How To Exchange Weddings Rings During A Wedding (8 Easy Steps For Wedding Officiants!)

The ring-exchange element of the wedding ceremony has been going on for thousands of years across all sorts of religions and cultures. There are dozens and dozens of ways to do it, and there's an equal number of things you can say about the rings in the wedding ceremony.
And then there are all the moving parts around the Ring Exchange in a wedding ceremony! If we overlook them, it can lead to anything from not having the actual rings when we call for them to the bride or groom stumbling all over their words when we ask them to "repeat-after-me."
As with every element of wedding ceremonies, it's my philosophy to break it down to its smallest components, to be prepared, and to keep things simple. In this video, you'll get the 8 steps for a Ring Exchange that works in the field for a real professional wedding officiant who uses it weekend-in and weekend-out.
This Ring Exchange will work for you, too.
For more detail and to get the Ring Exchange scripting in this video, head to the companion blogpost: www.unboringwedding.com/weddi...
⭐️⭐️👉🏻 Grab my free, quickstart, instant-access 5-Step Wedding Ceremony Guide here: unboringwedding.com/guide 👈🏻⭐️⭐️
🚀 Premium Online Course for Wedding Officiants and Celebrants: www.unboringweddingacademy.com
📞 Wedding Script and Ceremony Coaching: www.unboringweddingacademy.co...
🖥 "Done-For-You" Pro Website For Officiants and Celebrants: www.unboringweddingacademy.co...
💒 Officiating Service: unboringwedding.com
✍🏻 Story Writing Service: unboringwedding.com/custom-lo...
📝 Ceremony Writing Service: unboringwedding.com/ceremony-...
🎙 The Unboring!Wedding Day Love Stories Podcast: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/u...
FB: Unboring!Wedding on Facebook: / unboringwedding
IG: Unboring!Wedding on Instagram: / unboringwedding
Background Photos thanks to:
TJ Tindale Photography
Scarlet O’Neill | Photography
Olive Photography
Luminous Weddings
Christine Hewitt Weddings
Magnolia Studios
Hillary Deane Photography
0:00 Wedding Ring Exchanges
1:13 1. Who holds the ring?
3:14 2. Where the ring exchange goes in your ceremony script
5:09 3. Check the ring keeper has the rings BEFORE
7:00 4. Introduce the ring exchange section with a reflection
9:43 5. Ring keeper knows the cue
12:29 6. Ring keeper gives the ring to Partner 1
16:44 7. Wait! Wait while Partner 1 places the ring on Partner 2's finger
20:41 8. Prompt Partner 1 to consummate the Ring Exchange with a few words
#WeddingOfficiant #RingExchange #UnboringWedding

[@unboringwedding]

Grab my free, quickstart, instant-access 5-Step Wedding Ceremony Guide here: unboringwedding.com/guide 👈🏻⭐

[@lisaparker1076]

I never make KZbin comments but I have to tell you I’m 2 days away from officiating my first wedding and your videos have been SOOOOO HELPFUL! I appreciate them greatly!

[@AndyyLeb]

@@unboringwedding I second this! Thank you for all of your work on here; you're making me so much more comfortable and I appreciate you so so much!

[@knockout8666]

I'm in the exact same boat and I'd like to echo this. Your videos have been amazingly helpful and I thank you!! Great work Mr. Groleau! My event is in 6 days and with your help I'm feeling more than prepared!

[@sunshinecoastcelebrantphil441]

Excellent and informative, thank-you!

[@fannyosorio4523]

Thank you so much 😊 learning so much with you!

[@dansack7914]

This so helpful! Thanks Mark!

[@henrykoch6864]

Officiating my first wedding in 4 days. Watching your videos have been a huge lifesaver and have massively reduced my stress

[@markofmckinney941]

Thank you! Good stuff here!

[@craiglogan8280]

Fantastic video Mark! Your tips and pointers are always very helpful. Love the humour you inject as well. Following your tips I know all my future ceremonies will be more ‘polished ‘! Thank you for all you do! Craig Logan

[@larryluce1526]

Thank you very much!.. Very helpful

[@josephpalomares8444]

Your videos have been extremely helpful. . Thank u for sharing your ideas.

[@christopherlerm2012]

Exceptionally great videos Mark. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience on all aspects of officiating a wedding. I am eternally grateful.

[@bonniedouglas3782]

I did my first wedding today under your instructions .I couldn’t have did it without your expertise. Thank you for your labor , keep up the good work.

[@LikelyLost]

How did it go? Were you nervous? Did you make any mistakes?

[@christinebrolan6625]

I am so very glad that I took time to look at your videos. So many helpful tips and I really appreciate the way you are clear and concise. Thank you so much Mark for sharing. I just know your guidance will help me to feel so much more prepared for my upcoming ceremonies.

