ALT-3 Non Traditional Weddings Alternatives to Flower Girls
As traditional as it is to have flower girls at a wedding it is now becoming a choice as to whether to do so or not, rather than being a ‘must.’ Little girls or young ladies have been attendants to the bride for many years, but as times have changed more and more brides are searching for an alternative idea.
While some weddings now have a total absence of attendees to the bride, most brides would prefer to fill in the gap where flower girls would have been with an idea that is personal to them and meaningful to the theme of their wedding as a whole.
This also has the advantage of making choosing individuals as flower girls a thing of the past. No-longer does a painful choice as whether to choose all of the brides sisters and leave out her best friend need to arise.
This can stop any unnecessary friction between would be flower girls who may other-wise have competed to become the maid of honour.
Here follows alternative ideas that may appeal to you, or at least fire your imagination.
1. Are you affiliated with a special group or activity that involves other female members? Perhaps you are a cheerleader and would love for your cheer-leading girls to dress in their outfits, complete with pom poms and do a dance for you at your wedding?
It could be that you play an instrument in an orchestra or band. If so you could get friends you play music with to serenade your guests at your wedding.
By involving people you spend a lot of your time with, and who are currently involved in your interests and activities, you will be making your wedding, not only less traditional, but much more personal and intimate.
2. It may be that you have a lot of single female friends who would have loved to have been flower girls at your wedding. You know you couldn't choose them all as dresses and bouquets would have been too expensive. You can involve them however, by making your own bouquet up out of lots of smaller single posies which you take apart outside of the church, and hand a posy to each of them for luck in love.
3. Are you an animal lover? Perhaps you have a favourite pet that means a great deal to you. Depending on whether there are any rules as to whether pets are allowed at your particular wedding venue, you could arrange for your pet to be your attendee.
This is best done where you have an outgoing pet you know will not be intimidated by crowds of people. Many pets, dogs particularly, enjoy all of the fuss and will even oblige you by wearing a cute outfit.
If you do decide to have a pet attendee you will need to also have a person in charge of them to lead them down the aisle and take care of their needs so you don't have to worry.
4. Do you have a special friend who can write poetry or sing? It may be that they could write a poem or song especially to perform on your day. This could only be done by a friend who felt comfortable about the idea and who enjoys public performances. A poem or song from a dear friend can be especially touching and meaningful on a wedding day.
5. A complete turnaround from the idea of having close friends instead of flower girls is to have strangers. There are many different groups you could hire for a few hours to be your attendees; street musicians, mime artists, samba dancers, theatrical groups and ballet dancers to name but a few.
Whatever you decide to do remember that you and your spouse to be are the two most important people attending your wedding. There are no rights and wrongs to do with either having, or not having flower girls. Have fun with your decision and make it one to add pleasure to your wedding and leave you with fond memories.
