Fabrics, Style and When to Buy: Your Flower Girl Dress Guide (2024)

Whether she’s throwing petals or tearing up the dance floor, your flower girl is sure to steal the show at some point during your wedding day. Make sure she looks adorable and feels special while doing it!

Read on to learn everything you need to know about flower girls, and for our top tips for choosing a flower girl dress.

What You Need to Know About Flower Girls

It is important to understand the ins and outs of flower girls. This will ultimately help you to decide who to choose as your flower girl, what style and color dresses they should wear, and much more.

Flower girls are not essential in a traditional wedding, but they are a cute addition to any wedding, as they tend to be the youngest person that plays a role in the bridal party. Flower girls date back to Greek and Roman times when young girls carried herbs for the soon-to-be-married couple to inspire hope.

A flower girl tends to be a child of a close friend or family member, for example, a cousin or niece. There is no limit on the number of flower girls that you can include in your bridal party. If you do choose to have more than one, many brides will assign them different roles so that they can all be involved, such as holding your train as you walk down the aisle, walking with a pet, or throwing out petals. The age range of a flower girl can be anywhere between 3-8 years old, so the roles may need to be chosen in accordance with their abilities and personalities.

The flower girl’s dress is traditionally different from the bridesmaids, and instead, similar to the bride’s gown. However, you can choose what you prefer, as many brides like to match the flower girls with the rest of the bridal party. Whether you choose to match the style, color or go for something bold, there is a range of flower girl dresses to choose from, so you have plenty of options.

Flower girls can do whatever you wish, they do not have a set role or responsibility like the maid of honor. Many people believe that the flower girl’s role is simply to impress and charm the rest of the guests with their cuteness. They should walk down the aisle after the bridesmaids but before the bride. They can do this on their own, or with assistance if required. As their roles are not too complex, there is no strict guidance on what kind of dress they should wear. However, you may choose to consider their individual personalities. Learn more about using this information to help you choose the perfect flower girl dress for your big day!

Your Flower Girl Dress Guide

Fabrics, Style and When to Buy: Your Flower Girl Dress Guide (1)

Decide on your wedding style.

First things first: make sure you have a clear idea of what your big day will look like. Time of day, style of flowers, your guests’ dress code – all of these things will impact your flower girl’s look. For instance, a black-tie evening affair might call for a longer, more elegant look, while a short-and-sweet frock is perfect for early afternoon.

Dress the rest of the wedding party first.

For a more cohesive look, have your bridesmaids’ dresses, groomsmen’s suits, and your own bridal attire selected before you move on to the younger members of your wedding party. If you’re going for a more traditional style, look to your own dress for inspiration to guide your flower girls’ attire. Choose something in a similar shape and fabric for an adorable “mini-me” vibe. Lace, covered buttons, and neckline are all details that can be translated into the flower girl’s dress.

Fabrics, Style and When to Buy: Your Flower Girl Dress Guide (2)
Fabrics, Style and When to Buy: Your Flower Girl Dress Guide (3)

Think about color.

The color you choose for the flower girl dress is entirely up to you! We love the trend of letting the flower girl shine with a pop of color! Consider adding a sash or a headpiece or choosing a style with a beautiful colored bodice. Our flower girl dresses feature the same fabrics and shades as our bridesmaid’s dresses for perfect coordination.

Keep in mind your flower girl’s age and personality.

Chances are, your flower girl will be putting her dress to the test more than any other member of the wedding party. Think sticky fingers and impromptu games of tag. Keep this (along with your flower girl’s own spunky style!) in mind when choosing her dress. An older girl might jump at the chance to wear a floor-length dress, while an active toddler would be better off in a knee-length look. Either way, fabrics that allow for movement are the best choice. We love tulle and organza in a swingy A-line for exactly this reason!

Plan ahead – but not too far.

When to get the flower girl’s dress is a tricky topic. One thing we know for sure about little ones: they grow fast. Unlike your bridesmaid’s dresses, which should be squared away much sooner, we recommend ordering your flower girl’s dress around three to four months before the wedding. This allows for time to make small alterations if needed and minimizes the chance that she outgrows it completely!

Choosing the flower girl’s dress should (hopefully!) be a low-stress wedding task that’s fun for both of you. If your flower girl is old enough, narrow it down to three looks and let her make the final decision.Browse our beautiful range of flower girl dresses, and find the perfect fit.

We’d love to see what you choose! Tag us in your photos or send them to [emailprotected] for your chance to be featured in a post.

Fabrics, Style and When to Buy: Your Flower Girl Dress Guide (2024)

FAQs

When should you buy flower girl dresses? ›

Figuring out when to buy the flower girl dress can be tricky. Because little ones grow so quickly, avoid shopping too early. Usually, two or three months before the wedding date is an ideal time fame.

