While your bridesmaids are busy planning your hen do and getting the champagne party started as you get your hair and make-up done on the big day, a junior bridesmaid (generally aged between eight and 16) may be a little young to get involved. But that doesn’t mean she can’t have a role in the wedding – here’s how to include her!
CHOOSING A JUNIOR BRIDESMAID
If you’ve got a sister or sister-in-law, niece, cousin, daughter or close family friend who you’d like to involve in your wedding but is a little too old to be a flower girl and a little too young to be a bridesmaid, why not make her a junior bridesmaid? If she’s important to you, there’s no reason she can’t be a part of your big day.
JUNIOR BRIDESMAID ROLES
You won’t want to overload her with things to do, so your junior bridesmaid’s role should be quite simple. Apart from attending the wedding rehearsal with the rest of the bridal party, she’ll walk down the aisle ahead of the other bridesmaids, and be by your side at the altar during the ceremony. She could also help hand out sparklers or confetti during the send-off.
BEFORE THE BIG DAY
While a boozed up hen do might not be the place for your junior bridesmaid, she can definitely be involved in a more sedate bridal shower, like a lunch or afternoon tea. She can also help assemble wedding favours, and come wedding dress shopping with you (if you’re close). And if she’s a little too young to get excited by dress shopping, you could always take her along for cake tasting – we’re sure there won’t be any complaints there!
JUNIOR BRIDESMAID ATTIRE
There are two options when it comes to junior bridesmaid attire. While she should definitely match what the rest of your bridal party are wearing, you can either go for the same style of dress (in a junior size), or a slightly adapted version, either with a more age-appropriate cut or an alternative fabric, to coordinate but stand out from the other bridesmaids.