What does the flower girl do at a wedding? - Delamere Manor (2024)

What does the flower girl do at a wedding?

The youngest members of the bridal party are known as flower girls, rather than bridesmaids. Junior bridesmaids are generally around the ages of nine to fourteen, whereas flower girls are even younger, between four and nine years old. It can be a little tricky to remember the differences between the various roles within the bridal party, but the flower girl is typically involved in simpler duties.

Historical significance

Historically, flower girls would carry wheat and herbs down the aisle as a symbol of fertility for the newlywedded couple. As most weddings at the time consisted of arranged marriages for the purpose of securing lineage and having children, it was considered auspicious to give the couple blessings of fertility during their union. During the Renaissance period, superstition was high, so garlic was additionally carried by flower girls to ward away malicious spirits.

Petal scattering

Flowers are much more aesthetically pleasing than wheat, herbs or garlic, however, so during the 16th century, flower petals became the more popular choice. 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. Rose petals are traditional and symbolise love and passion, however, there are no hard and fast rules, so other flower petals such as hydrangeas, delphiniums or wildflowers make a lovely alternative. Even rose petals can vary in size and colour, so having the flower girl scatter a mix of petals means the bride will be walking on a beautifully varied floral path. If allergies are a concern, artificial petals made of silk, paper or a range of other fabrics can be purchased and scattered, and in many cases, they are almost indistinguishable from real petals.

Scattered petals aren’t to everyone’s taste, as some brides may be concerned that pollen could transfer to the bottom of their wedding dresses. For an autumn or winter wedding, throwing leaves and pinecones are a seasonal alternative, however it’s important that the bride takes care not to trip as pinecones are rather bulky. A lighter touch might be feathers, which also come in a range of colours.

Other duties

Some venues do not allow the scattering of petals or other small items due to the difficulty in sweeping them up. If the flower girl is not given a scattering basket, there are several other tidier tasks she could carry out instead, including blowing bubbles, holding balloons or carrying a photo of a deceased loved one. If pets are allowed, she could even lead the family dog down the aisle. Alternatively, the couple may simply ask the flower girl to walk with the bridesmaids to add the cuteness factor.

Flower girls are commonly found at weddings worldwide, and it’s undeniable that they add an adorable touch to any wedding. Nonetheless, they aren’t obligatory, so if the couple is not acquainted with any young girls via family or friends, the lack of flower girl will not negatively affect the wedding ceremony.

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What does the flower girl do at a wedding? - Delamere Manor (2024)

FAQs

What does the flower girl do at a wedding? - Delamere Manor? ›

Petal scattering

What does the flower girl do at a wedding? ›

The flower girl traditionally follows the last bridesmaid or maid of honor in the wedding processional, right before the bride makes her entrance. She often scatters flower petals, herbs, or confetti as she walks—centuries ago, this symbolized good fertility for the bride.

What is the flower girl's job? ›

A flower girl is a wedding party role typically given to young children. The child precedes the bride down the aisle and usually throws flower petals as they go. The flower girl is a centuries-old wedding tradition that has gradually changed over the years.

What can flower girls do down the aisle? ›

Flower Girl Ideas for Your Wedding

Consider having her scatter confetti, bubbles, or even feathers along the aisle. For a whimsical touch, adorn her basket with ribbons, flowers, or fairy lights. Encourage her to walk at her own pace, allowing her to savor the spotlight and enjoy her special moment.

What is the history of the flower girl at a wedding? ›

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.

Do flower girls sit during ceremony? ›

That all depends on how old your flower girls are and what they're comfortable with. After they've done their aisle-walking duties, flower girls can take a seat (maybe with their parents), or they can stand alongside your bridesmaids during the nuptials.

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.

Who picks out 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.

Does flower girl go to rehearsal dinner? ›

If you have a flower girl or ring bearer, technically they should be invited, too—but this largely depends on their age and relationships. If they are a child of a bridal party member, it would go a long way to invite them. If not, a non-invitation makes more sense.

Does the flower girl go to the bridal shower? ›

Her attendance at other wedding events will depend on her age, interest, and the bride's and her parent's wishes. Traditionally, the flower girl will also attend the rehearsal dinner and reception. It's a courtesy to invite her to the bridal shower and to “get ready” with the rest of the wedding party.

What can I do instead of a flower girl at my wedding? ›

5 Unique Alternatives to Having a Flower Girl at Your Wedding
  • (1) Pre-Decorate the Aisle with Petals. Line the aisle with flower petals right before the ceremony. ...
  • (3) Include Your Pet. If your pet is well-trained, have them walk down the aisle as the “flower girl” or “ring-bearer”. ...
  • (5) Have a Baby in a Wagon.

Do flower girls walk down before bridesmaids? ›

The maid or matron of honor comes in after all the bridesmaids, followed by the ring bearer and then the flower girl. The bride enters last, with an escort on her right side. If the bride is escorted by both parents, her mother is on the right, and her father is on the left.

What does a flower girl carry? ›

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.

Is the flower girl supposed to match the bride? ›

While they can coordinate their dresses to some extent to create a cohesive look, it's not necessary for them to match the bride in a way that overshadows her. The key is to strike a balance, allowing the flower girl to enhance the wedding's aesthetic without taking attention away from the bride's special moment.

What is the purpose of a flower girl in a wedding? ›

At this time, the “flower girls” were seen as symbols of innocence and hope and a reflection of how the culture idealized children. They were supposed to represent a younger and more innocent version of the bride before becoming a wife, and hopefully a mother as well. They also signified the bride losing her innocence.

What is the difference between a flower girl and a bridesmaid? ›

The youngest members of the bridal party are known as flower girls, rather than bridesmaids. Junior bridesmaids are generally around the ages of nine to fourteen, whereas flower girls are even younger, between four and nine years old.

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.

Who normally pays for the flower girl dress? ›

Traditionally, the bride and groom (or whoever is funding the wedding) pay for the flowers, flower basket, and all other accouterments used by the flower girl, while the parents of the flower girl are expected to pay for the dress.

Does the flower girl walk with the bride? ›

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. The father of the bride will lift the bride's veil and kiss her before the bride approaches the groom at the altar.

What's the difference between a flower girl and a bridesmaid? ›

The youngest members of the bridal party are known as flower girls, rather than bridesmaids. Junior bridesmaids are generally around the ages of nine to fourteen, whereas flower girls are even younger, between four and nine years old.

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