Buying Guide for Ring Bearer Pillows

Why buy a ring bearer pillow?

Ring bearer pillows tend to be quite beautiful, often white and lacy, to match the overall wedding decorations and appearance, but they also serve practical purposes. Since ring bearers are often such young children, they’re not the most coordinated or reliable members of the wedding party. The last thing you want them to do is lose or drop your wedding rings. A pillow is much larger and thus much easier for small hands to grip, and it gives kids a more secure place to hold the rings than in their hands or a pocket. Especially since ring bearer pillows tend to have some ties or other ways of securing the rings in place, they don’t fall off even if the pillow isn’t held perfectly parallel to the ground. Carrying rings up the aisle on a pillow also adds a more formal, ceremonial feel than having your best man or maid of honor carry the rings in their pocket for you.

What should you look for in a ring bearer pillow?

• Security: The most important function of a ring bearer pillow is to keep your rings safe, so be sure that any pillow you buy has a reliable way of securing them in place. Some sort of ribbon or other tie is most common. Some pillows come with a ring box or an insert similar to those found in a ring box. You may also want to keep an eye out for a pillow with an elastic strap that your ring bearer can slip around this wrist, just in case they lose their grip. This feature is handy for younger kids who don’t have as developed motor skills.
• Design: Do you want something traditional, white or ivory or cream, square-shaped and dolled up with lace and ribbons, maybe some faux pearls or beads or silk flowers? These are the easiest to find, but there are other vintage or more modern design options and creative alternatives to a ring bearer pillow. For instance, the pillow doesn’t have to be square or rectangular; it can be heart-shaped, flower-shaped, round, or any other shape. A pillow with a burlap or linen cover provides a more rustic look, or satin with no accents for something still elegant but more understated and simple, or have it monogrammed with you and your spouse-to-be’s initials. Or you can attach your ribbons to match the wedding colors and bridesmaids’ dresses if you so choose.
• Size: 8 by 8 inches is more or less the standard size for ring bearer pillows, though this may vary if you pick a pillow that isn’t square in shape. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, just what will be most commonly available. If your ring bearer is on the young side, three or four years old, you may want to opt for a slightly smaller pillow so it’s not too bulky for them to grip properly. However old your ring bearer is, though, you’ll definitely want a pillow that’s smaller than the average bed pillow—they’re too big and awkward to carry, and your rings will get lost in the shuffle.

What’s the best fabric for ring a bearer pillow?

Linen, silk, cotton, and polyester are all good choices since they’re strong fabrics that won’t rip or tear easily yet look attractive. Satin is definitely an option too, and it’ll look beautiful and shimmery, but keep in mind that its smoothness may work against it if the rings aren’t secured properly—it’s very easy for the rings to slide off such a slippery smooth material. Be sure you rings are fastened extra securely if you opt for a satin pillow. Lace and burlap are lovely aesthetic options too but they have the potential opposite problem. If the threads on either fabric come loose, they may get stuck to the rings and cause unraveling when the rings are lifted off. That’s not to say you can’t use a ring bearer pillow made from or decorated with either material—just have someone check the pillow for loose threads before your ring bearer walks down the aisle.

Our Picks for the Best Ring Bearer Pillows

Pros: This is a classic ring bearer pillow, from its color to its trimmings and accents to its size. If you want something a bit more understated or in a different size, there are three other purchasing options in different designs and sizes from which you can choose as well. Regardless, this pillow will come with a pretied ribbon with trailing ends to tie to the rings to hold them securely in place. There’s also a little slip at the bottom of the pillow for your ring bearer to slide his or her hands into as they’re carrying it up the aisle, for a more superior grip.

Cons: Though this ring bearer pillow is listed as being ivory in color, the actual color is more pure white than ivory.

Bottom Line: You can’t get much more classic than this pretty little ring bearer pillow. Between the standard size, lace edging, matte satin fabric, and secure ribbon with faux pearls, this ring bearer pillow won’t look out of place.