Who normally pays for the flower girl dress? ›

Who pays for the flower girl's dress? Typically the parents of the flower girl will take on the cost of paying for the dress. If you have a little extra in your wedding budget and you can gift the dress to the flower girl that is lovely but not required.

What dress should flower girl wear? ›

Traditionally, flower girls have worn some form of white or ivory. To this day, white and ivory are the two most popular colors for flower girl dresses. However, some common alternatives include soft pinks and blues.

Should flower girl dresses be white or ivory? ›

Your flower girl dress can be white or ivory to match/coordinate with your gown, like a mini bride. A flower girl in white historically is a symbol of purity and sweetness. It also highlights the contrast between the bride and young girl as the passage from childhood to womanhood.

What are the rules for the flower girl? ›

The flower girl will walk down the aisle, after the bridesmaids but before the bride, holding a basket of rose or other flower petals, which they'll scatter on the floor. They will then either stand with the rest of the bridal party, or rejoin their parents to sit and watch the rest of the ceremony.

How early should you buy your prom dress? ›

Ideally, you want to start prom dress shopping in January or February, assuming your prom will be early summer of the same year. Shops will have recently dropped the newest prom dress collections, and you'll get to the dresses before others have picked over everything or styles sell out.

Who picks out the flower girl dress? ›

The bride and groom cover the cost of the flowers - flower baskets, bouquets, petals, and floral hair wreaths. The bride chooses the flower girl dress. This standard tradition (the bride choosing the dress, the parents of the flower girl paying for the dress and accessories) still holds true for today's weddings.

How old are flower girls usually? ›

According to this etiquette guru, traditionally flower girls and ring bearers should be between the ages of three and eight years old. Younger children are more likely to get nervous, so picking a youngster who is a little older should be considered.

Should bride pay for flower girl hair? ›

There's no definitive answer of who foots the bill on bridal party glam. That said, the bride or the bridesmaids will pay for the bridal party's hair and makeup. Some brides cover the cost of glam as a “thank you” to their friends for supporting the wedding. However, this isn't always the case.

What color shoes do flower girls wear? ›

A rule of thumb is if your little girls dress is going to be white or ivory then you should definitely match shoes to dress, white with white and ivory or beige with an ivory dress. Alternatives may be to opt for silver, gold or pale pink to match hair flowers and accessories.

Should flower girl shoes match? ›

Your mini maid's shoes should complement her dress – they don't necessarily have to match! For instance, your wedding colour scheme may be 'dusty rose'. So, you could opt for a pretty white dress, a dusty rose coloured cardigan and a pair of Rainbow Club shoes that have been dyed in the same colour.

What length should a flower girl dress be? ›

Most flower girl dresses are either floor-length or tea-length (falling a few inches under the knee). Younger girls may fair better with tea-length dresses, since they won't drag on the ground and create a tripping hazard.

Do I look better in white or ivory? ›

The ultimate decision should rest on your skin tone. Some brides may find that white can be too austere where as ivory, having a touch of cream, can actually be flattering to pale complexions. The better choice for lighter skin tones is an ivory or antique white.

What color petals for flower girls? ›

Stemming from superstition, a flower girl would throw petals to ward off evil spirits. Her white dress represented the end of innocence for the bride. The red rose petals that she would throw symbolized fertility – a hope that the couple would be successful in bearing children.

Do flower girls wear the same Colour as bridesmaids? ›

While some brides will opt for classic ivory flower girl dresses that match the color of their wedding dress, others will have their flower girl dresses match the color of their bridesmaids. Though your dress colors don't need to match, your flower girl dress style should keep in line with your overall theme.

How far in advance should you ask a flower girl? ›

To ensure a smooth planning process, it is recommended to ask them as early as possible, giving them ample time to make necessary arrangements or travel plans. However, it's best to wait until a month or two before the wedding or when you need to order their attire to inform the children about their roles.

What is the appropriate age for a flower girl? ›

One of the most adorable parts of any wedding is the charming duo of a flower girl and ring bearer. Typically the age range most appropriate for a ring bearer or flower girl falls between ages 4 to 10 years old.

How far in advance should bridesmaids get their dresses? ›

Ordering Your Dress Ahead of Time

In general, you should shop about six months out to allow for the order to arrive and any alterations needed. If you have a shorter timeline, shop our ready-to-ship bridesmaid dresses that will ship to you in just a few days!

Is it too early to buy a girl flowers? ›

If you have known each other for a while or hung out a few times, but are just now going on an actual “first date,” flowers might be appropriate. If you met someone recently and asked them out — or if you are going on a blind date — you might want to hold the flowers for a date or two to avoid coming on too strong.

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