20 Lovely Alternatives to Having a Flower Girl

Couples constantly find small ways to make their special day one of a kind. They have the freedom to choose the location, the type of wedding ceremony, and the wedding traditions they want to observe. Deciding their guest list and wedding party members is also a great way to make their wedding truly theirs.

The role of flower girls, traditionally seen tossing petals down the aisle, is an optional yet customizable element of the ceremony. If a couple decides to incorporate this tradition, there is a variety of ways to make the role unique and aligned with the overall theme and atmosphere of the wedding.

To provide inspiration for couples considering alternative approaches, we included twenty creative variations for the flower girl role. These alternatives explore different options for who can fill this role and what they can carry or toss while walking down the aisle, providing a wealth of ideas for making this tradition truly your own.

Lovely Flower Girl Alternatives

1. Flower Child

A common flower girl alternative is a flower child, which is a role filled by a little boy. Everything else remains the same: he will walk down the aisle, carrying and throwing flower petals as he goes.

This is a logical alternative for couples who do not have a young girl in their life who can fill the role.

2. Junior Bridesmaid

A junior bridesmaid is a member of the wedding party who is too young to be a bridesmaid but too old to be a traditional flower girl. Generally, a junior bridesmaid’s age falls under eight to 16 years old. She will have most of the duties of a typical bridesmaid, such as helping with wedding planning, attending appropriate pre-wedding events, and so on.

If you choose to have your junior bridesmaid double as the flower girl, make sure she walks down the aisle before the rest of the bridesmaids.

3. Ring Bearer and Flower Child in One

Instead of having two different kids for the two roles, consider asking the ring bearer if they would like to take a second duty. Some children will shy away from it, but other children will be happy to take it. The latter might find it fun and exciting to have two “jobs” on such an important day.

4. Baby in a Carriage

Among all flower girl alternatives, this one is perfect for couples with two young kids in their life; these kids could be their children, nieces, nephews, or other close relatives. To execute the “baby in a carriage” idea, have an older kid pull a carriage on which a younger kid can sit and throw the petals. This will ensure that they stay on the path and do not take too long to make it to the altar.

5. Flower Pet

Another alternative to a flower girl could be having your dog, cat, or any other pet trained to walk down the aisle and act as the “flower pet.” They can carry a basket of flowers and wear a special collar for the day. There are plenty of ways to personalize this idea, and it is proven to be a hit among guests because of how adorable it is.

For instance, you can incorporate this idea with the “baby in a carriage” alternative. Instead of having a young kid in the carriage, your pet can be pulled along by an older child or anyone from the wedding party.

To make it even more charming, some couples dress up their pets for the occasion. It is common to see dogs wearing formal clothes as they carry a basket down the aisle. Likewise, you can make your pet wear a garland or a flower crown.

Regardless, it is important to keep in mind how your pets will react to a crowd; some pets deal with the attention of an audience better than others. If you feel that they will get overwhelmed, have someone familiar walk the dog down the aisle. Once their task is done, bring them to a private and quiet place where they can relax.

6. Flower Man

Having a flower man in your wedding is a funny and memorable flower girl alternative. Every aspect and duty of a flower girl is given to an older man, and he can play into the juxtaposition of gender roles and perceptions. Ask any of your groomsmen or male relatives if they would be willing to step into this role. 

7. Ask Your Grandparents

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have their grandparents with them on their special day. If you have the opportunity to do so, include them in your celebrations. One way to do this is to ask them if they want to take the job of a flower girl. Not only will they get to relive their youth during the processional, but it will also be something meaningful and sentimental that you will remember for life.

There is also some metaphorical significance in having a grandparent be a flower girl. There is a popular Korean idiom that, when translated, says, “Let’s walk on the flowery path.” This is a wish you make for a loved one, hoping that life treats them well and they are showered with blessings. Your grandparents may not have had the best living conditions, but they worked hard to give you and your parents the life you are currently living.

8. Throw the Petals Along the Aisle Beforehand

Doing away with the role of flower girl altogether, some couples opt to decorate the aisle with petals before the wedding starts. They can make various shapes with it, such as hearts, or throw them randomly. This alternative to a flower girl is perfect for ceremonies where guests cannot bring their kids.

9. Wedding Banner or Sign

If you want to or need to do away with the flower petals, you have several options for alternatives. For example, you can have the flower child carry a banner or sign with a bridal saying written on it, such as “Here comes the bride” or the couple’s wedding hashtag. This alternative is perfect for adventure and destination weddings where you are not allowed to modify the surroundings.

