Are you looking for an interesting inclusion into your wedding ceremony?
Weddings are of course a celebration of love, unity, and the promise of a lifetime together. While the exchange of rings is a time-honored tradition, I have seen that this beautiful and meaningful ritual gaining popularity in recent years. So why not focus a little more attention on the wedding rings?
popularity
Quite recently, I have had the privilege of adding a ring warming ceremony to a number of wedding ceremonies and they were very well received by guests and provided additional enjoyment to the couple. In this blog post, we’ll explore the significance of this heartwarming tradition, its origins, and how you can incorporate it into your own wedding ceremony.
description of a ring warming ceremony
The Ring Warming Ceremony is a symbolic and inclusive ritual that invites all the guests to participate in the couple’s union by blessing their wedding rings with their well-wishes, love, prayers, wisdom and positive energy. This beautiful tradition allows friends and family to play an active role in the wedding ceremony and imbues the rings with the warmth of their collective love and support.
Origins of the Ring Warming Ceremony
While the Ring Warming Ceremony isn’t as ancient as some other wedding traditions, it has gained popularity over the past few decades, particularly in non-traditional and multicultural weddings. Its origins are somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have evolved from a variety of cultural and spiritual practices, including Native American, Irish, and Jewish customs.
How Does the Ring Warming Ceremony Work?
The Ring Warming Ceremony is a relatively simple yet profoundly meaningful addition to your wedding ceremony. Here’s a guide on how to incorporate it:
- Preparing the Rings: Before the ceremony begins, the wedding rings are placed securely in a small container, tied to a ring pillow or simply tied together with ribbon or cloth. The individual that is responsible for the rings at the ceremony and would start off the process (best man, best woman, etc.!)
- Informing Guests: Let your guests know about the Ring Warming Ceremony in advance. I usually provide a brief explanation at the start of the ceremony as to what is going to happen, the symbolism and how the passing of the rings will work.
- Passing the Rings: Guests can do this by passing the rings around, holding the rings briefly, making a silent wish or offering a blessing for the couple. For very small ceremonies it is sometimes requested and appropriate to pause the ceremony and allow each guest to say their silent good wishes or blessing of the rings out loud so that the couple will hear those meaningful words. That would not work for larger ceremonies of course because of time constraints.
- Ring Exchange: Once the rings have been warmed and imbued with the well wishes of your guests, they are returned to the best man or best women, then to me to be used for the ring exchange. As you place the rings on each other’s fingers, they will not only be a gift from you to your new spouse, but they will also contain the good wishes, love, support and wisdom of your family and friends in attendance at the ceremony.
The Significance of the Ring Warming Ceremony
The Ring Warming Ceremony serves as a powerful reminder that your marriage is not just a union between two people but a joining of two families and communities. It emphasizes the importance of love, support, and positive energy in the journey of marriage. By involving your guests in this beautiful tradition, you create a lasting connection between them and your marriage, ensuring that their love and well-wishes will always be with you.
For more information on ring warmings, please contact me.