Let me tell you something: for as many weddings as I’ve officiated, I’ve learned one universal truth — something will go sideways. It might be the weather, a boutonniere, or in this case… the wedding rings.
Yep, it happens. You’re standing there, music fading, everyone smiling, and I say, “May I have the rings?” Then the Best Man gives me that panicked look — you know the one — and starts patting every pocket he owns. Meanwhile, the Maid of Honor suddenly looks like she’s doing mental math trying to remember if she saw them in the bridal suite.
And that’s when it hits: the rings are on the property, but no one actually has them.
Step One: Nobody Panic
This is not a Code Red. No one’s calling off the wedding. The rings are here somewhere — they just took a little detour.
When this happens, I usually lean in with a grin and say something like,
“Hey, this is just the rehearsal. We’ll get it right at the real wedding.”
That gets a laugh and keeps everyone breathing. The goal is to keep the moment light. You don’t want the bride holding her bouquet like a weapon.
Step Two: Keep the Show Moving
We can easily switch things up — do the vows first, or even finish the ceremony and slip the rings on once they arrive. Nobody’s taking attendance on the order of events.
If it’s a big property, someone (usually a groomsman or the planner) can sprint back and grab them while we stall with a little humor. I’ve done this before — it gives the photographer some priceless reaction shots, and it breaks the tension beautifully.
Step Three: Improvise
If the rings are really missing in action, you could borrow a stand-in from a family member or someone in the wedding party.
I think I’ve only done this once and it’s not my first go-to choice.
But if you do it, you can always swap in the real ones later during the reception, maybe even make a fun little “ring exchange part two” for the photos.
It’s only happened a hand full of times at my weddings, but typically I will just ask the couples to hold hands and will do a sort of wedding ring blessing speaking a future sense of when they will have and wear the rings.
This seems the simplest approach instead of pretending, borrowing or running the danger of droning on waiting for someone to retrieve the rings.
Step Four: Laugh About It Later
Ten years from now, this will be one of those “can you believe that happened?” stories that everyone remembers with a smile. And honestly, it’s a great reminder of what weddings are really about — not perfection, but people.
Step Five: Pro Tip for Next Time
If you’re a planner or a family helper, always — and I mean always — confirm who has the rings before the ceremony. Don’t just assume “the best man has them.” Physically see them. It’s the wedding equivalent of checking your pockets for your phone before leaving the house.
So if your rings go rogue on wedding day, don’t sweat it. It’s not a disaster — it’s a story in the making.
Because at the end of the day, you can forget the rings, but you’re not going to forget that moment.
And that’s the kind of memory I love being part of.