George Boyle
Flower girls are a staple at weddings, but they are not limited to wedding ceremonies. The tradition is believed to have originated with the Greeks and Romans, where flower girls were women who had already had children and would walk ahead of the bride, scattering herbs and grains in her path to symbolise fertility and prosperity. Today, flower girls are usually young girls dressed similarly to the bride, scattering flower petals down the aisle. They are typically members of the bride or groom's extended families or a friend of either family. While flower girls are not a necessity for weddings, they can be a lovely way to include children in the celebration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age | Usually between three and eight years old |
| Family Relation | Daughters, nieces, cousins, friend's daughter, or extended family member |
| Clothing | Paid for by parents; typically a mid or tea-length gown resembling a smaller version of the bride's dress |
| Accessories | Floral wreath, hair ribbon, and a basket of flowers, petals, seeds, confetti, or a small bouquet |
| Role | Symbol of the bride's childhood, innocence, and transformation into adulthood; may also symbolize fertility and prosperity |
| Processional Order | Walks down the aisle after the ring bearer and before the bride |
| Seating | May stand with the bridesmaids or sit with their parents |
| Other Duties | Attends the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner; may greet guests, wave to them, or usher them to their seats |
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What You'll Learn
Flower girls are optional
Flower girls are indeed optional. While they are a staple at most weddings, they are not a necessity.
The flower girl tradition dates back to ancient Rome, where young girls carried wheat and herbs to symbolise fertility and prosperity for the couple. In the Elizabethan era, flower girls laid a trail of petals for the bride to follow from her home to the church. Today, flower girls are usually between three and eight years old and are typically members of the bride or groom's extended families or a friend of either family. They walk down the aisle with their partner, usually the ring bearer or page boy, and scatter petals before the bride makes her entrance.
If a couple chooses to include a flower girl, it is customary for the flower girl's parents to pay for her clothing and accessories. The bride and groom may offer to cover these costs as a nice gesture, especially if they have specific styles in mind that may be expensive. It is also important to foster a good relationship with the flower girl's parents, as they will have many responsibilities before and during the wedding, such as attending pre-wedding festivities and explaining the flower girl's duties to their child.
Couples who want to include young children in their wedding but do not want a flower girl can consider other roles, such as greeters, ushers, or guest book attendants. These alternatives allow children to be a part of the special day without the flower girl tradition.
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The history of flower girls
The tradition of flower girls is believed to have originated in Ancient Rome, where young girls would present couples with wheat and herbs, which were symbols of prosperity and fertility. The tradition was also practised by upper-class Greeks, who included flower girls in their weddings.
During the Elizabethan era, flower girls were seen as symbols of innocence and hope, reflecting the culture's idealisation of childhood. They would carry a gilded rosemary branch and a silver bride's cup adorned with ribbons, filled with flower petals or rosemary leaves. The Victorian flower girl carried an ornate basket of fresh blooms or a floral hoop, which resembled the wedding ring, symbolising endless love. Her dress was usually white with a coloured sash, mirroring the bride's dress.
Over time, the tradition evolved, and flower girls began scattering flower petals on the floor before the bride, leading up to the modern-day practice where flower girls walk down the aisle before the bride, scattering petals. Today, flower girls are typically young female members of the bride or groom's family or children of close friends, usually between three and eight years old. They are often dressed in a smaller version of the bride's dress and carry a basket of flowers or a small bouquet.
While the role of a flower girl is optional, it is a way to include young family members or friends in the wedding ceremony, adding a touch of cuteness and levity to the event.
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What does a flower girl do?
Flower girls are usually young girls between the ages of three and eight who are related to the couple in some way. They are typically nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, or children of close friends. The flower girl is usually the youngest member of the bridal party and precedes the bride down the aisle, scattering petals, seeds, confetti, or holding balloons or a decorative wand. They can also carry a small bouquet or a floral wreath or ribbon in their hair. The role of the flower girl is to add a bit of charm to the ceremony and to set a happy tone.
