It’s time to kit out the youngest member of the bridal party, so we’ve picked out the prettiest and best flower girl dresses to buy now to have them feel as pretty as a princess.
Finding the perfect flower girl dress can feel even more daunting than finding your own wedding dress, especially as children grow so quickly so you can’t get their dress too much in advance!
The retail experts at Monsoon have noticed a 100% search spike for flower girl dresses which could indicate couples are starting to search for the final outfit for their big day.
Traditionally, flower girl dresses follow the same colour as the bride’s wedding dress, however other soft colours such as blush and sage are also lovely choices and could be a good opportunity to incorporate your wedding theme.
It’s also worth thinking about getting a dress in a crease-free fabric such as chiffon or tulle so that they are still picture-perfect come wedding photograph time.
The Best Flower Girl Dresses to Buy Now
We’ve scoured the internet to find you the cutest flower girl dresses for babies and older girls to ensure the littlest member of your bridal party is as pretty as a princess!
The Best Flower Girl Dresses for Little Ones
Baby Odette Alice Tulle Dress Ivory, £50, Monsoon
Baby Girls Ecru Tiered Mesh Dress, £25, River Island
White Flock Spot Mesh Dress, £35, Mamas & Papas
Baby Girls Pink Frill Flower Girl Dress, £35, River Island
Baby Tulle Occasion Dress, £38-£40, Lipsy
Baby Tulle Skirt Dress, from £35, Monsoon
Baby Lace Bodice Dress, £38-£40, John Lewis
Floral Lace Detail Dress, £42, Mamas & Papas
The Best Flower Girl Dresses for Older Girls
Pearl Trim Occasion Dress, £50-£56, Next
Freya 3D Scuba Bridesmaid Dress Ivory, £55, Monsoon
Girls Frill Detail Bodice Dress, £59, Coast
Girls Green Tulle Ruffle Smock Dress, £40, River Island
Ophelia Lace Tulle Dress Ivory, £60, Monsoon
Lace and Tulle Dress in Natural White, £19.99, H&M
Kids’ Camille Pleated Georgette Dress, £63, Angel & Rocket
Anaya With Love Flutter Tulle Dress, £49, Next
Top Tips for Organising Your Little Flower Girl for Your Big Day
If you’ve chosen little ones to be your flower girls, on your big day they’re certain to raise some ‘ooohs’ and ‘aahs’ as they follow you down the aisle. Mind you, to get to the picture-perfect stage, we’ve a few tips to offer you.
“Dressing flower girls, bridesmaids and pageboys can be a stressful business, particularly if you have different ages, sizes and various strong opinions to deal with. Having said that, young children can be an excellent way to link you, the star of the show, with the older bridesmaids,” says flower girl dress designer guru Nicki MacFarlane.
Nicki would know all about the stress of dressing flower girls, as she had the monumental task of creating the dresses for Catherine, Princess of Wales’ mini maids at the Royal Wedding back in 2011!
Buy the Flower Girls Dresses and Young Bridesmaids Dresses Close to the Wedding
“Remember that children grow, so it’s important to leave buying outfits for little ones to as near to the wedding as possible,” says Nicki. “We recommend no more than three months before the wedding and make sure that, if possible, the children try them on before the big day in case alterations are needed.”
Ensure the Flower Girl Dress is Comfy
Comfort should always be a factor when it comes to dressing the wedding party, but Nicki believes this rings particularly true for the younger members. “If the children are wearing something scratchy and uncomfortable all day they’ll be miserable!” she adds. “Make sure you buy something lined and the best quality you can afford.”
The Flower Girl Dress is Your Choice
“When it comes to choosing your flower girl dresses, don’t be overly influenced by the children’s parents – or the children themselves,” advises Nicki. “Remember, it’s your wedding – you can choose whatever style or colour you like.” We couldn’t agree more!
One Style Does Not Fit All
There are many ways to dress your flower girls, bridesmaids and pageboys so that they complement you in the most effective way. If you have children of different ages, or even a mix of adults and children, don’t be afraid to mix and match styles of dresses.
“It looks very chic to have all your attendants in the same fabric but different, age appropriate styles,” says Nicki. “A wedding I did recently featured girls in different pastel shades – it looked stunning. Alternatively, dress older bridesmaids in a colour and then choose a white or ivory dress for the flower girls and pick out the colour in the sash and buttons.”
Keep The Little Ones Entertained and Busy
If you’re having young children at the wedding, you’re always going to have to consider entertainment. Nicki recommends providing paper and pencils in the ceremony to help keep little ones quiet.
“If possible, it’s a good idea to have a separate playroom at the reception for toys and DVDs,” she goes on to say. “Some people hire a nanny for a few hours, which means that mums and dads can enjoy the celebrations too!”
At Wedding Ideas magazine we always say little children need time out to relax and recover. They are probably going to want to run around excitedly at the reception, so it’s good if you can have an area where they can burn off that excess energy.
If the weather is fine that could maybe be the garden of your venue (although make sure the photographs are all done first, for obvious reasons!) or if space permits, maybe you could have an indoor bouncy castle – with an adult monitoring proceedings!
“To keep your little ones amused, you can have traditional board games, card games and colouring books set up – although I would recommend no felt tips!” says top blogger Daniela of Bridesmaid.com.
“Books are a great idea, if you know your girls love to read. Give them as a gift and make sure they have them to look at while the chaos of getting ready ensues around them.”
Failing that, turn to the old failsafe – technology! “Electronic devices always keep kids distracted and occupied,” agrees Daniela. “Have an iPad set up for the kids to watch a movie or play a game on. Or put a DVD on the television or a laptop.”
Let Them Have a Say in Their Flower Girl Dress
When it comes to choosing the dresses, Daniela believes that the girls should have some say in what she wears. “Pick at least three different styles for the flower girls to try on, letting them choose what they feel best in,” she advises. “I would recommend flat shoes or ones with a tiny heel.”
With so many styles to choose from these days, what does Daniela recommend for the perfect flower girl look? “Personally, I love princess-like gowns on flower girls – ones with lots of layers of tulle,” says Daniela. “I’ve seen flower girls have the same shade as the bridesmaids’ dresses or completely white like the bride.”
Remember to Get Photographs With the Flower Girl!
“Don’t forget to have a photograph of you and the groom taken with the flower girls. You’ll get top marks for cuteness and they’ll love being involved,” says Daniela. Just remember to do it as soon after the ceremony as possible, while they are still neat and tidy.
How to Choose Your Flower Girl
Here at Wedding Ideas, we know that choosing your flower girls can be a delicate process, and we recommend you think carefully about your decision. You may have a very cute little niece, goddaughter or family friend, but you really don’t want a tiny one who’s likely to be overcome by shyness and refuse to walk down the aisle.
Even the most outgoing of little girls might be a little overcome when they see a sea of faces looking at them as they enter the ceremony venue, so pick a fairly confident type. Also try not to pick children who are just too young – we wouldn’t advise a toddler, for example. Have a couple of rehearsals beforehand so that your young ones know what to do and what to expect – this will help them feel prepared for the big day.
