Ring box: open the box and cut the ribbon tying the rings
The Ring box brings a well-known moment from Turkish engagement ceremonies to the phone screen: cutting the red ribbon that ties the couple's rings together. A velvet box sits on a marble window ledge at night, with candles burning on either side. The recipient lifts the lid by sliding a finger upward and finds two gold rings, one set with a stone, nestled in a satin cushion and tied together underneath with a red ribbon. Once the ribbon is cut, its two ends drop away, the rings rise and glow, and rose petals fall. It is short, elegant and respectful of the ritual.
Send it to a friend, sibling or cousin who has just got engaged, especially if you can't make it to the celebration. Even someone who has never heard of the ribbon-cutting tradition will understand what to do, because a dashed line and a pair of scissors show the way. Share the link by WhatsApp or copy and paste it; the recipient opens it in their phone's browser with nothing to install. The text addresses the couple, so you can put both of their names in the name field.
What does the recipient experience?
- The screen reads 'sent you a little box. There is a promise inside.' The recipient turns the sound on and taps 'Take the box'.
- Their name is written out with the line 'Two rings are waiting inside the box'.
- The recipient slides a finger upward over the box to lift the lid; past the halfway point it swings fully open by itself. An 'Open the box' button does the same.
- A dashed line and a scissors icon appear over the ribbon. The recipient swipes a finger (or the mouse) across the ribbon along that line, or taps 'Cut the ribbon', and the ribbon is snipped in the middle with a scissor sound.
- The rings slowly rise and shine, gold sparkles scatter, rose petals fall and a melody plays. Then 'A lifetime of happiness' appears, followed by the sender's message; the recipient can send an emoji back with 'Say thanks'.
What can you choose?
The sender enters both names and an optional message and chooses the box colour: navy, bordeaux or ivory. The inside is always satin, the rings are gold and the ribbon stays red. If the message is left blank, a ready-made line starting 'Congratulations on your engagement!' is shown, and there are message suggestions to pick from while creating it.
When to send it
The Ring box is only offered for engagements. Send it the day you hear the news, on the evening of the ceremony, or when you can't be there in person. Instead of sending it to each partner separately, one link opened by the couple together works well. Because both the lid and the ribbon have buttons, older relatives who aren't used to swiping can finish it easily too.
Common questions
Why is a ribbon being cut?
At Turkish engagement ceremonies, the couple's rings are joined by a red ribbon, and usually an older family member cuts it. This template lets the recipient play that part.
How do I cut the ribbon?
Swipe sideways across the ribbon along the dashed line, from one side to the other. If that doesn't work for you, tap 'Cut the ribbon'.
Can I use it for a wedding?
Not at the moment; it is only offered for engagements. For weddings there is the Music box, where the box is wound up, the lid opens and a bride and groom waltz.