Flower Girls: Before Or After Bridesmaids?

The processional order of a wedding is the group of people who walk down the aisle in a specific order to mark the beginning of a wedding ceremony. The order of the processional is a portion of the wedding ceremony that can cause confusion and concern. Traditionally, the mother of the bride walks down the aisle first and then takes a seat in the first row. The bride is always the last to walk down the aisle. The flower girl is typically the last one to walk down the aisle before the bride. However, there is no right or wrong way to order the processional.

The traditional order of a wedding processional

Firstly, the mother of the bride walks down the aisle, signalling that the processional is about to begin. She can be accompanied by another family member or walk alone. Once she reaches the end, she takes her seat on the left side of the aisle in the first row.

Next is the officiant, who can be a friend, family member, or anyone ordained to perform weddings chosen by the couple. They make their way to the altar and stand while the rest of the processional enters.

The groom then enters the ceremony space, usually from the side of the venue close to the right side of the altar, where the groom and his family are traditionally placed. The groom may also be escorted by both of his parents, who then sit on the right side of the aisle in the front row.

The best man follows, either walking in from the same side as the groom or alone down the aisle. They take their place next to the groom at the altar and may also be the ring bearer.

The groomsmen enter the ceremony space next, walking down the aisle one by one, from farthest to closest to the groom.

The bridesmaids follow, again walking down the aisle one by one, before the maid of honour enters. Some couples may choose to have the groomsmen and bridesmaids walk in together in pairs.

The maid of honour then enters. Before the ceremony, they help the bride with any dress, veil, or train needs. During the ceremony, they stand by the bride's side at the altar and hold their bouquet and sometimes the groom's ring.

The flower girl and ring bearer are the final processional members to precede the bride. The ring bearer carries the wedding rings, which are then handed to the best man. The flower girl may carry a basket of petals to scatter. Once finished, they can find a seat with their parents or stand with the rest of the bridal party.

Finally, the father of the bride and the bride enter the ceremony. The father of the bride traditionally escorts his daughter down the aisle, standing to her right. After "giving her away", he lifts the veil, kisses her, and takes his seat beside the mother of the bride.

The role of the flower girl

The role of a flower girl is to precede the bride down the aisle, usually walking just after the bridesmaids and before the bride. The flower girl is often the youngest member of the wedding party, typically aged between three and eight years old.

The flower girl tradition dates back to ancient Rome, where young girls would carry wheat and herbs for the bride and groom, symbolising fertility and new beginnings. In modern times, flower girls carry baskets of petals to scatter, or sometimes baskets of flowers, candy-wrapped chocolates or confetti. Alternatively, they might blow bubbles, carry a single flower or a pomander, or even a fairy wand.

The flower girl's main responsibility is to look adorable and set a cute tone for the bride's entrance. They may also feature in some of the wedding photos. The flower girl's parents traditionally pay for her outfit, although some couples may choose to cover the cost if they have specific ideas about what they want the flower girl to wear.

Older flower girls may stand at the altar with the bridesmaids, while younger ones usually sit with their parents or grandparents during the ceremony. If the flower girl is very young, she may walk down the aisle with her parents or an older bridesmaid.

The flower girl's family

The role of flower girl is often given to a young girl who is related to the bride or groom. This could be a niece, a cousin, or even a daughter. If you are planning a wedding and want to include a flower girl, it is important to know when she should walk down the aisle.

The traditional order of a wedding processional begins with the mother of the bride, who is then followed by the officiant, the groom, the best man, the groomsmen, the bridesmaids, the maid of honour, the ring bearer, the flower girl, and finally, the bride and her father. However, this is not set in stone and can be changed to suit the couple's preferences and the dynamics of their families.

For example, if the flower girl is the daughter of a bridesmaid, it might make sense for them to walk down the aisle together. Alternatively, if the flower girl is very young, you might want to have her walk with an older child who is also part of the wedding party. You could also have the flower girl walk with her parents or, if she is old enough, by herself.

If you are the parent or guardian of a flower girl, it is important to be prepared for any eventuality. Young children can be unpredictable, and you don't want the flower girl to become overwhelmed or upset during the processional. Make sure she is comfortable with her outfit and understands her role, and be ready to walk with her if needed.

The flower girl's duties

The flower girl is a centuries-old wedding tradition that has evolved over the years. While her primary role is to be adorable, she also has some important duties to fulfil.

Choosing a Flower Girl

The flower girl is usually a female child between the ages of three and eight, who is a close relative or friend of the couple. If you don't have a niece, daughter, or a best friend's child to choose from, you can get creative and appoint a young boy as a flower boy, or even a pet as a petal patrol!

Flower Girl Expenses

The flower girl's parents are traditionally responsible for purchasing her outfit and accessories, as well as covering other expenses such as attending pre-wedding events. However, it is considered a nice gesture for the couple to offer to pay if they are able to.

Rehearsing for the Big Day

Walking down the aisle may seem simple, but everyone needs a little practice, even the flower girl! Rehearsing can help with nerves and build confidence. It's also a good idea to make sure the flower girl is well-rested, well-fed, and entertained before the ceremony.

The Processional

The flower girl traditionally walks down the aisle after the bridesmaids and right before the bride. She often scatters petals, herbs, or confetti as she walks, although some venues do not allow this. In such cases, she can blow bubbles, carry a small bouquet, a basket, a pinwheel, or a sign.

Once she reaches the altar, the flower girl can either stand with the rest of the wedding party or return to sit with her parents. During the reception, she can be announced along with the rest of the wedding party if she is comfortable.

The bride's preferences

Ultimately, it is the bride's wedding, and she can decide the order in which her wedding party walks down the aisle. While there is a traditional order, it is not set in stone, and the bride can decide to change it as she sees fit.

If the bride is very close with her sister/MOH, she may want her to walk right before her. This would also give the flower girls enough time to get seated with their families. The bride could also have her flower girls walk down the aisle with their mothers, who are bridesmaids. This would be a nice way to include the flower girls' mothers in the ceremony.

If the flower girls are very young, the bride may want to give them more time to walk down the aisle by having them go before the bridesmaids. This could be a good option if the flower girls are likely to be shy or unpredictable. The bride could also have the flower girls walk with the ring bearer, as this tends to work well with very young or uncooperative children.

The bride could also have the flower girls walk down the aisle with the bridesmaids. This could be a good option if the flower girls are older and more confident. The flower girls could carry a sign saying "Here Comes the Bride", which would indicate to the guests that the bride is about to walk down the aisle.

In the end, the most important thing is that the bride feels happy and comfortable with the order of her wedding party. She should feel free to make any changes to the traditional order that she sees fit.

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