Planning your wedding and have an eleven year old girl who needs to play a role in your wedding? If so, you may be wondering if she is too old to be a flower girl.
Well, here is your answer to this question!
Can an 11 Year Old Be a Flower Girl?
There is no hard and fast rule for how old a flower girl should be – usually flower girls are under the age of 8 but it isn’t uncommon for older girls to be flower girls as well – you can also make an 11 year a junior bridesmaid, if you wish.
How Old is Too Old for a Flower Girl?
As mentioned, there are no exact rules regarding this.
The flower girl tradition all began in ancient Rome. Young girls preceded the bride down the aisle, throwing grain and herbs in front of them.
These were meant to be symbols of prosperity for the happy couple. They were also supposed to represent fertility for the bride.
In the Elizabethan era, flower girls were meant to represent a younger and more innocent version of the bride, which is why young girls were used.
Of course, these days, flower girls are simply a form of following tradition without quite knowing what that tradition is.
Due to this, there are no age requirements or limits when it comes to flower girls. Yes, they are traditionally quite young but even then, it is up to you to decide whether someone can be a flower girl or not.
Are There Downsides to Having an Older Flower Girl?
There aren’t any obvious disadvantages to having an older flower girl. Of course, if the other flower girls are quite young, then the older girl may stand out.
Some may also find it a little unusual as the flower girls do tend to be a bit younger than this.
Are There Advantages to Having an Older Flower Girl?
Perhaps the biggest advantage to having an 11 year old flower girl is that she knows exactly what to do on your big day!
You don’t have to worry about her forgetting what to do, ignoring your instructions, or requiring an adult to walk with her. Instead, she will be able to confidently do her flower girl duties and set the right tone for the wedding.
Also, if she is paired up with younger flower girls, she can help to get them on the right track and show them what to do.
This is an especially good idea if your other flower girl is very young – under the age of 5. Kids this young either forget what they are meant to do or decide to go off script at the last moment.
Having somebody older to guide them can ensure that your ceremony goes as smoothly as possible.
As an increasing number of weddings are becoming child-free, some couples may not want very young children at their wedding. An eleven year old will mature enough to behave themselves during the festivities and so, can be included in your wedding party.
How to Have an 11 Year Old as a Flower Girl?
You may want to re-think a few aspects of the flower girl role with an older girl.
For instance, a traditional flower girl may not be the best option for an eleven year old. Flower girl dresses tend to be rather fluffy and frilly.
An eleven year old may be a little too old to pull off this look. As such, you may need to change the outfit a little. You could have a dress similar to that of the bridesmaid but that is more suited to a child.
Or, you can choose a dress similar to that of a flower girl but tone it down a little. Maybe a little lace and frill can help it to look better on the older child.
In some instances you may want to alter the role of your flower girl. As they are far better equipped to follow instructions, they can do something a bit more complex than simply throw petals down the aisle.
What Other Role Can an 11 Year Old Play in the Wedding?
If you do feel that eleven is just a little too old to be a flower girl, then you can have the young girl as a junior bridesmaid instead.
This is simply a title given to a bridesmaid that is a lot younger than the rest.
Now, the duties of the bridesmaid is going to depend on the kind of wedding you are going to have. For instance, if you are planning on have a more traditional affair, then the junior bridesmaid can have a similar role to that of the other bridesmaids.
If you want your bridesmaids to be a bit more involved in your wedding or to have special roles, then you may only want the junior bridesmaid to walk down the aisle and to stand at your wedding.
They can also be there for photographs but can join their parents for the rest of the wedding.
Keep in mind that while these kids are capable of carrying out various duties that they do get tired and bored easily. So, don’t expect them to have the same amount of energy or the same attention span as the rest of your bridesmaids.
Can You Have an 11 Year Old as a Flower Girl?
Yes, it is possible for you to have an eleven year old as a flower girl as there aren’t any rules about how age for this role – if you are looking for another role in your wedding, though, she can be a junior bridesmaid.
