Flower Girl
A flower girl is generally under the age of ten. She should be old enough to follow simple instructions and not be too shy to walk down an aisle in front of a gathering of adults. Her parents must be willing to participate in dress selection and fittings and to bring her to the rehearsal—and, of course, the wedding! A younger girl will be most comfortable if her mother, aunt, or another familiar person is also in the bridal party to encourage her and to stand next to her during the ceremony. Another possibility is to have the flower girl sit down with her parents after strewing her flower petals down the aisle.
Flower girls are traditionally dressed in white, perhaps with a colored sash that blends with the bridesmaids’ dresses. Some brides choose to dress the flower girl in a miniature of the wedding gown, complete with a miniature tiara and veil, although this may be more expensive option. Another option is to let the flower girl wear an age-appropriate dress in the same color family as the bridesmaids. Most bridal salons have swatches of fabric available so that a coordinating flower girl dress can be selected at a children’s store or made by a dressmaker. The bride should be considerate of the parent's budget when selecting apparel for the flower girl.
A major consideration with flower girls is the fact that they are growing children. While wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses may be ordered months in advance, a little girl’s dress may be outgrown during the time it takes for an order to be completed. Consult with an alterations specialist at the bridal salon if you will be ordering long before the wedding. They can advise you about ordering a larger size or let you know if a particular style can be let out to fit a child who has grown. When in doubt, it is wise to choose a larger size. Most dresses can be taken in a size or two, but may be let out only one size—or not at all.
The flower girl will remember her special experience and her parents will cherish the pictures and memories as well. Planning for her to have a successful experience is simple and rewarding. Selecting a dress that will fit properly, look lovely, and be affordable will contribute to a happy wedding day for all participants.
