In short
- Children do best with light crowns, petal baskets and mini posies, scaled to their size.
- Church or venue rules decide whether petals can be scattered.
- Safety comes first: no toxic plants, no pins, wrapped stems, no thorns.
- Remember that children move, get tired and touch everything: keep arrangements simple and sturdy.
Flower girls and page boys are some of the most photographed moments of the ceremony. They carry rings, petals or small posies, and often lead the procession ahead of the bride. This guide to flower girl and page boy flowers is for anyone deciding what the children should carry and how to make it pretty and safe. You will find the most common options, sizes, rules to check and questions for your florist. If you are looking for someone to create all the flowers for the wedding party, see our list of wedding florists in Italy.
Adult bridesmaids and child bridesmaids
In Italy the word damigella covers both the little girls in the procession and the bride's adult friends, a use that has moved closer to British and American traditions. The flowers are quite different.
- Adult bridesmaids usually carry a smaller bouquet than the bride's, in matching colours. Sometimes a wrist corsage or a single stem.
- Flower girls carry crowns, baskets or mini posies made for small hands.
- Page boys usually carry the ring cushion or wear a small buttonhole. Sometimes a basket or a sign.
This guide focuses on children. For adults, much of what is in our guide to buttonholes and flowers for witnesses and family applies.
The most common options
| Item | For | Pros | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flower crown | Girls | Very photogenic | Weight, itching, how long it lasts |
| Half crown or hair comb | Girls | Lighter, stays put | Securing with hair grips |
| Petal basket | Girls and boys | A sweet moment down the aisle | Church rules, slippery floors |
| Mini posy | Girls | Easy to hold | Wrapped stems, no thorns |
| Floral bracelet | Girls | Hands free | Must not be tight |
| Floral hoop | Girls | Light and striking | Diameter suited to age |
| Buttonhole | Page boys | Coordinates with the groom | No pins, use a magnet or clip |
| Ring cushion with flowers | Page boys | A clear role | Rings tied on securely |
The flower crown
It is the most loved item and the most delicate. A crown packed with large flowers is heavy, slips and can be uncomfortable. For children, slim crowns with small flowers and plenty of light greenery work better, or half crowns fixed at the back of the head. The florist needs each girl's head circumference, measured where the crown will sit.
Let her try a crown beforehand, even a pretend one, to see if she will keep it on. Some children take it off after a few minutes, and it is better to know in advance.
The petal basket
The basket should be light, with a comfortable handle and not too big. Inside go fresh or dried petals. Before ordering, check two things:
- The rules of the place. Many churches and some venues in Italy do not allow petals to be scattered, or ask for natural petals only and immediate cleaning. Ask the parish priest or the venue manager.
- The floor. Fresh petals on marble or smooth stone can make the aisle slippery for the bride and for older guests. Dried petals are less slippery but blow away in the wind.
If petals are not allowed, the basket can hold a small posy, some lavender or nothing at all: the children simply carry it. For the moment when the couple leaves, see our guide to petal tosses and the wedding exit.
The mini posy
A small round or loose bunch that fits comfortably in a child's hand. Stems should be wrapped with ribbon or fabric, with no wire poking out. Thornless, not too fragile flowers are best: children squeeze them, wave them and sometimes drop them.
Safety first
Flowers for children need a little more care than those for adults.
- Toxic plants. Some ornamental plants are toxic if eaten, such as oleander and lily of the valley. Small children put things in their mouths. Ask the florist to leave toxic plants out of anything made for them.
- Thorns and sharp twigs. Thornless roses or different flowers, soft branches.
- Wires and pins. They must be covered or absent. For page boys' buttonholes, a magnet or a clip is better.
- Allergies. If a child is allergic to pollen, choose low-pollen or dried flowers. Ask the parents.
- Crowns. Nothing that could get into eyes, no sharp hair clips.
If you are unsure whether a plant is toxic, ask the florist or a paediatrician. Do not rely on how a flower looks.
Coordinating colours
Children's flowers usually echo the bride's, in a smaller, lighter version. Common choices:
- the same flowers as the bouquet, in miniature;
- one flower from the bouquet plus lots of greenery;
- paler flowers, so they do not overpower outfits that are often white or pastel;
- one colour shared with the sash or bow on the outfit.
Send the florist photos of the children's outfits, or at least the colours.
Timing and delivery
Children's flowers are usually made on the day or the evening before and arrive with the bouquet. A few practical tips:
- deliver to where the children are getting ready, if it is not where the bride is;
- put crowns on at the very last moment, not during the adults' hair and make-up;
- keep everything cool until the ceremony;
- put one adult in charge of the children and their flowers.
If you want crowns to last until the party, ask for suitable flowers or consider dried and preserved flowers.
The procession: order and rehearsal
Children usually walk in front of the bride, after the adult bridesmaids if there are any. The page boy with the rings can go first or alongside the girls with petals. There is no required order, but it helps to decide in advance and practise.
If the church or venue allows it, do a short rehearsal the day before or that morning. Children learn where to stop, where to sit after walking in and what to do with their flowers. Give them a set spot, in the front row next to a parent, where they can put down baskets and posies straight after walking in.
Think about the time of day too. An early afternoon ceremony often falls during little ones' nap time. A tired child drops the basket or refuses to walk. A simple plan, and accepting that something may not go to script, keeps everyone relaxed.
Questions to ask your florist
- What do you suggest for the ages of the children in the wedding party?
- How much does the crown weigh? How is it secured?
- Will you leave out toxic plants and thorny flowers?
- How do you wrap stems and wires?
- Are the petals fresh or dried? Will they be slippery on the church floor?
- Will the crown last until the party in the heat we expect?
- Can you make a trial crown?
- Where and when will you deliver the children's flowers?
Final thoughts
For children, one simple rule applies: little, light and safe. Check the rules of the place, choose comfortable shapes that coordinate with the bride, and put an adult in charge of the small procession. For the bigger picture of ceremony flowers, read our guide to church wedding flowers.
Once you know how many children will be in the procession, request a quote with their ages, measurements and the kind of flowers you have in mind.
