Ring Warming: Before Or After Greeting Guests?

A ring-warming ceremony is a traditional ritual that originated in Ireland. It is a way to include your wedding guests and allow them to actively participate in your special day. The wedding bands are passed around to all guests in attendance, who then warm them up with a prayer, good wishes, or positive intentions for the couple's future together before passing them on to the next person. The rings can be passed around during the ceremony or placed on a table at the entrance of the venue for guests to warm as they walk in. The ring-warming ceremony can take place at any time during the wedding before the couple exchanges their vows.

The history of ring warming ceremonies

The ring-warming ceremony is a tradition that originated in Ireland, although some sources claim that it dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. The custom is believed to have emerged from the Celtic tradition, where the entire clan of family and friends would give the rings and the couple the "warmth of their love". The Irish would require a man to forge rings to present to the woman's family clan, symbolising his "warming" of the rings. The bride's family would then pass the rings around to show their approval of the marriage and to add their well wishes.

Today, the ring-warming ceremony is a way to include wedding guests and allow them to actively participate in the wedding. It is also a way to add meaning to the rings that the couple will wear every day. During the ceremony, the wedding rings are passed from guest to guest, allowing each person to offer their well wishes, love, and blessings to the newlyweds. The rings can be passed around during the ceremony or placed in a prominent box or container at the venue for each person to participate in warming up the rings before taking their seats.

How to incorporate ring warming into your wedding

The ring-warming ceremony is a traditional Irish wedding ritual that has regained popularity in recent years. It is a meaningful and low-pressure way to include your guests in your ceremony.

Choose Who Participates

You can decide whether you want all your guests to participate or just a select few. If you want to keep it intimate, you can choose to only include your family and wedding party. If you have a large wedding, you can have the rings passed around only to the front row or bridal party. Alternatively, you can send one ring to one side of the room and the other ring to the other side.

Timing is Everything

The ring-warming ceremony can take place at any time during the wedding ceremony before the couple says their vows. If you have a large number of guests, it is a good idea to introduce the ring-warming ceremony early on to allow enough time for everyone to participate before the ring exchange.

Set the Scene

Place the rings in a prominent box or container at the entrance of your ceremony venue, allowing each person to warm up the rings for a few short moments before taking their seats. You can also have a designated ring chaperone, usually a member of the bridal party, to keep track of the rings and ensure they are passed around safely and smoothly.

Add Some Music

Consider playing a song during the ring-warming ceremony, especially if there are a lot of guests participating. This will help keep the rings moving and create a relaxed atmosphere.

Explain the Tradition

Most guests may not be familiar with the ring-warming tradition, so it is a good idea to explain its meaning and significance. You can include a short blurb in your program or have your officiant or MC say a few words about the history and how guests can participate.

Include a Reading or Poem

If you want to add a personal touch, consider incorporating a piece of poetry or a reading while the rings are being passed around. This can be a meaningful way to honour a parent or close family member who cannot be there.

After the Ceremony

Once the rings have been warmed and returned to the couple, the ceremony continues until it is time to exchange the rings and place them on their fingers. The couple can then carry the loving thoughts and well-wishes of their guests with them into their marriage.

Who to involve in the ring warming ceremony

The ring-warming ceremony is a wonderful way to include your wedding guests and allow them to actively participate in your special day. It is completely up to the couple who they want to include in the ceremony. Here are some options:

All the Guests

The rings can be passed from guest to guest during the ceremony, receiving well wishes and blessings along the way. This option works well for smaller weddings.

Selected Guests

If you would prefer, you can keep it more intimate and designate someone like the best man or officiant to pass the rings around to your families and wedding parties before you and your partner exchange vows.

As Guests Arrive

For larger weddings, the rings can be warmed as guests arrive and take their seats. This can be done by placing the rings in a prominent box or container at the entrance to the ceremony venue.

A Combination

One source suggests that for larger weddings, you can send one ring on one side and the other ring on the other side. This way, the rings are symbolically passed through all the guests, without taking too much time.

The Mothers

One unique idea is to include the mothers of the bride and groom in the ceremony. After the rings have been passed among the guests, they can be returned to the mothers, who will then present the rings to their child during the ring exchange. This is a special way of welcoming the new bride/groom to the family.

How to display the rings

A ring-warming ceremony is a traditional Irish wedding ritual that has gained popularity in recent years. It is a meaningful way to include your guests in your ceremony and add significance to your wedding bands.

Displaying the Rings Before the Ceremony

If you choose to have your guests warm the rings as they enter the ceremony, you can set up a table at the entrance of your venue with the rings on display. A small box or pouch can be used to hold the rings, and a sign can explain the tradition and invite guests to participate. This option is particularly suitable for larger weddings, as it can take some time for the rings to be passed around to all guests.

Displaying the Rings During the Ceremony

If you prefer to have the ring warming as part of the ceremony itself, you can designate a trusted person, such as the best man, a family member, or the officiant, to pass the rings around to guests. This option is more intimate and can be done just with families and the wedding party. The designated person can walk among the guests, inviting them to hold the rings briefly and offer their well-wishes or prayers.

Alternative Display Ideas

• If you are concerned about passing the rings around, you can opt to hold the rings yourselves while the guests set their intentions or say a prayer towards you.
• For a more symbolic gesture, you can send one ring to be warmed on one side of the venue and the other ring on the opposite side.
• In some cases, only a select few guests will participate in warming the rings. The celebrant can invite these guests to stand in a circle around the couple during the ritual.

Remember to allocate a ring chaperone or a member of the bridal party to keep track of the rings and ensure their safe return before the ring exchange.

What to do if you have a large number of guests

A ring-warming ceremony is a wonderful way to include your wedding guests and allow them to actively participate in your special day. It is a meaningful way to involve all your guests and add significance to your wedding bands, knowing that you are wearing everyone's blessings and good wishes on your finger.

If you are planning to host a large number of guests at your wedding, there are a few things to consider when it comes to the ring-warming ceremony:

• Timing is crucial: If you have a large number of guests, passing the rings around will naturally take some time. Ensure that the rings reach the couple in time for the ring exchange. It is recommended to have a designated ring chaperone to keep track of the rings and ensure they are safely returned to the couple before the vows.
• Limit the number of participants: While you can choose to involve all guests, an alternative is to limit the ring-warming ceremony to family and the bridal party. This will reduce the time taken and ensure a smooth process.
• Set up a table at the entrance: For larger weddings, consider setting up a table at the entrance of the ceremony venue. Guests can "warm" the rings as they walk in, adding their blessings and well wishes. This option works well for weddings with over 100 guests.
• Use a ring attendant: A ring attendant can facilitate the ring-warming process, especially if you have a large number of guests. They can answer any questions, prompt guests to participate, and ensure the smooth movement of guests into the ceremony.
• Provide clear instructions: It is important to provide clear and concise instructions to your guests, especially if they are unfamiliar with the ring-warming tradition. Consider including a slip of paper in the wedding invitation or a small sign on the table explaining the process and inviting guests to participate.
• Use a ring box or bag: To avoid lost or dropped rings, place them in a small box or organza bag. You can also tie the rings together with a piece of ribbon for added security.
• Play background music: To fill any potential silence during the ring warming, consider playing background music, especially if there are a large number of guests participating.
• Include a ring cushion: Instead of passing the rings around, you can place them on a unique cushion with ribbons attached. This allows guests to physically warm the rings in their hands while sharing their intentions or wishes. It also makes for a lovely keepsake from the day.

Frequently asked questions