Junior Bridesmaid: Dresses, Duties and FAQ
Junior bridesmaids walking up the aisle.
When you’re choosing your bridal party, start with your closest friends and family. But what if someone is between ages - too old to be a flower girl, but not old enough to be a bridesmaid? If there’s a young person you’d like to include, you can ask her to be a junior bridesmaid.
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How Old Are Junior Bridesmaids?
Junior bridesmaids are typically between nine and fourteen years old. It’s ok if they’re a bit older, or a bit younger. Make your decision based on their maturity level. You can always adjust their duties to fit their personality and abilities.
Since they’re usually pretty young, it’s best to check with their parents before you ask them. You don’t want to get them excited, then find out that their parents aren’t ok with it. If your junior bridesmaid is very young, you’ll probably need to invite her parents to the same events you’ll be inviting her to.
For example, if your junior bridesmaid will be at your bridal shower or rehearsal dinner, it’s best if her parents can attend as well. Make sure you’ll have the space and budget for the extra guests.
Junior Bridesmaid Duties
Typically, junior bridesmaid is more of an honorary role. Her main duty will be to walk up the aisle. Then she’ll stand at the front, with the wedding party during your ceremony. For the reception, she can be seated at the head table, or with her parents.
How much you involve your junior bridesmaid also depends on your relationship. For example, if she’s a young niece, you might want to include her as an honor. She can attend the bridal shower and wedding as a member of your bridal party.
If she’s closer, you might want her more involved. For example, if she’s your sister or daughter, you might want her to come to all of the pre wedding parties and events. If you’re doing lots of DIY, she might like to help with some of the projects. You could even invite her along for dress shopping or cake tasting.
Some of your older bridesmaids might plan, and pay for pre wedding parties. This isn’t usually expected of a younger person. As well, your junior bridesmaid doesn’t need to attend all of the pre wedding events, especially if you don’t think they’d enjoy it.
Some typical duties for your junior bridesmaid could also include:
Help with crafts or favors for the wedding.
Shopping trip for the bridesmaid and junior bridesmaid dresses.
Make favors or decor for the bridal shower.
Help set up and clean up for the wedding shower.
Set up games or hand out prizes at the shower.
Attend the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
Walk up the aisle and stand with the bridal party at the ceremony.
Attend the wedding reception.
A junior bridesmaid and a junior groomsman, walking up the aisle.
Should Your Junior Bridesmaid Attend the Bachelorette Party?
Probably not. If there’s going to be drinks, it’s best not to invite underage people to the party. Even if you’re planning a low key bachelorette, most younger people wouldn’t enjoy it, anyway.
If you’re really close to your junior bridesmaid, you can plan your party to accommodate them. If your regular bridesmaids have girls the same age, you might decide to plan a kid friendly party. If that’s the case, it’s ok to have an age appropriate get together, and invite everyone.
In general, most bachelorettes are adult affairs. It’s not mandatory to invite a junior bridesmaid to all the events, so go ahead and plan the bachelorette party you’ll enjoy the most.
Attending the Wedding Rehearsal and Ceremony
Your junior bridesmaid will walk the aisle, too. So you’ll need to have them come to the rehearsal. Make sure they know what to do, and feel comfortable with their role.
Everyone who’s invited to the rehearsal should be invited to the dinner, afterwards. Depending on the age and your relationship, you might need to invite your junior bridesmaids parents, as well.
If you’re handing out thank you gifts at your rehearsal dinner, remember to get one for your junior bridesmaid. You don’t need gifts for her parents.
Who Should Your Junior Bridesmaid Walk With?
When you’re deciding who they’ll walk with, consider the rest of your bridal party. If you’re planning an even bridal party, think about adding a junior groomsman. Each bridesmaid and junior bridesmaid can walk with a groomsman and junior groomsman.
If your party is uneven, your junior bridesmaid can walk with anyone she feels comfortable with. You can have people walk up the aisle separately, or together. Or people can walk in groups. One groomsman and two bridesmaids, or one bridesmaid and two groomsman.
The most important thing is that your bridal party feels comfortable with their partner or partners. There’s no strict rules, so as long as everyone gets to the front, your procession will be fine.
Attending the Wedding Reception
If your junior bridesmaid is comfortable, you can include her in everything from the grand entrance to the bouquet toss.
Consider her age and maturity when you’re deciding where she’ll sit. You can seat her with her parents or at the head table, with the rest of the bridal party.
If you’re planning special dances, choose a partner for her ahead of time. If your groomsmen are all older, ask her dad to be her partner for the dances.
Junior Bridesmaid Dresses
Depending on the style of your bridesmaid dresses, you can choose the same one for your junior bridesmaid. If the dresses are mature or sexy, you can choose a dress in the same color, with a more modest style.
Most designers offer junior bridesmaid dresses in colors that match, in styles that are similar to their regular bridesmaid dresses. If you stick with the same designer, the colors, fabric and lace on all your dresses will match perfectly.
You can choose your junior bridesmaid flowers with the same idea. Her bouquet can be the same style, just a bit smaller, to match her proportions.
Junior Bridesmaid Proposal
If you decide to propose to your bridesmaids, you can include a proposal for your junior bridesmaid, too. Some brides like to buy or make bridesmaid proposal boxes. It’s not mandatory, but if you’d like to give out gifts, you can find lots of fun junior bridesmaid proposal boxes on Etsy.
Junior bridesmaid proposal box. By: HappilyChicDesigns
Included in the Celebration
You don't need to have a junior bridesmaid. But if you have a young woman that you want to include in your wedding, this is the perfect title for them. The title can be honorary, if they're too young to handle any real responsibilities during the wedding.
Simply invite them to the rehearsal and the ceremony. Your junior bridesmaids can walk down the aisle ahead of you and feel included in your wedding celebration.
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A group of junior bridesmaids, walking up the aisle.
