Junior Bridesmaids in Ireland??

Angel2009

Hi,
Does anyone know if it might be the 'done' thing in Ireland to have Junior Bridesmaids? I'm having three bridesmaids but also want my youger sister to be a Junior Bridemaid as well as my oh's niece? They are both the same age and will be 10 for the wedding. I want them to feel involved, esp. my sister as she will be the only member of the family not to be involved in the bridal party otherwise and she has said this to me. Would appreicate any advice that anyone may have.
A.

3DataModem

Flowergirl?

Angel2009

not really, im having two flowergirls also. Does this sound a bit overboard??

smelltheglove

I have heard of it done before, off the top of my head I dont think I have covered a wedding with a real junior bridesmaid, a recent one and a 15 yr old bridesmaid. I can't see why your sister couldnt be a junior bridesmaid.

As far as I can tell junior bridesmaids are dressed similar to the bridesmaids, i.e. thicker shoulder straps rather than boob tube type dresses and flower girls in nice white dresses or more similiar to the bride.

I find that it is quite important to ensure that the younger girls aren't dressed older than they are. Flowergirls tend to look more sweet and innocent with their hair down as opposed to an upstyle and I think I would recommend this to you for your junior bridesmaid. For my flowergirls, who were 7 and 6 at the time, I had their hair done in ringlets with nice diamonte slides to go with them. I had a 10 yr old brother who walked up the aisle in his suit with my 1yr old daughter although I do think it is easier with the boys than the girls they are all in suits rather than worrying about dresses. My girls, to be included, had a little bit of soft pink blush and has their nails done also.

How Strange

Angel2009 wrote: »

not really, im having two flowergirls also. Does this sound a bit overboard??

IMO, it does sound a bit overboard. You're going to have 5 bridesmaids and 2 flower girls on the day. That's a lot of people.

Can you find something for your sister to do so she feels involved?

It's your wedding so if you think 5 bm's are fine then go ahead but personally I'd feel very claustrophobic with such a big group.

Toots

I was bridesmaid for my OH's sister in November. Her neice was also a bridesmaid, although she is only 12. We all had the same dresses although hers had thicker straps. You couldn't tell on the day, cos we all had little boleros on too, but it was just more comfortable for her, and I think she's too young to have been wearing something strapless.

Personally I think 5 bridesmaids and 2 flowergirls is a bit much, but it's personal preference. I'd be more inclined to have just the bridesmaids and no flowergirls. What is your budget like? With a very large wedding party, the cost of dresses etc will really mount up. If I were you I'd definitely make sure to include your sister, especially seeing as she's said it to you, she'll really feel left out otherwise. Have you asked the OH's neice to be bridesmaid yet? If not, perhaps get her involved in some other way, then you'd only have 4 bridesmaids.

Angel2009

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the replies,
Just wondering if I do just have my sister as junior bridesmaid, do we need to have four groomsmen??It seems a bit strange to be matching up a ten year old with a man??

smelltheglove

Angel2009 wrote: »

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the replies,
Just wondering if I do just have my sister as junior bridesmaid, do we need to have four groomsmen??It seems a bit strange to be matching up a ten year old with a man??

She does not need to be paired up. My most recent wedding has 5 bridesmaids 1 flowergirl and pageboy and 3 gm. It is quite regular to have an uneven amount and the decision is completely up to you. I wouldn't worry about having too many, it's only natural to have all thoseclose to you. I had 3 bms and 3 gms also 3 flowergirls and a whopping 7 page boys and an usher, everyone wanted to be involved so who was I to say no.

taram

Angel2009 wrote: »

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the replies,
Just wondering if I do just have my sister as junior bridesmaid, do we need to have four groomsmen??It seems a bit strange to be matching up a ten year old with a man??

Maybe match the two 10 year olds together? 3 bridesmaid + 3 groomsmen, then two little ones together?

Angel2009

Thanks everyone,
I didn't realise that such a decision would keep me awake all night!I have come to the decision that I will have them both as junior bridesmaids,and match them up together. We are having three bm and three gm, and also two pageboys and two flowergirls. It seems like a lot but I want them all involved. I'm the first in my family to get married so I think it is important for my sister to be involved. I have been researching this on the internet and I have found out that junior bridesmaids assist with showing guests their places and handing out mass booklets. This suits perfectly as we are not having ushers.
A.

Hugo Drax

mod edit - off topic

cyning

I'm having 3 bridesmaids and, and 1 junior bridesmaid (my cousin) no flower girls/page boys etc (altho my dad is having a fit but anyway!!). I'm going to dress her in a more age appropriate version of the bridesmaid dress. I was a bit worried about pairing her up too... but realistically my bridesmaids will "mind" her (she'll be 11). If she wants to walk up with someone she can, if she wants to walk up on her own I'll let her! That idea about the mass booklets is genius though and might involve some of the other smallies who are quite upset they can't be in the wedding!!

emma82

My OH's niece is will be 10 on our wedding day & has been a flower girl 5 times- she really thinks its a huge deal to be a Junior BM. She'll be wearing an age appropriate version of the BM dresses- one of whom is her mum. She can't wait!! I don't think its OTT- you want her to be involved- we're the same.

She'll be walking down the aisle herself & wont be matched up with anyone- which she is thrilled to bits about!!

Angel2009

Yeah were going to go ahead with this,my sister is absolutely delihted about this,has asked me to get info from the internet about her 'role'! I didnt actually expect her to be so enthusiastic about it but she has which is a good sign. Thanks ladies for all the advice!