Junior Bridesmaid vs. Honorary Bridesmaid
A 2011 study conducted by Brides Magazine, an industry leader in researching trends and providing wedding statistics, found that the average wedding party has 11 people. These include the maid of honor, best man and 4.5 bridesmaids and groomsmen each. However, if you have a lot of friends or a large family, you might choose to incorporate other members into the wedding party and ask family to participate in the wedding as a junior or honorary bridesmaid.
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Junior Bridesmaid vs. Honorary Bridesmaid
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A junior bridesmaid is usually a young woman between the ages of 9 and 14. Usually, the bride feels she's too old to serve as a flower girl and too young to serve as a full-fledged bridesmaid. Meanwhile, an honorary bridesmaid is usually reserved for large wedding parties. Honorary bridesmaids are included in the wedding activities to the brides discretion, however, usually does not have a specific role during the ceremony such as a flower girl or maid of honor does.
Junior Bridesmaid Duties
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At the request of the bride, the junior bridesmaid may participate in some or all of the activities associated with the rest of the female bridal party. For example, while she's not expected to help plan the bridal shower, she is welcome to attend. She may be invited to attend dress shopping events and wear the same or a similar dress as the rest of the bridesmaids. She also is traditionally invited to both the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner. Ceremony duties might include handing out programs, walking in the procession and standing in the receiving line if the bride requests it.
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Junior Bridesmaid Daughters
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Daughters of the groom or bride also are often included as junior bridesmaids if the correct ages. However, in this instance, junior bridesmaids often take on a special role in the ceremony. For example, a junior bridesmaid might escort her mother down the aisle. She might read a poem or religious piece during the ceremony, perform a song or even participate in something called "family vows" which includes children of the betrothed in the exchange of vows at the altar.
Honorary Bridesmaid Duties
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Honorary bridesmaids usually have no official duty in the actual ceremony. Otherwise they'd be deemed as full bridesmaids. However, they may still participate in the ceremony to the degree the bride wishes. For example, if she wishes for the honorary bridesmaids to walk in the procession, they might be included at the beginning before seating the parents and grandparents. They also are usually invited to larger prewedding events, such as the bridal shower.
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References
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