Ceremony Ritual: What is a Ring Warming?
Photographer: Brian David Photography | Venue: Greenpoint Loft | Officiant: Once Upon A Vow
Wedding ceremonies offer couples the incredible opportunity to create this intentional celebration among community rooted in love. If you’d like to include loved ones during your wedding ceremony, you may want to consider a ring warming, also known as a ring blessing for those of faith.
Ring warmings are a low-touch ceremonial element that makes a meaningful impact, especially for those included. A ring warming sounds a bit woo-woo for some, but in our world the ring warming is really more of an opportunity to uplift your chosen loved ones as they silently (and telepathically) send their warmest wishes and prayers for your married future together. We like to say that these heartfelt sentiments are infused in your wedding rings from that day forward.
Now, there are lots of ways to perform ring warmings. The most common that you may have heard of includes all your guests. The wedding rings are passed to each guests so that everyone has a opportunity to warm them with their well wishes. We personally don’t recommend this option for large weddings, especially after celebrating love during COVID.
Our preferred way to incorporate a ring warming into your wedding ceremony is to include a chosen few. Oftentimes, couples choose their parents, grandparents, siblings, children, or chosen family. We recommend six people or less in order to maintain intimacy. But how does a ring warming work?
Right before you exchange wedding rings, your wedding officiant will guide you in holding your wedding rings in the palm of one person’s hand while the other partner holds your hand. Imagine cupping your hand, palm facing up, with both rings in the center and your partner cupping your hand with theirs. From there, your officiant will welcome your chosen loved ones forward and lead them in putting one hand on top of yours.
Photographer: Brian David Photography | Venue: Greenpoint Loft | Officiant: Once Upon A Vow
From your guests’ perspective, this looks like a team huddle or a group hug. When all your hands are joined together, your wedding officiant will speak to the importance of the people you have chosen to include during this moment. From there, they will guide your loved ones and all your guests to channel all their positive energy and best wishes for your married future. This is where your officiant can describe the marriage you are building towards and the future you envision.
Some couples, especially those who are having an intimate microwedding in NYC or Boston, may want a more inclusive way to include all their loved ones. In these instances, your wedding officiant could ask your guests to hold hands with the person sitting or standing beside them during the ring blessing as a way of creating this intentional moment of interconnected energy. Or to simply ask everyone to be present with their thoughts for your marriage.
Besides the touching photos you’ll have from this moment, the ring warming will be a significant reminder to hold those you love closely and appreciate one another consistently. We believe in the power of community and that, as a collective, we can harness our love, joy, and positive sentiments to co-create a memory of joyful togetherness.
As fun and personal wedding officiants based in NYC, Boston, and its surrounding areas, we understand the importance of creating a wedding ceremony that reflects your love and genuinely connects with your loved ones. All of which will be part of the beautiful memories you’ll treasure for years on end. Will you include a ring warming or a ring blessing in your wedding ceremony?