what do we say when we exchange rings in a wedding ceremony?
So you might be thinking, what words do we have to say when we exchange our rings in our wedding ceremony? The answer is - whatever you want to say! There is nothing legal about the ring exchange, so that means that we can do whatever you like (and no, we don't have to say that thing about rings having no beginning and no end, like your love....)
I know that hearing that there are no rules can actually be more overwhelming that being told that you MUST do things a certain way, so I have rounded up some of my favourite options for what to say while you exchange your rings, to get you thinking about some options that might work for you
Sally and Rhys at the Post Office Hotel, saying their Ninja Vows as they exchange their rings
Image Credit: Nikki McCrone Photography
#1 NINJA VOWS:
The couple in this photo said their Ninja Vows while they exchanged their rings (check out my instagram for evidnce of Rhys breaking these ninja vows about twenty minutes later in their portrait session!)
So the couple said, "With this ring I promise to..." and then read the 5 ninja vows that their partner had written for them. It was lighthearted, fun and absolutely represented them as a couple.
#2. LEGAL VOWS:
To be legally married, you both must say the one line legal vows, and this is the moment you are legally married! Some couples choose to exchange their rings as they say these words, so the ring is sealing the deal as they say the words that make them legally married!
#3. SAY I DO:
Saying 'I Do' is another pat of the ceremony that is not actually legally required, but if you choose to include then I will write some custom I Do statements for you to say 'I Do' to, and there is no reason why this can't also be the moment where you exchange your rings.
#4. REPEAT AFTER ME:
This is a more traditional style(although the words can be whatever you would like them to be!). I would say something like "With this ring I promise to..." and you would repeat the sentence after me.
For my couples, I don’t use standard wording here. I will take inspiration from getting to know them, and give them some options to choose from that reflect who they are as a couple.
#5. I TALK, YOU DO THE RINGS:
Don't feel like talking while you slide the ring on? I can speak through this section with some words that are reflective of the two of you as a couple, while you exchange your rings.
These are just a few ideas of how we can approach the ring exchange! This is something I work with all of my couples on during our planning meeting, to create a structure and flow to your ceremony that works for you
