Wedding Bands: Creative Carry Solutions

Wedding bands are an important part of the ceremony, symbolising the transition from being engaged to getting married. There are several ways to ensure the wedding bands are cared for before and during the ceremony. Traditionally, the best man holds the wedding bands before the ceremony, but other options include a young relative, the officiant, or even a pet. The rings can be kept in their original box or a special ring box, and it is recommended to hand them over to the chosen carrier the night before or on the day of the wedding. It is also a good idea to appoint another person to oversee the rings and ensure they are where they need to be.

Choosing who carries the rings

While there are no specific rules dictating who should hold the wedding rings, it is important to choose someone you trust. Here are some options to consider:

The Best Man or Maid of Honour

Tradition dictates that the best man holds both wedding rings before the ceremony. However, if you feel more comfortable, you can give the rings to the maid of honour or another member of the wedding party. Having a member of the bridal party hold the rings is a logical choice, as they will be standing right by your side during the ceremony.

The Officiant

Another option is to have your officiant hold on to the rings. As they will be presiding over the ceremony, having them keep the rings safe can create a seamless transition during the vows.

A Close Family Member

You may feel more comfortable passing the wedding rings to a close family member, such as your parents or a sibling. If you trust them more than a member of the bridal party or the officiant, give them the rings before the start of the ceremony.

The Ring Bearer

If you plan to have a child serve as the ring bearer, consider having them carry a pillow or ring box with fake rings or no rings at all. This way, they can still steal the show walking down the aisle, without the risk of losing or damaging the real wedding rings.

Other Considerations

When choosing who will hold the rings, consider the person's reliability and proximity to the couple. It is also important to practice the hand-off during the rehearsal to ensure a seamless transition on the wedding day.

Keeping the rings safe

Leading up to the Wedding

It is not necessary to hand over the rings to the person who will bring them to the wedding months or weeks in advance. The longer they are out of your possession, the greater the chance of them being misplaced. Instead, hand over the rings in their original box or a box of your choosing to a trusted individual the night before the wedding. This could be the best man, a young relative, the officiant, or anyone else you trust implicitly.

During the Ceremony

On the day of the wedding, the rings will be handled by multiple people, including the photographer and the ring bearer, if you have one. To ensure the rings are accounted for, designate a point person to keep track of the rings and hand them over to the right people at the right time. This could be your wedding planner, maid of honour, parent, or anyone else you trust.

Fake Rings

If you are unsure about how your ring bearer, especially if they are a child or pet, will handle carrying the rings, consider using fake rings for this part of the ceremony. This will allow them to still feel special and look adorable in your wedding photos, while you have peace of mind that the real rings are secure.

Rehearsal

Clear communication is key. Ensure that everyone involved in handling the rings is aware of their responsibility and that the rehearsal goes smoothly. The best man or officiant should be the last person to handle the rings before you exchange them during the ceremony.

What to do with your engagement ring

So, the big day is almost here, and you've only just thought about what to do with your engagement ring during the ceremony. Don't panic! Many brides-to-be overlook this detail until the last minute.

There are three common options for what to do with your engagement ring during your wedding:

• Temporarily move your engagement ring to your right hand: This option follows the tradition of placing the wedding band first on the finger, so it sits closest to the heart. After the ceremony, you can return the engagement ring to your left hand, above the wedding band. Just be sure that the ring fits comfortably on your right hand, so you don't risk losing it on your wedding day.
• Leave your engagement ring on your left hand: You can choose to leave your engagement ring in its usual place on your left hand, and your partner will place the wedding band on top of it during the ceremony. After the nuptials, you can quickly readjust and return the rings to their correct positions. However, this option goes against wedding tradition, and your wedding band may be overshadowed by your engagement ring in photographs.
• Don't wear your engagement ring to the ceremony: If you don't want to worry about your engagement ring during the ceremony, you can ask a trusted bridesmaid or family member to hold it for you. Alternatively, you can stow it away in a safe place, like a locked box. This option is also ideal if you plan on wearing gloves, as the engagement ring could snag or rip the fabric.

Ultimately, the choice is yours, and you can wear your engagement ring in a way that feels most comfortable and meaningful to you.

Where to put your engagement ring

There are many options for where to put your engagement ring, and the choice is ultimately yours. Here are some common ways to wear your engagement ring:

On the Left Hand

The most common way to wear an engagement ring in many countries, especially in Western cultures, is on the third or fourth finger of the left hand. This dates back to the romantic idea that this finger has a vein that leads directly to the heart.

On the Right Hand

Wearing your ring on the third or fourth finger of your right hand is also acceptable and is the traditional way to wear an engagement ring in some countries, such as Russia, Greece, and Colombia. It can be a matter of personal preference rather than cultural tradition.

Stacked with the Wedding Band

After the wedding ceremony, you can choose to stack your engagement ring on top of your wedding band or wear it on your other hand. Traditionally, the wedding band is worn closest to the heart, but this is less about tradition and more about personal preference.

On a Necklace

If you don't want to wear your engagement ring on your finger, you can choose to wear it on a necklace close to your heart. This option may be preferable for various reasons, such as career, physical reasons, pregnancy, or simply not liking to wear rings.

On Any Finger You Want

You can also choose to wear your engagement ring on any finger that feels comfortable. This could be your index or middle finger. If the size of the ring is an issue, you may want to consider resizing it.

How to receive your rings

There are several things to consider when planning how to receive your wedding bands during the ceremony. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this important aspect of your wedding day:

• Choose a Ring Carrier: Typically, the best man is responsible for carrying the wedding bands during the ceremony. However, you can also consider other options, such as a young family member, the officiant, or anyone else you trust. If you want to involve children or pets as ring bearers, ensure that the chosen ring carrier is comfortable handling them.
• Appoint a Backup: Assign another person to oversee the rings and ensure they are where they need to be. This could be your wedding planner, maid of honour, parent, or anyone else you trust. This person can receive the rings during the rehearsal and hand them off to the ring carrier on the wedding day.
• Communicate Responsibilities: Be clear about the responsibilities of the ring carrier and backup person to avoid any misunderstandings. Ensure they know when and where to hand over the rings, and coordinate with the photographer if they need the rings for detail shots.
• Use a Ring Box: Keep the rings in their original box or a special ring box provided by your jeweller. This makes it easier for the ring carrier to find and securely hold the rings during the ceremony.
• Handle Engagement Rings: Decide what you will do with your engagement ring during the ceremony. You can wear it on your ring finger, move it to your right hand, or leave it at home. If you choose to wear it, your partner will place the wedding band over it, and you can adjust the order after the ceremony.
• Practice the Rehearsal: Ensure that the ring exchange goes smoothly during the rehearsal. The best man or officiant should be the last person to handle the rings before you exchange them during the ceremony.

By following these steps and communicating clearly with your chosen ring carrier and backup person, you can ensure that your wedding bands are safely received during your ceremony.

Frequently asked questions