Ring bearers at weddings are also known as page boys so these two phrases can be used interchangeably. In some cases, couples choose have a ring bearer to make the job a customary procedure rather than a purposeful task. It has been accepted as a tradition to have a ring bearer carrying the ring cushion, and many couples like to implement this tradition into their wedding. However, instead of relying on a young child to carry the actual ring, fake rings can be sewn on to the ring cushion, while the best man or the maid of honour carries the real wedding rings.
Regarding the outfits of ring bearers, they sometimes wear the same outfits as the groomsmen. This creates a sense of unity and organisation at the wedding. However, if matching tuxedos to the groomsmen are unavailable or impractical, it is, of course, acceptable to dress the ring bearer or page boys in any formal attire of your choice. If you would like the page boy at your wedding to wear a tuxedo, it may be more cost effective and practical to simply hire one. This is purely because he may not wear the tuxedo again. Nevertheless, if you would like to purchase a tuxedo and keep it as a memento that is a viable idea too.
When deciding on the outfit that the ring bearer should wear at your wedding, you should definitely keep the theme of the wedding in mind. For instance, if you are having a classic wedding, perhaps you would like to opt for mini tuxedos for the ring bearer. Obviously, it is completely up to you if you decide that it would be more practical for the ring bearers to simply wear a boy’s formal suit as, if like many couples you choose to move away from the idea of a classic wedding, and decide on a vintage or outdoor wedding, tuxedos would not really be appropriate.
If you would like your wedding to be formal but not too formal, instead of choosing a tuxedo, perhaps a suit with a cravat and waistcoat would be more advisable. Cravats are very formal and traditional and so would maybe be more suitable for either traditional or regal weddings.
Furthermore, when selecting the page boy’s outfit, you should consider the weather of the day in mind. Of course, you probably will not be able to prophesize the exact temperature, but just consider the season that your wedding will be in. It will be much more comfortable for your chosen ring bearer if he is in the weather appropriate clothing. For instance, for winter weddings, you may decide to partner boys four piece suit consisting of a waistcoat, cravat, suit jacket and formal trousers with a boy’s shirt of your choice. Winter colours are dark colours, so for winter weddings consider navy, black, dull grey or even shiny dark grey suits. To brighten up the suits slightly, you can match the suits with brighter shirts. However, because plain and crisp white shirts create the sophisticated appearance that couples often like at their wedding, perhaps a tie, bow tie or cravat which matches the colour of the bridesmaids’ dresses would be more advisable. The matching tie, cravat or bow tie is subtle yet still as effective as a matching shirt. In fact, finding a tie to match the flower girls’ outfits is probably easier for the parents of the ring bearer than finding a shirt which matches the bridesmaids’ dresses perfectly.
However for a summer wedding you may like to omit the waistcoat and simply opt for a boys 2 piece suit accompanied by a cool shirt; this way the ring bearer can remove his jacket after he has carried out the procedure. However, on days which are not too warm in the summer, one option would be for the ring bearer to wear a waistcoat, shirt and trousers without a jacket. Summery colours for the waistcoats could be cerise pink, gold or blue, or even lilac.
For weddings in spring, many couples decide that they would like the ring bearer to wear baby pink, lilac or blue waistcoats with their suits, while in autumn, shirts of deep red and burgundy colours are much desired. For a beach wedding, you may decide to simply have the ring bearer wear a crisp yet cool white shirt accompanied by a pair of heat exuding beige formal trousers.
Finally, to complete the outfit, page boys’ suits can be partnered with a pair of formal shoes.
