As the ones who safeguard and present the wedding rings—a symbol of the couple’s commitment to one another—ring bearers have a tremendous responsibility during the ceremony. And though tradition dictates that they secure the pair’s baubles on a pillow, more and more modern couples are rethinking these younger wedding party members’ entrances. For instance, ring bearers are now holding other items, like signs, as they walk down the aisle. “The purpose of these signs could be to announce the bride, convey a message, be a decorative element, or solely provide entertainment,” planner Courtney Drake explains.
There are so many different ways to design these decorations: The tone, whether it’s more humorous or sentimental, and the wording itself, such as an announcement or a message of gratitude, are some of the best ways to produce your desired impact. You can also use these details to reinforce your aesthetic and tie your palette together, depending on the typeface, color, and material you choose. While the conventional route is opting for a handheld paper sign, the opportunities to flex your creative muscles are endless. “Signs can be displayed on shirts, suit jackets, wagons, cars, or animals,” Drake offers as examples.
Meet the Expert
Courtney Drake is the owner, principal planner, and executive producer of Drake Social, a full-service wedding planning company in Atlanta, Georgia, and Santa Barbara, California.
To select the right ring bearer sign for your big day, Drake suggests taking your style and budget into account, plus the available customization options. If you’re wondering where to purchase these items, the planner recommends starting with your stationery designer to maintain cohesion, but you can also browse Etsy, Amazon, and local stores, or even design one yourself.
Looking for more inspiration? Here are 20 adorable ring bearer sign ideas to get you started.
15 Unique Alternatives to the Traditional Ring Bearer Pillow
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Announce the Bride’s Arrival
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One of the most common uses for ring bearer signs is to introduce the bride. If you’re a traditionalist or you’re throwing a classic wedding, simple wording, like “Here comes the bride,” will effectively get your message across. For those who want a bit more personality, add the name of the bride or groom or write the memo from the ring bearer’s point of view, such as the one shown here: “Michael…Here comes your bride.”
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Embrace Humor
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Want the room to roar with laughter? Infuse your ring bearer’s sign with some humor. If you and your partner don’t take yourselves too seriously and your wedding has a lighthearted nature, then comedy is the way to go. A declaration, like “Ladies, I’m available for a dance later,” will surely make your guests chuckle.
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Tease the Bride
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Another option for a funny ring bearer sign idea is poking fun at yourself. Choosing a self-deprecating joke is even more appealing when it comes from your ring bearer. If you’re chronically late, consider writing a statement, such as “For once, she’s on time!” You can also follow it up with a more traditional announcement, like “Here comes the bride.”
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Use It as Decoration
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Maybe your sign isn’t the most impressive component of your ring bearer’s entrance, and, instead, you decide to use it as a supporting element. If your ring bearer is transported down the aisle via a wagon or another vehicle, you can hang the piece of signage from the front as a decoration—while it also serves its primary purpose. This paper sign with a neutral font color accentuates the greenery at this nature-focused wedding.
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Make It Conversational
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To imbue the sign with personality, write the message as if your ring bearer is the one who’s transmitting it. At this duo’s industrial warehouse nuptials in Atlanta, the ring bearer carried a plaque that said, “Uncle B, here comes your girl.” With the inclusion of a nickname and a playful reference to the bride, the sign became sentimental and personal.
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Include Multiple Messages
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If you have multiple ring bearers (even twins!), you can use signs to string coordinating phrases together. Shown here, one brother holds a board, marked with “Here comes the bride,” while the other finishes the sentence by carrying one that says, “For once she’s on time!” Interrelated notes are a clever way to connect the group.
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Imbue Romance
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For romantic aesthetics or for celebrations where you simply want to capture the purpose of the occasion—love—consider a heart-shaped sign instead of the expected rectangle or square. Then, complete the sentiment by trimming the plaque with ribbon and intricate cursive.
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Add a Pop of Color
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A plain white sign is a classic choice, but you can also use yours to project your color palette. For a subdued touch, suspend your signage from a vibrant ribbon, like this baby blue one. If you want a bolder splash, choose a bright base or font color.
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Think Outside the Box
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Instead of the standard piece of paper, choosing an alternate material will set your ring bearer signs apart and leave a lasting impression on your guests. Engraving your words—even something as simple as “Here comes the bride”—on oversized balloons will embed your service with a playful, youthful flair.
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Choose a Multi-Purpose Item
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To really maximize the purpose of your ring bearer sign, look to it for a couple of related functions. At their garden-themed nuptials in Baltimore, this couple dressed their ring bearers in “security guard” uniforms and gave them lockboxes to “secure” the wedding rings. Not only did those briefcases contain the sparklers, but they also served as signage, which provided more information about their role.
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Identify Your Relationship
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If your ring bearer is your nephew, try using nicknames to denote your relationship. This sign says, “Here comes my Aunt Sassy,” reflecting the special bond the young wedding party member has with his aunt and making the words even more touching.
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Share Positivity
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Ring bearer signs can also set the mood by instilling positivity. “Blessed” and “All you need is love” are sayings that will demonstrate your feelings about one another and reflect your excitement for the future.
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Opt for a Rustic Look
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The type of sign you select can build upon your aesthetic. For rustic fêtes, a wooden board with hand-drawn wording will evoke a homey, laid-back feel. Affixing the signage with a burlap ribbon will really drive your theme home.
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Consider a Banner
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If you want to forgo the traditional paper sign, but something elaborate seems out of reach, settle for a banner. Featuring the message on a hanging piece of fabric will look new and fresh without being unreasonable to pull off. For those with more than one ring bearer, this option allows the group to collaborate.
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Wave a Flag
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Like banners, flags are another practical yet unique ring bearer sign idea. Inscribing your declaration on this object and having your ring bearer wave it around as he makes his descent will bring spirit, whimsy, and cheerfulness to any wedding ceremony. Bonus points if you adorn yours with colorful streamers.
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Match Your Color Palette
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Just like your ring bearer signs can supplement your theme, they can also help round off your color palette. This couple’s rustic wedding at a farm in Virginia featured a red-and-blue color scheme, so the bride and groom chose white signs with bold red writing. That ruby hue matched the flower girls’ dresses and flower crowns, creating a put-together and uniform look.
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Build Suspense
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When ring bearer signs trick the couple, the prank becomes increasingly more amusing. For example, one of your signs could joke that the ring bearer has misplaced the most valuable object at the ceremony by saying, “Has anyone seen the rings?” The question will definitely generate laughter from your guests.
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Go the DIY Route
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While you can certainly purchase your ring bearer sign from an online shop or in-person retailer, you can also make your own. Handwriting your proclamation on a mini chalkboard doesn’t require much artistic expertise, and the project might be a fun creative expression for you. This idea is best suited for laid-back, no-frills ceremonies.
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Give It a Botanical Feel
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If you’re organizing a botanical wedding, your sign can set the scene. For example, have your ring bearer sit in a wagon, decorated with greenery, and place a green sign with white lettering and a scalloped border on the back to fortify your theme.
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Look to Lucite
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With its transparent surface, a lucite ring bearer sign (like the one pictured here from this winter affair at Ebell Long Beach, California) not only looks sleek and contemporary, but it also allows the words to have a more pronounced effect. If your wedding is modern or minimalist, acrylic is a strong contender for your signage material.
