Bridesmaid Party: Junior Members And Their Numbers

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. 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 honoured and respected. There is no limit to the number of junior bridesmaids you can have, but the role is usually limited to three or four attendants.

Junior bridesmaids' duties

A junior bridesmaid is a unique role in a wedding party for a young girl who is too old to be a flower girl but too young to be a full-on bridesmaid. Junior bridesmaids are usually between the ages of 9 and 15 and are often nieces, cousins, sisters, daughters, stepdaughters, or any other young female relative or friend the bride or groom wishes to honour.

Junior bridesmaids have a variety of duties and responsibilities, including:

Pre-Wedding Duties:

• Helping with pre-wedding tasks such as adding postage to invites, putting together favours, and setting up bridal shower decorations.
• Attending pre-wedding parties like the bridal shower and rehearsal dinner. It is important to note that they should not be invited to the bachelorette party.
• Providing input on their dress and helping to plan games and other details for the bridal shower.
• Joining the bride for gown fittings, cake tastings, and other wedding planning outings.

Wedding Day Duties:

• Walking down the aisle before the other bridesmaids, carrying a smaller bouquet, or holding a lantern or sign.
• Standing at the altar during the ceremony, traditionally on the far left, farthest from the couple.
• Helping with the flower girls, making sure they are in the right places and have their flowers or baskets.
• Being in photos with the wedding party, flower girls, her family, and the couple.
• Handing out programs or putting the bouquets in water.

It is important to communicate with the junior bridesmaid and her family to ensure she is included in the parts of the wedding she is most interested in and not overwhelmed with exhausting chores.

Junior bridesmaids' attire

Junior bridesmaids are younger members of the wedding party, usually between the ages of 9 and 15. They are often relatives of the bride or groom, such as a younger sister, niece, or cousin, but this is not a requirement.

When it comes to attire, junior bridesmaids should wear something that is age-appropriate and modest, while still coordinating with the rest of the bridal party. Many bridesmaid gown designers offer matching gowns for younger attendants, with options for shorter lengths and higher necklines. The junior bridesmaid's dress can be in a coordinating floral print or a slightly lighter colour than the other bridesmaids' dresses.

If the bridesmaids' dresses are strapless, you may want to add straps to the junior bridesmaid's dress for modesty. Alternatively, you can dress her in something in between the flower girls and the bridesmaids. For example, if the flower girls are wearing short white dresses and the bridesmaids are wearing long coloured dresses, the junior bridesmaid could wear a short white dress with colour-coordinated trim.

The junior bridesmaid should carry a bouquet that is smaller than the bridesmaids' bouquets but within the same design aesthetic.

The cost of the junior bridesmaid's attire is typically covered by her parents, although it is not uncommon for the bride to pay for it as a gesture of thanks.

Who pays for a junior bridesmaid's dress?

When it comes to junior bridesmaids, the traditional assumption is that their parents will buy the dress. However, having junior bridesmaids is becoming less common, so fewer people are aware of this tradition. If you’re a bride who wants the parents to pay for the dress, you should do some research on what you expect the budget to be before asking them upfront about buying the dress.

If the junior bridesmaids are older, they may be expected to pay for their own dresses. This is generally the case for bridesmaids, and the same rules can apply to older junior bridesmaids. However, it is not uncommon for the bride to pay for the junior bridesmaids' dresses, especially if the bride has chosen an expensive dress. It is a nice gesture and a great way to thank younger attendants for taking part in the wedding.

Ultimately, it is important to have a conversation with the junior bridesmaids' parents so that expectations about attire are clear.

How many junior bridesmaids to include

When it comes to deciding how many junior bridesmaids to include in your wedding, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The number of junior bridesmaids you choose will depend on various factors, such as the age of the potential attendants, their relationship to you, and the overall size of your wedding party.

Junior bridesmaids are typically younger members of the bridal party, often between the ages of 9 and 15. They are usually too old to be flower girls but too young to be full bridesmaids. If you have several young female relatives or friends who fall within this age range, you may want to consider including them as junior bridesmaids. This is a great way to honour them and make them feel like an important part of your special day.

However, it's important to keep in mind that junior bridesmaids participate in many of the same activities as adult bridesmaids, such as attending the wedding shower and standing at the altar during the ceremony. Therefore, each additional junior bridesmaid will add to the overall headcount of your wedding party. If you have a large number of potential junior bridesmaids, you may need to consider whether their age is more suitable for a flower girl or bridesmaid role instead.

Ultimately, the decision on how many junior bridesmaids to include rests with you and your partner. There is no right or wrong number, and you can choose to have as many or as few as you like. However, it's worth considering the logistics of coordinating a large group, as well as the potential expenses associated with having a larger wedding party.

To make your decision easier, you may want to consult with a wedding planner or other trusted friends and family members. They can provide valuable advice and help you navigate any challenges that may arise when determining the size of your bridal party. Remember, the most important thing is to choose individuals who you genuinely want to share your special day with and who will support and celebrate with you.

Asking a junior bridesmaid to participate

Who Can Be a Junior Bridesmaid?

A junior bridesmaid is typically a young female relative or friend who is too old to be a flower girl but too young to be a full-on bridesmaid. This could include a niece, cousin, sister, daughter, stepdaughter, or anyone else close to the bride or groom. It's important to note that a junior bridesmaid can also be a boy or a gender non-conforming person. The role is usually limited to those between the ages of 9 and 15, but this can vary depending on what feels right for the individual and the wedding party.

Junior bridesmaids have similar responsibilities to adult bridesmaids, but their duties are scaled down to be kid-appropriate. They can help with pre-wedding tasks such as adding postage to invites, putting together favours, and setting up decorations. They also attend pre-wedding parties like the bridal shower and rehearsal dinner, but they should not be invited to the bachelorette party. On the wedding day, they participate in the ceremony processional and stand at the altar with the bridal party. They may also have other duties assigned by the bride, such as helping with flower girls or handing out programs.

How to Ask a Junior Bridesmaid to Participate:

When asking a junior bridesmaid to be part of your wedding, it is recommended to speak to their guardians first. This allows the guardians to discuss their child's comfort level and schedule, and ensure they are comfortable with any expenses the role may entail. Once the guardians are on board, you can ask the junior bridesmaid in person or provide them with a small gift. Be enthusiastic and let them know you're there to answer any questions or concerns. You can also get creative with your invitation, such as taking them out for lunch or replicating the invitation you used for your adult bridesmaids.

Junior bridesmaids should have attire that matches the rest of the bridal party, although there is no hard-and-fast rule. Many designers create bridesmaid collections that include garments for junior attendants, so it is possible to find something age-appropriate that matches the wedding's theme and style. If the bridesmaid dress comes in junior sizes and is suitable for their age, you can choose to match your junior bridesmaid to the rest of the bridal party. Otherwise, you can opt for a dress in a similar colour, style, or fabric.

Frequently asked questions