Quick Answer
What is a page boy at a wedding?
A page boy is a young male attendant at a British wedding, typically a relative or family friend of the couple, who processes with the bridesmaids and may carry the rings, hold part of the bride's train, or simply walk as part of the bridal party. The term is more established in British wedding usage than the American "ring bearer," which describes a narrower, ring-only role.
Last updated:
Last updated:
What is a page boy at a wedding?
Also called: pageboy.
The page boy is one of the smaller but distinctly British roles in a wedding party — a young boy, usually a nephew, godson, or family friend's son, dressed in a smaller version of formalwear (often a waistcoat or miniature suit matching the groomsmen) and included in the procession alongside the bridesmaids. The role has more scope than the American "ring bearer" — a page boy might carry the rings, but the term also covers boys who simply walk in the procession, help hold the bride's train, or serve a purely ceremonial "attending" role without a specific task, a tradition with roots in the historical role of a young page attending a person of rank.
What a page boy typically does
- •Walks in the processional, usually alongside or just ahead of the bridesmaids.
- •May carry the rings on a cushion, if the couple wants a dedicated ring-carrying role.
- •Sometimes helps hold or manage the bride's train, particularly for longer dresses.
- •May simply be included as part of the bridal party without a specific task — a purely ceremonial role for a young family member the couple wants involved.
Planning notes
- •Confirm the page boy's outfit fits the wider wedding party's formalwear — many hire or tailor a miniature version of the groomsmen's suits.
- •If carrying rings, use a decoy pair or keep the real rings with the best man as backup — a common precaution for younger children.
- •Brief parents on timing and any rehearsal needed — young page boys usually need a practice walk-through more than adult wedding party members do.
- •Factor in a shorter attention span when planning how long the page boy needs to stand still for photos or the ceremony itself.
Keep every wedding party role and outfit on one list
Weddingkart's guest management tools help track wedding party roles — page boys, bridesmaids, groomsmen — alongside outfit and RSVP details.
See guest management →Frequently Asked Questions
Is a page boy the same as a ring bearer?
Similar, but broader — "ring bearer" (more common in American usage) specifically describes carrying the rings, while "page boy" (the standard British term) can cover ring-carrying, train assistance, or simply walking in the procession as part of the bridal party.
How old is a page boy usually?
Typically a young child, often between about three and ten years old, usually a relative or close family friend's son.
What does a page boy wear?
Usually a smaller, coordinated version of the groomsmen's formalwear — a miniature suit or waistcoat matching the wedding's colour scheme.
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By Mayank JaiswalLast updated