Deborah Chan
A ring-bearer book is a book designed to prepare a young child for their role as a ring-bearer in a wedding. These books are often gifted to the ring-bearer by the bride and groom and can be personalised with the child's name and a photo. The books explain what a wedding is and what the child's role will be, and they can help to alleviate any worries the child might have about the big day.
What You'll Learn
Who is a ring bearer
A ring bearer is a role given to a member of a wedding party. They are responsible for presenting the wedding rings to the couple during the ceremony. The ring bearer is usually a young boy, typically aged between three and eight years old, but can be older or even a girl. They are often a close relative of the couple, such as a nephew, son of a close friend or family member, or the child of the maid of honour or best man.
The role of the ring bearer is to carry the wedding rings down the aisle on a pillow or in a box and hand them to the officiant or best man. This is a long-held tradition, believed to date back to ancient Egypt, where an adult would carry precious gems and jewels on a decorative pillow during wedding ceremonies. In the medieval era, a young child would carry the ring on a pillow so wealthy families could display their wealth, as pillows were considered rare and a symbol of riches.
While the role of the ring bearer is not essential to the wedding, it is a way to involve a special young person or pet in the ceremony. The ring bearer's outfit should be consistent with the wedding party and the level of formality, with tiny tuxedos or mini versions of the groom's suit being popular choices. It is also customary for the ring bearer to receive a gift, such as a toy or a keepsake.
Ring Bearer: A Symbol of Trust and Commitment
You may want to see also
What does a ring bearer do
A ring bearer is a role typically given to a young child at a wedding. The child, usually aged between 3 and 10, precedes the bride down the aisle, often walking at the same time as the flower girl. The ring bearer is usually a boy, but girls can also take on this role. The child is often a son of a close friend or relative of the couple.
The ring bearer's main duty is to deliver the couple's wedding rings to the best man or wedding officiant at the altar. The rings are usually carried on a pillow, but other creative options include a softball glove, a box, a ring dish, or a briefcase. To avoid the risk of losing the rings, the ring bearer may carry fake rings, while the best man or maid of honour carries the real ones.
The ring bearer usually walks down the aisle after the wedding party and delivers the rings before taking a seat with their parents or standing at the altar with the rest of the wedding party. The ring bearer is often invited to the wedding reception, even if the event is adults-only.
The parents of the ring bearer typically pay for their child's outfit and accessories and are expected to attend all pre-wedding festivities and arrive early on the wedding day. It is customary for the couple to give the ring bearer a gift as a token of appreciation for their role in the wedding.
Ring Bearer Cushion: DIY Guide
You may want to see also
How to prepare a child for the role
A ring bearer is a child who plays an important role in a wedding ceremony by carrying the wedding rings down the aisle. Typically, the ring bearer is a boy between the ages of three and eight, but the role can be performed by anyone the couple chooses, including girls, adults, or pets.
- Choose the right child: Pick someone close to the couple, such as a relative or the child of a close friend. Consider the child's age, maturity, and comfort with being in the spotlight.
- Involve the parents: Speak to the child's parents to ensure they are willing to take on the responsibility and explain the ring bearer's duties to their child.
- Practice makes perfect: Rehearse the ring bearer's walk down the aisle a few times to make them feel more comfortable and confident.
- Provide clear instructions: Explain to the child exactly what they need to do, including when to walk down the aisle, where to stand or sit during the ceremony, and who to give the rings to.
- Make it fun: Encourage the ring bearer to add their unique touch to their walk down the aisle, such as by wearing a special outfit, carrying a sign, or even riding down the aisle in a wagon or on rollerblades.
- Prepare a backup plan: In case the child gets nervous or changes their mind, have a backup ring bearer ready to take over the role.
- Keep it light and positive: Remind the child that their role is important and special, but also reassure them that a few mistakes are okay and won't ruin the wedding.
- Offer a gift: Consider giving the ring bearer a small gift or memento to thank them for their participation and make them feel appreciated.
Who Picks the Ring Bearer?
You may want to see also
Ring bearer books for children
There are several ring bearer books available that can be personalised with the child's name and include a dedication page with a photo and message. These books can be used to prepare the child for their role in the wedding and can also serve as a keepsake to remember the occasion.
Some ring bearer books for children focus on the excitement and joy of the wedding day through the eyes of the ring bearer. These books often use playful rhymes and adorable illustrations to capture the child's attention and provide a clear explanation of their duties. They may also include details about getting dressed up, walking down the aisle, and other wedding traditions.
Other ring bearer books address specific concerns that children might have about their role. For example, a child might worry about tripping while walking down the aisle or dropping the rings. These books can help ease their fears and provide reassurance that they can handle the responsibility.
In addition to traditional storybooks, there are also ring bearer activity books that combine colouring pages with wedding-themed activities such as word searches, crosswords, and mazes. These books can be a fun way for children to learn about weddings and their role as a ring bearer while also developing fine motor skills and stimulating their imagination.
Overall, ring bearer books for children are a thoughtful way to involve young relatives in a wedding and create a memorable keepsake for the entire family.
Infant Ring Bearers: A Good Idea?
You may want to see also
Ring bearer books for adults
Ring bearer books are a great way to prepare children for their role in a wedding ceremony. While most ring bearer books are aimed at children, there are some options that can be enjoyed by adults as well. Here are some ring bearer books that can be appreciated by older audiences:
The Ring Bearer by Laura Godwin and John Wallace
This book is told in playful rhyme and captures the excitement and joy of a wedding day through the eyes of a young ring bearer. The story follows the ring bearer as he gets dressed up, walks down the aisle, watches the vows, and tastes the cake. The delicate watercolour illustrations by John Wallace add to the charm of this simple and enchanting book. It is a keepsake that can be treasured by brides, grooms, and the little boys entrusted with the ring.
The Ring Bearer by Floyd Cooper
This book tells the story of Jackson, a boy whose mama is getting married, and he has the important job of being the ring bearer. Jackson is nervous about his role and worries about tripping, walking too slowly, or dropping the rings. He is also unsure about his new stepsister, Sophie, who is supposed to be the flower girl. In the end, Jackson overcomes his fears and discovers that he has an even more important job than carrying the rings. This heartwarming story, with stunning illustrations by Floyd Cooper, is a perfect gift for any child nervous about their role in a wedding and shows that they can handle life's big changes.
The Ring Bear: A Wedding Book for Kids by N.L. Sharp and Timothy James Hantula
While this book is targeted towards children, its whimsical title and creative artwork may appeal to adults as well. Unfortunately, there is no description available for this book, so it is unclear what the specific content is. However, based on the title and authors, it is likely that this book provides a fun and imaginative take on the role of the ring bearer in a wedding.
In addition to these books, there are also some colouring and activity books for ring bearers that may be enjoyable for adults, depending on their interests. These books often include puzzles, games, and colouring pages related to the wedding theme. While they may not provide the same level of narrative depth as the books mentioned above, they can still be a fun way to celebrate and prepare for a wedding.
Groomsmen and Ring Bearer: Match or Not?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A ring bearer book is a book that explains the role of a ring bearer in a wedding. It is often given as a gift to a young boy who will be participating in a wedding as a ring bearer. The book usually includes information about the wedding day, such as getting dressed up, walking down the aisle, and the importance of the ring bearer's role.
The purpose of a ring bearer book is to help prepare a young boy for his role as a ring bearer in a wedding. It can also be a keepsake for the boy to remember his special role in the wedding.
Ring bearer books are typically intended for young boys between the ages of 2 and 7. However, some books may be more suitable for boys as young as 18 months old, while others may be appropriate for boys up to 8 years old.
