Flower Girl + Ring Bearer + Creativity: The New, Improved Formula

Two of the wedding faves that come close to stealing the show on the bride and groom's big day: the "super adorable" flower girl and the "smile infecting" ring bearer. They make a great addition to the wedding party and you are sure to hear ooohs and awws as they walk up and down the aisle.

(Photo Credit: Lennon Photo)

Now we have all seen the image before: the cute flower girls with baskets full of petals in hand, making the aisle their runway; the shy little ring bearer quickly making his way up the aisle as he holds up a satin ring pillow. It is a cute and timeless image......and soooo predictable. Don't you want to change it up a bit? Wouldn't you love to have a new take on tradition? Changes are being made to every aspect of the 21st century wedding, so how about we make some updates when it comes to flower girls and ring bearers.



Now before we get into discussing all the good stuff (accessories, cute attire, alternative ideas), let's get some important things out of the way. When it comes to the little ones in the wedding party, here are a few things to consider:

Comfort, comfort, comfort - Now this crucial. No matter how adorable and precious your flower girl and ring bearer look, if they are uncomfortable..they WILL show it, on their face and in their actions. So keep this in mind when choosing their attire and footwear. We suggest that you have them wear their outfits before your wedding day, so they can get accustomed to the feel and fit.

Nerves - Although your flower girl and ring bearer may be really excited about participating in your wedding, having lots of people staring at them can be overwhelming, not surprisingly. It is best that you have a talk with them about what to expect on the wedding day and answer any questions they may have regarding their roles. And remember, having them practice at the rehearsal will cut down the confusion on the day of.

Now let's get into the good stuff!

Flower Girls
Typically flower girls walk up the aisle, basket in hand, leaving behind a trail of petals. But if you don't want this part of your wedding to be just typical, here are some things you can do to make your flower girl stand out even more...and love you for it: Instead of the typical petals in a basket, if you are having a wedding by the beach, have her leave behind a trail of seashells from her wicker basket. For some flower basket alternatives, you can have her blow bubbles, wave a wand or ribbons from a stick, or pluck petals directly from their bouquet. And if you want to steer clear of the usual flower girl attire, u can have your flower girl dressed up as a fairy, ballerina, princess, or an angel (wings and all). Why not add some color to her dress, as well (not just a colored sash, either). Check out the flower girl attire inspiration we found:

Ring Bearer

Instead of carrying a satin pillow with the rings tied onto it, how about having him carry a floral ring pillow or better yet, for the younger ring bearer, a ring bear would maximize his awwwww-ability. You can even have him walk holding a candle (a kid friendly one, of course) with the rings attached. And for those with pets, you could have your ring bearer walk your furry and/or non furry friends up the aisle or even pull them in a wagon. If you don't mind mixing in a little casual with the dressy, how about having this little one stroll up in converses. And don't be afraid to add a little more color to his attire; maybe adorn him with a blazer that's not black. Look below to see how you can incorporate some of the suggested ideas:

So...What do you think? Have any unique ideas? We want to hear from you.
And Remember, have fun and be creative!

Bridal Show - Solution to the Engaged Couples' Headaches

He…or she just popped the question!!! You said YES (of course, this IS the love of your life we’re talking about). Your family, friends, and just about everyone who would hear you were notified of your Great News! Now begins the planning process for the wedding of your dreams!!!….What type of wedding should you have, who do you invite, what wedding planner should you go with, what’s your color scheme, etc etc etc? Where do you even begin???? And once you’ve finally realized what type of wedding you want, finding the right vendor for you is no small or easy task. This is the point where fantasy ends and where reality hits you. Planning a wedding is not as magical and fun as you imagined. It’s hard work which involves a whole lot of time and research.


But don’t start pulling out your hair just yet. It doesn’t have to be this overwhelming. There is a solution that will help ease your stress…..Bridal Show (who knew only two short words could be a solution to a long list of headaches). Instead of having to run all over the place trying to find the right vendors for your dream wedding, why not meet them all in ONE PLACE. Bridal shows are basically one stop shops which allow you to meet with multiple wedding professionals, all under one roof. They showcase services and products by various wedding vendors from bridal shops, caterers, florists, wedding favors, and many many more. What makes them even more appealing is that you get to meet with wedding professionals face to face and get individualized attention and answers to your questions. Also, wedding vendors tend to offer special discounts to those who book with them at bridal shows. To top it off, you get an opportunity to win great prizes and even leave with a nice gift bag full of goodies! So save yourself the unnecessary headache and check out the nearest bridal show……


And on that note, for all those in the New Jersey area:

Your Big Day Event & Party Planning will be hosting the 1st Annual Village Bridal Showcase. Come out and enjoy our cocktail lounge, make-up lounge, & get connected with EXCELLENT wedding professionals. .You’ll even support a great cause and help assist engaged couples that are fighting against a terminal illness since a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Wish Upon A Wedding (wishuponawedding.com)

http://villagebridalshowcase.eventbrite.com

Become a Fan of the Showcase at www.Facebook.com/VillageBridalShowcase!!!!

Just Add Family

Blended families are becoming more common. The Bride, the Groom, or both maybe entering into their new lives together along with their children. The wedding day then takes on the added value of three or more becoming one (Bride, Groom, & children).

Here are a couple of ways that you can celebrate the new family unit on Your Big Day:

1) Family Medallion - The family medallion is a symbol of three interlinked circles that represents the love of the couple that incorporates the child(ren). The medallions come in different jewelry styles including pendants, lapel pins, rings, charm & bracelets, and watch & key chains. Each jewelry order comes with a free ceremony guide. The jewelry can be given as a special gift in private or you can incorporate the gift giving into the wedding ceremony. Typically, after the couple has been pronounced husband & wife the medallion ceremony will take place. The ceremony includes the presentation of the selected jewelry and a parents pledge of continued love to the child(ren). For more information visit http://www.familymedallion.com/

2) Children Participating in the Wedding Party - The most common incorporation of children into the day is including them in the wedding party or within the ceremony as scripture or poem readers. Wedding party or ceremony participation selection should be age appropriate for the child(ren). The child(ren) should also feel comfortable with their role and participation should not be forced. The couple should formally ask the child(ren) to participate in a special way kind of like a second proposal.

3) Create a family logo or symbol - In the days of custom wedding monograms and logos the family can design a monogram, logo, or symbol that will be used throughout the wedding day on items such as invitations, programs, menu cards, favors, and any other special touches that personalize your day.

The most important detail of incorporating children into the day is to ensure that everyone feels special and loved during the process. However, you decided to celebrate the union just remember everything grows with love.

Happily Planning,

Ingrid M. Williams & Joycelyn T. Williams
Event Createurs
http://www.yourbigdayllc.com/
info@yourbigdayllc.com