Ring Bearer's Essential Duty

The ring bearer is a wedding party role typically given to young children, who walk down the aisle carrying the wedding rings. The rings are often presented on a pillow, though some couples opt for a box or briefcase. The ring bearer then hands the rings to the wedding officiant or best man.

The ring bearer carries the rings down the aisle to the altar

The ring bearer is a wedding party role typically given to young children, usually boys aged between 3 and 10. Girls can also take on this role, and some couples choose to have their pets be the ring bearer. The ring bearer carries the wedding rings down the aisle to the altar, where they are exchanged by the betrothed couple.

The ring bearer usually walks down the aisle after the maid of honour and bridesmaids and directly before the flower girls, who precede the bride. The ring bearer traditionally carries the rings on a pillow, but some couples opt for a ring box or get creative with a softball glove, bouquet, or briefcase marked "ring security".

Most couples choose to have the ring bearer carry fake rings as a precaution, with the best man or maid of honour carrying the real rings. The ring bearer typically hands off the rings to either the officiant or the best man once they reach the altar. After the ring bearer has fulfilled their duty, they can either stand with the rest of the wedding party at the altar or sit down, depending on their age and the length of the ceremony.

The best man or maid of honour often carries the real rings

The ring bearer is usually a young child, typically between the ages of three and eight. They are often a son, nephew, or another relation of the couple, or the child of a close friend. The ring bearer walks down the aisle carrying the wedding rings, usually on a pillow, and gives them to the wedding officiant or best man once they reach the altar.

However, many couples choose not to give the real rings to the ring bearer, opting for fake rings or an empty pillow or box instead. This is to avoid the risk of the rings being lost, stolen, or damaged. In this case, the best man or maid of honour will usually carry the real rings.

If the couple chooses to give the real rings to the ring bearer, it is advisable to hand them over right before the ceremony begins, to minimise the risk of losing them. The ring bearer can then pass the rings to the best man or officiant, who will hold onto them until the time of the exchange.

Some couples opt for creative alternatives to the traditional pillow, such as a small box, a bouquet, or a briefcase marked "ring security". Others choose to forgo the ring bearer altogether, with the best man or maid of honour holding the rings throughout the ceremony. Ultimately, the decision of who carries the real rings is up to the couple, and there are many options to ensure the safe delivery of the rings during the wedding ceremony.

The ring bearer is usually a boy, but can be a girl

The role of a ring bearer is usually given to young boys between the ages of three and ten. However, there is no reason why a girl cannot take on this role. The ring bearer is responsible for carrying the wedding rings down the aisle during the ceremony, usually on a ring bearer pillow, and giving them to the best man or wedding officiant at the altar.

The ring bearer is typically a child of those close to the couple, such as the son or daughter of the maid of honour or best man, the couple's nephews or nieces, or children of other friends or family members. If the couple has children, it can be a sweet way to include them in the wedding. The ring bearer should be someone the couple is close to, fostering a comfortable dynamic between the child and the soon-to-be newlyweds.

While the role is traditionally given to boys, who stand on the groom's side, girls can also be ring bearers and stand next to the bridesmaids. The ring bearer's outfit should be coordinated with the wedding party's attire, with tiny tuxedos, suits, or khakis with bow ties and suspenders being popular choices for boys. Girls can wear matching dresses or be given a unique outfit to make them stand out as the ring bearer.

The ring bearer's parents are typically responsible for paying for the child's outfit and accessories, and it is customary for the couple to give the ring bearer a gift as a token of appreciation for their role in the wedding.

The ring bearer is usually aged between three and ten

If you choose a child younger than three, it is recommended that you first speak with their parents to see if they can escort them down the aisle. If you want to assign the role to a child aged ten or older, it is suggested that you consider them for a junior groomsman role, which comes with more responsibility and involvement in pre-wedding events.

It is also important to note that the child's age and maturity level should be considered when deciding whether to give them the real wedding rings to carry down the aisle. Many couples opt for fake rings or assign the best man to carry the real rings to avoid the risk of losing them.

The ring bearer's parents are typically responsible for explaining the ring bearer's duties to their child, paying for their outfit and accessories, and attending all pre-wedding festivities and arriving early on the wedding day.

The ring bearer can carry the rings on a pillow, in a box, or in a briefcase

The ring bearer is a direct name for their role—to carry the rings down the aisle to the altar. Typically, the ring bearer is a young boy, between the ages of three and ten. However, there is no steadfast rule when it comes to choosing a ring bearer. If there are only female children close to you, ask one of them. If you'd like your adult cousin or best friend to do the honours, that's perfect. One trend that has gained quick approval is having beloved family pets be the ring bearer.

The ring bearer carries something that holds the wedding rings the couple is going to exchange. This is often a pillow or ring box, but there are many creative alternatives. For example, if the couple met playing softball, the ring could be put on a softball glove. You can also put the rings in a bouquet, or a briefcase marked "ring security". Boxes made of wood or glass are another fairly traditional and popular choice. Both of these can be fun mementos for the couple to keep after the wedding.

As for whether the ring bearer should carry the real rings, this is a matter of personal preference. Many couples choose to give the ring bearer fake rings, especially if the ring bearer is very young. If the ring bearer is mature enough, the wedding planner or a member of the wedding party can hand the rings to the ring bearer right before the ceremony starts, so there's a lower risk of the rings being lost.

Frequently asked questions