Attire For The Little People In Your Wedding
by The Perfect Pear

Children add an element of charm – and definitely unpredictability – to your wedding. But how do you begin to dress them? There are really no definite rules, only suggestions to help you along your way.

Start shopping for the children's attire around the same time as your Brides Maids. Check with the turn around time for the items you choose and order ahead to have them a full month before the Wedding. This allows for alterations if necessary and will give you peace of mind when you check off one more “to do” on your list.

Ordering too early will increase the risk of a growth spurt. But if you fall in love with something early on, realize that styles for children come and go and what you love now may not be available in six months. Consider ordering a size larger and plan on having alterations done before the wedding.

What Color is Right for Your Wedding?

Your first focus will likely be on the little girls and the right color will be your first concern.

White or ivory flower girls' dresses are always darling. Let's discuss whites first. Not all whites are created equal! Your gown dictates which white is required for the rest of the wedding party. What color is it - bright white, ivory, cream in color? Is it silk or another fabric?

Silk is always slightly off white even when it is called white. Never mix off-white and bright white; whoever wears the silk white will look dingy. So, if you have a silk white gown select silk white, off-white or color dresses for the girls. If it is brilliant white, absolutely avoid children’s outfits in silk or off white.

A perfect color to match your adult attendants will require ordering both adult and child dresses from the same manufacturer together from the same dye lot. Ordering a color from a different manufacturer will almost never match. An option is to order matching fabric and have the children’s outfits made custom.

Or, consider a coordinating shade of the adults' attire such as pink against burgundy or light blue against dark blue. This opens up many new choices. Another direction is to use the color of your flowers. This can create a striking effect. Dresses are available with skirts filled with silk flower-petals - a sweet and very pretty look for younger girls especially.

There are several ways to add color to white or ivory outfits for the children. Many dresses can be purchased with colored sashes. If the right color sash is not available, purchase wide satin ribbon from any fabric or craft store or have your bridal salon order additional fabric to match your Bride’s Maids gowns and ask them to make up sashes to match.

Another nice touch is to order small flower bouquets on a safety clasp pin. Center them on a bow in back or pin on the waistline in front. Voila! Instant color coordination.

You can certainly select a white or a black dress for a black-and-white wedding, but consider a black/white combination such as a print or check. A sheer black dress with white lining is a soft, lovely effect as is a black dress with the skirt filled with flower petals.

What length of dress a little girl wears is purely a matter of the Bride’s personal taste. A Tea-Length dress (mid- to lower-calf) is always appropriate and is the most common. A long dress may be just right, especially for older girls. A shoe-top length is much safer than a floor-length dress to avoid tripping. This is often referred to as "Formal Length".

What Should the Boys Wear?

The Ring Bearer(s) can be dressed in many different ways. A traditional approach is a classic Eton (shorts) suit. They are worn throughout the year and usually with long socks. This style is especially charming on boys 4 years and younger, but can accommodate a boy up to around age 6.

Little tuxedos can often be rented through the gentlemen’s tuxedo shop or purchased through a children's specialty shop .

A good option is a tailored suit. This often lends itself to parental approval because it can be worn again – and the pants and shirt repeatedly.

Junior Groomsmen wear either a tailored suit or tuxedo to match the adult men in the wedding party.

And of course, you can add tiny details such as a colored bow tie or cummerbund to coordinate with the rest of your wedding party.

Have a beautiful wedding!

The Perfect Pear