Why do we exchange rings?
One of the most important parts of a wedding is the exchanging of rings. The tradition of placing a wedding band on your loved one’s finger as part of a wedding ceremony goes back as far as Ancient Egyptian times, when rings made of braided reeds were placed on the fourth finger of the left hand due to the belief that a vein ran from that finger straight to the heart. Nowadays, we give wedding rings as a sign of commitment and loyalty to our partner.
According to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, rings are not required to legally bind a marriage in the UK. However, most couples choose to exchange rings as a visible symbol of their promise to each other.
The Ring Bearer
A ring bearer has an extremely important role to play in any wedding ceremony where the couple has chosen to exchange wedding rings. Not only must they present the rings to the bride and groom during the ceremony, but they must also ensure that the rings arrive safely on the day, which is a big responsibility, as wedding rings are usually expensive!
Whether you choose stunning fully set diamond wedding rings, such as https://www.comparethediamond.com/wedding-rings/fully-set-diamond-wedding-rings/ or classic simple gold bands, ensuring that the rings arrive safely at the ceremony is one of the most important parts of the wedding.
Traditionally, a page boy would play the part of the ring bearer. However, as they are usually young children, some couples prefer to trust the Best Man with their precious wedding bands until the ceremony. Sometimes, the couple may have a special someone in mind to do the job of ring bearer, leaving the Best Man free for other duties. This may be a brother, a friend, the couple’s own child or even their pet dog! What could be more fun for animal lovers than including their own furry friend in their special day?
Before the big day, it is advised to make sure that whoever has been chosen as a ring bearer is aware of their responsibilities during the ceremony. Remember to run through any special instructions, decide how your rings will be presented and most of all – that they are going to be safe and looked after until you say, “I do”!
