Aww, how cute. The tradition of flower girls is a long one but it has somewhat changed over time. Historically, Flower Girls and their presence in weddings have been in existence since the time of the Roman Empire. During that time period, young females typically carried sheaths of wheat or herbs to usher in the blessings of prosperity and fertility for the Bride and Groom. Later in history, the girls carried garlic and other items to ward off evil spirits and any bad luck aimed towards the new husband and his wife.
Cute example of a flower girl:
The Victorian Flower Girl is the prototype for which we most likely associate with today. The flower girls dress, most often as a miniature version of the Bride herself, a young girl walks in the bridal procession directly preceding the bride. The miniature bride usually carried a basket of blooming fresh flowers or petals to welcome the Bride and Groom to the ceremony. She traditionally represents the crossing over of a Bride from childhood into womanhood as a wife and future mother.
Today, this is not so much the case, flower girls are often the cuteness factor often choosen because of a) their cuteness or b) because you have been bugged by that certain child’s parents to allow her to be in the wedding. Either way the addition of a flower girl certainly makes the crowd soften in that melty sentimental nostalgia way.
But, there are many problems that occur with flower girls. Firstly it’s another thing for someone to pay for. It is customary for the parents of the child to pay for the dress so make sure this is the case and then remember this when it comes to expense, you don’t want to force out a flower girl because the dress can’t be afforded and if these are friends your lack of consideration could really rattle them.
Secondly, as adorable and pure as they may look remember they are children. They will run around, they will probably spill something and might eve break something. Practicality is the key, consider the colour for hiding stains, the length (last thing you want s tripping and crying) and lots of spare safety pins.
Thirdly you have the issue of comfort. They may relish the novelty of wearing a pretty dress for the first 5 minutes but if they are not comfortable that will soon wear off. Consider fabrics, nothing itchy, wrinkle or just plain annoying. If you do the dress may well end up on the floor and not on the child. Another good tip is to allow them to change for the evening do. The formal photos have been taken and everyone has admired the cuteness she ha enjoyed the novelty and changing into something more comfortable and practical will get rid of any future moaning.
So as we looked at, traditionally, the flower girl would wear a mini version of the brides dress, typically, white. Although the mini me is not something usually practised today the flower girl still often remains in white. This is something for you to decide. This choice can be approached in different ways. You could have just a white or cream dress. You could continue the wedding colours in a sash, cardigan or jewellery. You could continue the wedding colours by choosing the same colour dress as the bridesmaids. You could alternatively go for a completely different colour.
Something else to consider is the flower girls imput. Many don’t ever even think of this being a child, the decision is made completely without them. Children often do have opinions and some extremely so, talking about what they might like may give you ideas or allow you to incorporate another element into the wedding
Or maybe you want to keep it a case of…..Seen and not heard.
