A POCKET FULL OF POSIES
While the bride all dressed in white is the star of the show, the charming cherubs who precede her down the aisle scattering flowers and carrying the wedding bands have been known to steal their share of the spotlight. Melbourne Wedding & Bride’s Kirrily Ireland discusses all things flower girl and page boy – including their fashion, style and duties – with Lourdes Dingli, state manager of Ollie’s Place.
Flower girls and page boys date back in history as the “ring bearers and miniature brides” of a wedding. In particular, the flower girl, who would also be dressed in white, was meant to symbolise the bride as a child in contrast to her now as an adult. Although there is less focus on this aspect now, these roles are still much the same today, with the younger members of the happy couple’s family adding a sweet touch to the ceremony and assisting in essential tasks.
PICK OF THE BUNCH
Dingli notes that flower girls and page boys “are still very much a part of weddings”. It’s not a requirement to have both; you can always have a bundle of flower girls or a couple of page boys, depending on your situation. Since many modern couples are ditching the conventional order of marrying first before having kids, “most couples now have their own children who participate in the wedding”.
Choosing who to fill the roles of flower girl and page boy is ultimately up to you, however taking age into consideration can help with making this decision. It’s best if your precious helpers are between the age of four and six. “They can follow directions and stay still for a lot longer,” Dingli explains. “Any older and they are too tall and not suited. Any younger and they are very shy and fidgety.”
Similar to asking your friends to be your bridesmaids or groomsmen in a fun and special way, asking the youngsters in your life to join the bridal party can also be executed with a touch of sentiment. Offering a gift, some sweets or even some biscuits with the question engraved, will go down a treat!
STYLISH TYKES
Before sending little ones down the aisle, it’s important they look the part. Generally speaking, the flower girls and page boys are expected to dress just as formally as the rest of the bridal party – this will of course differ for each wedding, with some opting for a more casual and relaxed theme, and others going full traditional. This is the perfect opportunity to dress up the little guy in your life – whether that’s a nephew, godson or family friend – in a smaller version of the groomsmen’s attire, such as a four-piece suit and a little bowtie. Dingli says for the girls specifically, her Ollie’s Place stores “ have so many different types of dresses and stoles, shoes and accessories”. White is the most common and traditional colour for a flower girl dress, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to this; whether you’d like her pretty in pink or a beauty in blue, anything goes.
If you’re not sure what will best suit the younger members of your bridal party, visiting a boutique or store that specialises in formalwear for little ones, such as Ollies Place, is a great place to start. You’ll be able to explore all of your options and find something that’s age-appropriate and comfortable. Since kids tend to not enjoy shopping and spending the day in and out of change rooms, Dingli recommends taking the suit or dress home and trying it on “in the comfort of their home”, and then simply bringing it back to be exchanged if it doesn’t fit. “We recommended that if [people are] bringing in children for fittings that they leave it till at least four weeks before the wedding and that they bring the children in during the week where the stores are not so busy.”
When selecting the dress or suit, ensure you consider all of the elements that are needed as part of the ensemble, including shoes and accessories. While it’s certainly tempting to pop your flower girl in some child-sized heels to mimic the bridesmaids, it’s best to stick to “flat comfortable shoes as they are in them all day”. A pair of Mary Janes or flats with an ankle strap adorned with glitter or a bow will be sure to do the trick. If you do decide to go with a heel, consider providing a second pair for your little miss so she can take to the dance floor with ease after the ceremony.
When it comes to the rest of the ensemble, “accessories are a great way to help [the flower girl and page boy] complement the bride or groom”. “The boys have bowties and ties in all sorts of colours,” Dingli says. “[For] the girls we have hair accessories and [the] styling of our dresses is beautiful.” A pretty hair piece that matches the brides or some cute cufflinks are perfect finishing touches, and will make the junior members of the ‘I do’ crew feel that extra bit special.
PETAL PATROL
On the day of the wedding, you’ll want to ensure your flower girl and page boy are all set to go before their big moment. Letting them practice walking down the aisle and performing their duties will give them a boost of confidence before they have to do it in front of all the guests. Focus on giving them just one key job so as not to overwhelm them. Dingli also advises to “dress them at the very last minute”; pre-wedding entertainment could involve running around and getting messy, and the last thing you want is a ruined dress or suit right before the ceremony.
If you’re a bride- or groom-to-be, you’ll have enough on your plate as it is, so it’s best to allocate someone to supervise the flower girl and page boy during the day, whether it be a parent or trusted friend. This will be particularly helpful if you’ve employed your own children, giving you the space to get ready without the extra stress of handling a couple of anklebiters.
As for the ceremony itself, supplying your flower girl and page boy with quality equipment will assist them to carry out their roles with ease. “For the scattering of the petals, a lovely basket with a padded handle is perfect for the flower girl,” Dingli says. “[And for] the page boy, a cushion with a strap on the back [is best] so he can hold onto [it].”
Adding a touch of cuteness to your big day, the flower girl and page boy are nothing short of valuable. With their endless energy, entertainment and charm, having them accompany you down the aisle is the perfect way to include the little ladies and gents in the family during this very special occasion.