Jr Bridesmaids: Their Role And Responsibilities Explained

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 14, but this can vary depending on the comfort level of the child. They are often included in the wedding party to make younger female relatives and friends feel honoured and involved in the celebration. Junior bridesmaids can attend pre-wedding events, help with wedding planning, and participate in the ceremony processional.

Help with pre-wedding tasks

Junior bridesmaids are often too young to join in with all the pre-wedding activities, but there are still plenty of ways they can help out. Here are some ideas for tasks that a junior bridesmaid can get involved with:

Planning and Preparation

Junior bridesmaids can be included in the planning process, giving them a chance to feel valued and involved. They can help with DIY favours, shopping for décor, and putting together favours. If you're inviting your bridal party to a vendor meeting, ask your junior bridesmaid to come along too. She can also be included in the dress shopping and fitting process.

Bridal Showers and Rehearsal Dinners

Junior bridesmaids should be invited to bridal showers and rehearsal dinners. They can help with setting up and cleaning up at these events. They can also help plan games and other details for the bridal shower.

The Bachelorette Party

While junior bridesmaids shouldn't attend the bachelorette party, they can be included in other pre-wedding celebrations. If you're having a pre-party dinner that's age-appropriate, they can attend this. Or, you could plan a separate outing to include them, such as lunch, a shopping trip, or getting manicures and pedicures together.

The Rehearsal

The junior bridesmaid is expected to attend the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner. If they are on the younger side, their parents should also be invited.

Attend pre-wedding parties

Junior bridesmaids are expected to attend pre-wedding parties, including the bridal shower and the rehearsal dinner. Their attendance at the bachelorette party is at the bride's discretion and depends on the activities planned. If the bride is organising a weekend in Vegas or a day at a luxury spa, the venues may prohibit guests under 18. However, if the event is a dinner, concert, spa day, or movie night, the junior bridesmaid can join for the meal or activity and still get home for her curfew.

Junior bridesmaids can also be included in other pre-wedding activities, such as helping to assemble favours, setting up bridal shower decorations, and cleaning up after parties. They can also be brought along to shop for the bridal gown or attend a fitting.

Assist with the flower girls

Junior bridesmaids are usually between the ages of 9 and 14, but can be older or younger depending on the bride's preference. They are often included in the wedding party to involve younger relatives and friends in the celebration.

Junior bridesmaids can be asked to assist with the flower girls on the day of the wedding. This may include making sure they are in the right place at the right time, that they have their flowers or baskets, and helping them to their seats at the altar.

During the Planning Process

Junior bridesmaids can be included in the planning process by inviting them to vendor meetings, cake tastings, and dress fittings. They can also help with DIY favours or shopping for décor. This will make them feel valued and involved in the lead-up to the wedding.

At the Bridal Shower

Junior bridesmaids should be invited to the bridal shower and can help with the setup and cleanup. They can also assist with games and other details, providing input and keeping the younger flower girls entertained.

During the Rehearsal and Ceremony

The junior bridesmaid is expected to attend the rehearsal and may assist the ushers in seating guests, depending on their comfort level. During the ceremony, they will take part in the processional and stand with the bridal party. They can also walk with a flower girl, making sure they are comfortable and have everything they need.

At the Reception

Junior bridesmaids can be responsible for passing out programs or favours during the reception. They should be included in the bridal party dances, and a bottle of sparkling cider can be provided so they can join in the toasts.

Remember, the main role of a junior bridesmaid is to have fun and feel special. Their duties are more of an honour than a job, so try to include them in age-appropriate ways and give them opportunities to help out and feel valued.

Wear a dress of the bride's choosing

Junior bridesmaids are expected to wear a dress chosen by the bride. This dress should complement the bridal party's overall aesthetic and colour scheme. It is customary for junior bridesmaids to wear a more modest version of the adult bridesmaids' dresses, with age-appropriate lengths and necklines. For instance, the junior bridesmaid's dress could be ankle-length with a higher neckline.

The bride usually has the option to have the junior bridesmaid wear a coordinating floral print or a slightly lighter colour than the other bridesmaids. However, there are no strict rules, and the junior bridesmaid's dress can be left up to the bride's discretion. If the bride chooses a dress that comes in junior sizes and is age-appropriate, the junior bridesmaid can match the other bridesmaids.

The junior bridesmaid's parents are typically responsible for purchasing the dress and covering any alteration costs. 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 communicate with the junior bridesmaid's parents to ensure clear expectations regarding attire and expenses.

To accommodate potential growth spurts or changes during puberty, it is recommended to schedule the junior bridesmaid's dress fittings as close to the wedding date as possible.

Participate in the ceremony processional

Participating in the ceremony processional is one of the most important duties of a junior bridesmaid. This involves walking down the aisle before the older bridesmaids during the traditional wedding processional. Usually, the junior bridesmaid will carry a smaller bouquet than the other bridesmaids, but she can also hold a lantern, a sign with a funny quote, or wear a flower crown to make her stand out.

Whether the junior bridesmaid walks down the aisle alone depends on her confidence level. If she is an extrovert, she may want to walk unaccompanied. However, if she is shy, she might prefer to walk with a junior groomsman, an older groomsman, a family member, or another bridesmaid. If there are equal numbers of groomsmen and bridesmaids, and you want everyone to walk in pairs, the junior bridesmaid can be escorted by a groomsman. Alternatively, she can walk solo or as part of a trio.

Before the processional, the junior bridesmaid can help the flower girls prepare by ensuring they are in the right place and have their flowers or baskets. During the ceremony, the junior bridesmaid stands at the altar with the bridal party. Traditionally, she stands on the far left, farthest from the couple getting married. For the recessional, the junior bridesmaid is usually one of the last people to exit, either alone or with a groomsman.

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