How to Choose a Ring Bearer

You may find it difficult to choose a ring bearer for your wedding. Keep in mind that it's your wedding and weddings aren't always traditional. Even adults or pets could serve as a ring bearer. Don't worry about pleasing a relative because chances are there are so many children in your family you would have to have several ring bearers to please them all. Read on to learn how to choose a ring bearer.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Child, Pet or Adult?

1. Determine whether you want a traditional wedding or one more suited to your life.
2. Judge if you want to chance the possibility that your wedding could be ruined by a pet or child, or stay safe with an adult.
3. Think if you want to add the expense of a ring bearer's outfit or a tux for an adult to your budget, or if a ribbon on a pet would be more in your price range.
4. Contemplate if you wanted a cute photo of a little boy in a suit with a pillow, a photo of your favorite feline or pooch with you or the best man double-serving as ring bearer.

What's Their Age Again?

5. Take into account the ages of the children of family and friends. Unless all your friends and family are around the same ages, you should have a variety of ages to choose from.
6. Consider having your son serve as a ring bearer, especially if you are a parent getting married or remarried. Even a newborn can serve as a ring bearer.
7. Decide whether you want the traditional age, which is usually between two- and five-years-old, or if you want an older, more responsible child.
8. Keep in mind that the older the child, the more expensive the outfits and gifts for them will be.

Which Child Is Right?

9. Remember that just because your nephew, cousin, brother or best friend's son is adorable, that doesn't mean you have to use them as a ring bearer.
10. Know that it is OK to choose anyone you want. You do not have to cater to family members' or friends' wishes.
11. Be tactful when you turn down a child, and try to explain why you chose someone else in generic terms such as "I wanted an older child" or "We decided to have my son be the ring bearer."
12. Avoid choosing a ring bearer based on their cuteness. If anyone repeats what you say, you could end up damaging a rejected child's self-esteem.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to be tactful and not make the choice personal.
• Don't allow anyone to force you into a decision.