and answers to all of your questions, sign up here and we'll send you all the information as well as a link to the design deposit.
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We wanna hear from you too! Email at info@thegartergirl.com is the best way to get in touch. Did we mention that email is also the fastest way to get a response?!
So sorry, we do not have a storefront. The Garter Girl is online e-commerce business. We like to touch and feel things too, and we want you to feel totally comfortable and confident in your purchase. Email us at info@thegartergirl.com to talk about your order or to ask any questions.
Unfortunately, no. We have little kiddos and therefore tend to work odd hours. Keeping routine office hours might be what sets us over the edge! But, we are totally available via email as much as you want.
All questions and requests are handled via email at info@thegartergirl.com, please get in touch with us anytime.
If you would like to set up a phone call or video chat to discuss your order, we would love to connect with you. Please email info@thegartergirl.com to set up a time to talk.
When we are not sewing and running after kids, we can be found playing around on social media, mostly on Instagram. Come join the party with @gartergirl on Instagram and say “hi!” We post a lot of behind the scenes in Stories (click the circle around our profile photo), so come on over to @gartergirl on Instagram and check it out, maybe we are making your garter!
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Oh, girl! We have lots of A’s for alllllllll of your Q’s! First off, you can email us anytime at info@thegartergirl.com to get your questions answered personally.
Beyond email, The Garter Girl’s blog is where it is at! You’ll find anything and everything about a wedding garter on our blog, and probably some A’s to your Q’s you didn’t even know you had!
Oh, girl, we love you so much! This is our favorite question. Yes, yes and yes. Your wedding garter is something special to celebrate you, your style, your love and your wedding. Most (not all!) of our brides do not do the garter toss at their reception. They get a garter to be a wedding heirloom that they will save and pass onto their daughter.
Short answer: No.
Long answer: It’s your wedding day, you do you! Only get a tossing garter if you are doing the garter toss at your wedding reception.
If you have a tossing garter, you’ll wear two garters on your wedding day: a main heirloom garter and a tossing garter. The tossing garter is for your partner to toss so that you don’t have to toss your main heirloom garter during the garter toss. Your partner should take the toss garter off of you and leave the heirloom garter right where it is.
We recommend that you wear your tossing garter under (or lower down your leg) your main heirloom garter, as close to your knee as is comfortable for you. You want the tossing garter to be the first thing that your partner finds during the garter toss ceremony, hence its lower placement on your leg.
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We run a simple wholesale program for brick and mortar stores only. Please email us at info@thegartergirl.com to find out more about our wholesale program.
Yes, the Garter Girl does offer wholesale pricing for select bridal dress shops, wedding dress boutiques and other retail locations interested in selling our products.
Please email info@thegartergirl.com for more information on our wholesale policies.
The Garter Girl does not allow re-sell, wholesale or drop shipping for online shops and e-commerce retailers.
Wholesale pricing is on available to shops with a physical presence.
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Why, yes, we do! The Garter Girl loves bloggers and influencers. Please email us at info@thegartergirl.com to get started as an affiliate for The Garter Girl.
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Yes! Gift certificates are an awesome present for the bride-to-be. Please email info@thegartergirl.com to place a gift certificate order.
Please email us at info@thegartergirl.com to use a gift certificate. Be sure to include the amount of your gift certificate and where you got it.
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Are you wondering what to do with the cotton bag that was included in your garter order? We are so glad that you asked!
Our garters are meant to be saved as a wedding heirloom. The bag is for you to save your garter in after your wedding. By placing your garter inside the bag after your wedding, you’ll protect it so that you can pass it onto your daughter or someone else to be a special heirloom for them too.
Thank you for asking. Quality is so very important to us. Our garter heirlooms are intended to be loved on the wedding day and passed on through generations.
Every wedding garter sold by The Garter Girl is carefully handcrafted to order. Special care is taken to ensure that your garter will last through the wedding day and beyond.
All wedding garters are hand made in the United States by Julianne, owner of The Garter Girl, using the finest quality materials that are made in the United States whenever possible.
Please know that handmade items are delicate and special care should be taken when handling and saving your wedding garter. Certain materials, such as elastic and feathers, have a limited lifespan and might change or need to be replaced after long periods of time.
Congrats on your marriage BTW! This part of the process is so important to us, because our wedding garters are intended to be heirlooms and shared through generations.
All wedding garters are handmade and thus delicate. Proper care is an important part of the heirloom process. Please take great care when handling your garter, especially putting it on and taking it off. All garter orders include a keepsake, cotton bag to save and protect the garter after your wedding.
If your wedding garter is stained or discolored after the wedding, gentle spot cleaning with cold water is recommended before packing it away. Wedding garters made with satin, lace and grosgrain ribbon can also be soaked in cold water and laid flat to dry. Feathers, sparkles and beads should not be fully soaked.
If your wedding garter is extremely soiled or has a stubborn stain, a small amount of delicate laundry detergent, such as Woolite, can be mixed into a cold water bath or dabbed on as a spot treatment.
Before putting your garter away in the keepsake bag for the long-term, please be sure to carefully clean and fully air-dry your garter. The cotton bag will help to protect the garter and absorb any oils or dirt that may be on the your garter.
Yup, just wedding garters! The Garter Girl is focused on designing and hand making beautiful wedding garters; that’s it. We know it sounds strange to be so focused on one thing, but this focus allows us to hand create the best possible wedding heirlooms for you.
We want you to love your garter forever and pass it onto your daughter, that’s a tall order and we are committed to it!
For more on The Garter Girl's owner, founder and chief do-er, please visit Julianne over on her personal and wedding business education website www.juliannesmith.com.
Thanks for asking!
Ummm, yes! Our wedding garter heirlooms are so vain, they love to have their picture taken! On the model peeking out, the bride opening up the box on her wedding morning or adding to wedding invitation flat lay (We loooove a good flat lay!), there are so many lovely ways to style a wedding garter.
Most publications love details, details and more details. And, a garter is another detail that will help to make your photo shoot amazing.
If you are doing a styled photo shoot, please get in touch with us at info@thegartergirl.com to discuss your design concept.
Too long! Just kidding! The Garter Girl was started in 2003, after Julianne couldn’t find a stylish wedding garter for her friend, Brooke. The rest is garter history, as they say.
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Wow, thank you for asking! You are more than welcome to use The Garter Girl’s products photos for your blog, social media website and/or inspiration boards. However, you must credit The Garter Girl with a link to our website (or social media account), and the photographer who owns the photo, if applicable.
Well, thanks! You may take quotes or short snippets from The Garter Girl’s blog posts, but you may not copy and paste entire pages or posts verbatim. If you take a quote or a snippet, you must credit The Garter Girl with a link to the website (or social media account).
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