What Is the Proper Etiquette With Nieces & Nephews in Wedding Parties?
Nieces and nephews often have a special relationship with the bride and groom, and many couples include them in their wedding party. There are a variety of roles that nieces and nephews can fulfill in a wedding, depending on their ages. Couples should decide where their nieces and nephews best fit within their own wedding party.
Other People Are Reading
-
Flower Girl
-
One of the most popular roles for a niece within a wedding party is that of the flower girl. A flower girl is typically a young girl between the ages of 3 and 8, who wears a white dress and walks down the aisle immediately before the bride. Sometimes, she will throw flower petals onto the aisle runner, but often she carries a tiny bouquet herself. If a bride has a young niece, this is an ideal way to incorporate her into the bridal party.
Ring Bearer
-
For a couple with a young nephew, a ring bearer is the most appropriate role for him within the wedding party. The ring bearer either walks down before the flower girl, or with the flower girl. He usually carries a tiny pillow with the bride and groom's wedding bands on it. A ring bearer is usually a young boy, between the ages of 3 and 8. This is an ideal way to incorporate a young nephew into the wedding party.
-
Junior Bridesmaid
-
For a bride and groom who have an older niece, she may fit in nicely with the bridal party as a junior bridesmaid. A junior bridesmaid is considered a part of the bridal party, but has less roles and responsibilities than the other bridesmaids. She will typically wear the same color dress, but possibly in a different style more appropriate for her age. A junior bridesmaid is usually between the ages of 9 and 16.
Usher
-
If a bride and groom would like to include an older nephew in the wedding party, an usher is an ideal way to incorporate him. An usher has an important role in the wedding ceremony and helps to seat the guests before the ceremony begins. He will seat them according to whether they are at the wedding for the bride or for the groom. Ushers typically wear tuxes similar to the groomsmen, and are included as members of the wedding party.
-
References
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
