We also find in Hilchos Tzitzis (8 s.k. 2) that the Mishnah Berurah says that one should recite the berachah as close to the atifah [wrapping oneself with tallis] as possible, and one should hold the tallis in his hand when reciting the berachah and not leave it in the bag, as then the berachah will be made to far in advance (עובר דעובר).
We also find in Hilchos Tefillin (25:6) that one should only make the berachah on tefillin once the tefillin is already on the arm, just not yet tied. The Mishnah Berurah (s.k. 25) explains that before that point it is too early, and we try and make the berachah as close to the fulfilment of the mitzvah as possible. The Rema adds that the same thing is with the tefillin shel rosh, and the Mishnah Berurah (s.k. 27) explains that one should place the tefillin shel rosh on his head and then recite a berachah, unlike those who recite the berachah whilst it is still in their hands.
We also find by wine and besomim during havdolah (296:6), that one should hold the mitzvah item in his hand when reciting a birchas hamitzvos. The same is with the shofar, lulav, and knife by bris milah.
By Birchas HaShvach There Is No Need
Interestingly, although we find by birchas hanhenin and birchas hamitzvos that one should hold the item in his hand when reciting the berachah, when it comes to birchas hashvach we find that there is no need.
The Prisha (298:2) writes that there is no need to hold the havdolah candle in one’s hand when reciting a berachah on it as it is not a birchas hanhenin but is rather a birchas hashvach. Based on the above, it would seemingly come out, that the question of whether the chosson should hold the ring in his hand or not during the birchas erusin would depend on the status of birchas erusin, if it would be a birchas hamitzvos then he should hold it, and if it is a birchas hashvach then he doesn’t need to.
