The Bridesmaids' Children: A Wedding Tradition Explained

In some cultures, it is customary for bridesmaids to be young girls rather than adult women. This tradition is observed in Norway, the Netherlands, France, and Victorian Britain, and has also been practised at British royal weddings. At these weddings, the bridesmaids are typically children or early teens, and are referred to as page boys or flower girls. While the role of a bridesmaid is often to support the bride and be part of her entourage, child bridesmaids may simply carry flowers during the procession and pose for bridal photos.

It's British tradition to have children as bridesmaids

In British English, the male equivalent of a bridesmaid is known as an usher or a groomsman. Bridesmaids are members of the bride's party at some Western traditional wedding ceremonies. They are typically young women and often close friends or relatives of the bride.

It is British tradition to have children as bridesmaids and page boys. This tradition has been followed by the British royal family. For instance, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had children as bridesmaids and page boys at their wedding. Princess Charlotte served as one of Markle's bridesmaids, and Prince George was a pageboy.

In modern English-speaking countries, children performing the role of bridesmaid are known as flower girls. They may carry flowers during the wedding procession and pose with the married couple in bridal photos.

In the past, bridesmaids were chosen from unwed young women of marriageable age. A large group of bridesmaids provided an opportunity for showing off the family's social status and wealth.

Children as bridesmaids stems from the Biblical story of Jacob

Children as bridesmaids stem from the Biblical story of Jacob, who had 13 children with four different women. Jacob's story, which begins in Genesis 25:19, tells of his journey to Haran, where he fell in love with his cousin Rachel and agreed to work for seven years to obtain her hand in marriage. However, on the wedding day, Jacob's uncle Laban deceived him by substituting Rachel with her older sister, Leah. Unbeknownst to Jacob, he had married Leah, and he was compelled to serve Laban for another seven years to finally marry his beloved Rachel.

In the Bible, the role of bridesmaids was to help the bride prepare for the wedding and hold up oil lamps so that the bride and groom could see each other when the groom arrived. In the case of Jacob's wedding, it is likely that his children, or at least some of them, played the role of bridesmaids, as they would have been part of the wedding party and held up lamps during the ceremony and procession.

The use of children as bridesmaids can also be attributed to the customs of the time. In Biblical times, it was common for marriages to be arranged by the parents, and the bride and groom often had no say in the matter. Additionally, girls and women had little to no rights, and they were expected to obey their fathers and then their husbands. As such, it would not have been unusual for children to be part of the wedding party, especially if they were from a large family like Jacob's, where he had 13 children with four different women.

Furthermore, the story of Jacob's wedding also highlights the importance of lamps and light during the ceremony. In the Bible, light is often associated with God and is seen as a symbol of purity, truth, and goodness. The use of lamps and light during the wedding ceremony and procession would have been significant, and it is likely that the children, as part of the wedding party, would have participated in this tradition by holding up lamps to illuminate the bride and groom.

Children as bridesmaids can be traced back to ancient times

In some cultures, such as Norway, the Netherlands, France, and Victorian Britain, it was customary for bridesmaids to be young girls rather than grown women. They often carried flowers during the wedding procession and posed with the married couple in bridal photos. This tradition has largely been replaced in modern English-speaking countries, where the role of the flower girl is now separate from that of the bridesmaid.

The role of bridesmaids has historically been influenced by socioeconomic class, family size, socialisation standards, and religion. In ancient China, for example, bridesmaids served as bodyguards, dressing like the bride to protect her from rival clans and hooligans. As legal protections for marriage were established, the role of the bridesmaid became more symbolic.

In modern times, the number of bridesmaids in a wedding party is influenced by various factors, including the bride's preferences, family size, and the number of attendants requested by the partner. While the tradition of having children as bridesmaids has evolved, it continues to be a cherished aspect of wedding ceremonies in different cultures.

Children as bridesmaids were used to confuse evil spirits

In ancient times, bridesmaids played a crucial role in protecting the bride from evil spirits and jealous suitors. The bride and her bridesmaids wore identical outfits and heavily veiled their faces to create confusion, making it difficult for evil forces or spurned admirers to identify the bride. This practice ensured the bride's safety and served as a symbolic gesture to ward off any potential harm or negative influences.

In addition to confusing evil spirits, the tradition of children bridesmaids also stems from the desire to showcase family status and wealth. A large group of bridesmaids, including children, indicated the family's high social standing. The younger bridesmaids added to the grandeur of the wedding procession and enhanced the overall spectacle of the ceremony.

Furthermore, the choice of children as bridesmaids can also be attributed to religious influences. The Biblical story of Jacob and his two wives, Leah and Rachel, who had their own maids, as mentioned in the Book of Genesis, is often cited as an example. These maids were handmaidens or servants, signifying the family's status and adhering to religious traditions.

The tradition of children bridesmaids has evolved over time, with legal protections for marriage established, and now serves a more symbolic purpose. However, the influence of these ancient traditions remains, reminding us of the rich history and cultural significance associated with wedding ceremonies.

Children as bridesmaids were used to confuse kidnappers

In Victorian Britain, it was customary for bridesmaids to be small girls rather than grown women. They would carry flowers during the procession and pose with the married couple in photographs. In modern English-speaking countries, this role is now separate from that of the bridesmaid, and the child performing it is known as a flower girl.

In the United States, bridesmaids are typically a representation of the bride's closest friends. However, in British royal weddings, bridesmaids are usually children or early teens. This tradition was followed by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who had Princess Charlotte as one of her bridesmaids and Prince George as a pageboy.

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