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Next to the bride, the flower girl is one of the major focuses of a wedding ceremony. Most flower girls are between the ages of four and six, but this can vary somewhat. In addition to charming everyone in sight, it is important to understand the various flower girl duties and proper etiquette.
Before the Wedding
Whether the flower girl attends the shower and other pre-wedding parties, such as the engagement party, will depend upon the situation. In many cases, the flower girl is related to the bride or at least the child of a close friend, so she will often attend these events. The flower girl should attend the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner. During the rehearsal the flower girl will be directed how to walk in the processional, where to stand during the ceremony and how to leave the ceremony during the recessional.
During the Wedding
In most cases, the flower girl will proceed the bride during the processional. She may walk with the ring bearer, alone or with another flower girl. The flower girl will usually toss rose petals on the aisle runner as she walks to the front, ahead of the bride. While the flower girl may scatter flowers, many brides today may choose to have the flower girl simply carry a bouquet instead. In most cases the flower girl will stand with the bridesmaids during the ceremony, but the bride may also prefer for the flower girl to sit with her parents during the ceremony. This often depends upon the age of the flower girl and how well she is able to stand quietly during the wedding ceremony.
After the Wedding
Following the recessional, the flower girl does not need to be a part of the receiving line. She should be available for the formal pictures that follow the wedding ceremony. The flower girl may sit with her parents during the reception or at an area that is specially designated for her and other children who are a part of the wedding and attending the reception.
While the bride usually selects the attire for the flower girl, it is often the responsibility of the flower girl's family to pay for her attire as well as any travel costs associated with the event. The flower girls' attire may compliment that of the other attendant's or may resemble a miniature wedding dress, depending on the wishes of the bride.
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