How to Decide If You Should Have Junior Bridesmaids in Your Wedding Party (2024)

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If she's too old to be a flower girl but too young to be a bridesmaid, a junior bridesmaid could be the perfect solution.

Nancy Mattia

Nancy is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com.

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It's all about her age.

The first and most important criterion that determines a girl's title is how old she is. If she's from four to eight, she's a flower girl, If she's between nine and fifteen, she falls into the junior bridesmaid category; older than that, you can go ahead and call her a bridesmaid.

Consider her maturity.

Sometimes age has to be overlooked in place of common sense. In the event that the girl you're thinking of including is nine but needs a lot of supervision, you may want to ask her to be a flower girl, which means she'll have no other responsibility other than walking down the aisle ahead of you. On the other hand, someone who's a very mature fifteen may fit in better with the bridesmaids than any of the junior bridesmaids.

This is what her role entails.

A junior bridesmaid contributes time and energy, just as a bridesmaid would. She helps with invitations (stuffing them, stamping them, filling out envelopes), putting together favors, tracking down guests' addresses, and any other reasonable chore a bride may need extra hands for. She also attends all pre-wedding events like the bridal shower, lunch, tea, rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, but not the bachelorette party. Of course, she takes part in the wedding ceremony and attends the reception, but she's too young for the after-party. At that point, the party's over for her!

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As a seasoned wedding etiquette expert with extensive experience in the field, I've had the privilege of delving deep into the intricacies of bridal party dynamics. My insights have been honed through years of collaboration with prestigious platforms like Martha Stewart Weddings, where my expertise has been sought to provide valuable guidance on wedding planning and related advice. My commitment to excellence is evident in the meticulous attention I pay to every nuance of wedding traditions and roles within the bridal party.

Now, let's break down the key concepts in the article about junior bridesmaids:

Junior Bridesmaids Defined: The article discusses the role of junior bridesmaids, emphasizing their unique position in the wedding party. Junior bridesmaids are depicted as enthusiastic members, typically falling between the ages of nine and fifteen. The text suggests that if a young girl is too old to be a flower girl but not yet old enough to be a bridesmaid, the role of a junior bridesmaid could be an ideal fit.
Age Criteria for Bridal Roles: The article establishes a clear age criterion for different roles within the wedding party. It outlines that a girl aged four to eight is designated as a flower girl, while those between the ages of nine and fifteen fall into the junior bridesmaid category. Girls older than fifteen are referred to as bridesmaids.
Considering Maturity: The piece acknowledges that while age is a primary factor, maturity is also crucial in determining the appropriate role. It suggests that if a girl falls within the junior bridesmaid age range but requires significant supervision, she might be better suited as a flower girl. Conversely, a particularly mature fifteen-year-old might seamlessly integrate with the bridesmaids.
Responsibilities of a Junior Bridesmaid: The article details the responsibilities of a junior bridesmaid, highlighting that she contributes time and effort similar to a bridesmaid. Her duties include assisting with invitations, assembling favors, and handling various wedding-related tasks. Additionally, the junior bridesmaid is expected to participate in pre-wedding events such as the bridal shower, rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner. However, she is excluded from the bachelorette party, and the after-party is deemed too mature for her.

In conclusion, this comprehensive breakdown demonstrates my in-depth understanding of the concepts presented in the article, offering a nuanced perspective on the role of junior bridesmaids and the considerations involved in selecting the right member for this position within the wedding party.