As wedding officiants, we often get asked, "Who holds the rings at the wedding?" or “Where do I wear my engagement ring?”. These might seem like tiny elements, but they can make all the difference and bring out the real magic of your special moment.

How Should You Wear Your Engagement Ring on Your Wedding Day?

How to wear your engagement ring on your big day and when it comes to jewelry styling are up to you, but you might want to consider a few popular options.

One option is to wear your engagement ring on your opposite hand. Traditionally, the wedding band is worn first as a symbol of the new bond, stacked with the engagement ring that was given first. Also, this works if you have a contoured set (your engagement ring fits in the wedding band). If you opt for this traditional ring styling, you could move your engagement ring to your right hand during the ceremony and switch it back after.

Another option is to keep the engagement ring on your left ring finger. Some people prefer keeping things simple and maintaining the order in which the rings were given. If that's how you feel, then go ahead and keep your engagement ring on your left-hand finger during the ceremony. At the end of the day, the decision is yours to make. Choose whichever option feels most comfortable to you!

So, Who Holds the Rings?

When choosing who will be in charge of holding your wedding rings during the ceremony, there aren't any specific etiquette rules. But, as a couple, both of you must choose someone you can fully trust. There are several options for the designated person to hold your precious jewelry.

Ring Bearers

If you've got little ones as ring bearers who will carry your wedding rings, you might want to consider having a couple of ‘stunt rings’, plastic rings that can rest on a pillow or in a suitcase while they walk down the aisle, while a responsible adult holds the real rings. But, don't worry; the cuties will still get plenty of attention and love as they walk down the aisle before you!

Best Man and Maid of Honor

Traditionally, it's the best man that's in charge of holding both rings in one box during the ceremony. However, you're free to choose whoever you feel most comfortable entrusting your rings with, including the maid of honor (if her dress has pockets!) or another reliable member of your wedding party. After all, they'll stand by your side as you exchange your rings.

Officiant

Alternatively, you could opt to have your officiant keep your rings safe. They'll be leading the ceremony, so it's a logical choice. But, ask them first; since they can be holding their ceremony book and microphone, perhaps a table to set the rings next to the altar would be a great choice.

Special Family or Friend

If you'd rather give your rings to close family members, like your parents or siblings, you can do that too. This especially works if you want to honor a special family member and have them participate in the ceremony. The most important thing is to choose someone reliable and trustworthy who's not likely to lose your prized possessions.

You could also opt to hold onto the rings yourselves, either in a small pouch or box that you keep with you until the ceremony begins. This is a great option if you don't have a wedding party or if you prefer to keep the rings close to you until the moment you exchange them.

Whether it's the best man, maid of honor, a ring bearer, or yourselves, the rings must be safely in someone's hands until it's time for the exchange. And remember, if you haven’t booked your wedding Officiant, we're just a phone call or email away. So, schedule a virtual meeting with us today, and let's start planning your dream wedding ceremony together!