Who Pays For Flower Girl Dress? [Is She Supposed To Match The Bride?]

The financials of any wedding are a challenging yet compulsory topic of conversation. Its never easy; but setting expectations is a fair and recommended approach so that everyone can budget accordingly. But whom is responsible for covering the costs of the flower girl specifically? Who is expected to take on the cost of her dress and any required accessories? I spent some time researching both tradition and wedding etiquette to find out for good.

So, who pays for the flower girl dress? Traditionally, the parents of the bride and groom would pay for the flower girl dress. Nowadays, though, the parents of the flower girl often take on the cost of the dress and any additional accessories. This is likely to include her shoes, stockings, a headpiece and any jewelry. If the wedding budget allows, the bride and groom may decide to cover the cost.

While planning, its easy to center time and attention on the two key participants – the bride and the groom. However, the ceremony also involved an entire wedding procession whom simply require equal thought and consideration.

Beyond just choosing the right people; an important aspect of any planning and organization is ensuring each member wears suitable attire. Matching the wedding theme and venue are just one aspect of this.

The flower girl is no exception. The last member of the bridal party to appear before the bride walks down the aisle.

Let us now take a closer look at the key role she plays before looking at the options when it comes to her dress; who should pay and who should pick what she wears.

We will also be covering whether she should match the bride and whether they should be purchased a gift.

So, be sure to keep on reading if you are contemplating having a flower girl on your special day, and need to know all that is involved.

Who Is The Flower Girl At A Wedding?

The flower girl is a young female who scatters flower petals along the aisle prior to the appearance of the bride. She is usually much younger than the bridesmaids and very often a child.

She is the last one from the wedding procession to go down the aisle. Her presence is the certain sign that the bride is about to come.

Traditionally, flower girls are members of the bride’s or groom’s extended family or the daughter of close friends.

These girls are typically between 3 and 10 years of age. Sometimes she walks together with a young boy who is the ring bearer.

Through the ages, young flower girls have been dressed similarly to the bride, symbolizing the bride’s journey from innocence to maturity and readiness to be a wife and a mother.

The flower petals act as a symbol of fertility and health along the bride’s married life. 

Who Should Pay For The Flower Girls Dress?

Whom pays for the flower girl dress will differ from wedding to wedding, couple to couple. While it is true there are some traditions here, the truth is that it depends.

Modern weddings are a combination of traditions, trends, financial possibilities, preferences and personalized touches.

So there is a lot of variation; some bridal couples choose to follow established customs whereas others decide to interpret them differently or choose to go another route altogether.

As such, there are many options for who should pay for the flower girl’s dress.

The main ones are:

• The bride’s and groom’s parents
• The parents of the girl
• The bride and groom
• Only the bride

Historically, the parents of the bride and groom would cover the expenses for the flower girl’s dress together with the accessories. They would discuss between themselves and share the costs.

Naturally, the two mothers would be the two most involved parties.

Today, however, everything is a personal choice and also quite expensive. The flower girl’s dress is typically paid for by her own parents together with the accessories.

Upon agreement, the bride and groom may choose to pay for certain accessories, for example her headpiece, a tiara, a headband or a fresh flowers set up.

If they choose to do so, the bride and the groom can also pay for the dress and all accessories desired.

Finally, another options is for the bride to take on this cost, herself. This has been done but quite a few brides and does make some sense, logically; since the whole point of the flower girl is to represent the bride.

Of course, each options comes with its advantages and disadvantages and may be more suitable to different contexts and circumstances.

Ultimately, it is strictly a matter of personal choice and upon the financial possibilities of all involved.

Who Picks The Flower Girls Dress?

Logically, it should be the bride who picks out the dress. It is her own wedding and she is typically in charge of the general vibe and theme.

However, if the flower girls parents are paying, the selection of the dress will likely fall on them (in accordance with the brides preferences).

When shopping for the flower girl’s dress, it is advisable to consider a couple of the things and be more practical about it:

1. The dress should have a life beyond the wedding.
2. The dress should match the style and theme of the wedding.
3. The dress should be affordable yet compliment the flower girl,
4. There should be accessories available that suit and match the style of the dress,
5. The flower girls style and taste should also be taken into account.