The flower girl's parents are usually responsible for paying for her dress and accessories, although the couple may offer to cover these costs. The flower girl and her parents should attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, and it is a good idea to have toys, games, or snacks to keep the flower girl occupied during the ceremony.
The flower girl tradition dates back to ancient Rome, where young girls presented the couple with wheat as a symbol of prosperity. In Elizabethan times, flower girls scattered rose petals from the bride's home to the church, and in the Victorian era, they wore white dresses and carried flower baskets or hoops as a symbol of never-ending love.
While having a flower girl is a nice way to include young relatives in the wedding, it is not necessary, and couples can choose to include children in other ways, such as greeters or ushers.
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Who pays for a flower girl's outfit?
Flower girls are a staple at weddings, though they are not a necessity. The tradition dates back to ancient Rome, where the flower girl carried wheat and herbs for the bride and groom, symbolising prosperity. Today, the flower girl usually walks down the aisle before the bride, scattering petals, carrying a bouquet, or even leading a pet. The flower girl is usually between three and eight years old and is the youngest member of the bridal party.
Now, who pays for the flower girl's outfit? Traditionally, the flower girl's parents pay for her dress and accessories (excluding flowers). However, this tradition can be broken if the purchase puts a financial strain on the parents. In such cases, the couple may offer to pay for the outfit or split the cost with the parents. It is a nice gesture for the couple to offer to pay, but it is not expected. The bride usually selects the flower girl's dress, and the parents pay for it.
The cost of a flower girl's dress can vary depending on the retailer and the style of the dress. For example, flower girl dresses at Anthropologie typically range from $150 to $250. Couples paying for the flower girl's dress should consider their budget and the relationship between the couple and the flower girl when deciding how much to spend.
In addition to the dress, there may be other expenses to consider, such as accessories, shoes, and hairpieces. It is important to foster a good relationship with the flower girl's parents, as they are putting in time and money on their child's behalf.
So, to summarise, while traditionally the flower girl's parents pay for her outfit, there may be instances where the couple offers to pay or split the cost, especially if it is a financial burden for the parents.
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Flower girl alternatives
Flower girls are adorable additions to weddings. They are usually between the ages of three and eight and are often dressed in puffy dresses with floral wreaths or hair ribbons. They scatter petals, carry a small bouquet, or pull along a furry friend.
However, flower girls are not a necessity, and there are many alternatives to this tradition. Here are some ideas for flower girl alternatives:
Adults as Flower Carriers
If you want to include adults in your wedding procession, you can enlist a few of your favourite adults to carry flowers or scatter petals. This option can add an element of fun and sentimentality to your wedding. You could even have ""flower men" or "flower grandmas" to bring some extra joy to the ceremony.
Children of Any Gender
If you would like to include children in your wedding, consider breaking free from gender norms and including children of any gender as flower carriers or ring bearers. Boys can also throw flowers, carry rings, or perform other duties traditionally assigned to flower girls.
Greeters and Ushers
Another option is to have children greet guests as they arrive or act as ushers, handing out programs and escorting guests to their seats. This allows children to participate in a more relaxed capacity without the pressure of walking down the aisle.
No Flower Girls at All
Finally, you can choose to forgo the tradition of flower girls entirely. Many couples opt to skip this custom, especially if they don't have any children close to them or if it seems like too much hassle. Your wedding can still be special and meaningful without flower girls.
Ultimately, the decision is yours, and you can get creative to make the tradition uniquely yours.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the role of a flower girl is not limited to weddings. In ancient Rome, for example, flower girls carried wheat and herbs to symbolize fertility and prosperity for the couple.
Flower girls are usually young girls, often between three and eight years old, who scatter flower petals on the floor before the bride walks down the aisle. They are usually members of the bride or groom's extended families or a friend of either family.
Traditionally, a flower girl's outfit is a smaller version of the bride's wedding dress. They may also wear a floral wreath or hair ribbon and carry a basket of flowers or petals.
