Things You'll Need:
- Dress Slip Tights Patent leather shoes Hair bows Basket Rose petals
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Step 1
Decide how many flower girls you will have. Some brides have just one, while others invite several little girls to take part in their wedding party. If you have more than one flower girl, take into account their various ages so you can find a dress style that will be available to accomodate their different sizes.
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Step 2
Select a dress that is appropriate for the formality of your event and the season. For instance, a long velvet dress would be just right for a winter evening wedding, while a lacy sundress may be perfect for a daytime summer ceremony.
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Step 3
Browse through bridesmaid magazines and look for photos of flower girl dresses to see what you like and don't like. Some of the options may look like little communion dresses, while others may be just simple sheeth or A-line cuts in solid jewel tones.
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Step 4
Select your bridesmaids' dresses first, if possible, so you can look for flower girl dresses that will work well with the other attire. Some stores sell both adult and toddler size formal attire, so you may be able to get a younger version of the same gown your older wedding party members will be wearing. Check out Ann Taylor, Talbots and J Crew (listed in the Resources section) for dress styles that are suited for a range of child and adult sizes. You can also visit bridal shops like David's Bridal to see what they have that will meet your requirements.
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Step 5
Plan to dress your flower girls in something that looks good with the bridemaids' dresses, but remember that you don't have to have everyone match. Consider using the same color dress for everyone but having the little girls wear a variation of the adult version. For instance, if the bridesmaids are wearing a dark green sleeveless long gown, put the flower girls in a dark green short dress with capped sleeves. This will provide a uniform look with some individuality. Or, let the flower girls deviate by picking a print dress for them to offset the bridesmaids' gowns, or even put the little ones in a contrasting color to really stand out and add a "wow" factor.
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Step 6
Look for dresses that will be practical as well as attractive. Consider how the fabric feels and how constricting the cut is, as little girls like to move around and comfort matters to them. Make sure the fabric won't be itchy against delicate skin and if possible, find something that the little ones will be able to wear again.
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Step 7
Pre-shop on your own to select a few top contenders, then invite the little girls and their mothers to come with you and try on the top two or three choices so you can see how they look. Bring with you all of the accessories you'll need to get the full effect. For instance, bring some pretty hair bows or other hair jewelry, small baskets that you can fill with rose petals and ask the mothers to bring a slip, tights and shoes for the girls to wear with the dress.
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Step 8
Look at a range of stores beyond those that carry formal wear. Department stores often have a wide selection of cute dresses, as do specialty shops. Also look online for more choices, since you can always order these and have them shipped.
