Are you searching for the best ring bearer outfit? When it comes to wedding attire, the bride and groom typically take center stage. However, other bridal party members, including ring bearers, must look their best on the big day. Ring bearer outfits can be challenging to choose from since they need to be stylish and comfortable.
Some big questions come up when planning a wedding, but we’ll answer all your ring bearer questions and even give you some ideas on how to dress your little ring bearer!
What is a Ring Bearer?
The ring bearer is a member of the wedding party, typically a young boy, who carries the rings down the aisle. He may walk alone or accompany one or two flower girls.
The ring bearer’s job is to ensure the rings arrive safely at the altar so they can be placed on the bride’s and groom‘s fingers during the ceremony.
Does a Ring Bearer Have to Carry the Rings?
There’s no reason the ring bearer has to carry the rings. Especially with the gold and diamond markets right now, it might be a good idea to have an adult take the rings instead.
Some couples choose to have the ring bearer carry a sign with the words “here comes the bride,” “it’s not too late to run,” or “hurry up, I want cake.” Others simply have the ring bearer carry a pillow with the rings tied to it.
If you want your ring bearer to carry the rings, you might want to consider fake rings. That way, you’re not out a fortune if he loses them.
Should a Ring Bearer Carry a Pillow?
Whether or not to have the ring bearer carry a pillow is entirely up to you. If you want him to take a pillow, there are plenty of ways to make it happen. You can buy a unique ring bearer pillow or have one made by a family member or friend.
You can also have the rings carried in a closed box engraved with your name and wedding date to have a special keepsake from your wedding.
If you and your partner are book enthusiasts, you can also have the rings put in a hollowed-out book and have your ring bearer carry it. Plenty of pillow alternatives can be used to make the small details of your wedding all about you.
If you decide not to have the ring bearer carry the rings, there are other things your ring bearer can hold while walking down the aisle to give them a feeling of purpose. Here are some other ideas on what they can carry:
- Signs with fun sayings
- Photos of the couple
- Bluetooth speakers playing music
- Pulling a wagon with flower girls
- A briefcase full of rings pops
- Blow bubbles
- Dog leash to walk the dog down the aisle
Choosing a Ring Bearer
Forget what you’ve been told about who should take on the role of a ring bearer. While technic, a ring bearer should be a young boy who is old enough to walk and responsible enough to carry the rings safely down the aisle, that doesn’t mean you can’t pick just about anyone to do it.
The best way to choose a ring bearer is to pick someone who you know will be excited about the role and up for the task, no matter his age.
If you’re stumped on who to ask, here are a few ideas:
- Children
- Siblings
- Fun uncles
- Grandparents
- Your dog
Your ring bearer doesn’t even need to have the responsibility of carrying the rings down the aisle. Give the rings to your maid of honor or best man and have them look after the rings for the morning until you exchange your vows and place your wedding bands on each other’s fingers.
Paying for a Ring Bearer Outfit
If you’re wondering who pays for a ring bearer outfit, the answer is typically the child’s parents. However, if you’re asking an adult to take on the role of ring bearer, it’s more than likely that they will already have an outfit that meets your wedding day dress code.
This doesn’t mean the child’s parent has to pay for the outfit. As the bride and groom, you can choose to pay for the outfit as a gift for the ring bearer or to take the financial load off of the kid’s parents.
Please sit down and chat with the ring bearer’s parents before asking them to be part of their special day. There may be times when the parents are fully capable of buying a new outfit to use once or twice before their kid grows out of it, or it might not be something they can budget for.
At that point, it’s up to you to decide; do you want to exclude the ring bearer from your wedding party because they can’t afford an outfit, or do you want to cover the cost of the outfit as a gesture of goodwill? Neither answer is wrong, but it is a conversation you should have before asking not to get the kid excited about something that can’t happen.
What Should a Ring Bearer Wear?
Now that you know who will be taking on the role of ring bearer, it’s time to start thinking about what they should wear. The good news is that there are no hard and fast rules regarding ring bearer attire. However, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing an outfit for your little guy.
The first thing to consider is the formality of your wedding. Is it a black tie affair or a more casual celebration? The ring bearer’s outfit should match the formality of the wedding.
For example, if you’re having a black tie affair, the ring bearer might wear a miniature tuxedo or suit. He might wear a nice pair of khaki pants and a button-down shirt if you’re having a more casual wedding.