[@barbarahatch7730]

LOVE LOVE LOVE your videos! I've been an officiant for 2 years and have learned so much! Even though I cater to a different kind of client, I have been able to take away a lot of your suggestions! Thanks so much!

[@couponingwithkellie1501]

Great tips

[@regjohanson78]

Good job Mark!

[@helentwyman-smith3890]

Hi Mark. Just been registered as a celebrant (in AUS) but have been watching (and loving!) your videos. Your style is very much aligned to mine. Thanks so much for sharing all the tips in such a fun and easy to digest way. Looking forward to more!

[@ShyteiCorellianAuthor]

You are the BEST! Oh man, you make me laugh so hard. I will be officiating my first wedding in June and you, and your videos are my Go TO. Thanks so much!

[@olivestrachan3239]

Thank you , this really helps 🙏🏾👏👏

[@psalm1dan]

Thanks a million! I have to officiate a deaf wedding this month! Your advice is Gold!🤟

[@michaelmarks4465]

You are awesome! I have to officiate my son's wedding and this is my first time doing so. Your videos are totally helping me, thank you so much.

[@eric_the_lit]

I'm officiating my first wedding this weekend, and I just want to thank you for all the videos you've put up for us new officiants! Cheers to you

[@douglaspage2676]

Thank you for the tips. I have my first three weddings in October. I've written scripts but now can fine tune them and also liked the checklist beforehand. Didn't think of that. I will be watching your other videos.

[@annamacanas328]

Thank you!

[@reginadapascoverdale5790]

Thank you so much. I am officiating one of my best girlfriends wedding in March 2020 and I'm so happy to have found you! Ilove the injections of humor, all of it... With you videos and material, I'm going to nail it!!! Again, thanks a bunch!

[@lindal1292]

Mark, your site is invaluable. This is my first time officiating at a wedding and your pages have created such clarity. Thank you for the breakdown into secquential steps; the warmings about potential problems and their hacks; and the encouragement that with your help we can create a celebratory wedding for special people in our I am so glad I found your site!!!

[@icwiglesiacristianadewella876]

Gracias. Excelentes puntos. Yo soy mas del area de parejas en la fe de mi iglesia, pero no soy muy tradicional. Me gustan tus ideas. Bendiciones.

[@maranr]

Awesome Mark. Great videos!

[@maranr]

@@unboringwedding I might have to do my own if Judy catches me watching KZbin clips while "working" at home. ;-). Great to see ya man. Hope all is well. Keep up the vids.

[@HavenSaved]

I am very grateful to have found your channel. My brother is marrying my fiancé and I in 48 days and I had no idea how to script a wedding ceremony!

[@faribamaram9219]

So helpful Mark as always. You are such a great observer which has made you an expert. Thank you so much! Fariba Maramkhah

[@patrickjreid]

This helped me so much! Thank you! The wedding was a huge success. They didn't have a wedding planner, so with all the information you provided I was able to confidentially take over directing how the ceremony was going to go. And it went incredibly smoothly!

[@IAmHucklejam]

Mark, I just officiated my first ever wedding (10/21/22). It was my niece and her fiancé. I've watched your videos over and over, and, learned so much from them. Thank you for your expertise, style, suggestions, and, professionalism. From the script I "penned", and, my "delivery" of it, I heard so many "great job" and "you nailed it" compliments, not only from family and friends, but, folks I didn't even know. Thank you, again, for helping me with the honor of marrying my niece and her husband! Rich

[@lucascoulton]

Thank you!! You're awesome. I'm officiating my sister's wedding, so this is really helpful!!

[@lucascoulton]

@@unboringwedding Thanks!! I already did it. Everyone was amazed at how good I did, and told me so. All thanks to you, man! Seriously, I was lost without your help.

[@marisameans9859]

Awesome thanks!

[@unboringwedding]

You’re so welcome, Marisa! 👊🏻

[@Mikeandcris91]

Hey Mark, officiated my first wedding this evening (after getting 5 weeks notice.). Thanks to you and your videos, it was a success. Would love to have a beer with you anytime you happen to be in Colorado Springs.

[@MommyMagicEnt]

Thank You for your channel I’m doing my first wedding and this is giving me confidence that I will do fine and the couple will be happy 😊

[@MommyMagicEnt]

@@unboringwedding Thank you so much 😊 For The support And kind words Your channel is amazing

[@henmich]

I'm going to perform my first wedding ceremony this week. I am making sure all my tees are crossed and my i's dotted.. Thank you for your insights. your explanation of the event and possible awkwardness. That makes me feel less terrified. Thanks...

[@DavidRodriguez-xw3fd]

this was excellent!! thank you. I have my first wedding to officiate this sept

[@unboringwedding]

Congrats on your first, David - thanks for taking the time to let me know! You got this! 👊🏻

[@GarciaYajaira]

I love your videos! I’m literally writing a script right now and I’m going haywire cutting and pasting changing my rings/vows/declaration of intent. Lol and after watching this, I’m nowhere near done. Lol 😂

[@princetonedgar3921]

InstaBlaster

[@Miriyum1031]

Ha! Same here!

