Franklin Dean
The exchange of wedding rings is a powerful symbol of commitment and devotion between partners. It is a ritual that has been dated back to ancient Egypt, where the circle of the ring was considered a symbol of eternity. Today, the ring exchange is a highly customizable part of the wedding ceremony, with couples choosing to incorporate their own vows, humour, and personality. While the ring exchange is traditionally followed by the pronouncement of the couple as married, the sequence of events can be altered to suit the couple's preferences. The ring exchange is usually preceded by the couple confirming that they have the rings, and deciding who will hold and carry them during the ceremony.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who holds the rings during the ceremony | The couple can choose anyone to hold the rings during the ceremony, such as the best man, maid of honour, ring bearer, or even their dog |
| Who carries the rings into the ceremony | The person carrying the rings into the ceremony may be different from the ring holder during the ceremony |
| Where the ring exchange occurs in the script | The ring exchange typically occurs after the wedding vows and before the pronouncement |
| What to say during the ring exchange | Couples can choose traditional or modern wording, or write their own. Traditional wording often includes words like "cherish", "devotion", and "faith" |
| Photography tips | The wedding photographer will want to capture close-up photos of the couple's hands during the ring exchange. Remind the couple to take their time to place the ring on their partner's finger to get the perfect shot |
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What You'll Learn
Who will hold the rings?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It is ultimately up to the couple to decide who will hold the rings during their wedding ceremony. The choice of ring bearer is a great opportunity to include friends and family in the wedding. The couple should choose someone responsible, comfortable in front of a crowd, and who won't misplace the rings.
The most classic choice for who carries the rings at a wedding is the best man or maid of honour. The best man usually has pockets, so it is convenient for him to hold both rings. However, if the couple has a ring bearer, the best man may only hold onto the rings after the ring bearer has brought them down the aisle. The maid of honour can also hold one of the rings, especially if the couple does not have a ring bearer.
The wedding officiant is another common choice, as they stand at the front of the ceremony with the couple and can seamlessly pull out the rings at the right moment. The couple can also choose to give the rings to both the best man and the officiant, or the maid of honour and the officiant, to hold.
If the couple wants to include a special child in their life, such as their own child, a younger sibling, a niece or nephew, or a godchild, they can have a ring bearer. Ring bearers are usually under 10 years old and may not be old enough to handle the responsibility of the rings, so they often carry decoys on a pillow. After walking down the aisle, the ring bearer will pass the rings to the ring holder, who will keep them safe until the ring exchange.
The couple can also choose to hold onto the rings themselves, especially if they are the only ones who have pockets. Alternatively, they can entrust the rings to a close and responsible family member or a trustworthy friend.
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When to ask for the rings
The wedding ring exchange is one of the most important parts of the ceremony. It is a powerful symbol of everlasting devotion and commitment. It is usually the last thing the couple does before the officiant pronounces them married.
The wedding ring exchange typically takes place after the wedding vows and before the pronouncement. However, the ring exchange can also be woven into the vows themselves. The couple should decide who will hold the wedding rings during the ceremony and who will bring them into the ceremony space. This could be the best man, the maid of honour, a ring bearer, or even a dog!
It is important to confirm that the person responsible for the rings has them before the ceremony begins. This should be done during the planning session, which usually takes place six weeks before the ceremony, and again on the wedding day.
The couple can choose their own words for the ring exchange or use traditional wording. They should consider what the rings symbolise to them and what sentiments they want to convey.
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Sample ring exchange scripts
The ring exchange is a symbolic and meaningful part of your wedding ceremony. As you slip rings onto one another's fingers, recite ring exchange wording that solidifies your commitment to one another. Here are some sample scripts for the ring exchange:
Sample 1:
Officiant: "Do you, [Partner A], take [Partner B] to be your lawfully wedded partner, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, for as long as you both shall live?"
Partner B responds: "I do."
Officiant: "A ring has no beginning or end. Its path is endless and a symbol of your endless love and respect for each other. By placing these rings on each other's fingers, you are promising not just to love each other but to honour each other, to be compassionate, patient, and understanding as you build your future together. You can both feel the love in this room. These rings represent not just your love for each other but also the love of everyone here today. Let these rings be a reminder of that love and what you are feeling today."
Partner A places the ring on Partner B's finger and says: "[Partner B], I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge to love and support you today, tomorrow, and always."
Partner B places the ring on Partner A's finger and says: "[Partner A], I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge to love and support you today, tomorrow, and always."
Sample 2:
Officiant: "By the power vested in me by the State of [wedding state] and the American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you officially married. Friends, family, it is my honour and privilege to introduce to you for the first time, [Couple's married name]!"
