How to Dress the Ring Bearer
The question of how to dress your ring bearer is difficult, because young children are not typically comfortable in formal wear. Additionally, it may be hard to balance your own tastes against tradition. In general, however, the bride should follow her instincts
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Instructions
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Choose your ring bearer. Appropriate attire depends on who your ring bearer is, how many ring bearers you have, their ages and their genders. The traditional choice is one or more young male relatives between the ages of 4 and 8. If you have plentiful young female relatives, though, it is fine to have a young girl take on this duty.
Children younger than 4 may be confused or overwhelmed by the task of ring bearer, as well as uncomfortable in formal dress, so it is not recommended that you choose someone younger than this. Children older than 8 may make fine ring bearers, as they are likely more accustomed to formal wear than younger children.
Teenagers will probably want to be bridesmaids, ushers or groomsmen. -
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Dress your ring bearer. Options include asking the parents to dress the ring bearer. After explaining your theme and color scheme to the parents, they can select appropriate, comfortable formal wear--after all, they know best what the child will tolerate. The classic option, as described by Emily Post, is to dress the young male ring bearer in short pants with an Eton jacket, preferably white but occasionally navy. She says that dressing the ring bearer similarly to the ushers is in poor taste. But this advice may be somewhat outdated. If you are having a very formal wedding, it is fine to dress your ring bearer in a tuxedo or suit similar to what the other male members of the wedding party are wearing.
Other options for male ring bearer include short suits, sailor suits and velvet suits. Popular colors include hunter green and navy. White knee socks are traditional if the suit has short pants. If the other male members of the party are wearing neckties, the ring bearer should wear one, as well. Neckwear is usually coordinated with the bride's colors.
If your ring bearer is female, you may dress her in a white or navy dress or in a miniature edition of what your bridesmaids are wearing. -
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Select your ring pillow. The pillow is the ring bearer's most important accessory. It may be matched to his suit or to the bridal party's colors. Traditional ring pillows are cream or white and are made from satin or silk. You might choose to sew the ring pillow with thread that is the same color as the ring bearer's suit or dress.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure that your ring bearer's footwear is comfortable. Otherwise, his fidgeting may distract from the ceremony.
