Ring Bearer: Wedding Must-Have?

A ring bearer is not a required role at a wedding. However, they are a cherished and adorable part of the ceremony, adding a unique and charming element to the wedding. The role is usually given to young children, typically between the ages of three and eight, but can be older if they are mature enough to handle the responsibility. The child, usually a close relative or friend of the couple, carries the wedding rings down the aisle, presenting them to the bride and groom during the ceremony.

Who can be a ring bearer?

The role of ring bearer is typically given to young children, usually boys, aged between 3 and 10 years old. The ring bearer is often a child of the couple's wedding party, such as the son of the maid of honour or best man, or a nephew. Alternatively, the couple's own children can take on the role, providing a way to include them in the wedding as a family.

The ring bearer is usually chosen from among the couple's close friends or relatives. This ensures a special memory and bond with the person for the rest of their life. The ring bearer should stand on the groom's side if they are a boy, and with the bridesmaids if they are a girl.

It is also possible to break from tradition and have an adult or a pet as a ring bearer.

What does a ring bearer do?

A ring bearer is a wedding party role typically given to young children, usually between the ages of three and eight years old. The child walks down the aisle after the maid of honour and bridesmaids and precedes the bride, often walking at the same time as the flower girl. The ring bearer is responsible for carrying the couple's wedding rings to the altar, usually on a ring bearer pillow, and giving them to the wedding officiant or best man.

The ring bearer is usually a boy, but a girl can also take on this role. The ring bearer should be someone the couple is close to, such as the son of a close friend or relative, or a child of the maid of honour or best man. The ring bearer can also be a pet, such as a dog, which is led on a leash by someone from the wedding party.

The ring bearer usually carries the rings on a pillow, but other creative options can be used, such as a softball glove, a box, a ring dish, or a briefcase. The ring bearer may carry fake rings as a precaution, with the best man or maid of honour carrying the real rings.

The ring bearer's parents are typically responsible for explaining the ring bearer's duties to the child, paying for their outfit and accessories, and attending pre-wedding festivities and arriving early on the wedding day. The couple may choose to give the ring bearer a gift as a token of appreciation.

What does a ring bearer wear?

When it comes to deciding what your ring bearer wears on your wedding day, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, it is important to keep in mind the formality of your wedding. Traditionally, ring bearers wear a kid-sized tuxedo or suit, usually in a style that coordinates with the groom or groomsmen's attire. This could mean the ring bearer wears a miniature version of the groom's outfit, including a tuxedo jacket, pants, vest, shirt, shoes, bow tie or long tie, pocket square, studs and cufflinks. This is a very popular choice and allows the ring bearer to stand out from the groomsmen while still tying into the groom's look.

Another option is to dress the ring bearer in the same style as the groomsmen, creating a miniature version of their outfits. This can be a great choice if the groom wants to stand out from the rest of the wedding party, including the ring bearer. In this case, the ring bearer's accessories can be chosen to match the colour of the bridesmaids' dresses.

If you are unable to find the same style of suit or tuxedo in children's sizes, don't worry! You can often find something very similar, or you could opt for a different look altogether. For younger ring bearers, you could choose just pants, a shirt, a bow tie, suspenders and shoes. For toddlers, a toddler tuxedo can be purchased, although this is less common as they may struggle to carry out their duties and will likely grow out of it quickly.

Remember to consider the cost of the ring bearer's outfit, as traditionally their parents pay for their attire. If your wedding budget allows, you may choose to offer to pay for the outfit yourself, or you could purchase an accessory as a thoughtful gift.

Does a ring bearer carry the real rings?

A ring bearer is a wedding party role typically given to young children, usually boys, who walk down the aisle carrying the wedding rings on a pillow. The role can also be performed by girls or pets. The ring bearer is usually between the ages of three and eight, but can be younger if accompanied by their parents.

Whether the ring bearer carries the real wedding rings or not is entirely up to the couple. It is recommended that the decision is based on the child's age and maturity level. Most couples choose to have the best man carry the real rings as a precaution. The ring bearer can then carry fake rings on the pillow, or simply an empty pillow or decorative sign. If the couple does decide to give the ring bearer the real rings, it is best to hand them over right before the ceremony to avoid the risk of them being lost.

Are ring bearers invited to the reception?

The role of the ring bearer is to carry the wedding rings down the aisle, usually on a decorative pillow or in a small box. They are usually between the ages of three and eight, but can be younger if accompanied by their parents or a flower girl.

If you're having other children at your wedding, then the ring bearer should be invited to the reception. They can be seated with their parents or at a kids' table with a babysitter, kid-friendly food, and fun activities. If your reception is adults-only, you can help the parents of the ring bearer find a local babysitter and cover the cost. You could also arrange a spot to watch the kids, either in their parent's hotel room or in a nearby room at the venue.

If you're hosting an adults-only celebration, you may request that the ring bearer leaves after the ceremony, cocktail hour, or a portion of the reception. In this case, it's a nice gesture to cover or arrange childcare for the evening if the parents wish to stay for the rest of the celebration.

Frequently asked questions