What's the deal with little children being ring bearers?

Many people have fake rings attached to the pillows & the best man really has the rings.

They don't actually normally carry the rings though

The ring bearer doesn't usually carry the actual rings (the best man does). If the ring bearer is actually carrying them, they're usually secured to the pillow. But normally, what the RB carries isn't real.

My son is 8, so he's definitely not a toddler. Our "ring pillow" is actually a long stem Rose ring box. I absolutely love it! It's a lot more secure than a pillow. I agree I'd be a nervous wreck letting a toddler carry them, but I think what a lot do, is let the child carry the pillow and the best man has the rings.

Yeah, my 4 year old God son is not touching my actual wedding bands LOL But it is interesting to think about why the tradition started in the first place, because it really doesn't make much sense when you think about it.

My RBs (4 y/o and 1.5 y/o) didn't carry the actual rings. In a Catholic ceremony, the priest has them before the ceremony begins. They just walked down holding the FGs hands.

I really don't recommend that little kids bring the actual rings forward...

I think they're adorable in weddings, but I won't be having one...or flower girl for that matter. I think it's a lot of fuss for something that's a sham since most don't actually carry real rings.

I was curious, so i googled. lol

https://www.blacknbianco.com/history-of-the-ring-bearer/

http://www.littlethingsfavors.com/history-of-the-ring-bearer.html#.WVxQJxROI5Q

Ours is 8 and will carry the actual rings. I know most don't but I trust he is old enough that they'll be fine, and they cant really go anywhere if the coordinator hands them to him right as he is about to walk down the aisle.

Our BM and MOH had the actual rings. Fake rings were on the ring bearer pillow my grandson carried down the aisle.

Our officiant actually had our rings. Went much smoother than the BM getting them out of his pocket

I'm starting to see some female ring bearers which is awesome. Girl Power!

My six year old nephew had ours and it was fine - they were in a box though, and once he walked down the aisle he went and sat with his parents, then came up and handed the box to the best man at the right time. Having said that, two years earlier when he was ring bearer for my sister, he left the pillow on a table at the back of the church. Luckily I noticed it as I went in and took it with me then handed it off to my mum as I got to the front, as it did have the real rings on it (tied on). I wouldn't give any kid under five the real rings.

Really neat. I've Never been to a wedding with a ring bearer, that's why I asked. But if you have little kids I guess it's cute. No kids at my wedding

I wouldn't let a very small child carry them but my 8 yo nephew will. He's so excited and pretty sure he'll have a death grip on whatever we put them in. Haha

I'm pretty sure the tradition comes from royal weddings- having "attendants". I don't think anyone actually gives the child the rings.

In addition to what has been posted, I have heard that the flower girl and ring bearer are also meant to be "good Luck charms" for fertility in the marriage. Who knows if that's true or not.

I had no idea that these little kids most likely weren't holding the actual rings all this time! I've only been to 2 weddings lol

My godson will be 2 1/2 and he will definitely not be carrying the real rings! But, it's important that he be a part of our day