flower girl style guide

There’s something rather special about the delightful expression on a little girl’s face as she twirls around in her flower girl dress, and the sight of an adorable flower girl walking down the aisle will certainly be a heart melting moment for your wedding guests. Co-ordinated well, your flowergirl can enhance the entire bridal party look and make a stylish statement. Here are some ideas to keep in mind to help you make the perfect choice for her outfit:

Design:

Outfits for your junior attendants should be given as much attention as your bridesmaids’ dresses. Although there are new looks in flower girl dresses that come and go every season, the constant design trend remains as a classic fuller skirt and longer length dress, typically in the same tonal palette as the bride’s or bridesmaid’s dress. Even those brides who seek fashion forward style for their bridal party will still choose a traditional gown for their flower girl, as little girls look best when they’re dressed as little girls.

One approach is to choose a flower girl dress design similar to the bride’s dress. If an exact replica is too sophisticated in design for your flower girl it is just as effective to unify your flower girl’s dress with elements of your own dress, such as using a similar material or the same embellishments.

There are many versions of the classic flower girl dress to choose from- from sleeveless or cap sleeve bodices, tulle or ballerina style skirt dresses to tie back waists with plain satin or bubble skirts. A popular way to tie in your flower girl with the entire bridal party is to use a sash on their dress that matches the bridesmaid’s dress colour.

It is important to consider the personality of your flower girl- if she loves to dress up then you can consider a fuller, traditional dress however if she doesn’t enjoy all the fuss she may feel and look awkward, so instead stay with a more simple, relaxed style.

Seasonal Considerations:

For summer weddings, consider a sleeveless design in lighter fabrics such as tulle, chiffon and silk. For very young flower girls, it may be worth bringing some cooler clothes to change into if there is a large stretch of time between ceremony and reception.

For weddings in the cooler months, choose fabrics such as delustered satin with thicker shoulder straps or short sleeves. Accessorise in winter with tights and a coverlet- the options go beyond a standard cardigan or coat with 1950’s inspired capelets becoming a stylish way to complete an elegant flower girl gown.

Find out more

read more about bridesmaids + flowergirls

Comfort Counts:

If your flower girl is young, a shorter tea-length dress is more appropriate to prevent tripping and falling. An older flower girl can wear a longer ankle or floor length dress. Ensure your flower girl is comfortable in her dress because if she isn’t, it will show. Avoid a very tight fitting dress- chances are you will forever have memories of this when you see your flower girl’s distressed look in your photography shots. Prevent fidgeting and temper tantrums by choosing a dress that she will be happy to wear the entire day. When your flower girl tries on her dress for the first time, have her walk around and sit down in it to ensure she feels comfortable. Soft lining inside the dress to avoid scratchy fabrics contacting the skin will help immensely.

Jewellery:

Less is definitely more when it comes to flower girl jewellery and accessories. If you would like your flower girl to wear jewellery, a fine, delicate necklace and/or bracelet is usually all that is required to complement her dress. If she has her ears pierced, small gold, silver crystal or pearl studs will perfectly match.

Hair:

Focus on a beautiful, all-day-lasting hair style for your flower girl rather than too many hair accessories. Consider the style of dress and choose a hairstyle that suits. Straighter, a-line dresses can look great with curled hair out and formal, fuller dresses are well suited to hair up styles. An advantage of an up style is that it will be more likely to withstand the course of the day, particular in warmer temperatures. By the time the reception begins, hair out can sometimes start to look ruffled and messy. The same flowers as used for the bridal bouquet can be used to decorate flower girl hair. Small tiaras are still a popular hair accessory choice for flower girls although hairpins are on trend and becoming more widely used as these can create a sweet, subtle look- a few single pearl or crystal hairpins placed around a stylised bun provides a beautiful hair accent. Gold tones always work well with ivory garments whilst silver tones perfectly complement white garments.

Find out more

read more about bridesmaids + flowergirls

Shoes:

Ballet style flats are a great option for flower girl shoes- these match most dresses and will be comfortable. Purchase shoes a few weeks before the wedding and ask your flower girl to wear them around the house a few times before the day to break them in and avoid blisters. Scotch guard fabric shoes and bring another pair of your flower girl’s shoes to wear after photographs just in case her new ones become unbearable to wear.

Make-up:

Flower girls look best with a natural look. A little light lip gloss, some light sunscreen foundation, and perhaps a touch of eye shadow and mascara is all that is needed for beautiful results.

The Right Time:

If you are shopping for a flower girl dress at a boutique or store, be sure to do this at a time of day when your flower girl is rested and least likely to be irritable. Try and make this a relaxing event and a special time for you and your flower girl, preferably without the confusion of an entourage of too many other bridal party members. Keep in mind that children grow fast. Avoid ordering dress sizes more than two or three months before your wedding date but if you need to order further in advance, ensure you allow for extra growing room and consider forgiving styles that can be altered easily. Sash ties around the waist are excellent for cinching in a dress that may be a little large.

For more inspiration on flower girl dress designs and complementing accessories, visit the online boutique, stellinacutecouture.com.au