Updated on: Feb 23, 2024
Do not turn down this flower girl dress buying guide! Many brides spend countless hours worrying about where to find their wedding dress and their bridesmaids’ gowns but don’t forget about the special little girl who will be leading the procession down the aisle. The flower girl will be one of the first people your guests see. Although they’ll definitely think she looks adorable no matter what, you’ll still want her dress to make an impression! Use this flower girl dress buying guide to help you find the right dress
Flower Girl Dress Buying Guide
The Right Place
When looking for a dress for your flower girl, start by searching for local bridal shops and boutiques that specialize in formal wear for young children. Smaller businesses are a great resource because you will most likely find something very original and unique. Bridal salons that specialize in weddings or ball gowns may be able to help, but you might be better off purchasing from a shop that is well equipped with attire for your mini bridal party member. Purchasing a flower girl dress online could also be a resource to explore for an even larger variety of styles and sizes!
The Right Time
With every bride already stressing over their own gown, no one wants the added stress of their flower girl's dress not arriving in time or needing alterations too soon to the wedding date. Buying the dress too soon could have its own consequences, such as the flower girl outgrowing it.
If you decided to buy from a smaller business, you should buy around 8-10 weeks before the wedding as will smaller boutiques they may not have the dress size you're looking for, which would mean you would have to order it from them. Ordering online has its perks as well and if you decide to do so, you should order around 6-8 weeks in advance to allow for returns and exchanges. Whichever purchase method you choose, it is important to choose early on and remember to have time allowances for alterations so your flower girl has her perfect dress.
Comfort
Keep in mind that this dress is for a little girl. You will want to make sure that you purchase something that she can be comfortable in for a long period of time. While adults might choose a dress for style over comfort, your little flower girl will need something comfortable and breathable. This will help her stay in a good mood throughout if she is uncomfortable in any way this might cause some distress.
Look for something that won’t restrict her movement, and keep an eye out for softer fabric that will not itch or irritate the skin. It may also be a good idea to let her wear her dress around the house prior to the wedding day so she can get used to it, just be sure to keep it stain-free!
Flower Girl's Choice
It's not only a smart idea to let your flower girl (if she's old enough) have a say in her own dress, but a fun one! Going shopping with your flower girl is great way to bond with her and letting her share her input will make the process that much smoother. Bringing the flower girl along for dress shopping gets her excited about her dress and makes it easy to get her to put on her dress for a stress-free, meltdown-free wedding day.
A “Mini Bride”
Many little girls like to dress up like princesses so you may want to consider choosing a dress that is a smaller version of yours. Many stores will help you select a dress that looks similar to your bridal gown or even create a mini replica. This stimulates a good attitude because she will notice the importance of her role and younger girls tend to enjoy having the attention.
You can think of creating a dress that gives that princess look if that is what your mini bride prefers. All girls have different styles so don't pressure them to be someone they are not. Pro tip: You can add hoop slips to the dress to create the “princess” look.
Color Themes
While many brides like to go for a white "mini-bride" dress, this doesn't mean you have to limit your dress shopping to white dresses. Matching your flower girl dress to the theme of your wedding through colors is a unique and fun way to create a cohesive wedding theme. You could match the flower girl dress to the wedding colors you chose or even your bridesmaids' dresses. You could even let the flower girl choose her own dress color!
Dress Length
Long dresses can be hazardous for anyone, especially children! Your best bet is to go with a tea-length or knee length dress. Anything shorter than a floor-length dress can assure that the dress won’t trip up your flower girl.
Formality
The formality of the flower girl’s dress will depend upon the location and theme of your wedding. For instance, if you are planning your ceremony on a beach, you can dress the little girl in light colors and even allow her to wear flip-flops or go barefoot to help her feel more comfortable. If you are planning your wedding in a ballroom setting, however, you may want to go with a more traditional route with a little white gown. The decision is ultimately yours; just remember that comfort is key when it comes to dressing your flower girl.
Flower Girl Dress: Conclusion
With these tips, we hope that you’ll be able to find the perfect flower girl dress! If you aren’t sure where to begin shopping, check out easyeventplanning.com to find local bridal salons and any other wedding planning items you may need.
For more wedding-related content, take a look at our Everything Dresses and Wedding Ideas pages!
Written by Vanessa Marsocci and Anna Wertman; Contributor: Amy Chiang