This week we’re exploring wedding traditions and wondering: Where did the flower girl tradition originate?
Wedding Traditions:
While the flower girls duties and what she carried varied from era to era, the historical purpose was to give a blessing of fertility to the new couple. In many cultures, arranged marriages were prevalent and procreation was the primary purpose of arranged marriages. From carrying a sheaf of wheat to strands of garlic, sprigs of rosemary to baskets of flowers, the flower girls role has always been an important one.
In modern times, a flower girl may indeed symbolize wishes for fertility and the forming of a new family. However, it seems that today, most couples include a flower girl in the wedding party to honor a little one who is close to the family.
Though we have seen an increase in fur-babies making their way down the aisle; often with flower wreaths wrapped around their necks; it is still safe to say the majority of flower girls continue to be young ladies who are related to or are close with the couple. A flower girl is typically between three and ten years old, but someone younger or older can certainly fit right in. We’ve seen little ones, too small to walk, being wheeled down the aisle in wagons and they are just too cute for words.
Another unique wedding trend we love is seeing grandma’s performing flower girl duties.
These days, the flower girls roll seems to be quite flexible. While most flower girls still carry a bouquet or basket of flowers, we’ve seen some who don’t carry flowers at all. Instead, they showcase pretty lanterns, flags or scrolls with messages like “Here comes the Bride!”
If you do choose to ask a little lady to accept the honor of being your flower girl, you’re going to have to make sure she looks stylish doing it. There are so many different directions you can take flower girl style. Whether you want her to match your bridesmaids in a colored dress or look like a mini-me bride in white, it’s up to you. Hopefully some of these adorable photo of flower girls we found can be an inspiration!
For more wedding traditions and to learn about the History of the Wedding Ring Bearer, check out some of our other Saphire Event Group wedding blogs.
By: Dana Bates
FAQs
The tradition dates back to ancient Rome, where the flower girl carried wheat and herbs for the bride and groom. Flower girls aren't a necessity for your big day, and we'll go into alternatives later, but if you decide to incorporate the tradition into your wedding, there might be some questions that arise.
What is the tradition of the flower girl at a wedding? ›
The flower girl may symbolize the bride as a child in her innocence, as she is typically a young girl dressed similarly to the bride. She may also symbolize wishes for fertility for the couple and the forming of their new family.
What does the flower girl do at a wedding? ›
The main duty of the flower girl in modern weddings is to scatter flower petals in front of the bride as she walks down the aisle.
Who is the flower girl in the wedding program? ›
A flower girl is usually the daughter of a friend or relative, and is someone happy to play a part in your wedding. 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.
What is the story of the wedding girl? ›
A young British woman's storybook wedding to a rich man's son is jeopardized by a long-buried secret. Milly Havill has much to be joyful for as she prepares to wed devoted beau Simon Pinnacle, and she's doing her best to suppress unease about her failure to mention the tiny fact that she's already married.
What does the flower girl do to start the ceremony? ›
A flower girl is typically the youngest person in the wedding party and precedes the bride down the aisle (after the maids). In the main, their role is to set a happy tone and scatter petals as they go, or carrying a posy.
Who pays for the flower girl dress in a wedding? ›
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.
Who goes first the bride or the flower girl? ›
Flower girl and ring bearer: The flower girl and ring bearer are the final processional members to precede the bride before she walks down the aisle.
Does the flower girl walk in front of the bride? ›
Every wedding's much loved ring bearer and then flower girl proceeds next. The flower girl is typically the last one to walk down the aisle before the bride. Finally, the bride walks down the aisle last to her wedding with her father or other escort that will give her away.
Does flower girl go to rehearsal? ›
“Flower girls and ring bearers should attend the rehearsal, so they are familiar with the space…but just wait until the actual ceremony for them to walk down the aisle, and they will be none the wiser.”
You may find a flower girl on either the bride or the groom's side of the family. If there aren't any young family members or none suited to the role, then consider the children of close friends. The flower girl has a distinct role in a wedding ceremony.
Does flower girl have to match bridesmaids? ›
"Often couples choose to have their flower girl's attire be unique to the child. Certainly, you would want the color of the dress to be cohesive with the bride or the bridesmaids, but there are absolutely no 'rules' that the attire of the flower girl should match the bridal party," Chapman says.
What is the history of the bridal flower? ›
The origin of floral bouquets at weddings dates back to ancient Rome. Flowers were a common decoration at Roman weddings because they were known as symbols of new beginnings, fidelity, and fertility. Over time different plants and flowers rose into, and fell out of fashion.
What does it mean when a girl catches flowers at a wedding? ›
After the 'I dos' or when the reception party is coming to an end, all the single women in the wedding party gather and the bride tosses the bouquet over her shoulder. The woman who catches the bouquet is said to be 'next in line for marriage'.
What is the origin of throwing flower petals at weddings? ›
The tradition essentially derives from the idea of fertility. The flower girl walks down the aisle before the bride, strewing rose petals as she goes. The young girl traditionally wears a white dress and tosses red rose petals.
