Children have been used in the wedding party since the Victorian era. Symbolically, the flower girl scatters rose petals for the bride to walk on as a token of beauty. Some say that the rose petals are tossed as a symbol of the bride's walking down the path of a new life.
Flower girls are usually between the ages of 3 and 7, but not older than 8.
- Flower girls are placed either before the maid or matron of honor, or right before the bride in the procession.
- If there is a ring bearer, sometimes the flower girl and ring bearer walk down the aisle together.
- The flower girl may also walk directly before the ring bearer in the processional.
- Walks directly behind the ring bearer in the recessional.
- May wear a white mini bride's dress, a dress to match the bridesmaids dresses, or a pretty dress of her own that she can use again after the wedding.
- May or may not attend pre-wedding events (bridal showers).
- Purchases own wedding attire and accessories (dress and shoes).
- Attends the rehearsal to practice, and the rehearsal dinner.
- May hand out programs to guests before the wedding ceremony.
- Arrives dressed at ceremony site 45 minutes before the wedding for photos.
- May carry a basket filled with loose rose petals to strew along bride's path during processional if allowed by the ceremony site.
- Arrives at the bride's home before the ceremony for photos if the bridesmaids and maid of honor are there.
- Does not stand in the receiving line.
If the flower girl is very young, you may wish to have her parents sit up front so that she may sit with her parents during the ceremony.
If the flower girl is older, she may stand up front with the rest of the wedding party.
You may ask the maid of honor or one of the bridesmaids to watch the flower girl before the ceremony, especially if they are related to her.
Compiled by the Special Event Network Staff
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