There are times when suddenly a couple realize that the wedding rings haven’t made it to the ceremony. My personal story features my oldest nephew who needed to ask his Auntie to drive back to his house in a snow storm to get the rings.
I even carry a simple set of rings in my wedding supplies, just in case a simliar situation should arise. I’ve yet to need to use them but they go to each wedding I officiate just in case.
And the rings that I am privileged to hold in my hand briefly as I bless them, before they are exchanged, are a full plethora of styles. I’ve held all types of rings, all as unique as the couple who will wear them. One groom had given the bride a candy ring when he asked her to marry him, and she returned the favor on their wedding day.
The size or type or source of the rings exchanged is not important, it is the sentiment in which they are given. I kept my “engagement” cigar band in a special place even though my diamond engagement band was much more appealing. Many exchange family heirloom rings which help carry on family traditions.
Some couples have not included rings in their ceremony because they were not available, as one couple needed to do a legal,ceremony in Arizona before returning to Pennsylvania the next week for their large, formal wedding (where they would have had to be in residence for two months) to obtain a marriage license there. Their rings were already in PA. Or in cases where rings are not allowed during the ceremony as has been the case for a few weddings I have officiated in prisons.
Rings are a traditional and beautiful symbol of marriage – but they are definitely not required. Often times, one or both members of the couple have worn rings from the time they were engaged and these rings will now be blessed and given the charge to now serve as wedding rings before they are re-exchanged in ceremony.
Some couples choose to display other symbols of their union including tattoos,
Whatever you decide to use as a public symbol of your union, we can include and acknowledge it within your ceremony.