Category Archives: Junior Bridesmaids

Children In Your Wedding

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People have children. Your siblings, your friends, some of them may have children, you may even have your own child. Some people have children before they are married and some people marrying for the second time have several children… remember the Brady Bunch? Including children in your wedding ceremony can make a lovely experience for everyone if handled properly.

Give the children age appropriate tasks. 2 yr olds can be very unpredictable and asking them to do more than carry a basket of flowers or a ring pillow may be beyond their grasp.

Hire someone to help. Check with local elementary or pre-schools to see if any of the teaching aides would be interested in doing some ‘Nanny” duty. The parents may want to actually enjoy themselves and not spend all day worrying if the kids are going to do the right thing. Remember – teachers have been trained how to handle precarious situations and you will need the extra help at  the rehearsal as well as the wedding.

Practice, Practice, Practice. Older children like tweens and teenagers might be able to recite a poem or do a reading. Make sure they attend the rehearsal dinner so you can do a sound check. even the little ones need to practice how to handle their tasks… no matter how simple it seems to you.

Back up Plan. Kids of school age are notorious for bringing home every germ in the world. Be prepared that one of  the kids may come down with pink eye, an ear infection, strep throat or even just a bad case of nerves. These things can throw your plans severely out of whack if you are unprepared.

Remember, they are not small people, they are children. Things that seem simple to you are much harder for them. On top of it, they do not understand the complexity of each and every detail. Sure, they want to be a part of this beautiful thing but can be frightened, nervous and when that happens, mistakes are made. If you are not ready to have a child forget his or her line, drop the basket, spill something (or whatever) then, you probably shouldn’t have children in your wedding.  If you can go with the flow and overlook the tiny obstacles that may lie ahead, you will create a memory that they will share with you for a  lifetime…. not to mention the irresistible photos!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

The Trouble With Tweens – Dressing For A Wedding

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Whether they are attendants or guests, the consensus is the same: it is nearly impossible to find an age appropriate dress for a young lady between the ages of 10-12. No longer a little girl and not yet a teenager, they ( and their parents) are faced with the dilemma of finding something that is attractive, flattering and comfortable that is also stylish. The biggest problem is that most dress manufacturers almost completely ignore the complications associated with this particular demographic and continue to offer designs for little girls and teenagers only.

Consider these tips when shopping for a dress that your tweenager:

Nothing strapless. Most  little girls don’t have the necessary equipment to hold a strapless garment in place. If they do have the ‘right stuff’, they will look too grown up in the dress and (whats the word)…. sleazy. Instead, consider something with a spaghetti strap and a bodice that fits loosely enough to be able to move but tight enough that you don’t see through the sides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Length is a factor. The best length for a young girl is directly at the knee. Lower if you wish, floor length if you want but, never any shorter than the knee. It is too much responsibility for an untrained young lady to constantly have to check to make sure she has her knees closed, is bending from the knee, isn’t squatting to pick up something. A lot of responsibility goes with super short skirts and girls this young are just not mature enough to understand the ramifications of their actions. 

 

 

 

Neckline. Plunging necklines are not comfortable for young women who have just begun wearing a bra. In addition, they will not be comfortable having to worry about becoming a victim of a wardrobe malfunction. Consider a modest ‘V’  or scoop neckline. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Details. The most important thing is to find some details that make the dress fun, flirty and fashionable. Dresses with a bubble hem, a gorgeous ribbon sash, a sparkly brooch at the waist or even a decorative silk flower can turn a simple dress into a stunner and make your not-ready-for-dating daughter look and feel like a prime-time princess (suitable for all audiences).

 

 

 

 

– Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago