Making Junior Bridesmaids Work: A Guide For Brides

A junior bridesmaid is a role for a young girl who is too old to be a flower girl but too young to be a bridesmaid. Junior bridesmaids are usually between the ages of 9 and 15 and are often included in the wedding party to make younger female relatives and friends feel involved in the celebration. Junior bridesmaids can be included in a variety of ways, from helping with pre-wedding tasks to participating in the ceremony. In this article, we will explore the different ways to make junior bridesmaids feel valued and included in your special day.

Junior bridesmaids' attire

Junior bridesmaids are usually between the ages of 9 and 15, and often have a family connection to the bride or groom. They are typically too old to be flower girls, but too young to be bridesmaids.

Junior bridesmaids should wear attire that is age-appropriate, modest, and complementary to the bridal party's attire. Many designers create bridesmaid collections that include garments for junior attendants, allowing the entire wedding party to look alike. If there are no age-appropriate options available, consider ankle-length dresses with higher necklines. You can also dress junior bridesmaids in a coordinating floral print or a slightly lighter colour than the rest of the bridesmaids.

Junior bridesmaids' dresses should have age-appropriate lengths and necklines. For example, if the bridesmaids are wearing strapless dresses, consider adding spaghetti straps or a scoop neckline to the junior bridesmaids' dresses for added modesty.

It is worth noting that the junior bridesmaids' parents are typically responsible for the costs of their attire, including any alterations. However, it is not uncommon for the bride to pay for the junior bridesmaids' dresses as a gesture of appreciation for their participation in the wedding.

• Hold off on purchasing the dress for as long as possible, as junior bridesmaids may go through growth spurts.
• Consider the comfort and confidence level of the junior bridesmaid when selecting their attire. For example, if they are shy, you may want to pair them with a junior groomsman, guardian, or another bridesmaid when walking down the aisle.
• Include the junior bridesmaid in the process and ask for their input on their dress to help them feel valued and involved in the wedding party.
• Accessorise the junior bridesmaid's dress with pearls, jewels, or anything sparkly to add a cute and youthful touch.

Pre-wedding roles and responsibilities

Junior bridesmaids are typically between the ages of 9 and 15. They are often included in the wedding party to make younger female relatives and friends feel valued and involved in the celebration. While their responsibilities differ from wedding to wedding, here are some pre-wedding roles and responsibilities that junior bridesmaids can take on:

Planning and Preparation

Junior bridesmaids can be included in the planning process by providing input on their dress, helping to plan games and other bridal shower details, and joining the bride for gown fittings or cake tastings. They can also assist with pre-wedding tasks such as addressing invitations, assembling favours, and setting up bridal shower decorations.

Pre-Wedding Events

Junior bridesmaids should be invited to appropriate pre-wedding events such as the bridal shower and rehearsal dinner. Their attendance at the bachelorette party is at the bride's discretion and depends on the nature of the planned activities. If there is a pre-party dinner that is age-appropriate, the junior bridesmaid can attend and feel included in the celebrations.

Dress and Appearance

Junior bridesmaids should wear dresses that are age-appropriate and modest. While they should match the rest of the bridal party, their outfits may have different necklines and lengths. It is important to consider the potential for growth spurts and weight changes when choosing their attire, and to schedule fittings as close to the wedding date as possible.

Communication and Permission

It is important to communicate with the junior bridesmaid and her family to ensure she is comfortable and included in the wedding celebrations. The bride should also seek permission from the junior bridesmaid's parents before offering the position.

Wedding-day roles and responsibilities

Junior bridesmaids are typically between the ages of 9 and 16, and are often included in the wedding party to make younger female relatives and friends feel involved and honoured. The role is perfect for a sister, daughter, niece, or cousin (or any other young girl you're close to) who is too old to be a flower girl but too young to be a bridesmaid.

On the day of the wedding, junior bridesmaids are usually part of the procession, walking down the aisle after the flower girl but before the older bridesmaids. They can walk alone, with a junior groomsman, or with a family member. During the ceremony, they stand at the front of the altar with the rest of the bridal party.

Junior bridesmaids can be given a variety of responsibilities, such as:

• Helping with pre-wedding tasks like addressing invitations, creating wedding favours, and planning the bridal shower
• Attending pre-wedding events like the bridal shower and rehearsal dinner (but not the bachelorette party)
• Helping to put bouquets in water, looking after the flower girls, and handing out programs
• Assisting with post-party clean-up

How to ask a junior bridesmaid to be in your wedding

A junior bridesmaid is a great way to involve younger female relatives and friends in your wedding. This role is perfect for those who are too old to be flower girls but too young to be bridesmaids. Junior bridesmaids are usually between the ages of 9 and 15, but this can vary depending on the situation. They are typically younger sisters, nieces, cousins, daughters, or anyone else close to the bride or groom.

• Get permission from their parents or guardians: It is important to speak to the parents or guardians of the child before offering the role. This will give them time to discuss their comfort level with the request and ensure that the child is interested and available for the wedding.
• Be creative with your invitation: Make the invitation fun and special. You can take the junior bridesmaid out for lunch, a manicure, a coffee date, or another activity. You can also tweak the invitation you use for the adult bridesmaids and create a similar age-appropriate invitation for the junior bridesmaid.
• Include them in pre-wedding events: Junior bridesmaids should be included in appropriate pre-wedding events, such as the bridal shower and rehearsal dinner. This will allow them to feel involved and get to know the other members of the wedding party.
• Give them responsibilities: Assigning responsibilities to your junior bridesmaid will help her feel valued and included. She can help with tasks such as putting the bouquets in water, assisting the flower girls, handing out programs, or helping with pre-wedding activities like assembling favours or planning games for the bridal shower.
• Consider their dress: The junior bridesmaid should match the rest of the bridal party, but with a more modest and age-appropriate outfit. Many designers offer coordinating gowns for younger attendants, or you can opt for a floral print or a slightly lighter colour. Remember to discuss attire expectations and costs with the junior bridesmaid's parents.
• Plan their role on the day: Communicate with the junior bridesmaid and her family to ensure she is included in the parts of the wedding she is most interested in. She should be included in photos with the full wedding party and flower girls, but you may not need her in every group shot. She can walk down the aisle by herself or with a junior groomsman, older groomsman, or family member. At the reception, seat her with people she will enjoy, which may be her younger cousins rather than the older bridal party.

Who pays for a junior bridesmaid's dress?

A junior bridesmaid is a role for a young girl who is too old to be a flower girl but too young to be a full-on bridesmaid. Typically, a junior bridesmaid is between the ages of 9 and 15. This role allows younger female relatives and friends to be included in the wedding celebrations and honours the relationship with the bride.

If the junior bridesmaid is a family member or friend, it is customary for the parents to pay for the dress and any alterations. However, it is not uncommon for the bride to pay for the junior bridesmaid's dress as a nice gesture and a way to thank them for their participation in the wedding. Ultimately, it is important to have a conversation with the parents or guardians of the junior bridesmaid to set clear expectations regarding attire and costs.

The cost of a junior bridesmaid's dress is typically considered reasonable if it is under $200. If the dress costs between $200 and $500, it is appropriate to discuss splitting the bill. For dresses priced above $500, the bride should offer to pay.

It is worth noting that the junior bridesmaid's parents or guardians are also typically responsible for other costs associated with the wedding, such as shoes, jewellery, accessories, and pre-wedding events. Therefore, it is essential to have open communication about financial expectations to ensure everyone is comfortable with the expenses.

Frequently asked questions