A wedding is an event that is full of tradition. Even today's non-traditional weddings usually have some type of old tradition woven in someplace. Every tradition starts somewhere and today, WhereBridesGo.com is taking a closer look at one of the cutest wedding traditions - the flower girl!
Flower Girl Origins
Originally, this role had a lot of symbolism tied to it. Centuries ago a marriage's primary goal was for a couple to be able to have children, so fertility was a prime theme at weddings.
Back then, flower girls carried sheaves of wheat and bouquets of herbs down the aisle to symbolize blessings of prosperity and fertility for the couple. During the Renaissance, couples had their flower girls carry strands of garlic. People believed that it repelled bad luck and evil spirits. The Elizabethan era saw the role change to having flower girls carry flower petals or rosemary leaves in a silver brides cup. These were scattered from the bride's home all the way to the church.
It was the Victorian era that brought us the version that most resembles what is seen today. Young girls dressed in white would carry an ornate basket of fresh blooms down the aisle.
Today's Flower Girl
Today, flower girls are most often young ladies under the age of 8. That said, it is not unusual for anyone of any age, from teenage friends to grandmothers, to take on this role and it doesn't necessarily even have to be a girl.
Fashions vary but the most common look is a dress that somewhat resembles the bride's gown, sometimes with accents in the wedding colors. Some women like to dress the flower girl similar to the bridesmaids in an age-appropriate style.
Baskets of flower petals are most commonly scattered down the aisle just before the bride enters to make the walk to her soon-to-be-husband. Other ideas include scattering leaves for a fall wedding or confetti for a fun party-like feel.
If you don't want items to be dropped on the ground, you may have the flower girl carry a mini-bouquet or a floral accent like a wedding flower ball. Cute signs that announce the arrival of the bride are popular choices too, sometimes carried by both the flower girl and ring bearer together.
Flower Girl Gifts
It is customary to give the people in your wedding party some type of thank you gift for being a part of your special day. You'll find many adorable flower girl gift ideas at WhereBridesGo.com. From jewelry to tote bags to adorable keepsakes and more, you're sure to find something perfect for this special member of your wedding party.
Who you choose to be your flower girl (or flower boy) and what you will have them carry and wear is completely up to you and the style of wedding you plan to have. Once those decisions are made, head on over to our online wedding store to find the items you need to make your vision a reality! Of course, if you need a bit of inspiration, browse WhereBridesGo.com first and discover a style you love there.
~ The WhereBridesGo.com Team
Post by Deanna Powell, Certified Bridal Consultant