A ring warming ceremony during an Irish wedding is typically performed in lieu of a unity candle ceremony. A ring warming ceremony is an endearing way to include the bride and grooms friends and family in their beautiful nuptials.

A ring warming ceremony involves passing your wedding rings around to your wedding guests to have them give their "Irish" blessings, prayers, and warm thoughts of good luck for your marriage.

The origins of the ceremony can be traced back to Ireland, where the bride and the groom have guests pass their wedding rings around to give a blessing, prayer, or wish to the couple with it before they exchange their vows.

What is a ring warming ceremony?

An Irish wedding ring warming ceremony is exactly what it sounds like. The ring warming is a tradition that involves literally passing around those costly and precious Celtic wedding bands to each trusted guest to actually be warmed. The precious metal wedding bands are in their hands on warmed by their touch and warm thoughts of encouragement.

Traditional Ring Warming Ceremony Steps

Step 1: Take your Celtic wedding rings and tie them together with a beautiful piece of ribbon and secure them inside a decorated box or onto a bridal cushion. You ca really get creative and maybe add some fresh shamrocks or use some Irish lace as decoration.

Step 2: Just before the bride and groom make their final exchange during the ceremony the wedding officiant will announce to your guests that the ring ceremony with brief instructions is beginning and the wedding rings are going to be passed around to each guest. Make sure to assign someone special; to assist in seeing the rings move swiftly and loving among the quests.

Step 3: Music should be played while the rings are making the rounds among the quest. Remember the music tempo will help set the pace. Have each guest hold the rings for a few seconds and make a quick wish for success and pass them.

Step 4: When all your guests have sufficiently warmed your wedding bands that special designated ring assistant should promptly see that the precious bands make their way back to the couple or the best man.

A ring warming ceremony is an enduring way to include your guest in you wedding however its probably best performed for smaller wedding gatherings as it could take up significant time.

Ring warming ceremony ideas for large weddings

For large weddings with a hundred or more guests a traditional Irish ring warming ceremony can take up a substantially amount of time. Time couples aren't often afford during an extremely busy day.

A fun alternative to passing your wedding rings around to each guest tie your wedding rings to a piece of decorative ribbon, maybe embellished with a sprig of shamrocks and leave them displayed on a table maybe on a piece of Irish lace towards the entrance of your reception area before the wedding ceremony with a trusted guardian of the rings of course. Place a sign or a isle on the table instructing your wedding guests to hold or warm the rings in their hands for a moment and make a wish for you both. Kindly ask your guardian of the rings to see they get back to the best man before the ceremony begins.