Flower girl

The procession and role

During the ceremony, the flower girl follows behind the maid of honor and proceeds ahead of the bride. She is frequently paired with a young page boy or ring bearer. Her main task is to sprinkle fresh petals along the path, though some locations forbid loose petals. In those cases, she might carry alternative items such as small candy packages, confetti, a solitary bloom, a pomander floral ball, or soap bubbles. Her presence brings charm to the aisle and marks the arrival of the bride.

Attire and presentation

The flower girl's outfit is commonly styled as a miniature version of the bridal gown. In Victorian times, girls wore simple white muslin frocks paired with silk or satin colored sashes, designed so the dress could be reused later. While historical custom placed the cost of the outfit on the marrying families, modern couples generally expect the child's own parents to cover her clothing and accessory costs.

Historical transformations

The custom has evolved through many eras. In ancient Rome, young attendants carried bundles of wheat to bless the marriage with abundance and fertility. Renaissance flower girls held braids of garlic to ward off misfortune and dark spirits. By the Elizabethan period, attendants walked behind musicians holding silver ribboned cups or gilded rosemary twigs filled with leaves and petals. Later Victorian traditions introduced ornate flower baskets and circular floral hoops, whose endless shape mirrored the wedding band.

Symbolic meaning

Beyond decorating the walkway, the flower girl carries multiple layers of meaning. Because she is a young girl dressed like the bride, she can represent the bride's own past childhood. Her forward movement down the aisle visually illustrates the bride's step from youth into married life. Furthermore, her presence highlights the creation of a new family unit, continuing the historic theme of blessing the union with prosperity and new growth.

How Flower girl is kept

The flower girl, usually aged three to seven, takes part in the wedding procession alongside the wedding party. She walks down the aisle following the maid of honor, either alone or accompanied by a page boy or ring bearer. As she proceeds ahead of the bride, she drops flower petals onto the floor, or carries an arrangement such as a floral hoop, posy, or bubbles. She wears a dress reminiscent of the bride's gown and remains present for the ceremony.

When and where

The tradition takes place during the wedding ceremony itself. The flower girl makes her walk during the formal procession towards the altar or stage, entering after the maid of honor and immediately before the bride arrives.

The custom is observed in weddings across Western Europe, the United States, and in ceremonies globally. It is especially prominent in royal, society, and traditional church or venue weddings.

What Flower girl means

The flower girl represents the bride as a child and marks the bride's transition from youth into adulthood. Her presence also signifies the founding of a new family. Historically, carrying wheat, herbs, or blossoms symbolized hopes for fertility, good luck, and abundance in the couple's future together.

Questions people ask about Flower girl

See also

Islamic marriageThe sacred contract, agreement and wedding celebration forming an Islamic marriageMatchmakingThe custom of using a trusted intermediary to introduce partners for marriageRite of passageA ceremony that marks leaving one group and entering another, with a new statusMarriage proposalA ritual where one partner asks another to marry them, marking the start of engagement.

Good reading and sources

• Flower girl on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.