A flower girl’s biggest duty during the ceremony and reception is to be her sweet and adorable little self. The end.

Okay, kidding. While that is true, there’s a little more to the role, all of which we cover here.

As you read through this piece, keep in mind that the age and general capabilities of the flower girl definitely come into play here.

Before the Wedding Day

In the months leading up to the wedding, it’s important the flower girl knows that she’s been chosen to help fulfill a very special role.

Generate excitement and motivation by explaining to her in an age-appropriate manner what she’ll be required to do on the wedding day, and how special that is.

Along with generating interest and building excitement, you’ll need to:

Select and Get Her Fitted for Her Dress

The couple and the flower girl’s parents typically work together to pick out the flower girl dress.

Once the perfect dress is chosen, it’s important to make sure it fits, and any necessary alterations and adjustments are done prior to the big day.

Perfect Her Petal Toss

In the months leading up to the ceremony, it’s always a good idea to practice her aisle walk and petal toss. If there’s an audience there to watch her practice, even better.

If you don’t have petals on hand, use something similar such as scraps of paper you can vacuum up after. If you’re outdoors, she can practice tossing grass or leaves.

Prepare Her for Strangers

Another aspect of the flower girl duties is to be okay performing around strangers. Children who are notoriously shy around large groups can easily become overwhelmed on the wedding day, and the prospect of walking down a narrow aisle flanked by grinning strangers can be borderline terrifying.

If your little flower girl is shy, try to work with her to see if she’s able to overcome some of the initial fear, and focus on the task at hand.

It may help to try and build some familiarity with a few other people involved in the wedding. You can tell her about some of the people who will be there, and share pictures of them with her so they don’t seem like total strangers.

Rehearsal Participation

The flower girl is expected to be there during the wedding rehearsal. This provides an excellent opportunity for her to become more familiar with the other wedding party members, the venue, and her shining moment.

Set her up for success by making sure she’s napped, had a snack, and is excited about what’s to come.

If she requires someone to flank her as she makes her way down the aisle—someone present to redirect or to remind her what the expectations are—that is totally fine.

Flower Girl Wedding Day Duties

The big day has arrived and the venue is abuzz with excitement. The preparation and involvement both depend on the age of the child, and her personality.

If she’s easily overstimulated and overwhelmed, stick to the routine as much as possible. Arrive at the venue a little before the guests.

Get Ready

You can decide if you want her to arrive in her dress, or if she should get dressed at the venue. Depending on her age and personality, she may love getting ready alongside the bridal party.

Perform During the Ceremony

The big moment—the moment she’s been practicing for—has arrived. Be encouraging, and don’t worry if you need to flank her or remain nearby.

If she needs a little coaching, a little nudge to get going, gently remind her what’s expected of her before finding her designated seat.  

Partake in Wedding Party Pics

When it’s time for the official wedding photos, the flower girl is expected to participate in the shots with the rest of the wedding party. She’ll likely need to be coached; work with the photographer to help ensure she’s following direction.

Enjoy the Reception

Depending on her age, she may be seated at the designated kids table, or with her parents. 

Now that her flower girl duties are officially over, she’s free to enjoy the rest of the reception with all the other guests. If she loves to dance, by all means give her permission to get out there and join the other guests on the dancefloor.

Conclusion:

In the eyes of the wedding guests, a flower girl can basically do no wrong. Any mistakes or mishaps will be perceived as adorable. 

Be realistic, and adjust your expectations according to her age and general capabilities. And above all, and do your best to foster a positive environment that allows the sweet little flower girl to thrive.

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