Apr 21, 2008

Involving Junior Bridesmaids

Junior Bridesmaids seem to be increasingly popular these days. It’s a fabulous way to include a very special girl in your wedding, even though it may not be entirely appropriate for her to be a bridesmaid yet. She could be your cousin, your sister, your daughter, your niece, your best friend’s daughter, or have some other special tie to you and your fiancé. She’ll be thrilled to be a part of your wedding, and in a more grown-up capacity than a flower girl.

Bridesmaids do a lot of planning before a wedding. The grown-ups still do the heavy lifting in the planning of the shower, the bachelorette party, and other gatherings, but it is easy to involve the younger members of the bridal party. Have the older bridesmaids ask her for her opinion on games to play, food to serve, or how to decorate the space. Definitely recruit her help setting up for the shower, serving food, greeting guests. She can be actively involved, without all of the responsibilities of an adult bridesmaid. She can attend showers and rehearsals, but will probably sit out the bachelorette ;)

On the day of the wedding, a junior bridesmaid walks down the aisle like the other bridesmaids, carrying a bouquet like the other bridesmaids, and stands at the altar, like the other bridesmaids. To signify the difference between junior and “full” bridesmaids, the junior bridesmaid’s dress may be the same color and style, but a different cut. The bridesmaids might be wearing spaghetti straps or strapless dresses, but the junior bridesmaid has short sleeves or sleeveless. Her bouquet might have the same type of flowers as the bridesmaids, just be a little smaller. She can have her hair done like the older bridesmaids, be wearing similar (though possibly more juvenile) jewelry, etc.

Asking that special young woman to be a junior bridesmaid will tell her how much she means to you and create lasting memories, without putting too much of a burden on a youngster.

--Minnie

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