The plans for your South Lake Tahoe wedding are in full swing — you’ve set the date, picked out the dress and bought two matching wedding bands. Now it’s time to think about who will be in your wedding party, and it’s not just about bridesmaids and groomsmen. Many brides love the thought of a tiny ring bearer, decked out in a miniature tux, or a beautiful little flower girl, tossing rose petals from side to side as she walks down the aisle. But are you ready for the challenges of having wee ones participate in your ceremony?
Flower girls
Does a flower girl have an actual role in the wedding? The flower girl usually walks down the aisle in front of the maid of honor — or sometimes the bride — with a basket of rose petals or confetti. What’s not to love about an adorable little girl skipping down the aisle tossing rose petals? They draw the attention of the crowd, that’s for sure — and not always in a good way. When you decide to have a flower girl in your wedding, you need to be aware that things most likely won’t go as planned. There may be a tantrum, refusal to walk down the aisle, lifting up her skirt, throwing the basket or simply crying — just to name a few possibilities. So go in with your eyes open, and the rest is up to the little one.
Ring bearers
How adorable is a little boy in a tux? While he brings the same set of issues to the table as a flower girl, the one thing that’s different is that he is supposed to have charge of the rings. Anyone who has ever known a boy between the ages of 3 and 8 knows that this is a bad idea. Most wedding couples opt to have fake rings attached to the pillow, with the real rings tucked safely away in a groomsman’s pocket.
Here are a few tips for preparing your tiny attendants for their jobs:
- Explain it all ahead of time. Sometimes the rehearsals and expectations of the entire wedding party become overwhelming for the adults, so imagine how the ring bearer or flower girl might feel. Explain ahead of time what their jobs will be, in as few words as possible, so they can mull it over. Ask their parents to do the same, while keeping it very low key.
- Consider a buddy. One way to make the flower girl feel more at ease with her role is to assign her a buddy for the big walk down the aisle. Whether you choose two little girls to be flower girls together — or buddy her up with the ring bearer — it might ease the transition down the aisle to have someone with her, holding her hand.
- Comfy clothes are key. The fancier the flower girl dress, the better? And those tuxedo pants and shoes? They sure are cute, but if you choose attire that’s over-the-top formal you might be choosing something scratchy or uncomfortable. Keep your ring bearer and flower girl’s comfort in mind when you choose their wedding outfits.
- Have a backup plan. Even if they nailed it during rehearsals, have a plan for someone who can step in and take his or her hand if they start shutting down midway down the aisle. Someone in a seat on the aisle (maybe their mom) can quickly take them by the hand and bring them to a seat if things fall apart.
Think you’re up for the challenge of including these little attendants in your South Lake Tahoe wedding? Take lots of pictures and enjoy the spark of fun that they bring to your ceremony.
Looking for inspiration? Follow the South Lake Tahoe Weddings Pinterest board for Flower Girls and Ring Bearers.