Whoever buys the dress, it makes sense to choose one that can be used after the wedding for special occasions.

Easter and Christmas are two great examples of events that require formal dresses and that it can be reused for. It does come recommended to buy a dress from a practical point of view and choose an outfit that can be used later on.

Beyond this, not all weddings are traditional. Some couples may choose a themed wedding and the usual white satin dress may not necessarily go with the theme. So, the flower girls dress will need to be considered in relation to the rest of the bridal party attire.

You’ll also want to consider the budget and cost of the flower girl dress. It does not necessarily have to be purchased from an expensive, specialty store.

Department stores as well as their online branches offer great choices for all kinds of budgets. Prior to any purchase, the parents of the flower girl should have a conversation with the bride, including the cost.

Depending on the size, style and shop, an average price of a flower girl’s dress can vary between $60 and $150.

If you go online, you can find very cheap options from $20 to $40. The quality of the fabric and the design, though, goes down.

Dresses are easily found on websites such as Amazon and gifts and accessories on Etsy. If you opt for an online order, consider delivery deadlines and possible return/exchange of goods.

It is also advised to buy any accessories from the same place as the dress. This will make sure that the details match the dress completely.

If you choose to buy them from different places, the accessories may not match the dress properly, which could affect the overall look.

Remember that as young as she may be, she will still likely have her own style, preferences and tastes.

It is very important that she feels beautiful and comfortable in the dress and accessories she is in. When you go to the shop, ask her which dresses she likes and take into consideration her personal style and preferences.

Don’t forget to buy the flowers! In all the hustle and bustle around the dress, it is easy to forget the whole point of the flower girl to spread petals!

The flowers also have to match the dress and whole style of the wedding and the venue.

For the bride and groom, its also nice to consider giving a gift to the flower girl as a gesture for her effort and to make her feel appreciated and extra specials.

Is The Flower Girl Supposed To Match The Bride?

Ideally, the flower girl is supposed to match the bride as much as possible. After all, the girl is meant to be something like a small version of the bride.

Still, do not forget that the girl is very young and a complete match of the dresses may not always be appropriate.

Usually, the flower girls are dressed in simpler and more subtle dressed designed for a younger wearer– no heavy veils, open parts or overly decorated.

Avoid heavy, stiff or itchy fabrics and make sure the dress is appropriate for the girl’s style and age.

Do You Give The Flower Girl A Gift?

The flower girl can receive her dress and accessories as a gift, although it is nice to get her something separate and that she can keep.

She will be very happy to receive a small personalized gift and this will help her to feel a lot more appreciated and special.

Here are some ideas for gifts and average prices:

• Tote Bag – $10-$20
• Make-up bag – $5-$15
• Trinket dishes –  $3-$6
• Personalized jewellery box – $10-$20
• Key chain – $5-$10
• Personalized charm bracelet – $10-$30
• Nail polish – $5-$10
• Jewellery – $10-$20
• Apparel and T-shirts – $10-$20
• Personalized backpack – $10-$30
• Personalized gift basket – $20-$40

Consider that it is not how much you spent, but what you buy.

Try to think about what your flower girl would like and what would suit them best.

Finally

To summarize, the bride’s and groom’s parents traditionally pay for the flower girl’s dress. Although, this is according to an old-time tradition.

Considering today’s weddings may not follow suit, its important to consider that this may not necessarily be the case.

In this instance, the bride and groom will need to consider whom will be responsible for paying.

Typically, if traditions are not followed the cost falls onto the flower girls parents.

Although, if the bride and groom can afford it, it is a nice gesture for them to cover it.

Either way, its important that the flower girls parents and the bride and groom openly communicate regarding the dress and choice of accessories.

The wedding’s style, theme, the venue, the flower girls’ personal style and preferences should also be taken into consideration.

It should also be suitable for a young female, as she will typically be much younger than the bridesmaids and likely to be a child.

Either way, and whoever takes on the cost, a good amount to budget is between $60-$150. And that’s just for the dress, other accessories can cost anywhere from $10-$50 more.

Thankfully, if you shop online, you can find very affordable and high quality options from as little as $20-$40.

Amazon is perhaps the best place to begin looking, but ultimately do your research and find out what is going to work best for you and your flower girl.