New Looks in Flower Girl Dresses

Typically, brides like flower girls' dresses to look similar to their own gowns. Today, though, the color of the bridesmaids' dresses is typically duplicated or incorporated into the flower girl's outfit—in a waist sash or trim. Drahosh says that brides typically pick dress colors according to season. "Dark red was in for the fall," she relays.

Halla Scarmiti, owner of Eva's Bridal of Orland Park, Illinois, finds that most brides still choose white or ivory flower girls' dresses, perhaps with a hint of the same color as in the bridesmaids' dresses.

Flower Girls Dresses

While dress colors reflect seasons. a few vibrant new trends have recently emerged.

Shiny metallics: Brides in parts of Florida recently have started to choose metallic colors and fresh color combinations, notes Hyland. "Metallics are subtle. I've seen shades of copper, gold, and silver this fall. Other brides have chosen, for example, a beautiful raisin skirt, an eggplant sash, and chocolate on top."

Fun colors: "Years ago, colors were mostly subtle," says Hyland. "Now manufacturers offer rich, kid-friendly colors with personality, like bubble gum pink with a chocolate sash, or bright tangerine with a cranberry sash."

Hyland, whose mostly satin and silk flower girl dresses average about $119, suggests that as a rule, if the flower girl's dress has multiple colors, light tones should be at the top, near the child's face, and darker colors at the bottom.

Florals and organza: Hyland says she's seeing floral or tropical-style dresses for spring. "This is partly due to the rise in destination weddings," she asserts. "Recently I had a bride going on a Disney cruise for her wedding, and so she asked for a resort look."

Scarmiti says that in Illinois, organza and tulle are very popular for younger flower girls. Drahosh says that among her customers, taffeta is the most requested fabric. She also notes that a big trend in flower girl dresses is pin-up skirts, which have appeared in bridal magazines.

Accessory ideas: Again, the season will determine accessories--e.g., tights for cold weather and dressy lightweight socks for warmer weather. The most common suggestion for shoes for young flower girls is flats—either ballet slippers or Mary Janes. They can be in leather or dyed-to-match satin, depending on whether the wedding reception will be held indoors or outside.