The Best Ring Bearer Pillows

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 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. Since ring bearer pillows typically have ties or other ways of securing the rings in place, they don’t fall off even if the pillow isn’t held perfectly flat. 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 his 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, 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 you can have it monogrammed with your and your spouse-to-be’s initials. Or you can attach ribbons to match the wedding colors and bridesmaids’ dresses.
• 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 certainly 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 your 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 pre-tied 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. This pillow comes with a built-in ring box that features a foam insert 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: You get a cute, ivory-colored ring bearer pillow and a matching flower girl basket 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 material to the big, satin-like ribbons, these ivory items are (quite literally) cut from the same cloth. They’re much more durable than you’d think, able to hold up to less-than-gentle handling and post-wedding play. And you can even buy this set with two baskets for only a few dollars more, which is handy if you plan on having more than one flower girl.

Cons: These two items come as a package; there’s no way to buy just the pillow, so you’re out of luck if you already have a flower girl basket. And the basket is on the smaller side, so it may not hold enough petals, depending on the length of the aisle in question.

Bottom Line: Everyone knows how expensive weddings can be, even the more minute or smaller details. Fortunately, this cute little ring bearer pillow/flower girl basket combo 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 and pay for 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” ring bearer “pillow.” Instead of a classic pillow, you get a briefcase labeled “ring security” for your ring bearer to carry up the aisle with the rings inside. Pair it with some sunglasses and a fake earpiece (sold separately), and your little ring bearer will get a kick out of feeling like a security guard or secret agent. The letters on the case are large, clear, and defined, so your guests should be able to read them no matter where they sit. They’ll get to use their imagination, and their job will be more enjoyable. And 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. And unlike some other similar products, there are slits inside to hold the rings in place so they won’t be rattling around freely inside the briefcase.

Cons: This isn’t the greatest option if you want your wedding rings to be on display, and it doesn’t come with the extra gear, like a fake earpiece or sunglasses, that other similar options sometimes include with your purchase. And it’s a bit more expensive than most classic ring bearer pillows.

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 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.”