While flower girls are typically children under the age of nine, we're seeing a growing trend at wedding ceremonies—adult flower girls, guys and/or people (and grown-up ring bearers, too!). It's certainly a twist on the traditional wedding party role, and can make for some fun TikToks, but is it appropriate from an etiquette perspective? We're here to answer all of your questions about adult flower girls or "flower dudes" to help decide if this role is right for your big day.
What Does an Adult Flower Girl or Guy Do?
The adult flower girl is a member of the bridal party, along with the maid of honor, bridesmaids and junior bridesmaids, and there may be one flower girl or several. Typically, a couple would have an adult flower girl/guy/person if there aren't any children in their life who can take on the role.
Just like a child flower girl, the role of an adult flower girl/guy/person is pretty simple. During the processional, this person will walk down the aisle right before the bride, throwing flower petals. After that, the adult flower girl/guy/person may stand at the altar with the rest of the wedding party or take a seat in the front row during the ceremony.
Who Can Be an Adult Flower Girl/Guy/Person?
Having an adult perform the role of flower girl is often seen as unexpected and humorous, eliciting smiles and chuckles from the other wedding guests. Some couples opt to have their grandmothers serve as flower girls, to give them a sweet and special role in the ceremony. We've also seen bridesmaids and groomsmen do double duty, also taking on flower girl duties during the processional. Otherwise, the role of adult flower girl/guy/or person could be bestowed upon a willing close friend or family member who isn't otherwise part of the wedding party. However, when it comes to asking a loved one to be an adult flower girl, we recommend treading carefully (more on that below).
Can You Ask a Loved One to Be an Adult Flower Girl?
This is a tricky one. Grown adults may take offense to being handed a role normally reserved for a five year old, while others may love the idea and eagerly take on the role. And still other loved ones may even volunteer to be an adult flower girl/guy/person! It's often safest to ask people who are already in the wedding party to be adult flower girls/guys/people, as those who aren't might feel pressured to accept a role they might find insulting so they can be included in the inner circle.
If there's a person who you'd like to ask to be an adult flower girl/guy/person, talk to them about it hypothetically: "I think having an adult flower girl/guy/person at the ceremony, what do you think about that idea?" If they're game, they may volunteer, but if they're against the idea, move on.
And if you'd like to ask Grandma to be a flower girl on your wedding day, don't be forceful and give her options—she could either walk down the aisle escorted by a family member or toss petals as a "Flower Grandma". You could even show her photos or YouTube videos of grandmothers serving as flower girls at other weddings so she can visualize what it would be like. Be prepared that she might not love the idea or think it's too nontraditional for her taste, so if she rejects it, accept it and don't push the issue.
What Does an Adult Flower Girl/Guy/Person Wear
You probably shouldn't expect your grown-up flower girls/guys/people to wear the type of frilly, tulle flower girl dress a child attendant would wear. If your adult flower girl/guy/person is already in the wedding party, they should wear their chosen wedding party attire, but can accessorize with a flower crown, lei or other floral accessory to let them stand out from the other bridesmaids and groomsmen. If your adult flower girl/guy/person isn't a bridesmaid, groomsman or other member of the wedding party, let them choose their own attire in the wedding colors so they'll feel like part of the crew. And a Grandma flower girl should wear whatever makes her feel more comfortable and confident on the big day!
What Does an Adult Flower Girl/Guy/Person Carry Down the Aisle?
We recommend working in tandem with your adult flower girl/guy/person to figure out what they'll carry down the aisle. Some adult flower girls will want to embrace the role and carry a traditional basket of flower petals, while others may want to toss confetti, carry balloons or simply hide the flower petals in their pockets and surprise guests by tossing them during the processional. You can also work with your florist to come up with some creative options.
Can I Have an Adult Ring Bearer, Too?
If a friend or family member is willing to take on the role of an adult ring bearer, go for it. An adult ring bearer would walk down the aisle during the processional carrying the wedding rings on a pillow. However, since the best man is typically responsible for the rings during the ceremony, you might just have him carry the rings down the aisle in his pocket if a child isn't able to take on the ring bearer job.
FAQs
Traditionally couples have chosen a little girl (usually a niece, little sister, etc.) to play the role of flower girl, walking down the aisle spreading flower petals ahead of the bride. Recently a lot of couples with no natural fit for the role have turned to grown men to play the role of flower man.
How old can a flower girl be for a wedding? ›
At what age are girls too old to be flower girls? A: Flower girls are generally between four and eight years old. (Sometimes, "mature" two- and three-year-olds pull it off quite charmingly, possibly with parents escorting them down the aisle.)
What is the best age for a flower girl? ›
Typically the age range most appropriate for a ring bearer or flower girl falls between ages 4 to 10 years old. However, weddings today showcase toddlers and even infants in these distinguished roles.
How many flower girls should be in a wedding? ›
There's no rule stating how many flower girls you can have, but we recommend sticking to three or four flower girls at the most to prevent your wedding party from becoming too big. Does the flower girl get ready with the bride?
Can a guy be a flower girl? ›
Typically, a couple would have an adult flower girl/guy/person if there aren't any children in their life who can take on the role. Just like a child flower girl, the role of an adult flower girl/guy/person is pretty simple.
