The Flower Girl
November 12th, 2006 Posted in Wedding Planning and IdeasWithin today’s weddings the bridal party may include a flower girl, multiple flower girls or no flower girls at all. Which style is best for your wedding? For some brides, this answer may come easily. For others, it may be a decision hard to make.
As the bride, you should ask yourself if any young girls between the ages of 5 and 10 play an important role in your life. Do you have younger cousins, nieces or neighbors with whom you are close? Being close to the flower girl is an important factor. She probably looks up to you, and will therefore consider her role within your wedding as very important. The more she feels valued and appreciated, the more she will be willing to follow instructions – remember, kids will be kids, and the decisions they make may not always follow script. This is why it is important to select a child between the ages of 5 and 10. If you go younger, she may be intimidated by a large crowd. On the other hand, an older girl may feel out of place and childish. She may instead prefer to be a junior bridesmaid, with more adult responsibilities. Depending on her personality, you may consider giving her a more active role such as reading a poem or a passage.
Having multiple flower girls was once a common tradition, especially in large formal weddings. Today, this is a common solution for brides who are having trouble choosing between several girls. While having several girls may boost their confidence, it may also cause problems. First, make sure that all the girls know each other at least several weeks before the ceremony. Problems may arise if all the girls are not comfortable around each other. Secondly, make sure that they all feel equally important. Instead of dividing responsibilities, they may enjoy sharing all responsibilities, this way nobody feels left out. And finally, teach them to be a team. If something unplanned occurs, they will know to help each other out instead of singling each other out. Whether using a single flower girl or a group, just remember, practice makes perfect!
Do you have doubts when it comes to having children in the wedding? It may be relaxing to know that flower girls, ring bearers and page boys are not necessary. Choosing not to include children in the ceremony reduces the element of surprise. It may also present the perfect opportunity to add a unique touch to your wedding day. Couples are constantly discovering new ways to spread petals or present the rings. If you are scared of offending friends and family members with children, they are usually quiet understanding once you explain that you are nervous about the ceremony and want to keep it as scripted as possible.