By: Ray Ritchey
How does one dress a flower girl comfortably for a wedding? If your little girl has been chosen to shower the wedding aisle with flowers, it would be best to ensure that not only will she be pretty, but that she will be comfortable as well.
There is always a direct proportion to the comfort of children in weddings, to the comfort of adult guests. The comfort of little guests in a wedding will affect the comfort of the older guests. This does not always hold true when taken the other way around, so it is wise to carefully plan everything that may affect the disposition of our little girls in weddings.
The flower girl dress is the first concern of parents whenever the little girl is tasked to be a flower girl. Parents usually pay for the flower girl dresses. If the bride and groom does not offer to pay, parents should buy the dress. Coordinate with the bride what will be the design of her dress, and the bridesmaid dresses. The flower girl dress can then be based on the dominant design, or pick one design element and use it also for the flower girl's dress, either as the main design or an accessory in the flower girl's dress.
With the main design of the flower girl dress cleared with the bride, here are several factors to consider ensuring your little girl is comfortable and pretty on the wedding day.
Fabric
The fabric of flower girl dresses varies, but it is best to match it to the season. A heavy fabric, such as velvet, is great to use for cooler weddings, and satin/ lighter dresses are better to use during weddings in the warmer months. Inappropriate fabrics may also be itchy, or worse, cause rashes for your little flower girl, so please pick the fabric carefully.
Long sleeves or short? Cap sleeves or sleeveless? Long skirt? Knee-high? Floor length?
Consider the season/weather, the church, the reception venue. Will your flower girl feel cold or too warm? Where will the wedding ceremony be held? Consider if the ceremony and reception will be held indoors or out. A sleeveless flower girl dress can be both comfortable and flexible. Sleeveless flower girl dresses let your little girl move freely. If you think it may get too cold for her, bring a dainty jacket or bolero that is appropriate for the flower girl dress.
What length is appropriate for the flower girl dress? Can my little girl carry herself well and not trip on a floor-length skirt? Smaller girls may find it easier to have the skirt of the flower girl dress above the ankles or knee-length. Bigger girls may carry themselves more confidently and easily with floor-length skirts. Also, consider the “dirt magnet” factor of the skirt if it is too long, especially if the wedding will be held outdoors.
In these days when being practical is required, it would be nice to get a pretty, neutral dress that may also be worn as a special occasion dress. Get something that can be worn during birthdays, attending other weddings, etc. It may also be used as a communion dress or church dress.
Embellishments and accessories
Flower girls are just too cute in their beautiful dresses it is easy to go overboard with other accessories and embellishments. If you are thinking of attaching a pretty flower/s or sash to her dress, please do sew it on rather than use safety pins. Ever notice how safety pins have the uncanny ability to open by itself only during the most formal occasions? Safety pins get itchy on the skin and may make your pretty flower girl fidget. Your little girl may get the safety pin open as she moves around, and injure herself, so sew on embellishments instead.
Test the length of sashes. Nothing too long, please. Your pretty flower girl may trip down the aisle if a foot gets entangled on a long sash.
Ask your little girl if she'd like to wear gloves, but keep in mind that these may get uncomfortable the longer it is worn. The flower girl's grip is also hampered with gloves, so consider carefully if these should be used. Or your little flower girl may remove these for some time and worn again later.
Shoes and footwear
It is always healthy for little girls (and “bigger adult” girls, actually) to wear flat shoes. Cute mary janes, or pretty slippers can both be appropriate and comfortable flower girl shoes. If your little girl is wearing new shoes with her formal dress, let her walk around the house days before the wedding so the new shoes will settle on her feet. Let her also wear the stockings or formal socks she will wear at the wedding to let her grow comfortable with her new footwear.
For good measure, bring along comfortable but pretty footwear on the wedding day itself so that your child may use these as back-up shoes just in case she has a hard time on her feet further along the wedding.
Makeup
Little girls love to be primped and pampered as well with hair and makeup during a wedding. Let her wear make up if you think it okay. Just keep it light to make sure it enhances your little girl's natural beauty, not hide it.
Last minute tips Try out the dress a day or two before . Let her wear it an hour or two, practice. Tell her what good behavior is expected of her for being the flower girl during the wedding. On the wedding day itself, it may be a good idea to make her up and fix her hair first in comfortable button-down clothes. Dress her up the last minute so that the flower girl dress does not get crumpled or dirty while waiting for the wedding to start.
Affirming our little girls
At each step of the wedding, affirm your pretty flower girl that she is doing a good job and that you are proud of her. If you like, reward her with a keepsake, such as a bracelet or necklace. However, it is always a parents' affirmation that will mold her character, long after the wedding has finished and the flower girl dress has been outgrown.
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