Franklin Dean
The ring bearer is a role in a wedding party that is typically given to a young child, often a boy, who carries the wedding rings down the aisle. The ring bearer is usually a relative of the couple, such as a son, nephew, or the child of a close friend. The role is not restricted by gender or age, however, and can be performed by teenage and adult bearers, and even animals. The ring bearer is usually followed by the flower girl, who scatters petals, confetti, candies, or flowers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age | Traditionally a young boy, between the ages of 3-9. However, modern weddings have shown there are no steadfast rules, with adult ring bearers, female ring bearers, and even pets becoming more common. |
| Relationship to couple | Often a nephew, son of close friends or family members, or child of the maid of honour or best man. |
| What they carry | Usually a pillow with the wedding rings, but can also carry the Bible, 13 coins or arrhae, and other items to be used in the ceremony. |
| When they walk | After the maid of honour and bridesmaids, and before the flower girls and bride. |
| Where they sit | Depending on their age, they can either sit with their parents or stand at the altar with the rest of the wedding party. |
| What they wear | Their outfit should be consistent with the rest of the wedding party, within the same colour scheme and level of formality. |
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What You'll Learn
The ring bearer is usually a young boy
The ring bearer is a charming and traditional addition to a wedding party. The role of the ring bearer is to carry the wedding rings down the aisle, usually on a pillow, so that the couple can exchange them during their vows.
Ring bearers are usually young boys, typically between the ages of three and nine. They are often nephews, children of close friends or family members, or related to the maid of honour or best man. The ring bearer should be old enough to carry out the task independently, but still young enough to be considered a child.
While young boys are most common, there are no steadfast rules when it comes to choosing a ring bearer. If there are only female children close to the couple, one of them can be the ring bearer. Alternatively, the couple may want to ask an adult friend or family member to take on the role. One trend that has gained popularity is having a beloved family pet as the ring bearer, with the rings tied to their collar or attached to a pillow on their back.
In a traditional wedding ceremony, the ring bearer walks down the aisle after the maid of honour and bridesmaids and before the flower girls and the bride. Depending on their age, the ring bearer can stand at the altar with the rest of the wedding party or sit with their parents.
It is important to note that the ring bearer usually carries fake rings, with the best man holding the real rings for safekeeping.
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The ring bearer carries the rings on a pillow
The ring bearer is a charming and traditional addition to a wedding party. The role is usually given to a young boy who is close to the couple, such as a nephew or a child of close friends. However, there are no hard rules, and the ring bearer can be a girl or an adult.
The ring bearer traditionally carries the wedding rings on a pillow, although they may also be tied to poems or placed in a bouquet. The pillow is usually white and made of satin, although some couples opt for a custom-made pillow with strings attached to tie the rings securely. In the Medieval era, pillows were used to display wealth, as they were rare and often adorned or embroidered.
The ring bearer walks down the aisle after the maid of honour and bridesmaids and hands the rings to the officiant or best man at the altar. The ring bearer may then sit down or stand with the rest of the wedding party, depending on their age and the length of the ceremony.
Some couples opt for creative alternatives to the traditional pillow, such as a ring box, a briefcase, a dish, or even a sign with a funny message.
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The ring bearer doesn't always carry the real rings
A ring bearer is a charming and traditional addition to a wedding party. They are usually a young child, often boys, who walk down the aisle carrying the wedding rings on a pillow. However, the ring bearer does not always carry the real rings.
Traditionally, ring bearers are young boys between the ages of three and ten, who carry the couple's real wedding rings down the aisle before the ceremony. However, some couples may prefer to have an adult or an older child as the ring bearer. In this case, they may opt to give the ring bearer fake rings or a ""ring security" briefcase and earpiece set to carry, while the best man or maid of honour keeps the real rings safe until the ceremony. This is a common choice, as wedding rings are often one of the more expensive items purchased for the wedding, and it can be a big responsibility for a young child.
The ring bearer is usually a child of one of the couple's close friends or family members, such as the son of the maid of honour or best man, a nephew, or a cousin. The ring bearer is often included in the wedding as a way to involve children who are special to the couple, and they may be dressed in a tiny tuxedo or other special attire.
While the ring bearer traditionally carries the rings on a pillow, some couples may choose to use a ring box or other creative alternatives, such as a basket or a special collar for a pet ring bearer. Ultimately, the couple can decide whether the ring bearer carries the real rings or not, and there are many options to personalise this tradition to fit their wedding vision.
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The role can be adapted to include pets
The role of a ring bearer is to carry the wedding rings down the aisle, usually on a pillow, and present them to the wedding officiant or best man. Ring bearers are typically young boys, but they can also be girls, teenagers, or adults. In some cases, couples may choose to have a ring bearer who is a child of one of the couple's close friends or family members, such as the son of the bride or groom, a nephew, or the child of a loved one.
The role of a ring bearer can be adapted to include pets, such as dogs. If you are considering having your dog as a ring bearer, it is important to assess whether they have the temperament to calmly participate in a wedding ceremony. A well-behaved dog ring bearer can be a charming and adorable addition to the wedding party, and there are many ways to include them in the festivities. Here are some tips to consider:
- Create a timeline for your dog's duties, including morning exercise, mealtime, ceremony start time, and group photos.
- If your dog is allowed at the cocktail hour or reception, have a clear plan for their supervision and well-being.
- Consider using faux rings or a sturdy keychain carabiner to avoid losing the wedding rings.
- Dress your dog in a cute outfit, such as a tiny tuxedo or a playful suit, to coordinate with the wedding party's attire.
- Use treats as motivation and positive reinforcement to keep your dog on track and well-behaved.
- Ensure your photographer captures your dog's antics and includes them in the wedding photos.
- If your dog is comfortable, have them walk down the aisle with a human ring bearer or flower girl for support.
By following these tips, you can include your pet in your special day and create memorable moments for you and your guests.
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The ring bearer should attend the rehearsal and reception
The role of the ring bearer is to deliver the wedding bands to the couple during the ceremony. This allows the couple to participate in a ring exchange while reading their vows. The ring bearer is usually a young boy, typically between three and eight years old, and is often the child of one of the couple's close friends or family members.
The ring bearer is traditionally part of the wedding rehearsal and is usually invited to the rehearsal dinner. While there is no obligation to invite the ring bearer and their family to the rehearsal dinner, it would be rude to invite them to the rehearsal and not the dinner, as this would be like asking them to do something for you and then not thanking them properly afterward. If the wedding is adults-only, the couple should work with the parents of the ring bearer to help them find a local babysitter and consider covering the cost of childcare.
The ring bearer is also usually invited to the wedding reception. If the ring bearer is old enough, they will be announced during the wedding reception entrances. If the ring bearer is too young to make the journey down the aisle on their own, one of their parents can accompany them, or they can walk alongside the flower girls.
The ring bearer's parents are typically responsible for explaining the ring bearer's duties, paying for their outfit and accessories, and attending all pre-wedding festivities. The couple should speak to the child's parents first to see if they are willing to take on this responsibility.
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Frequently asked questions
A ring bearer is a person who holds the wedding rings until they are exchanged by the couple.
The ring bearer is typically a young child, often a boy, in the wedding party. However, there are no hard rules—the role can be performed by a girl, an adult, or even a dog.
The ring bearer walks down the aisle carrying the wedding rings, usually on a pillow, and presents them to the wedding officiant or best man. This is the ring bearer's sole responsibility.
