The children of honor are crisp!
In the past, the role of the children of honour was to carry the huge train of the wedding dress so that it didn’t get dirty. Today, the train is less fashionable, but the children of honour are still just as cute and an integral part of the bridal party. Is there anything prettier than a small group of children all dressed in the same way for a ceremony? Guests generally admire the outfits of the children of honour.
So what do the children of honour do?
The children of honour, real partners for the bride and groom
As well as accompanying the bride to the entrance of the wedding hall at the town hall, church or other religious venue, the children of honour can be called upon to help with :
- taking up the collection at the church
- carrying the wedding rings on a small cushion when the rings are exchanged
- accompanying the bride and groom on photo shoots
- It’s up to each couple to decide how involved they want their children of honour to be !
Who should you choose?
The children of honour are often young children from your family or close friends. Be careful not to select too many. 4 to 6 children for a procession is more than enough. More children could quickly turn the procession into a playground, and fewer would give the impression of a playground. The age is also very important. Between the ages of 4 and 6, and even up to 8, children should be old enough to understand their role. And not too young to be frightened.
A group of children
The ideal is to create a homogenous group of children of honour with boys and girls. For example, 2 girls/2 boys or 3 girls/3 boys. If possible, Eucléia Photo strongly advises you to choose children who are not too boisterous, as this could spoil the procession. And stress the bride and groom unnecessarily.
How should the children of honour be dressed?
It’s up to the bride and groom
There are two possibilities:
The bride and groom have no budget for their outfits. In this case, they will simply give instructions to the parents without imposing a specific outfit or brand. Example: white dress with a big belt in the colour of your choice. In this case, it is preferable that the belts (with a big knot in the back for the girls and a pleat for the boys) are made and supplied by the bride and groom for maximum harmony.
The bride and groom have budgeted for the procession. They then dress all the
at their own expense. Dresses and small accessories (flowers in the hair, headbands or small bouquets) for the girls, shirts and trousers or Bermuda shorts for the boys. The boys‘ belts always match the colour of the girls’ dresses. Shoes are provided by the parents. Socks can be chosen at the same time as the outfits for a perfect match.
Where can I find formal wear for the children of honour?
There are several alternatives:
Handmade
You can have your wedding outfits and accessories made by a friend if you know someone who can sew, or have them made by a dressmaker.
Online ordering
Don’t hesitate to visit specialist online sites, where you’ll find pretty designs at very affordable prices.
Buying from wedding dress boutiques
Similarly, the major national wedding dress chains offer a whole range of lovely designs for the bridesmaids.
Traditionally, it’s a good idea to match the bridesmaids’ outfits to the bride’s dress. But you can also consider having them wear brightly coloured outfits to give the bridal party a little extra sparkle. It’s all a question of taste! The most important thing is that the bride and groom are happy with the result.
Outfits in harmony with the bride or the wedding theme
If you’ve chosen a theme for your wedding, you can also use it as inspiration for the bridal party’s outfits: Provençal outfits for a southern wedding, little sailors for a seaside-themed wedding, linen dresses for a country wedding, etc.
As with adults, accessories often make all the difference!
You could arrange for the little bridesmaids to hold the same bouquet as the bride. You can also arrange for them to wear pretty wreaths of fresh or dried flowers, if you prefer. Which is really lovely.
Accessories, essential elements to complete a festive outfit
Don’t hesitate to give each child a small satin or other basket filled with rose petals, lavender or confetti hearts. They’ll love throwing them at the bride and groom as they leave the church, synagogue or mosque.
You can even give them tubes of soap bubbles, but make sure they’re sensible enough not to spill them everywhere!
Pay attention to the weather
Depending on the season and the region, consider sunglasses – very trendy if you want to make a fashion statement – hats, fans or fun umbrellas.
Delegate someone to keep an eye on things
And ask someone you know to keep small bottles of water and tissues handy. This person will remind them what to do and calm them down if necessary.
Advice from Eucléia Photo
Above all, it’s important never to force a child to join the procession if they don’t want to, as this could spoil the whole ceremony.
When should the children of honour be informed?
Eucléia Photo advises you to notify the mothers of young children at least three months before the big day. This is an opportunity to talk about the wedding in front of intrigued and attentive children. And to get them involved in the event. They’ll be able to ask questions and better understand their role in your wedding. And they’ll feel all the more valued for it.
Three months before
If the children live close to the bride and groom, it may be a good idea to hold a dress rehearsal to explain to them how to position themselves. This will also give them the opportunity to try on the outfits.
Knowledge
In some families, the custom is to choose adult bridesmaids and groomsmen. They may differ from the best men and be larger in number. Generally, they are chosen from among the bride and groom’s close friends, or from among their brothers and sisters.
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Vous pourrez faire réaliser les tenues et accessoires de mariage par une personne de votre entourage si vous en connaissez une douée en couture, ou les faire réaliser par une couturière.
