Nothing livens up a wedding like a flower girl. An adorable child in a beautiful dress scattering petals down the aisle is a surefire way to put a smile on your guests’ faces.
Are you considering having a flower girl at your wedding? Here is everything you need to know.
What Is a Flower Girl?
As the name suggests, a flower girl is typically a young girl who scatters flower petals down the wedding aisle.
In most cases, these girls are a relative of the bride or groom, but they don’t necessarily have to be.
History of the Flower Girl Tradition
The role of the flower girl traces back to the Roman Empire. However, these flower girls were much different from what you’d see at a wedding today.
During Roman Empire weddings, they often had a young girl carry a bundle of wheat or garlic down the aisle. Romans believed that the wheat would help ensure prosperity in the bride and groom’s marriage.
The garlic, on the other hand, was more common during the renaissance, and they believed that it would promote good luck and ward off evil spirits.
Planning for Flower Girls at Your Wedding
If you’ve decided to have a flower girl at your wedding, it’s essential to make some plans ahead of time. Here are a few factors you should consider.
Who Should the Flower Girl Be?
The flower girl is usually a cousin, sibling, niece, or child of the bride or groom. But if you don’t have a young girl in your family who’s willing to be in the wedding, that doesn’t mean your wedding can’t have a flower girl. If you’d like, you can always have a family friend or even a neighbor fill this important role!
How Old Should the Flower Girl Be?
The age of a flower girl normally ranges between four and ten years old. However, you can have one older or younger so long as they are willing and capable of doing it.
In most cases, you will usually want a flower girl who is still in grade school. On the other hand, having one younger than three can be a tad risky. But if you have your heart set on a flower girl who’s still in toddlerhood, consider having a second older flower girl or an adult accompany her down the aisle.
If you have a young family member you want to include, but she’s a bit old to be a flower girl, consider making her a junior bridesmaid!
Can I Have More Than One?
If there’s more than one child in your family who’s dreaming of being a flower girl, you don’t have to risk hurting anyone’s feelings. While having a single flower girl is more traditional, there is no harm in having more than one.
In fact, having multiple flower girls can provide a unique experience for your ceremony. You can have them walk down the aisle one by one, perhaps with each girl dropping flower petals in a different color.
What Does the Flower Girl Wear?
A flower girl’s dress should reflect the theme and color scheme of the wedding. If possible, you may want to find a dress that’s similar or even identical to the bridesmaids’. And if you have more than one flower girl, it’s best to coordinate their outfits.
Many flower girls wear white dresses. While it’s a common rule that only the bride wears white, many brides make an exception for a mini-me flower girl.
It’s common to include accessories in a flower girl’s outfit, too. Flower crowns, tiaras, and matching jewelry are just a few popular ways to complete your flower girl’s look.
Shoes are an essential factor to consider, too. While high heels are pretty, they can be difficult for young girls to walk in. Don’t be afraid to give your flower girl something comfortable, as there are plenty of wedding-appropriate shoes that are easy on a child’s feet. After all, you wouldn’t want her tripping down the aisle or getting hurt.
Who Pays for the Flower Girl Dress?
The parent of the flower girl will generally pay for their child’s dress and accessories. Of course, it is courteous for the bride and groom to pitch in some money towards the outfit as well — especially if you are requesting a dress with a high price tag.
Do Flower Girls Have to Drop Petals?
Not necessarily; no rule or superstition says a flower girl must drop petals. If you feel that flowers don’t fit the atmosphere of your wedding, you could add your own twist to the flower girl tradition. After all, the original flower girls didn’t even drop petals in the first place.
For example, if you’re having an autumn-themed wedding, you could have your flower girl drop some autumn leaves instead. If you’re going for a casual and colorful theme, some rainbow confetti might be fitting. Or, you could have your flower girl scatter some white feathers along the aisle for a notably angelic ceremony.
Flower girls don’t need to drop anything at all, either. Instead, you can have your flower girl simply carry something down the aisle – perhaps a bouquet or a fragrant candle. Or, if you’re interested in the flower girl’s ancient Roman origins, you could have her carry a bundle of wheat!
Does the Flower Girl Stand During the Ceremony?
The answer to this question depends on the age and personality of your flower girl.
If you have a younger flower girl or an older one who has trouble standing still, it may be best to have her sit down in the pews once she’s made her trip down the aisle.
However, if you are confident that your flower girl will be comfortable and capable of standing still during the ceremony, you can have her stand along with the bridesmaids.
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