What do you call a male flower girl? ›
The male counterpart to the flower girl is the page boy. He may walk alongside the flower girl when the wedding party heads down the aisle. Most of the time, this role is taken by a young boy who is part of the family or a close family friend.
Who pays for flower girl dress? ›
The bride and groom cover the cost of the flowers - flower baskets, bouquets, petals, and floral hair wreaths. The bride chooses the flower girl dress. This standard tradition (the bride choosing the dress, the parents of the flower girl paying for the dress and accessories) still holds true for today's weddings.
Can you have a flower girl and no kids at the wedding? ›
Do I also have to have them at the reception? Not if you don't want to. If you're having a no-kids-allowed wedding, tell the flower girl's parents in advance and help to arrange a babysitter to look after them as the party happens.
What is the flower girl etiquette? ›
In the wedding processional, the flower girl is traditionally after the maid of honor or last bridesmaid, right before the bride processes. The flower girl adorns the aisle with flower petals (or other fun things, but we'll get into that later) as she walks to the altar.
How much should I spend on a flower girl? ›
Flower girl dresses can range from about $40 to $500, depending on the style.
Per Sheils, the earlier you ask, the better, as the family will need to make travel plans or arrangements to be a part of the festivities. However, she suggests waiting to share the news with the children until a month or two before the wedding or whenever you have to order attire.
Who walks down the aisle with the flower girl? ›
Every wedding's much loved ring bearer and then flower girl proceeds next. The flower girl is typically the last one to walk down the aisle before the bride.
Should flower girl wear same color as bride? ›
There is no hard rule that says your flower girl dress must match the color of your wedding dress. While some brides will opt for classic ivory flower girl dresses that match the color of their wedding dress, others will have their flower girl dresses match the color of their bridesmaids.
What color does a flower girl wear in a wedding? ›
Traditionally, most flower girls wear white to match the bride. However, it's your day and you can choose whatever color fits your theme, color palette, and personal aesthetic.
Can men be florists? ›
Florist Statistics By Gender
77.2% of florists are women and 22.8% of florists are men.
Do flower girl and ring bearer walk together? ›
The Maid or Matron of Honor: The bride's right-hand woman walks alone. The Ring Bearer(s) and/or the Flower Girl(s): The ring bearer walks down the aisle followed by the flower girl. They then sit with their parents after walking down the aisle.
Can a boy be a flower boy in a wedding? ›
Fortunately, flower boys are no longer a trend and we're seeing less of it, at least at destination weddings. There are other things you can have children do in a wedding if you want to include them but they don't fit the established age categories for traditional wedding party.
Can a grown woman be a flower girl? ›
Kids may be the norm, but you can definitely assign the role of ring bearer and flower girl to an adult. It's a good solution if you prefer to have a ceremony that's adults-only or have adult loved ones you wish to include in the wedding party. Aunts, uncles, and grandparents can be flower women and ring bearers!
What is bisexuality in flower? ›
The flower possessing both male and female reproductive parts are a bisexual flower that is both stamens and carpels are present in the same flower. Examples of bisexual flowers are rose, sunflower, hibiscus, lily, and mustard.
Who stands next to the bride? ›
The maid of honor usually stands closest to the bride and holds the bride's bouquet. If one of your besties is a matron of honor, you can ask her to stand in the second spot.
RELATED: THE BEST-DRESSED FLOWER GIRLS FROM REAL WEDDINGS
"Most flower girls love playing around with makeup and are enthralled with the idea of having theirs done," says Cristen Faherty, wedding and event planner at Cristen & Co Event Coordination & Design.
Does flower girl go to rehearsal dinner? ›
If you have a flower girl or ring bearer, technically they should be invited, too—but this largely depends on their age and relationships. If they are a child of a bridal party member, it would go a long way to invite them.
What do flower girls wear to rehearsal dinner? ›
Flower girls can wear miniature versions of the bridal gown, or a simpler white dress. Alternatively, they can wear something in the same shade as the bridesmaids. It's really up to the bride!
Can a guy be a girls bridesmaid? ›
Choosing the members of their bridal party is no exception," says wedding industry veteran Maya Holihan. "If a bride's best friend is a man or she has a special kinship with a male family member, then it's completely acceptable and encouraged that she include him to stand beside her at the altar."
Who can be flower girls at wedding? ›
Traditionally a flower girl is somewhere between the ages of 4 and 9 (any younger and they might find your wedding a challenge, any older and they are promoted to junior Bridesmaid), she is someone that is close to you (i.e. your sister, niece, cousin, a daughter of a close friend).
Can you give a guy flower? ›
Everybody loves receiving flowers and men are no exception. If you feel like sending him flowers to express friendship, love, appreciation, or respect, go for it! Gone are the days when it seemed unusual for a guy to receive a big, beautiful bouquet. Today, giving flowers to men is perfectly acceptable.
What do you call a man who loves flowers? ›
anthophile (plural anthophiles) (zoology) An organism that visits flowers. A person who loves flowers.
Can you give a rose to a guy? ›
Sending flowers to a man is not girly, and it's definitely not unmanly. Men may actually enjoy receiving them as gifts, because the entire flower delivery experience makes them feel as special as you do when he arrives on Valentine's Day with a bouquet of roses.
