George Boyle
The flower girl is a long-standing tradition at weddings, dating back to ancient Rome, where young girls would carry bunches of wheat and scatter herbs down the aisle before the bride joined the groom at the altar. Today, flower girls usually walk down the aisle after the bridesmaids but before the bride, holding a basket of rose petals or flowers to scatter. The flower girl is typically the youngest member of the wedding party and is often a daughter, niece, cousin, or daughter of a close friend. While the flower girl tradition is not necessary, it adds a cute and charming element to the wedding ceremony.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Order in the wedding procession | Flower girls walk down the aisle after the bridesmaids. |
| Age | Flower girls are typically between three and eight years old. |
| Number | There is usually one flower girl, but it is becoming more common to have two or three. |
| Dress | Flower girl dresses can match the bridesmaids' or be another colour in the same family. |
What You'll Learn
The flower girl's role and history
The flower girl is a young female, usually between three and ten years old, who walks down the aisle scattering flower petals before the bride makes her entrance. She is typically the youngest member of the wedding party and is often a relative or friend of the couple. The flower girl's outfit usually resembles a smaller version of the bride's wedding dress, although she may also wear a dress that matches the bridesmaids.
The tradition of flower girls dates back to ancient Rome, where young girls would carry bunches of wheat and scatter herbs down the aisle before the bride, wishing the couple good luck and fertility as they started a family. Upper-class Greeks and Romans included little girls in the wedding procession, who would walk ahead of the bride, "showering her path with grains and herbs", which symbolised the hope that the bride would be fertile.
During the Elizabethan era, the inclusion of children in the wedding party reflected the culture's idealisation of childhood, with children seen as "symbols of hope and innocence". The flower girl was meant to represent a younger, more innocent version of the bride and the transformation from child to adult. During this time, flower girls carried a gilded rosemary branch and a silver bride's cup adorned with ribbons, filled with flower petals or rosemary leaves.
In the Victorian era, flower girls started to resemble their modern counterparts, becoming part of the bridal party to carry and scatter flowers and petals. They were dressed in simple white muslin dresses, often with a coloured sash, that could be reused.
Today, the role of the flower girl is flexible, and while most still carry flowers or petals, some may carry lanterns, flags, or scrolls with messages like "Here comes the Bride!". The flower girl is a symbolic role, representing the bride as a child and symbolically leading the bride forward from childhood to adulthood.
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Choosing a flower girl
Age
The majority of flower girls are between 3 and 8 years old. Girls younger than 3 may find the task too daunting, and their parents may need to escort or carry them down the aisle. Girls older than 8 might prefer to be junior bridesmaids and take on more responsibility, such as helping with pre-wedding activities like shopping for dresses or attending the bridal shower.
Relationship
It's best if your flower girl is someone you have a pre-existing relationship with, such as a daughter, niece, cousin, or a friend's child. This will make her feel more comfortable, and it's also more likely that she'll be enthusiastic about playing a part in your big day.
Number of Flower Girls
If you have several potential flower girls, you can always have more than one! It's becoming more and more common to have two or three flower girls, and it can take the pressure off one girl being the centre of attention.
Ask the Parents
Before asking a child to be your flower girl, make sure to consult her parents. It's also a good idea to maintain a good relationship with the parents, as they will be putting in time and money to make their child's participation possible.
Ask the Child
While it might be a parent's dream to see their daughter as a flower girl, the child herself might feel differently. She may feel anxious about being in the spotlight, so it's important to give her the agency to decide if she wants to take on the role.
Other Considerations
- Duties: Make sure your flower girl understands her duties and is happy to perform them.
- Attire: Traditionally, the bride chooses the flower girl's dress, and the parents pay for it. However, if the dress is expensive, the couple may offer to cover the cost.
- Rehearsals: Your flower girl should be able to attend any rehearsals and pre-wedding events, like the bridal shower.
- Photographs: Flower girls are often included in the customary photo shoot, so she should be comfortable with this.
- Shy Flower Girls: If your flower girl is shy, you can pair her with the ring bearer or another flower girl so they can proceed together.
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Dressing a flower girl
Flower girls are a common and adorable addition to any wedding. They are usually the youngest members of the wedding party, often nieces, cousins, or family friends, chosen for their cuteness and grace. Their role is to walk down the aisle ahead of the bride, scattering petals and symbolising purity and good luck.
Flower girl attire should complement the wedding's theme and aesthetic. It is favourable for them to match with the wedding party but not the bride, who should be the only one in a white dress. So, if the bridesmaids are wearing blue, the flower girls could wear blue, or if the bridesmaids are wearing a floral pattern, the flower girls could wear floral patterns.
Under one year old
- Soft, breathable fabrics like cotton are best for babies.
- Minimal embellishments and a simple design will avoid discomfort.
- Soft pastel colours like pale pink are a good choice for baby flower girls.
- Dresses with convenient fastenings like snaps or buttons are ideal for quick changes.
