If you research the ring bearer tradition, you will come across information on Ancient Egypt and jewels being presented at weddings from ornamental pillows, to rings being presented to brides from the tips of swords during medieval times, to Victorian England where a young boy, “The Pageboy” had several duties……carrying the bride’s train, plus a prayer book, plus the rings.
The exchange of rings during a wedding ceremony is viewed as one of the most central elements, an important symbolic exchange between the bride and groom of commitment and love.
A decorative pillow with the rings secured/tied to the pillow (or a modern alternative) continues into modern times but the duties of the Pageboy, have changed somewhat.
Most ring bearers precede the bride as opposed to following, as the duty of carrying the bride’s train is not a ring bearer’s duty at modern weddings. The ring bearer carries the wedding rings on a decorative pillow and is usually a young boy, between 5 and 10 years old, who is paired with a flower girl of comparable age.
The wonderful choices and flexibility available to the modern bride, when choosing a ring bearer pillow, I believe, have contributed to keeping the tradition alive.
Ring bearer pillows can be chosen to compliment the bride’s gown, bridesmaids’ dresses, bouquets, flower girls’ dresses, wedding decorations, accessories worn by the groomsmen and ring bearer.
They can compliment a destination wedding.
Brides can also opt for something totally different.
Words of caution…. As the ring bearer is usually very young, the rings he is entrusted with are often not the “real ones” (which are often in the care of the first man). The wedding rehearsal should include the ring bearer, with his duties fully explained, to prevent stage fright at the crucial moment.
Here’s to keeping traditions alive…. in one form or another.
To shop the full range of silk ring bearer pillows shown, visit Lunar Silk
https://www.etsy.com/shop/LunarSilk?ref=hdr_shop_menu§ion_id=18596647
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