Sample 3:
Officiant to guests: "This is the part of the ceremony when we'd usually do a ring exchange, but [Partner A] and [Partner B] beat us to it..."
The couple holds up their hands happily to show the guests their wedding bands .
Sample 4:
"With this ring, I thee wed, now and for all of our adventures ahead."
"Let this ring be a reminder that I am always by your side, even when you snore, and that I will always be faithful to you."
"I give you this ring as a vow to love you no matter what, even while assembling furniture together."
"I promise to never watch the next episode on Netflix without you and always bring you snacks."
"With this ring, I promise to love you, care for you, and never take it out on you when I'm hangry."
"I give you this ring as a promise to always love you, cherish you, and sing random songs to you."
Sample 5:
"I give you this ring as a reminder of today and all our hopes and dreams for the future."
"This ring is almost as beautiful as your smile. Let's embark on this new journey together and live life by each other's side."
"You are the love of my life. With this ring, I'm making it official."
"I give you this ring as a way of showing just how much I love you. I'm delighted to call you my husband/wife and spend the rest of our days together."
"With this ring, you'll have a reminder close by that you're always in my heart."
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The symbolism of the rings
The wedding ring is a powerful symbol of marriage, love, and commitment. The circular shape of the ring is a symbol of eternity, reflecting infinite and never-ending love, with no beginning or end. The centre hole is a path to the future, representing a couple's shared commitment to nurturing and growing their love throughout the years.
The tradition of exchanging wedding rings is thought to have begun in ancient Egypt, around 6,000 years ago. The ancient Egyptians made rings from woven reeds, hemp, leather, and plants that grew along the Nile river. They believed that the circle was a symbol of eternity and that the fourth finger of the left hand, where the wedding ring is traditionally worn, had a vein that was directly connected to the heart, which the Romans called the "vena amoris" or "love vein".
The wedding ring is a symbol of the deep respect and admiration between partners, signifying that they see each other as equals. It is a tangible reminder of the promises exchanged during the wedding ceremony and a celebration of the emotional connection between two people.
The act of exchanging rings is also a visual representation of the couple's unity and strength. It signifies their dedication to building a life together and facing life's challenges as a united front. The durability of the metal bands symbolizes stability and strength in a relationship.
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The history of wedding rings
The tradition of exchanging wedding rings is a rich and ancient one, dating back thousands of years. The first evidence of engagement and wedding rings comes from the Roman Empire, where women were given two rings: one iron ring to be worn while at home, and one gold ring to be worn in public. The Romans also popularised the fede ring, a band featuring two clasped hands, which was adopted from the Greeks. The symbol of clasped hands was shared by both cultures, and rings were incredibly important to both ancient societies.
The ancient Egyptians and Greeks also exchanged rings in betrothal and marriage ceremonies. The Egyptians believed that the circle shape of a ring reflected that of the sun and moon, which they worshipped. They also believed that the ring finger, or fourth finger on the left hand, contained the 'vena amoris' or 'vein of love' which led directly to the heart. This belief was later adopted by the Romans, and continues to be followed by many today, despite not being anatomically correct.
In Medieval times, wedding rings began to be set with precious gems, with diamonds symbolising steadfast strength. By the 17th century, diamonds were appearing more frequently in wedding and engagement rings. The first famous diamond engagement ring was given in 1477 by Archduke Maximillian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy. Diamonds became a widespread phenomenon in the 15th century when diamond cutters began experimenting with a new style that included facets, making the gems sparkle.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, European husbands bestowed a gimmel ring upon their wives. Similar to a puzzle ring, the gimmel ring consisted of two or three interlocking bands. The bride and groom each wore one of these bands after their engagement, and the bands were reunited during the wedding ceremony.
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Frequently asked questions
The ring exchange is one of the most important parts of a wedding ceremony, so it is best to be prepared. The wedding officiant should ask the couple during the planning session who will carry and keep the rings during the ceremony. The ring bearer, best man, maid of honour, or even the family dog can be asked to carry the rings.
The ring exchange usually takes place after the wedding vows and before the pronouncement. It is a good idea to ask the person holding the rings if they have them a few minutes before the ceremony starts.
The ring exchange wording can be personalised to match the couple's personality, style, and sense of humour. Here are some examples:
- "I give you this ring as a reminder of today and all our hopes and dreams for the future."
- "This ring is almost as beautiful as your smile. Let’s embark on this new journey together and live life by each other’s side."
- "With this ring, I thee wed."
- "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, and I promise to care for you, to give you my love and friendship, to respect and cherish you, throughout our lives together."
Traditionally, the groom goes first when exchanging rings.
In this case, the couple can be asked to 'show off' their rings during the second ceremony.
