The flower girl is perhaps the sweetest little wedding guest of them all, stealing hearts as she precedes the bride in her own miniature fairytale dress. What a perfect opportunity to create the perfect finishing touch, tying all the pieces of your wedding party together. How do you go about choosing her dress? Here are some helpful tips.
Style. Although bridal styles have evolved dramatically over the years, flower girl fashion has changed very little. The dress can be short or long, but it is always classically "little girl" in style. Certain styles work better in a big hotel ballroom, others on a beach, so keep that in mind as you shop. Our online Fashion Search includes flower girl apparel, so take some time to browse for the right look.
The Season. Fabrics and colors for flower girl dresses vary greatly, consider the time of year. If yours is an autumn or winter wedding, rich fabrics such as velvet or taffeta are perfect, not just for their beauty, but because they will keep the chills away. For a spring or summer wedding, lighter fabrics such as silk or cotton will keep the flower girl from melting in the heat -- and melting down. While tights are great for a cold weather wedding, they will be uncomfortably warm in the summer months. For footwear, choose a ballet slipper style in kid or patent leather; no high heels or styles that will be uncomfortable or difficult to walk in.
Color. A flower girl's dress should complement the bride's. It can be white, or the same color as the bridesmaids dresses. If her dress is white, a colored sash may be used to tie it in with the bridesmaid dresses.
Comfort. No matter how precious the flower girl looks, if her dress and shoes are uncomfortable, it will be reflected in her face and behavior. Scratchy dresses and tight shoes have been responsible for everything from fidgeting to temper tantrums over the years, so take this issue seriously.
Length. The age of your flower girl is a factor when choosing the length of her dress. A small child may wind up tripping over a long skirt, so it's best to choose a shorter style. Depending on whether your flower girl is three or eight, the styles may vary as well. A younger girl can wear a knee length "princess" style dress, while an older girl might prefer a more sophisticated silhouette, with more length. If you are having multiple flower girls of varying ages, you can link their dress styles using color, fabric and even the flowers they carry.
Quality. If money is an issue, any pretty party dress, provided it works with the bridesmaids dresses, will do. However, resist the urge to purchase a dress of cheap fabric -- innocent polyester and cheap lace have been known to be very itchy. If possible, spend a bit more for a better fabric, keeping in mind that the dress doesn't have to be a "one-time" dress -- it can be re-worn often, from a portrait sitting to a birthday. It can also be preserved and handed down as an heirloom once the child grows out of it.
Formality. Follow the dressiness of the entire wedding party. For a formal black and white wedding, a white organza dress with a big black taffeta or velvet sash looks exquisite.
Wrinkle Factor. Choose fabrics that aren't wrinkle prone, such as silk or velvet, for the best results. Also, wait until the very last possible minute to dress your flower girl. Her dress will be free from wrinkles, and you won't have to worry about her wearing that glass of juice she's going to demand just before the ceremony.
Whatever the style you choose, avoid those that will make your flower girl look too sophisticated or "just like mommy." This is an occasion when you want to play up her little girl charms. When else can she have the joy of wearing lacy petticoats, girly ruffles and satin sashes? Perhaps this is why flower girl fashion has remained constant over the years -- little girls love dressing up like little girls. Maurice Chevalier took the words right out of our mouths… thank heaven for little girls.
See More: Bridal Party , Fashion , Kids