Being a flowergirl - Page 2

[KCMichigan]

My 2 four year olds will be bridesmaids in my sisters wedding this spring.

They will NOT get make-up, but will get their hair- 'styled' (read washed and blow-dried). More to be include them part of the 'ladies' getting ready than anything fancy. They can wear chapstick if they want, but that is it.

We thought of using white Ked- canvas white- shoes for them and putting fancy ribbon as laces. (I wore keds under my dress at the reception--comfort trumped all). But will also consider white flat ballet type shoes. My sister does not care. They wont show in pics and she wants them to be cooperative and have fun more than be fashionable.

I would go with the flow- as long as you are ok with it, then be calm, but forceful. There is NO NEED for a 4 yr old to wear make-up.

[pigpokey]

While you can definitely say now, I don't think light makeup on a 3 year old is horrid. We are not talking about glitz pageant makeup. The makeup artist will not do the little girl just like the grown women. Ideally you would not be sure it was there.

E.g., this flower girl is 5 here and has been with the MUA.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPlcJy28Qx...C_0269copy.jpg

[catballou24]

when dd1 was 4 she was a flowergirl in dh's cousin's wedding and we didn't do the make-up thing with her. personally, i don't think it's necessary for a child...they look beautiful with a natural glow already. for shoes, she wore ballet slippers that were super comfortable. she's not a girly girl either, so this was a perfect choice.

both the girls are going to be in their brother's wedding this april so we are pretty much going with the same idea...ballet slippers..

i'm sure once the wedding is here you all will have fun and will have found the perfect choice in shoes. dd1 felt very special with all the attention she got and is really looking forward to sharing that experience with her sister at ds's wedding...

have fun!

[Evan&Anna's_Mom]

My DD loves the white ballet-slipper type dress shoes at Payless Shoes. They look like ballet slippers on the top but have a more comfortable/sturdy sole on the bottem. But they are very soft on her feet. And I love them because they are like $15 or so.

As a former wedding coordinator at our church, may I add some suggestions? All of these might be perfectly "well, DUH" to you, but I was stunned at the number of mothers-of-flower-girls who didn't think about these things...

* The time before the wedding (dressing, pictures, waiting) can be really long. And boring. Bring toys. More importantly, bring neat snacks and water. I have had more moms yell at me because the church didn't have children's snacks on hand, but we don't and there was nothing I could give her hungry child.

* If you can delay getting into the pretty dress until the last second, do so. Spilled stuff on white fluffy dress = crisis.

* Set realistic expections for your child and cue the bride on what they are and what "plan B" is. Will she stand with you for the entire service? If not, where should she go to sit and with whom? Make sure your DH or someone else who she knows is seated on a aisle and visable when her "job" is done so she can go and sit if necessary. I generally always encouraged brides to have flower girls/ring bearers under age 7 or so go sit rather than stay with the wedding party. What is the plan if she won't walk down the aisle? If she freaks out 1/2 way down? Make sure your caregiver (since you will be with the wedding party, you can't catch these situations) AND any wedding coordinator knows these plans.

[hibiscus mum]

That's all great advice, Evan&Anna's Mom. I will definitely take it to heart. Thank you.