[@BeanieBots]

Excellent instructions and guidance in all of your videos! Thank you.

[@LikelyLost]

Thank you! I'm ordering my officiate documents today and I'm just gonna craigslist some inexpensive services to practice until I really find my niche and start a a great officiating business! As a newbie with zero experience, what do you think I should charge? I was thinking $75.

[@melissatharp7959]

Thank you for your videos!! My first wedding is in one month… bride is writing most of the script and hasn’t given it to me yet… getting anxious. What if the couple met on line? Not sure if they want me to mention this lol

[@sammysmirh3889]

I love your videos. I would love your advice on marring a couple in their 50's and 60's

[@MegaTinni]

a woman of any age still wants the princess feeling, just do regular everything, we don't want to feel old 🙂

[@bobbilalley1383]

Is a list of your wedding workshop questions available?

[@michaelhenrie4769]

I get what you're suggesting but I've found this makes a really good flow. I talk about the ritual of weddings being three rituals, the statement of intent, the exchange of rings and the vow. So my exchange i sthis: Is it your intent to enter into marriage with {whoever}? If so, please indicate that intent by placing your ring on the fourth finger of {his/her} left hand. Then the vows. Just another way of doing the same thing.

[@LeeHalliganCelebrant]

amazing how similar your ceremonies are to mine. a trick for the ring exchange, I get the giver put the ring up to the 2nd knuckle, then repeat the words, then push fully on. if it gets stuck they can sort it out. it doesnt interupt the flow of the flow and words

[@unboringwedding]

Cool! Yes I did that for a long time, but I found that the marryer gets way more relaxed when "that part is over" and they don't have to repeat after me while wondering how the next part - "getting the ring over the knuckle" - is going to go. When I noticed how much more visibly relieved they were when the ring is fully on, that's when I decided to just get it out of the way before the repeating. Thanks for your comment!

[@lizgoode1763]

Where do you recommend the engagement ring is during the ceremony?

[@elissannable]

Thanks for your straightforward teaching. It feels like putting the ring on after the groom/bride repeats the words seals the deal metaphorically. Is it because the groom fumbles with the ring while he's holding it and repeating?

[@unboringwedding]

That’s right! They are really paranoid and only thinking about getting it on… until it’s on. So getting that part out of the way makes the words more meaningful in my opinion - because they are actually thinking about them. Thanks for the question!

[@michaelmcfall6074]

Mark, I am officiating my first wedding tomorrow evening. I have been living with your videos all week. I feel like I know you. Thank you so much for putting this content here, the wedding is going to be so much better because of my time with you on KZbin. I feel guilty that I can't pay you for what you put together here. Some of the most valuable, useful content I have ever gotten from youtube. Again, much thanks and much respect. Mike

[@jennifersherva7836]

Do you have any unique ideas for a ring exchange when one has a webbed ring finger?

[@jillschulman930]

Still terrified but I may survive thanks to you!

[@unboringwedding]

Hey survival is good - that’s what I like to hear! 🤣 All the best to you… 👊🏻

[@ednaalencar6205]

Mark do the groom places the ring on the bride's finger first or is it the other way around?

[@ednaalencar6205]

@@unboringwedding thank you kindly...after I sent I thought it was a pretty dumb ? 🤣🤣

[@ThreeRivers888]

How is a microphone incorporated into the ring exchange? You had mentioned handing it to them when reading the vows, but at this point seems like the officiant holding the mic for them is necessary… right?

[@hiroprotagonist525]

How long should a ceremony last? SO far my speech is about 6 pages long, so including the actual actions and pauses etc, I don't think this is going to be much longer than 10 minutes at the most! I feel like without all the religious hooplah we are all so used to associating with a wedding, that a non-religious wedding seems too short. Any tips?

[@unboringwedding]

Ceremonies can range from 10 minutes on the short end to an average of 25 minutes to half an hour. Most of my ceremonies go 25 to 30 minutes because I spend about 12 minutes telling my couples’ love story and then the other 9 elements fill the rest of the time.

[@hiroprotagonist525]

@@unboringwedding oh god, my script is only 6 pages long! I gotta fill this up!!!

[@unboringwedding]

@@hiroprotagonist525 If it’s just a simple ceremony, it doesn’t have to be any certain length. A lot of couples are just fine with a 10 minute ceremony. As long as you do the essentials like vows and rings, you’re good!You got this! 👊🏻

[@donotweep]

Imma carry dish soap

[@florence2095]

I’m currently studying this course here in Australia 🇦🇺. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. You also to help us overcome our nerves and become more confident 🥰🥰🙏🙏🐨🦘🇦🇺