When it comes to weddings, there are a lot of decisions to make – from the dress and the venue to the flowers and the music. One of the most important decisions is who you’ll choose to be in your wedding party. Two popular choices for young members of the wedding party are the page boy and the ring bearer, but what exactly do these roles entail and what’s the difference between them?
The role of the page boy
Traditionally, a page boy was a young boy who assisted a knight in medieval times. Today, the role of the page boy at a wedding is to walk down the aisle, typically with the flower girl, and look adorable. They don’t typically have any specific responsibilities beyond that.
In modern weddings, page boys are usually between the ages of 4 and 8 and are often relatives of the bride or groom. They may be dressed in formal attire, such as a suit or tuxedo, or they might be dressed in a cute outfit that matches the wedding theme.
If you choose to have a page boy at your wedding, you might give them a small gift to thank them for being a part of your special day. Some popular gifts for page boys include engraved bracelets or cufflinks, a toy or game they can play with during the reception, or a small gift bag filled with treats like candy and stickers.
The role of the ring bearer
The role of the ring bearer is slightly more significant than that of the page boy. The ring bearer is responsible for carrying the wedding rings down the aisle and presenting them to the couple during the ceremony.
The tradition of having a ring bearer dates back to Ancient Egypt, where it was believed that the circle shape of a ring represented eternity and the never-ending love between a couple. Today, the ring bearer is usually a young boy between the ages of 4 and 8, but it could also be a girl or a dog, depending on the couple’s preference.
If you choose to have a ring bearer at your wedding, you might give them a special role to play beyond just carrying the rings down the aisle. For example, you might ask them to recite a poem or read a passage from a book before presenting the rings.
The difference between a page boy and a ring bearer
The main difference between a page boy and a ring bearer is their specific roles. While both typically walk down the aisle, the page boy doesn’t carry anything and is there to simply look cute and add to the atmosphere of the wedding. The ring bearer, on the other hand, has an important responsibility in carrying the wedding rings and presenting them to the couple during the ceremony.
Another difference between the two roles is the attire they wear. While a page boy may be dressed in a formal suit or tuxedo, a ring bearer is often dressed in a special outfit that matches the wedding theme and may even wear a signifier like a sash, flower, or lapel pin that distinguishes their role.
In summary
Choosing to have a page boy or a ring bearer – or both – at your wedding is a personal choice based on your individual preferences and the traditions that are important to you. While the two roles are similar in that they are typically held by young boys who walk down the aisle, their specific responsibilities, attire, and symbolic significance differ.
No matter who you choose to include in your wedding party, remember that the most important thing is to celebrate the love and commitment that you and your partner share.
FAQ
Can a page boy be a ring bearer?
Yes, a page boy can certainly be a ring bearer during a wedding ceremony. In fact, it is quite common for the youngest page boy in the wedding party to be given the role of ring bearer. While the role of a page boy is traditionally to carry the train of the bride’s dress or to hold a bouquet, the ring bearer role is seen as an additional task that a page boy can carry out if needed.
The task of a ring bearer is to walk down the aisle carrying the rings that will soon be exchanged by the bride and groom during the wedding ceremony. This is a significant role as the rings symbolize the couple’s commitment to each other, making it an important task that requires responsibility and attentiveness. While the role of ring bearer is sometimes given to a separate individual, using a page boy to perform this duty is a great way to involve the children in the wedding celebration and make them feel special.
It is worth noting that the role of ring bearer requires a level of maturity and reliability from the child chosen to carry out the duty. As such, it is important to choose a page boy who is old enough to understand the importance of the role and capable of carrying out the task without excessive supervision. Typically, a page boy between the ages of four and eight is considered an ideal candidate for this role.
A page boy can certainly be a ring bearer during a wedding ceremony. It is a task that is often given to the youngest page boy in the wedding party and serves as a way to involve the children in the wedding celebrations. However, it is important to choose a page boy who is mature enough to understand and carry out the duty of a ring bearer without excessive supervision.
What do page boys hold at wedding?
In a traditional wedding, page boys are typically tasked with carrying the train of the bride’s wedding dress. This is an important job, as it helps to ensure that the bride’s dress stays neat and clean as she walks down the aisle. The train is typically made of a long piece of material that flows out behind the bride as she walks, and can be quite heavy and cumbersome to manage. This is why page boys are typically chosen for this role, as they are young and strong enough to handle the weight of the train.
Depending on the size and complexity of the train, one or more page boys may be needed to carry it. They will typically walk in front of the bride, holding the train up off the ground so that it doesn’t drag behind her. Often, the train is attached to the back of the bride’s dress with hooks or buttons, making it easy for the page boys to hold on to.
In addition to carrying the train, page boys may also be asked to perform other duties during the wedding ceremony. For example, they may be tasked with carrying the rings down the aisle to the bride and groom, or holding a basket of petals that the flower girl will scatter as she walks. They may also be asked to help seat guests, hand out wedding programs, or perform other tasks as needed.
Page boys are typically chosen from among the family or friends of the bride and groom, and may be dressed in matching outfits to help them stand out and look the part. They are an important part of the wedding ceremony, helping to make sure that everything runs smoothly and that the bride looks her best as she walks down the aisle to join her groom.
What can a page boy carry down the aisle?
A page boy is a young male attendant who traditionally carries out several tasks during a wedding ceremony. One of the most important tasks that a page boy is entrusted with is carrying valuable items down the aisle. Traditionally, page boys were in charge of carrying the bride’s train down the aisle. However, with the evolution of modern weddings, the role of page boys has expanded, and they are now responsible for other significant tasks.
Most importantly, page boys are usually tasked with ensuring the safe arrival of the wedding rings at the altar. Rings are a critical component of a wedding ceremony, and their safe delivery to the altar is paramount. Page boys are usually responsible for holding the rings in a small cushion before carrying them down the aisle. They have to be extra careful with the rings because losing or dropping them can be catastrophic and spoil the ceremony. Additionally, the page boy may have to hand over the wedding rings to the best man or ring bearer, who will then be responsible for presenting them to the bride and groom during the exchange of vows.
In some cultures, page boys are also expected to carry other items, including flower baskets or a small bouquet of flowers. Flower baskets are usually carried down the aisle by page boys or flower girls, with petals scattered on the ground ahead of the bride. Flower baskets add a dash of color and beauty to the ceremony, and they also symbolize luck and fertility.
Page boys play an important role in wedding ceremonies, and their tasks may vary depending on different cultural and religious traditions. However, one thing is certain: the responsibility of a page boy is usually important and should be taken seriously. The success of a wedding ceremony often rests on the shoulder of these little attendants who have to carry valuable items down the aisle safely and efficiently.
