A Traditional Ring Warming Ceremony in 4 Simple Steps

One of our favorite, time honoured Irish wedding traditions is that of “Ring Warming”. This is a beautiful way to begin your wedding ceremony the gets all of your loved ones involved. This long standing Irish tradition has been growing in popularity of late, both here in Ireland and farther afield, with many couples choosing to incorporate it into their ceremony. Although simple, the result can be pretty special.

What is a ring warming?

First things first, what is Ring Warming? As the name suggests this ceremony involves literally warming the metal of the rings you will exchange with your vows. Your wedding rings are passed between each of your guests, with them literally “warming” them with the hands and perhaps metaphorically warming them with their well wishes as they do so. Depending on this size of the gathering getting the rings through everyone's hands can take some time. So this ritual is typically started at the beginning of the ceremony.

How to incorporate a ring warming in your own ceremony?

Step 1. Let your wedding officiant know that you want to incorperate a ring warming in your ceremony so you can work together to build in time for that element and discuss how it will work on the day. The officiant will inform your guests that the rings are going to be passed around to each member of the congregation in what is known as a “ring warming ceremony”. Your wedding officiant will further explain the next steps to your congregation.

Step 2. To make sure they wont be dropped or damaged, rings in a ring warming are often secured together with a ribbon, passed in a box or fixed on a cushion. This step is something many do for their ceremony if they are planning on having someone present the rings so there is no need to double up and the same item can be used for both!

Step 3. Each guest will be asked to hold your rings for a moment and make a silent wish for you, your marriage and the years that are to follow this special day. Music can be played while the rings begin their tour around your group to create ambience.If it is a large group this can continue though other elements of the ceremony.

Step 4. After the rings have been passed to the final member of the congregation, they will be returned to the couple either by the officiant or the best man or woman for use when saying the vows.

The whole idea of a “Ring Warming Ceremony” is that your wedding rings have been “warmed” forever by the well wishes and love of each guest. This is an extremely personal way to get your guests involved in not only your wedding reception but in the ceremony itself.

If that all sounds like a lot of work or if you have a very large group at your ceremony and it wouldn't be practical to passs the rings, you can also warm them before the ceremony. Just again secure your wedding rings to a piece of ribbon, cushion or box, and have them at a table near the entrance to your ceremony area while guests are making their way in to take their seats. Place a sign on the table instructing guests to hold the rings in their hands for a moment and make a wish for you both with your best man or woman on hand to make sure things keep moving. Then they can keep them safe and have them ready for when it’s time to start the ceremony!