You’ll also want to consider the season of your wedding when choosing a ring bearer outfit. A cozy sweater or wool coat might be in order if you’re having a winter wedding. A linen suit or seersucker pants would be more appropriate for a summer wedding.
What Color Should a Ring Bearer Wear?
When it comes to color, anything goes! You can choose to dress your ring bearer in a coordinated outfit that matches the rest of the wedding party, or you can let him stand out in a bolder hue.
Traditionally, ring bearers wear a darker color like black or navy. The suits they wear are also usually made of velvet or satin. The times have changed, and what is considered appropriate wedding attire for a ring bearer has changed too.
Ring Bearer Outfit Ideas
If you already have enough wedding outfits to worry about, don’t add a ring bearer outfit to your list of stresses. We have a bunch of ring bearer outfit ideas for you right here.
Warm Weather
If you’re getting married in the summer, or you live somewhere it’s warm year-round, consider keeping your ring bearer at a comfortable temperature by getting or requesting a ring bearer outfit like this one. All you need is a nice pair of shorts, a button-up short sleeve shirt, a cute little bow tie, and a couple of suspenders. Pair this outfit with a nice pair of sandals or shoes the kid already has, and you’re set.
Cold Weather outfit for the ring bearer
If you’re getting married somewhere cold or wintertime, consider an outfit like this to keep your ring bearer warm. Same idea, just warmer with a pair of pants, a long sleeve button-up shirt, a bow tie, and a couple of suspenders. Sandals might not be the look you’re going for with this outfit, so a new pair of shoes might need to be added to your cart before you checkout.
Full Suit
For a more polished look, check out this full suit. All the ring bearer will need is a pair of shoes! This set takes care of the pants, the shirt, the vest, the jacket, and the tie.
Tuxedo outfit for the ring bearer
If you want your ring bearer dressed for the job, set them up in a tuxedo. This set comes with pants, a shirt, a jacket, and a bow tie.
Colored ring bearer outfit
Add a little fun for your ring bearer and have him in a fun color! This can match the bridesmaids‘ dresses or the groomsmen’s suits, but by dressing them in wedding colors, your ring bearer will feel like they are playing a more significant role.
Dapper
For all those little fashionistas who love dressing up, a fun-colored suit with a fun inner lining in the jacket will allow them to stand out. This set comes with pants, a shirt, a vest, a jacket, and a bowtie! This is also a great way to add a pop of color to your wedding photos.
Baby ring bearer outfits
Age isn’t much of a factor anymore when choosing a ring bearer, but if you decide on someone’s newborn baby, they might not be able to wear the same outfits as the other ring bearers. This set comes with a bodysuit, pants, and the cutest waistcoat.
Dress Shirt and Pants
If you want to keep things simple, wear a pair of dress pants and a shirt. You can add a belt for a little extra flair if you’d like, but there’s nothing wrong with simple. Who knows, your ring bearer might already have dress pants and a dress shirt in their closet at home, and you or the parents might be able to save on a ring bearer outfit if this is the way you want to go.
Fun Shirt
If your wedding isn’t formal, and you want to have fun with your ring bearer, consider a shirt like this. This could also be an option for a baby, teen, or fun uncle who wants the reception to start.
Ring Bearer Dog Collar
Yes, dogs were mentioned on the list of who you could ask to be a ring bearer. While your pup might not need to be asked, they should still get dressed. This collar makes it easy for them to carry the rings down the aisle. Simply attach them to the ribbon and put the collar on your dog, and you’re good to go.
Accessories for the ring bearer
Being a ring bearer is a vital role in the wedding. The rings must be monitored the entire morning before the wedding so nobody takes them, they have to make it safely down the aisle without being dropped, and they have to be handed off to the bride and groom without any issues.
They’ve dressed the part but should also be accessorized to look the part. This ring bearer kit includes a briefcase to hold the rings, a pair of glasses, and a fake earpiece with a clip to sell the “ring security” look.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the proper ring bearer and ring bearer outfit can be a daunting task, but with this guide, you should be able to find the proper ring bearer and something perfect for them to wear. Nothing about a ring bearer has to be traditional anymore, meaning you can have a young girl, a fun uncle, or a dog as your ring bearer, they can wear whatever you want them to wear, from a fun t-shirt to a full tuxedo, and they don’t even need to carry the rings!
Remember, the most important thing is that your ring bearer knows you appreciate their role and how vital their role is to your big day. Have fun with it and make sure everyone enjoys themselves!