Dresses for young bridesmaids and flower girls

Picking out outfits for your younger bridesmaids or flowergirls can be a really troublesome task, especially if you've got a group of little would-be-princesses causing havoc with the selection process (and perhaps all demanding to be in their favourite shade of pink). Here are a few guidelines to help you keep your head so your youngest bridal attendants don't end up causing a ruckus and potentially ruining your big day!The first thing to remember is that although there have been many changes in bridal dresses as fashions have varied over time, the preferred style for young bridesmaid or flowergirl dresses has remained much the same over the years.

That said, don't let be tempted to let this clash horribly with the theme of the rest of your wedding. You can easily echo the styles, textures or colours of your other bridesmaid dresses, or for a very cute look, especially for small girls, see if you can get a miniaturised version of your bridal dress for your head flowergirl. While flowergirl and young bridesmaid dresses can vary in length, the general style is always a fairly standard one which should bring more to mind the term "little princess" than any sort of modern fashion statement.Fabrics and colours for junior bridesmaid dresses vary greatly so it is always worth checking the time of year when your wedding will be. Velvet, or cheaper velour, are great for colder times of year and stop chills on your smallest attendants, while in warm weather make sure you opt for lighter fabric. You don't want an overheated little girl - or half a dozen - throwing a hissy fit in the middle of the ceremony, as there is no quicker way to ruin the occasion as well as everybody's enjoyment. For young bridesmaid accessories, steer clear of tights unless it will be very cold - don't forget some flowery ankle socks can look just as adorable as woolly tights - and keep footwear easy to wear. A ballet slipper style in a soft but hardwearing material like patent leather is best, as you don't want your littler bridesmaids' shoes to be uncomfortable or hard to walk in.Bridesmaid dress length is a matter of common debate amongst wedding planners and brides-to-be, but especially when it comes to younger bridesmaids it is actually age that should be the chief deciding factor.

 Younger girls tend to trip up over long skirts so keep to knee length, but older girls of eleven or older not only have better co-ordination but may also want a more grown-up dress shape with a bit more length. For multiple bridesmaid dresses, link the bridal party together with themes like colour, fabric or accents, and don't forget that with longer dresses you'll get a funny buckled shape in your photographs unless the wearer stands up perfectly straight - which can be very difficult for children. You might want to shorten the length of all the dresses an inch or two if there are steps to take into account - remember a little flowergirl won't remember to pick up her dress when she has to descend or climb stairs and you don't want her to take a tumble which will surely lead to tears.Comfort really is the top priority with flowergirl dresses or young bridesmaid dresses. Keep clear of scratchy or cheap material or overly tight shoes as this will lead to extensive fidgets at the best and most likely some big temper tantrums. To keep bases covered if the weather might be changeable, consider sleeveless bridesmaid dresses with cardigans or jackets, and have some fun umbrellas (and maybe even some wellies) standing by in case of sudden downpours. You want to have all your bridesmaids, young and old, happy and beaming in all your wedding photos, so take every step you can to get them smiling and keep them that way!