by Lillyswawa

Created on: September 21, 2010   Last Updated: September 22, 2010

The role of the flower girl is that of aisle-walker and flower-strewer! She typically carries a small basket of rose petals while slowly gliding down the white runner laid down in the church or (if outdoors) along a designated pathway. The flower girl enters just ahead of the bride and her escort (typically her father or older male). While smiling sweetly, she drops the petals along the route the bride's feet will follow.

The flower girl in a wedding is historically a female child between the ages of five and eight years old. She is chosen from among the bride's (or groom's) family to serve as a youthful attendant (in theory) to the bride herself. Actually, she is -in reality - simply an especially honored guest who acts as adorable window dressing! Next to the bride, she is quite often the center of attention!

Her attire can be as simple as a little girl's party dress or, as elaborate as a copy of the bride's gown itself. It should be decorative, but should not necessarily upstage the child's innocent charm and personal beauty.

The color chosen for the dress may be a shade which compliments that of the bridesmaids, or it may be white (or creme) with a coordinating colored waist-sash.

A matching hair accessory is often worn.

Gloves may be an option for formal weddings.

Shoes should be flat, allowing her to walk comfortably without stumbling or tripping. (It is wise to allow the child time to wear them and practice walking in them for about a week before the wedding.)

White or creme opaque hosiery is generally best, as nude hose suggests maturity.

Upon arriving at the wedding alter, the flower girl may (if she is capable) help straighten the lengthy train on the bride's gown. She remains standing beside the maid or matron of honor throughout the vows or, she may be seated beside an adult on a forward row, if the service is long and she is very young (under the age of four or five years).

At the reception, the flower girl is generally not expected to stand on-line when receiving guests, however, she should be represented in photos and be seated with the rest of the wedding party while dining or, very nearby.

She, no doubt, will want to dance when the music starts and it is a nice gesture if the groom will ask her for a special dance! She will remember it always...

It has been suggested that - historically, at least - the flower girl was literally posing as the bride in miniature. This information is not well documented, however. And, although a nice theory, today it is widely accepted that she is - again! - merely "adorable window dressing".

That is not to say that the role of flower girl is unimportant,...oh, no! We cherish our traditions and hold them near and dear, especially at times of celebrations such as weddings!

A few couples have skipped the flower girl/ring bearer thing, particularly when there has been no list of candidates which would fill the bill adequately or, the wedding is very large, very formal, and expected to last very long into the night.

Still, the tradition to include children in the wedding ceremony is a charming one and - in many ways - suggests the much anticipated possibility of their imminent appearance in the joyful couple's near future!

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