The tradition of having small children in a bridal party is one that many of us love to watch. The ring bearer and flower girl often steal the ceremony show before the bride makes her grand entrance down the aisle. Where did this wedding tradition of having a small child carry the wedding rings down the aisle begin?
Ring bearers are usually relatives or close friends of the couple getting married and typically are under the age of 10. Having a child carry the wedding rings down the aisle symbolizes innocence and a new future for the bride and groom. As with most wedding traditions, the roots are not necessarily clear. In Ancient Egypt, many weddings included valuable jewels being carried on a pillow during the wedding. In old-world Europe, a bride’s wedding ring was often given to her on the tip of a sword during the ceremony.
Photo Credit: Ruffled
Including children in a wedding ceremony seems to be a tradition that many cultures around the world have partaken in throughout the years. In today’s world, ring bearers are usually young boys. Many weddings have babies or pets as ring bearers. The children usually dress like the groom and groomsmen. Modern ring bearers don’t always have to carry the wedding rings down the aisle. Many couples choose to have them carry an alternative item, such as a sign or a box with fake rings down the aisle.
We love learning about wedding traditions. You can read about more traditions on our blog here.
