Franklin Dean
Traditions surrounding weddings have evolved over the years, and this includes the purchase of wedding rings. While traditionally, the groom or their family would pay for the bride's ring, and the bride or her family would pay for the groom's ring, modern couples approach the ring purchase process in a variety of ways. Nowadays, each half of the couple is generally expected to pay for the other person's wedding band, but it is also common for couples to shop for both rings together, split the cost evenly, or start a shared wedding bank account.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who buys the wedding rings | The couple |
| When to buy the wedding rings | 3-4 months before the wedding |
| Who holds the wedding rings during the ceremony | Traditionally, the best man or maid of honour; can be another adult, like a parent or grandparent |
| Who carries the wedding rings into the ceremony | The ring bearer, or a child ring bearer supervised by an adult |
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What You'll Learn
Wedding rings should be purchased 3-4 months before the ceremony
While wedding rings are not mandatory, they are often exchanged during the wedding ceremony as a symbol of the couple's love and devotion. The wedding ring is usually worn after the wedding to represent the couple's bond and signify that they are married.
Traditionally, it is the best man's job to hold the wedding rings during the ceremony and hand them over to the wedding officiant or couple before the ring exchange. However, this role can also be given to another member of the wedding party, such as the maid of honour, or a special loved one like the couple's parents or grandparents. In some cases, the couple may choose to hold on to the rings themselves until it is time for the exchange.
To ensure that the rings are ready for the big day, it is recommended that couples start shopping for their wedding bands four to five months before the wedding. This allows ample time for browsing, trying on rings, and making any necessary adjustments or customizations. It is important to try on rings in person to get a feel for the weight and style, as your opinion may differ from how the ring looks online. Couples should also consider factors such as lifestyle, maintenance, size, width, and personalization when choosing their wedding bands.
By purchasing the wedding rings three to four months in advance, there is enough time to resize the rings if needed and ensure they are as desired before the ceremony. This helps to alleviate last-minute stress and allows the couple to focus on other aspects of the wedding planning process.
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The best man traditionally holds the rings
The best man is traditionally the person who holds the wedding rings during the ceremony. The role of ring bearer, who delivers the rings to the best man, is usually filled by a child between the ages of three and eight. However, the best man will hold the rings if there is no ring bearer.
The best man is a good choice for ring holder because he usually has pockets to store the rings safely. The best man is also likely to be responsible and comfortable in front of a crowd, reducing the risk of the rings being misplaced.
While the best man traditionally holds both rings, it is not uncommon for the groom to hold on to the rings himself or for the best man to hold one ring and the maid of honour to hold the other. Ultimately, it is up to the couple and their wedding officiant to decide who will hold the rings during the ceremony.
If you are worried about the rings being lost or stolen, you may want to consider insuring them.
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The maid of honour can also hold the rings
While the best man is traditionally the ring bearer at weddings, the maid of honour can also hold the rings. In fact, the person who holds the rings can be anyone the couple chooses, and it is becoming increasingly common to see couples choosing someone trustworthy who is special to them.
The maid of honour is the bride's right-hand woman throughout her engagement and on her wedding day, leading the rest of the bridesmaids in their duties. The bride typically chooses her BFF, sibling, or a close friend to be her maid of honour. The role of the maid of honour is to be the bride's confidant, assistant, voice of reason, and shoulder to cry on, in addition to being the point person on the wedding day and giving a speech at the reception.
The maid of honour can hold the groom's wedding band until the rings are exchanged. If there is no ring bearer, the best man will hold the bride's wedding band, and the maid of honour will hold the groom's. In some cases, the maid of honour can hold both rings.
The maid of honour can also be responsible for holding both her own and the bride's bouquets during the ceremony, especially during the exchange of the rings. This is because the bridal bouquet can be quite heavy, and the maid of honour may need help from another bridesmaid to hold it during the ceremony.
Ultimately, the couple can choose whoever they want to hold the rings during their wedding ceremony. While the best man is the traditional choice, the maid of honour can also hold the rings, whether it is one or both of them.
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Ring bearers are often children, but they carry decoys
While the best man is traditionally the person who holds the wedding rings, it is not uncommon for couples to appoint a ring bearer to carry out this task. Ring bearers are usually children, typically between the ages of three and eight, and are often the child of one of the couple's close friends or family members.
The role of the ring bearer is to deliver the wedding rings to the best man or wedding officiant during the ceremony. However, it is worth noting that ring bearers often carry decoy rings rather than the real ones. This is to prevent any mishaps or losses, especially if the ring bearer is very young. In such cases, the best man or officiant will hold the real rings in their pocket, and the ring bearer will carry a decorative pillow or sign.
The use of decoy rings allows the ring bearer to participate in the wedding ceremony without the risk of losing or damaging the actual rings. It also adds an element of cuteness and charm to the wedding procession, as young children or even pets take on the role of ring bearers.
Some couples may choose to have multiple ring bearers, such as a squad of adorable children or even a well-trained dog, adding a unique and memorable touch to their wedding ceremony. Ultimately, the decision to use decoy rings and the choice of ring bearer are personal preferences that can be tailored to fit the couple's vision for their special day.
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Rings are usually worn on the fourth finger of the left hand
While there are no fixed rules about who should be in charge of the wedding rings, the best man traditionally holds the rings during the ceremony. The best man usually produces the rings during the ring exchange, handing them over to the wedding officiant or couple. However, the maid of honour, another member of the wedding party, or a ring bearer can also be given this responsibility.
Now, let's talk about the tradition of wearing rings on the fourth finger of the left hand. This custom is believed to have originated in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. These ancient cultures chose to wear their wedding rings on the fourth finger of their left hands because they believed that a vein in this finger, called the "vena amoris" or "vein of love", ran directly to the heart. The heart, of course, was considered the emotional centre of the body.
Today, people continue to wear their engagement and wedding rings on their fourth finger because it has become a tradition. The unbroken circular form of the ring is thought to symbolise the eternal nature of romantic union, with the open centre representing the unexplored life ahead as a couple. While this tradition is prevalent in many Western cultures, it is not universal. For instance, Germany, Austria, Denmark, and India often wear their wedding rings on the fourth finger of the right hand. Ultimately, the choice of which finger to wear the ring on is entirely up to the individual.
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Frequently asked questions
The couple is responsible for purchasing their wedding rings. It is recommended to buy the rings three to four months before the wedding ceremony.
Traditionally, the best man holds the wedding rings during the ceremony. However, it is not mandatory for the best man to take on this role. The maid of honour, another member of the wedding party, or a family member can also hold the rings.
A ring bearer, often a young family member, carries the rings into the ceremony. However, they usually do not carry the real rings. The rings are passed off to an adult in the wedding party, such as the best man, maid of honour, or officiant, who holds them during the ceremony.
