Family roles and who does whatEurope
Page boy
A young male member of the bridal party who manages the bride's train or carries the wedding rings.
A page boy is a young male participant in the wedding party, serving as the counterpart to a bridesmaid. He assists during the ceremony by performing practical tasks such as holding the bride's train or acting as the ring bearer. The role is common in formal Western weddings.
When is Page boy kept?
Page boy is kept during the wedding ceremony.
A page boy is a young male attendant who joins the bridal party to support the couple during their wedding ceremony. He fulfills a role similar to that of a bridesmaid, helping with practical duties such as managing the bride's dress or handling the wedding rings. The position is reserved for young boys, often relatives or friends of the couple.
Role in the wedding party
The page boy stands as the young male equivalent of the bridesmaids within the bridal party. He walks alongside the other attendants and participates in the ceremony, offering assistance to the couple throughout the event. This role allows young boys to take part in the celebration while contributing to the smooth running of the proceedings.
Duties and age requirements
His primary responsibility is often to carry the bride's train, especially if she wears a gown with a long, elaborate skirt. Managing the fabric requires care, so page boys are generally no younger than seven years old, with older boys preferred for complex tasks. He may also serve as the ring bearer, walking with the rings on a cushion while the best man keeps the actual bands secure.
Royal and formal traditions
This custom is frequently seen in formal settings and high-profile ceremonies. British royal weddings have prominently featured page boys, highlighting the tradition in public view. These appearances link the role to formal state occasions and demonstrate how families incorporate young members into significant celebrations.
How Page boy is kept
A young boy, typically aged seven or older, joins the procession as part of the bridal party. He may walk behind the bride to hold her train, ensuring the fabric does not drag or tangle. Alternatively, he acts as the ring bearer, carrying the rings on a cushion. In this capacity, the best man usually keeps the real rings safe, and the boy's rings may be tacked to the cushion to prevent loss.
When and where
The page boy participates during the wedding ceremony, walking in the procession and assisting throughout the service.
The role is common in Western weddings, with notable presence in the United Kingdom and at British royal events.
What Page boy means
The page boy represents youth and innocence accompanying the couple. His participation allows young family members or friends to share in the joy of the occasion while adding a touch of formality and charm to the ceremony.
Who takes part
- page boy: carries the bride's train or the rings on a cushion
- best man: keeps the real wedding rings safe
On the wedding table
Symbols: The ring
Questions people ask about Page boy
When is Page boy kept?
Page boy is kept during the wedding ceremony.
What is a page boy?
A page boy is a young male attendant in the bridal party who helps during the wedding ceremony. He assists with tasks such as carrying the bride's train or serving as the ring bearer.
How old must a page boy be?
Page boys are usually at least seven years old. This age ensures they are mature enough to handle responsibilities like managing the bride's train without difficulty.
What is the difference between a page boy and a ring bearer?
A ring bearer is a type of page boy who specifically carries the wedding rings on a cushion. All ring bearers are page boys, but not all page boys carry the rings.
See also
Gimmal ringA betrothal ring with separate hoops that join to form the wedding band.
QuaichA shallow two-handled cup used in Scottish weddings to share a drink and symbolise union.
Marriage proposalThe moment one partner asks the other to marry them and marks the start of an engagement.
Jewish weddingThe ceremony and laws that bind a couple in Jewish marriage, from the canopy to the glass.Good reading and sources
- Page boy (wedding attendant) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Page boy (wedding attendant)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryShaadi rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Wedding customs differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.
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