Ring Bearer: Why Carry The Rings?

The ring bearer is a wedding party member who carries the couple's wedding rings down the aisle during the ceremony. The role is typically given to boys or young male relatives, but girls can also be ring bearers. The ring bearer is usually between three and ten years old, and they walk down the aisle before the bride, often with a flower girl. They give the rings to the best man, maid of honour, or wedding officiant, who hold them until the couple is ready to exchange rings.

The ring bearer is usually a boy

The role of the ring bearer is to carry the wedding rings down the aisle to the altar during the ceremony. This role is usually given to a boy, traditionally a young member of the family or a close friend or relative, who is between the ages of three and ten.

The ring bearer is one of the youngest members of the wedding party and is often chosen from the bride and groom's younger siblings, nieces and nephews, or the children of close friends. The role is usually given to a boy, but it is becoming more common for couples to choose a girl or even a pet to be the ring bearer.

The ring bearer walks down the aisle with a ring bearer pillow, or another creative alternative, such as a softball glove or a box, in hand. The pillow is often decorative and may have lighted candles attached to the back of it. The ring bearer then gives the rings to the wedding officiant or best man once they reach the altar.

In most cases, the ring bearer does not hold on to the rings until they are needed. Instead, it is considered acceptable for the ring bearer to give one of the rings to the best man or maid of honour before the exchange of vows. This tradition can be traced back to the days when rings were considered symbols of ownership.

They carry the rings on a pillow

The tradition of using a pillow for ring bearers to carry the wedding rings is believed to have originated in ancient times, with some historians citing ancient Egypt as the source of this custom. During Egyptian wedding ceremonies, a young boy would carry precious gems and jewels on a decorative pillow to the altar. Medieval weddings also featured ring bearers carrying rings on pillows, though they were often presented on the tips of swords instead.

The pillow is meant to highlight the crucial role the rings hold in a wedding ceremony, symbolising the commitment and true love that lead to the union. It is also a way to showcase the value placed on the rings, with the pillow serving as a focal point alongside the wedding banquet, the bride's gown, the bridal party, and the wedding cake.

When selecting a ring bearer pillow, there are a few factors to consider, such as choosing a smooth and strong fabric that won't tear or have loose threads, selecting a colour that complements the rings, and ensuring the pillow can securely hold the rings in place.

While the traditional pillow is usually plain and made of satin or silk, modern weddings offer a variety of alternatives. These can include personalised ring pillows, ring chests, ring bearer briefcases, themed objects like shells for a beach wedding, ring boxes, ring dishes, ring holders, and even pocket watch ring holders.

The size of the ring bearer pillow is typically square-shaped, measuring around 8 to 9 inches, though a smaller size can be chosen depending on the age of the ring bearer.

To use the ring bearer pillow effectively, the rings can be secured with ribbon tendrils to prevent them from falling off. The bearer should balance the pillow on their palms in front of their chest, and for younger bearers, an elastic strap can be sewn onto the pillow to slip their wrist into, providing extra security.

They walk down the aisle before the bride

The ring bearer is one of the youngest members of the wedding party, usually between 3 and 10 years old. They are often chosen from the bride and groom's younger siblings, nieces and nephews, or children of close family friends.

The ring bearer walks down the aisle before the bride as part of the wedding processional. They are usually the last person to walk down the aisle before the bride, and their role is to deliver the wedding rings to the best man, maid of honour, or wedding officiant.

The wedding processional refers to the group of people walking down the aisle in a specific order to mark the beginning of a wedding ceremony. The processional often includes the wedding officiant, the wedding party, flower girls, ring bearers, and the bride and groom and their parents. The specific order of the processional can vary depending on religious and cultural traditions, but the ring bearer typically walks down the aisle after the maid or matron of honour and before the flower girl.

The ring bearer's role is to carry the wedding rings down the aisle and present them to the best man, maid of honour, or wedding officiant. In some cases, the ring bearer may carry decoy rings, and the best man will carry the real rings as a precaution. After the ring bearer has delivered the rings, they may be seated with their parents or stand with the rest of the wedding party.

They give the rings to the best man or officiant

The ring bearer is a direct name for their role: to carry the rings down the aisle to the altar. Typically, the ring bearer passes the rings to the best man or officiant, who holds them until the couple is ready to exchange rings.

The ring bearer is usually a young boy, but can be a girl, and is often chosen from the bride and groom's younger siblings, nieces and nephews, or children of close family friends. They are usually between three and ten years old.

The ring bearer walks down the aisle with a ring bearer pillow in hand and gives the rings to the best man or officiant once they reach the altar. In most cases, the ring bearer does not hold on to both of the rings until they are needed. Instead, it is considered acceptable for the ring bearer to give one of the rings to the best man or officiant just before the exchange of vows. This tradition can be traced back to the days when rings were considered symbols of ownership. By giving one of the rings to the best man or officiant, the ring bearer is putting it into safekeeping until it is needed by the couple.

Some couples choose to forgo the tradition of having a ring bearer and instead have the best man, maid of honour, or another member of the bridal party carry the rings.

The role is steeped in tradition

The role of the ring bearer is steeped in tradition. The ring bearer is usually a young boy, but girls can also take on this role. They are often chosen from the bride and groom's younger siblings, nieces and nephews, or children of close family friends. The ring bearer is usually between three and ten years old, but older children can also perform this role.

The ring bearer is responsible for carrying the wedding rings down the aisle during the ceremony. They walk down the aisle with a ring bearer pillow or cushion, which may be decorative, and give the rings to the wedding officiant or best man once they reach the altar. In some cases, the ring bearer may present one of the rings to the best man or maid of honour before the exchange of vows. This tradition can be traced back to the days when rings were considered symbols of ownership.

The ring bearer usually walks down the aisle before the bride, often accompanied by a flower girl. They may also be responsible for other duties, such as pulling a wagon of flower petals or holding a chalkboard sign.

While the role of the ring bearer is not necessary for a couple to get formally married, it is a long-standing tradition that adds a charming element to the wedding ceremony.

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