- Adjustable straps are a good idea, as babies grow quickly.
Two to four years old
- Ballet flats or Mary Janes are a good choice for comfort and stability.
- Tulle skirts add a playful and whimsical look.
- Pastel colours and floral patterns are cute and age-appropriate, especially for summer weddings.
- A knee-length dress allows for easy movement and playfulness during the wedding processional.
Five to seven years old
- Opt for a classic and timeless style to match the formality of the occasion.
- Floor-length dresses add a formal flair, especially for evening or indoor weddings.
- Tiered skirts or dresses with tulle details add elegance.
- Cute details like bows, hair accessories, flower crowns, ribbons, or floral accents are perfect for this age group.
Eight to ten years old
- Consider styles that resemble adult bridesmaid dresses but are still age-appropriate.
- Floor-length or tea-length dresses are suitable, as older flower girls are more confident.
- Coordinate the dress colour and style with the overall bridesmaid theme.
- A basket of flower petals adds a classic touch and connects the older flower girl to the traditional role.
Some other things to consider when dressing a flower girl:
- Flower girls' dresses should be purchased as close to the wedding date as possible, as children grow quickly.
- Choose a practical and comfortable design to prevent tantrums.
- Accessories like flower crowns, hair bows, and jewellery can add a special touch.
- Barefoot, ballet slippers, or Mary Janes are all good shoe options, but remember to account for growing feet and purchase shoes close to the wedding date.
- If the wedding has a cultural theme, reflect this in the flower girl's attire.
Overall, the key is to ensure the flower girl's comfort and style on the wedding day, with an outfit that complements the wedding's theme and colour palette.
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The flower girl's duties
The role of the flower girl is steeped in tradition, dating back to ancient Rome, where young girls would carry bunches of wheat and scatter herbs down the aisle before the bride joined the groom at the altar. This evolved during medieval times, when flower girls would carry garlic to ward off evil spirits. It wasn't until the Victorian era that flower girls started to resemble their modern-day counterparts, carrying and scattering petals.
Today, the flower girl's duties are as follows:
Getting Ready
The flower girl should get ready with the rest of the bridal party, helping her feel included in the day's celebrations. If she is too young to spend time away from her parents, they should bring her to the venue with plenty of time to settle her before the ceremony begins.
The Processional
Flower girls usually walk down the aisle after the bridesmaids but before the bride, carrying a basket of petals to scatter. They can also carry balloons, pinwheels, or bubbles to blow as they walk. If there is more than one flower girl, one can scatter petals while the other blows bubbles. Alternatively, they can ride in a wagon pulled by the eldest flower girl. If the flower girl is too young or shy to walk alone, she can be accompanied by a parent.
During the Ceremony
Once the flower girl reaches the end of the aisle, she can either stand with the bridal party or rejoin her parents to watch the rest of the ceremony.
Photo Duties
The flower girl should be included in the customary photo shoot, which usually requires a little more patience than it does for other guests, as the wedding party invariably features in more photographs.
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The flower girl's place in the wedding procession
The flower girl is a long-standing tradition at weddings, dating back to ancient Rome. The role has evolved over time, but the core function remains the same: to precede the bride down the aisle, scattering petals.
The flower girl is usually a young girl, between the ages of three and nine. She is often a relative or the daughter of a close friend. The flower girl is typically the youngest member of the wedding party and is there to set a cute and innocent tone for the bride's entrance.
In terms of the wedding procession, the flower girl usually walks down the aisle after the bridesmaids but before the bride. She may walk alone or be accompanied by her parents. Once she reaches the end of the aisle, she can either stand with the bridal party or rejoin her parents to watch the rest of the ceremony.
The flower girl's dress is usually similar to the bride's gown or mirrors the bridesmaids' dresses. It is often chosen by the bride and paid for by the flower girl's parents.
In summary, the flower girl is an optional but adorable addition to any wedding. Her role is to precede the bride, scattering petals and charming the guests, before taking her place with the bridal party or her parents.
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Frequently asked questions
A flower girl is typically the youngest person in the wedding party. She precedes the bride down the aisle, often carrying a basket of petals to scatter. The tradition dates back to ancient Rome, where flower girls carried wheat and herbs for the bride and groom.
Flower girls usually walk down the aisle after the bridesmaids but before the bride. They are the final processional members before the bride makes her grand entrance.
Flower girls are often the daughter of a friend or relative, such as a younger sister, niece, cousin, or daughter of a close friend. It's a great way to involve younger guests in your wedding.
Traditionally, flower girls are between the ages of three and nine. Any younger, and they may find it challenging to fulfil their duties, and any older, they may be promoted to junior bridesmaid.
Traditionally, a flower girl's dress strikes a balance between the bride's and bridesmaids' dresses. It often has a long, puffy skirt silhouette with a high neck and can be white or ivory, or in a colour matching the bridesmaids. Ultimately, it is the bride's choice.
