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 8 and 16, but this can vary depending on the specific circumstances. For example, if you want to include a group of cousins or sisters who fall on both sides of the age range, it's perfectly acceptable to have junior bridesmaids who are older or younger. Ultimately, the decision of how old a junior bridesmaid should be is up to the bride and groom, and what feels right to them.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Age Range | 8-16 years old |
Typical Age Range | 9-15 years old |
Flower Girl Age Range | 3-8 years old |
What You'll Learn
Junior bridesmaids are usually between 9 and 16 years old
Junior bridesmaids can be included in pre-wedding events, such as the bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, and engagement party. However, they are usually not invited to the bachelorette party, especially if it involves activities geared towards adults. It is also not necessary to include them in every photo with the bridal party, but they should be included in at least some traditional wedding party portraits.
Junior bridesmaids often wear a dress chosen by the bride, which may be similar or different from the bridesmaids' dresses. The junior bridesmaid's dress should be age-appropriate and comfortable, with modest necklines and ankle-length hemlines. The junior bridesmaid's parents are typically responsible for the cost of the dress, although the bride may choose to pay for it as a gesture of appreciation.
On the wedding day, junior bridesmaids have various roles and responsibilities. They usually walk down the aisle before the bridesmaids and may carry a smaller bouquet, a lantern, or wear a flower crown. They stand at the altar with the bridal party and may be paired with a groomsman during the ceremony and recessional. Junior bridesmaids can also help with flower girls, ensuring they are in the right places and have their flowers or baskets.
The role of a junior bridesmaid is a great way to honour and include younger family members or friends in the wedding celebrations. It allows them to feel involved and creates lasting memories for both the wedding party and the junior bridesmaid.
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The bride decides what the junior bridesmaid wears
Junior bridesmaids are typically between the ages of 9 and 15, though this can vary depending on the bride's preferences and the comfort level of the child and their guardians. Junior bridesmaids are often younger sisters, nieces, cousins, or daughters of the bride or groom, but they can be anyone the couple is close to.
The junior bridesmaid's parents are typically responsible for the cost of the dress and any alterations. However, it is not uncommon for the bride to pay for the dress as a gesture of appreciation for the junior bridesmaid's participation in the wedding. It is essential to have clear communication between the bride and the junior bridesmaid's parents regarding expectations for attire and costs.
In addition to the dress, the junior bridesmaid may also wear a robe, especially if the bridal party is getting ready together. Junior bridesmaid robes can be found in complementary colours or patterns to match the bridal party's theme.
Overall, the bride has the creative freedom to decide what the junior bridesmaid wears, taking into account the age and comfort level of the junior bridesmaid and collaborating with the junior bridesmaid's parents on any necessary alterations or adjustments.
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Junior bridesmaids can be included in pre-wedding activities
Junior bridesmaids are a great way to include younger family members and friends in your wedding celebrations. They are typically between the ages of 9 and 15, but this can vary depending on the relationship and comfort level of the individual. Junior bridesmaids can be included in various pre-wedding activities, such as:
Planning and Preparation
Junior bridesmaids can be involved in the planning process and provide input on their dress, help plan games and other details for the bridal shower, and join the bride for gown fittings or cake tastings. They can also help 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 pre-wedding events such as the bridal shower, engagement party, and rehearsal dinner. Their attendance at the bachelorette party is at the bride's discretion and depends on the planned activities. If the event is age-appropriate and the bride feels comfortable, the junior bridesmaid can join for a portion of the celebration.
Wedding Day Rehearsal
The junior bridesmaid is expected to attend the wedding rehearsal and participate in the ceremony processional, walking down the aisle before the bridesmaids. They may walk alone or be escorted by a junior groomsman, older groomsman, or family member.
Wedding Portraits
Junior bridesmaids should be included in traditional wedding party portraits, particularly those featuring the couple, bridesmaids, and other attendants. The bride can decide whether to include them in portraits with just the bride and bridesmaids.
By including junior bridesmaids in these pre-wedding activities, they will feel valued and honoured, creating lifelong memories for both them and the bride.
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They can also help with small wedding-related tasks
Junior bridesmaids are usually between the ages of 9 and 15. They are often included in the wedding party to make younger female relatives and friends feel honoured and involved in the wedding celebrations.
Junior bridesmaids can help with small wedding-related tasks, such as putting the bouquets in water, helping with the flower girls, handing out programs, and assisting with the bridal shower. They can also be involved in the planning process, providing input on their dress, and joining the bride for gown fittings or cake tastings.
Junior bridesmaids can also be given responsibilities before the wedding, such as adding postage to invites, putting together favours, and setting up bridal shower decorations. They can also help with the cleanup after pre-wedding parties. These tasks will make them feel included and valued, as well as creating lifelong memories for them and the bride.
On the day of the wedding, junior bridesmaids can be in charge of making sure the flower girls are in the right places and have their flowers or baskets. They can also help to seat the flower girls during the ceremony and process down the aisle before the bridesmaids.
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Junior bridesmaids are usually related to the bride or groom
Junior bridesmaids are typically younger members of the bridal party, often falling between the ages of 9 and 15. They are usually related to the bride or groom, such as a niece, cousin, sister, daughter, or stepdaughter, though this is not always the case. Junior bridesmaids can be a great way to involve younger female relatives and friends in the wedding celebrations. They are often too old to be flower girls but too young to join the bridal party for more adult activities.
Junior bridesmaids can be included in a variety of ways throughout the wedding planning process and on the wedding day itself. They can provide input on their dress, help plan games and other details for the bridal shower, and join the bride for gown fittings or cake tastings. On the wedding day, they can be in charge of putting the bouquets in water, helping with the flower girls, or handing out programs. They can also walk down the aisle in the processional and stand at the altar with the bridal party.
The bride can choose how much or how little the junior bridesmaid is included on the wedding day. While they may not have a long list of responsibilities, it is a way to honour their relationship with the bride and include them in the special day. Junior bridesmaids can wear a dress that matches the other bridesmaids or a coordinating dress in a different colour or print.
Overall, junior bridesmaids are a perfect way to include young female relatives or friends in the wedding celebrations, giving them a special role that falls between a flower girl and a full bridesmaid.
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Frequently asked questions
A junior bridesmaid is a role given to a female relative or friend who is too old to be a flower girl but too young to be a bridesmaid. Junior bridesmaids are usually between the ages of 8 and 16, but this can vary depending on what feels right for the individual and the couple.
Junior bridesmaids are expected to wear a dress chosen by the bride, attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, participate in the ceremony processional, and stand at the altar with the bridal party. They may also help with smaller wedding-related tasks and attend pre-wedding celebrations.
It is recommended to speak to the parents or guardians of the child before asking them to be a junior bridesmaid. The parents can advise on the child's schedule and comfort level with the role, and they will also likely be responsible for the costs of the junior bridesmaid's attire and other expenses.
There are no hard-and-fast rules for junior bridesmaid attire. The junior bridesmaid can wear the same dress as the other bridesmaids if it is age-appropriate and comes in junior sizes. Alternatively, the junior bridesmaid can wear a dress in a similar colour, style, or fabric to complement the overall look of the bridal party.
Junior bridesmaids are typically not invited to the bachelorette party, especially if the activities are geared towards adults aged 21 and older. However, if the bachelorette party is more low-key and wholesome, such as a spa day or a movie night, the junior bridesmaid can be included if desired.