Flower girls play an important role in your wedding. All eyes will be on them as they walk down the aisle, gently scattering petals to line your path, so getting the right dress is integral.
But planning a wedding can be stressful. With so many things to consider and so much riding on the big day, it can all become a bit overwhelming for brides-to-be. In this post, we take the stress out of finding the perfect flower girl dress with our six simple steps.
Step 1: Establish the Colour and Overall Style
No doubt you’ve already decided on the theme, colour palette and overall style of your wedding. This will dictate what your bridesmaids will wear, what your decorations will be and, most importantly, how your wedding dress will look. But when it comes to your lovely little flower girl, no rules apply. Traditionally, flower girl dresses have a different colour and style than the dresses your bridesmaids will be wearing, so you can really let your creativity fly. Many brides opt for a white or ivory frock that mimics what they’re wearing, while others prefer to stick to the theme, choosing a flower girl dress that visually complements the hues of the bridesmaids’ dresses. Others meet in the middle by opting for an ivory dress that incorporates the colour scheme of the wedding, either through a coloured floral accent or pretty ribbons and bows.
The same no-rules-apply approach also extends to the style of your flower girl’s dress. Do you want her dress to be an adorable miniature of yours, or do you want her dress to blend with the bridesmaids’ dresses? Making these decisions about style and colour early on will ensure that your flower girl dress sets the perfect tone for your wedding, as well as give you clear guidelines going forward when purchasing a dress, so take your time and think it through.
Step 2: Consider Her Age
Although traditionally, a flower girl is the youngest member of the bridal party, there’s no limit to how old she can be. Your flower girl will be a special little princess who you are close to or have a connection with, and age has nothing to do with that. But this doesn’t mean that age doesn’t matter at all. Whether your flower girl is four or ten, you need to find a dress that factors her age into the equation. Some styles are more suited to little tots, while others are more flattering for slightly older girls.
Most brides will opt for either a floor-length gown or a tea-length gown — which falls a few inches beneath the knee — for their flower girl. While it’s your choice, it’s worth considering what is most appropriate for your flower girl. Floor-length dresses that glide elegantly along the floor may look wonderful, but if your flower girl is very young, she may be prone to tripping over the additional material. As a general rule, floor-length dresses are better suited to slightly older girls, while little tots look adorable in tea-length dresses that don’t pose a tripping hazard.
Also worth bearing in mind is how your flower girl will feel. The last thing you want is for her to feel embarrassed or awkward in her frock, so it’s worth keeping “age-appropriate dressing” at the front of your mind when making your flower girl dress selection.
Step 3: Pay Attention to the Season
The weather and time of year play a big role in determining the overall look and style of your wedding, and the same seasonal considerations should extend to the flower girl’s dress. You don’t want your flower girl to be shivering with cold or sweltering in the heat, after all.
It’s logical, really. If you’re getting married in the spring or summer, opt for a dress with short sleeves and minimal extras, and made from a lightweight material. If you’re planning a winter wedding, protect your little angel from the chill of a church or a frosty outdoor photo session with a dress that has long sleeves and can be worn with tights or socks.
Step 4: Get Savvy about Fabrics
The fabric you choose will depend on the season and your overall wedding aesthetic, but it’s something worth special consideration when choosing your flower girl’s dress. Little girls love to run around, and a wedding offers a whole host of magical opportunities to explore, dance, run and play. To ensure that your flower girl’s dress doesn’t become too crinkled, opt for wrinkle-resistant fabrics like chiffon, tulle or organza. Satin is also a material that won’t wrinkle, but it can be prone to tearing, so it may not be the best option if your flower girl is an outgoing and adventurous type.
Step 5: Don’t Forget about Comfort
Comfort should be at the top of your priorities when selecting your flower girl’s dress. Weddings are often long affairs — they start early in the morning and extend long into the night — so it’s vital that your flower girl is comfy in her dress and shoes. While all little girls love the chance to dress up like a princess for the day, the reality can be less magical. Too many hours stuck in a poofy, restrictive frock and wearing delicate shoes can lead to temper tantrums and tears. Make sure that her entire ensemble, from her dress to her accessories, is comfy to wear and easy to move in.
Step 6: Allow for Wriggle Room
What do all little girls have in common? They all grow up — and quickly. Too many brides make the same mistake — months before their wedding, they choose and purchase the perfect flower girl dress. It complements the theme and fits like a glove, but when the big day rolls around, the little girl has grown out of her gown. This makes this last point crucial: allow for wriggle room.
Don’t obsess over finding a dress that is perfectly form fitting as, chances are, your flower girl will quickly outgrow it. Instead, opt for something looser and with a little extra space for her to grow into. While you’ll want to decide on what style and colour flower girl dress you want early on, you might want to put off the actual purchase to help prevent any last-minute growth spurts before the wedding.