Jackie H. was feeling the excitement as her wedding day approached, but her thoughts were racing.
“Will everything unfold as planned? Are the vendors going to show up? Will guests act strangely?” These were just a few of the questions swirling in her mind.
Yet, in the midst of the chaos, she experienced a calm moment—one that her Oura ring marked perfectly.
“My stress levels were high for most of the day,” she shared. “That is, until my wedding planner encouraged me to sit down and have a meal.”
At 36, this Portland, Oregon native is among a growing group of brides opting to wear health trackers on their big day, eager to gauge how such a significant, yet stressful occasion affects them physically.
“Being a data analyst, I find the data fascinating,” Jackie mentioned. “I was really curious about how I’d respond to the pressure of a wedding.”
Wedding Day Wearables
Incorporating the ring into her bridal look was, for Jackie, a straightforward decision.
“I knew I would wear it,” she explained. “It looked pretty normal with my wedding attire, especially since the silver matched the overall color scheme.”
However, for many brides, choosing to include a piece of technology on such a personal occasion raises questions.
Online conversations—whether on Reddit, Facebook, or wedding forums—spark lively debates about the appropriateness of wearables like Oura rings, Fitbits, and Apple Watches at weddings.
Yet, for those who are enthusiastic about data, there’s no doubt—they’ll be taking their devices with them.
“I NEVER take mine off other than charging it,” one user on Reddit commented. “I want complete data continuity, and I think it would be amazing to see the stats from that day.”
“This isn’t coming off. I’m attached to my [Apple] Watch,” a TikTok user added confidently. “I just know I’ll be racking up steps, and I want to know how many.”
Some brides are even devising creative methods to conceal their gadgets, tucking them away in their hair or undergarments.
“Honestly, I don’t care if others find it cute.” – Aimee Paz
For others, like Aimee Paz, wearing the Oura ring is a point of pride. “I think it’s stylish and fits right in with my jewelry,” she asserted, showing off her ring in a bouquet-holding pose.
Calorie Counts and Comfort
For some women, there’s intrigue in discovering how many calories they burn while dancing the night away. But for those with health concerns, the data can provide vital reassurance.
Justtina Hamilton, who lives with atrial fibrillation, emphasized that her wearable’s monitoring capabilities gave her a comforting sense of security amidst the wedding day excitement.
“My Apple Watch recorded just three hours of sleep the night before and on my wedding day, I walked around 16,000 steps with an AFib episode thrown in,” she recalled. “Being able to monitor my stress and activity levels—and my heart rate—was really invaluable.”
Whether people embrace them or not, the trend of wedding wearables appears to be on the rise.
Currently, around 60% of American adults use health trackers regularly, and as these devices become more stylish, it seems that weddings may just become their next venue.
Experts have mixed feelings about this development.
Dr. Michael Aziz, an internist, views wearables as useful medical devices but suggests couples might want to ditch them during wedding festivities, lest they amplify pre-wedding anxiety.
“It’s best to focus on enjoying your special day without the distraction of tracking,” he argued, although he noted that individuals with health conditions may need to keep their devices close.
On the other hand, psychologist Rachel Needle believes there’s potential for wearables to serve a positive purpose.
“Weddings can be packed with excitement and stress,” she stated. “For some, the data they glean from wearables can remind them to take a step back and breathe before the stress escalates.”
However, she cautioned against excessive dependence: “If you’re constantly monitoring your device instead of engaging in the moment, that’s where the technology shifts from helpful to distracting.”
Needle encourages people to use their trackers for quick check-ins, rather than relying on them entirely. “A glance can be beneficial, but then it’s important to put it away and celebrate the special moment with loved ones,” she concluded. “The data should enhance well-being, not define it.”
