Ring Bearer and Page Costumes
Ring Bearer Costumes
Ring bearer are young boys who accompany the groom to bear the
wedding ring on a satin pillow.
Costumes for boys at formal weddings are often based
on
historic styles which
have remained remarkably
consistent over time. Formal weddings in the first half of the 20th
Century might have the ring bearer in a costume harkening back
to
Little Lord Fauntleroy suits, although the wedding suits often are white,
unlike actual Fauntleroy suits. In more recent years, the ring bearer often
wears a white velvet or satin
suit with short pants or knickers with white knee socks
and black patent
strap or buckle shoes. In the 1990s when formal dress is selected,
blouse
with lace collar is worn with short pants.
One of the key elements when a ring bearer costume fo a formal wedding
is chosen is the collar. A variety of alternatives are possible. One
company, for example, offeres ring bearer costumes in perfect harmony
with the entire wedding party. This boys outfit with square Battenburg Lace
collar and knickers (or shorts) is availiable in all frabrications and colors.
Collars in white or ecru. Other boys styles include round Battenburg collar,
a round self collar with piping, and a square self collar with piping.
Style# 1011
Often such small boys are selected to serve as ring bearers or pages that they
do not complain about their costumes. Other times older boys may serve and they
may have decided ideas about their costumes. Apparently John F. Kennedy
objected to
a fanshionable outfit he was dressed in for one wedding.
Other variants, especially in
Britain are military
uniforms. Military uniforms are common and more popular with the boys
than many of the more juvenile styles with shorts or knickers. Both
army and navy styles are used. Prince William, for example, wore a smart
long pants sailot suit and straw hat for his uncle's wedding. Another
style popular in Britain
are
kilts.
Less formal costumes in America are often blue or
white short
pants
Eton suits. White suits are common in the spring summer and black
or navy blue Eton suits in the fall and winter.
Some Eton suits for weddings in the 1990s have
knickers
instead of the shorts. but this is relatively rare. Traditional ring bearer costumes are becoming
increasingly
less common even in formal weddings. Many weddings now even have the
ring bearer
dressed in a tuxedo similar to the best man and other members of the groom's
party.
Hats and caps are now uncommon, but a variety of styles have been used. Boys
in sailor suits are even frilly blouses might wear
a 
straw sailor hat. These hats once came with a dangling streamer
hanging at the basck. The streamers are now less commonly used, but occasionally
are employed. Boys
in kilts might wear a Gelen ____ cap.
Ring bearers generally wear formal dress shoes for weddings. Mary Jane
strap patent shoes or buckle shoes were once common. Currently variants like saddle shoes
or plain black or white oxfords are frequently selected. Some outdoor
weddings in the summer have
the ring boy go barefoot.