 

Pros: You’ll be hard-pressed to find another ring bearer pillow quite like this one. It’s heart-shaped rather than square or rectangular, and adorned with white satin roses as opposed to smooth fabric and lace. The assorted faux pearls, faux diamonds, white ribbon, and “love” charm help it to appear even more intricate and elaborate. Rather than using the ribbon to secure the rings, however, this pillow comes with a built-in ring box that features foam inserts with slots for the two rings underneath a clear plastic dome that keep the rings in place without hiding them away, unlike a usual ring box. And the entire pillow weighs in at just over 1.5 ounces, extremely lightweight so as not to tire even the youngest of ring bearers.

Cons: This ring bearer pillow doesn’t have the greatest grip in the world. The bottom is wider in shape and firmer than most, so it can’t be slipped around your ring bearer’s arm or wrist to hold it in place.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for something a bit fancier or more unique than a traditional square ring bearer pillow, this just might be the model for you. It’ll look like your ring bearer is carrying a bouquet rather than a pillow down the aisle, yet the built-in box and its clear dome ensure that the rings are both protected and easy to spot despite the intricacies of the pillow.

 

Pros: Not only do you get a cute, lacy, snow-white ring bearer pillow but a matching flower girl basket—both for the same price that a single pillow alone might cost you elsewhere. Not only does this save you money and time but it ensures that your flower girl and ring bearer and their accessories will match each other, which is especially ideal if they’re walking down the aisle at the same time. From the color to the lace patterns to the satin-like ribbons to the unique brooches, these handmade items are (quite literally) cut from the same cloth.

Cons: These two items come as a package; there’s no way to buy just the pillow.

Bottom Line: Everyone knows how expensive weddings can be, even the more minute or smaller details. Fortunately, this cute little ring bearer pillows helps to save you both time and money by giving you two key items for the price of one, and saving you the trouble of having to find a separate flower girl basket.

 

Pros: This ring bearer pillow is great for any wedding with a rustic, country, farmhouse, or vintage theme thanks to the burlap make and white ribbon and lace and burlap flower decorations; it’s a blend of traditional and casual. The ribbon belt is handy not just for aesthetic purposes but it gives you a spot to tie the rings to and the ring bearer a spot to slide their hand under for a more secure grip. You won’t have to add your own elastic band or addition for them to grasp.

Cons: Unfortunately there aren’t any alternate styles or designs to choose from. Also keep in mind that the combination of burlap and lace increases the risk of the rings snagging on loose threads.

Bottom Line: Rustic, farmhouse-style weddings are all the rage right now. If that’s the theme you’re going for, you’ll want to ensure that all your decorations and details will match your vision, which is where this lace and burlap ring bearer pillow comes in handy.

 

Pros: If you’re looking for a cute, unique, or creative alternative to a classic ring bearer pillow, you’ll love this “secret agent” kit. It comes with a briefcase labeled “ring security” for your ring bearer to carry up the aisle with the rings inside, plus sunglasses and a faux earpiece for them to wear. The letters on the case are large, clear, and defined so your guests should be able to read them no matter where they sit, and the child in question will likely get a huge kick out of pretending to be a secret agent or a security guard. They’ll get to use their imagination and their job will be more enjoyable. With the rings securely inside the briefcase, you won’t have to worry at all about them falling off a pillow and getting lost, either.

Cons: This isn’t the greatest option if you want your weddings rings to be on display, and there also isn’t a pillow inside, so the rings will be rattling around.

Bottom Line: Everyone will get a huge kick out of this “pillow” when your ring bearer walks down the aisle with it in tow. The ring bearer him or herself will enjoy the attention and the pretending to be a “secret agent” or “spy” on an important mission, while your guests will appreciate your creativity.

Final Thoughts

If you decide to have a ring bearer at your wedding, a beautiful ring bearer pillow is a small but key part of the ceremony you won’t want to overlook. The right pillow will look beautiful and match your wedding theme perfectly, while keeping your rings safe and secure until it’s time to say “I do”.