10. Framed Picture

If the couple wants to, they can have the flower child carry a picture frame containing an emotionally significant photo. This can be a heartwarming tribute to a relative who has passed away.

Alternatively, couples can choose lighter and happier images, such as their casual engagement photos, a picture from their first date, and so on.

11. Something Old and Sentimental

In the same vein as the idea above, a simple flower girl alternative is to have her carry an important item or keepsake from the couple’s relationship.

If the couple met or got engaged during a baseball game, have the flower girl bring the ball from that particular game. If the couple met during high school, a yearbook could be a delightful choice.

12. Wedding Sparkler  

A longer wedding sparkler, such as 18 to 20 inches, is perfect for this occasion; they will stay lit for over one and half minutes, giving the flower child more than enough time to make it down the aisle.

Moreover, there are heart-shaped sparklers that perfectly fit the occasion. Make sure to ask for permission from the child’s parents before giving them a sparkler.

13. Lantern

Using traditional lanterns is not recommended for children due to safety concerns. A safer alternative is to place twinkle lights in a mason jar or a similar container with a handle, allowing children to easily carry the “lantern” down the aisle.

These DIY lanterns can also be personalized for the occasion. Adding elements like rattan, leaves, or flowers to the exterior enhances their appearance, making them not only safe but also a charming addition to the ceremony.

14. Balloons

Balloons have a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes; this means that there are unlimited ways to personalize this flower girl alternative.

Likewise, children love playing with balloons — they will find it fun and exciting to walk down the aisle while holding balloons. Make sure that the balloons you will use match the color scheme of your wedding.

15. Seashells

For beach weddings, consider a delightful alternative to the traditional flower girl: a seashell girl. Have the child carry a bucket or ocean-themed container filled with various seashells collected prior to the ceremony. As they walk down the aisle, they can toss these seashells much like petals, adding a thematic and whimsical touch to your seaside celebration.

This creative option not only avoids creating any mess but also eliminates the need for cleanup afterward. It’s a charming, hassle-free, and fitting choice for couples looking to incorporate the serene and natural beauty of the beach into their wedding ceremony details.

16. Bubbles

Another fun flower girl alternative the child will thoroughly enjoy is bubbles. You have the option to get bubbles they need to blow or a bubble gun they can simply press.

This idea is perfect for outdoor weddings, as it will require minimal setup and cleanup. The floating bubbles will also beautifully translate into images.

17. Pinwheel

Another flower girl alternative excellent for outdoor weddings is a pinwheel. You can create one yourself to match the vibe, theme, and color scheme you are going for.

However, you can also buy a readymade pinwheel in various stores. Either way, this idea is easy to execute and clean up and makes for adorable moments with the flower child.

18. Parasols

Parasols are an excellent accessory for outdoor ceremonies, offering protection from the sun’s harsh rays during events like elopements, destination weddings, or hiking weddings. They not only serve a functional role but also add a whimsical element as the child walks down the aisle.

To make the parasols even more special, consider personalizing them with painted bridal sayings, such as “Here comes the bride” or “I do”. This customization brings an extra layer of charm and significance to the occasion.

19. Flower Garland

Instead of petals, you can use a flower garland. Keep in mind that this flower girl alternative idea would require two children to carry both ends of the garland.

This idea is a great option for younger kids who might have trouble with their coordination or remembering what to do with the petals in the first place.

20. Floral Decorations

Providing bouquets, floral arrangements, and baskets of petals to be strategically placed around the venue offers a visually pleasing environment, eliminating the need for a traditional flower girl. This approach helps create an ambiance filled with the beauty and fragrance of fresh blooms, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the wedding space.

For couples planning smaller gatherings like microweddings or hiking weddings, where guest lists need to be minimized, this alternative is particularly useful. It allows for a reduction in guest count while still incorporating the timeless elegance and vibrancy of flowers into the ceremony.

Final Thoughts

Having a flower girl at your wedding is entirely a matter of preference, convenience, and significance, not a strict necessity. Circumstances like venue restrictions on throwing petals, a decision to host a no-kids event, or the need to limit the size of your wedding party might influence your choice.

To navigate these challenges, the ideas mentioned above offer creative and delightful alternatives. These solutions allow for the celebration to still embody the charm traditionally brought by flower girls, while accommodating your specific wedding plans and constraints.