Be Practical – Make sure that the clothes your young attendants wear fit properly and are comfortable. Long pants and hemlines will result in trips, tumbles, and cries of discomfort. Clothes and shoes that are too tight or are made of itchy material may scratch or distract a child.
Keep it Simple – Choose outfits and hairstyles that are age appropriate and reflect your little helper’s style and personality. For example, an older boy probably wouldn’t be too thrilled to don a crushed velvet suit while an elaborate gown of stiff, frilly fabric for a young toddler would most likely hinder her ability to stay upright. Unless your little ladies aren’t fidgeters, an elaborate hairstyle is usually out of the question. Remember, the younger your flower girls and ring bearers are, the better it is to keep things simple.
Match Personalities – Like the clothes they wear, you want to make sure that the tasks you ask your child attendants to perform are ones that best suit their personalities so that they feel comfortable when they perform them. Asking a shy child to read a poem aloud or an energetic one to stand still by your side during a long ceremony is most likely to have unwanted results.
Consider the Location – Before choosing your little ones’ outfits, consider the location and tone of the ceremony. Will it be a formal church wedding or a more casual one on the beach? In addition to the location, the time of the year and the day or night that the wedding takes place should be factored into the equation.
Ask the Experts – If including other people’s children in your ceremony, be sure to check with Mom and Dad before making a decision. Not only do you want to ensure everyone is on the same page budget-wise, but you want to be certain Sally doesn’t have a serious aversion to wearing dresses or a specific color.
Plan Ahead – Make sure your young assistants are fed and well rested before the ceremony begins. Also, a trip to the bathroom is critical for all little ones shortly before the wedding is scheduled to start.
Go With the Flow – Keep in mind that one of the reasons adults find children so refreshing is their ability to be spontaneous and to live in the moment. So if your little ones’ wedding day performance doesn’t go quite as planned, relax, sit back and enjoy the show.
Show Your Appreciation – Be sure to tell your special attendants what a great job they did and how much you appreciated their help. A special gift, treat or note for them is usually in order.
