Flower girl Inspiration

In my lifetime, I’ve had the honor and humiliation of being a flower girl once and only once. And although, it was a single day many, many years ago, the super tight braids and uncomfortable ballet slippers are etched in my memory like a serving of two-week old Chicken & broccoli. In fact I think my scarred toes owe their very first corn to that basket-holding gig. In truth, there’s so much I wish had been made aware of to make the weekend whirlwind seem a little less labor intensive and a little more pleasurable.

So in memory of my one and only flower girl experience, I’ve decided to write a letter to my eight year old self to read before her big day. A confessional, if you will, of all the things to be prepared for as you carry the bedazzled torch.

{Above: Photo by Jeremy Clay & Kathryn Evans}

_____________________

A FLOWER GIRL CONFESSIONAL TO MY 8-YR OLD SELF

Dear 8-Year Old Me,

So you’re going to be one of the chosen few flower girls at Auntie (let’s call her) “Gigi’s” mega wedding! Well I know it’s a new experience for you, but think of the first time you had a barbie sleepover with all your friends and their dolls. You didn’t know how it would turn out, or whether your dolls would get along, but you all did great (except for the occasional lost shoe, decapitated Ken and disruptive older brother). Good times!

So I’ve got a few tips for you as you take on this coveted role. I can’t promise that it will great, but I can promise that you’ll always look back and feel like you learned something…so here goes:

{Above: Row 1. Photo by Tunji Sarumi;Rows 2 & 4. Photos by Dave and Charlotte; Row 3. Photo by Tony Florez}

Advice #1:

Before the big event, you’ll have to go through tons of preparation. Whether it’s getting your hair pressed, your dress fitted or rehearsing how you’ll enter and leave the church. If it seems like all the grown ups are mad, yelling or crying, I promise it’s not because of you. The groom is probably really sick to his stomach with nerves, the bride is fighting off hunger pangs from trying to lose those last five pounds, and the father of the bride is watching his bank account pull a magical disappearing act. You just stay calm, do all your steps, and think of the ice cream you’ll get for being well behaved.

{Above: Row 1. Photo via Bella Destinee; Row 2. Photo by Leigh Miller; Row 3. Photo by Chris Humphreys; Row 4. Photo by s2s Photography}

Advice #2:

I don’t know if anyone told you, but the main part of your new gig is by introducing the bride. This means walking down a pretty long aisle surrounded by expensive decorations, cameras and tons of eyes. Let me repeat this: YOU WILL BE STARED AT! Remember what it was like on the first day of school, when it felt like everyone was looking at you? They were really admiring your new pair of leg warmers and biking shorts. You got through it because you kept your eye on the prize – the main door entrance. Well this is the same. If you feel weird about being stared at by tons of hungry guests, then just keep your eyes on mom or dad sitting in the front aisle. If that doesn’t work, then picture everyone with a large clown nose or singing Mary Poppin’s “Supercalifragilisticespialidocious” for you.

{Above: Photo by Eduardo Oliveira }

But if all else fails, close your eyes and book it to the altar, and make a sharp left for the duck pond or ice sculpture. I promise it’ll make a pretty awesome candid shot. Trust me.

{Above: Row 1. Photo by s2s Photography; Row 2. Photo by Stefan Soeser; Row 4. Photo by Geoff White Photographers}

Advice #3:

Be Quiet..during the ceremony, I mean. You’ll know it’s time to play the silent game, when the bride and groom are facing each other, talking to each other about grownup stuff like love, honor and pre-nups . But you’ll really know, because everyone will be silent or crying. I promise, all the mushy stuff will be over in no time.

{Above: Row 1 & 2(Left). Photo by Karin von Voigtlander; Row 2(Right). Photo by Ross Oscar Knight; Row 3(Left). Photo by Eduardo Oliveira; Row 3(Right). Photo via Nisie’s Enchanted Florist}

Advice #4:

I know it seems like a waste of time, but the picture session after the ceremony is actually very important. It’s when everyone gets to show off their outfits, and play supermodel. You’ll be asked to smile, so make sure you eat the neon-colored fruit roll ups AFTER the pictures.

{Above: Row 1. Photo by Adam & Imthiaz Photography; Row 2. Photo by Adam Barnes; Row 3. Photo by Elemental Weddings}

Advice #5:

You made i! Great job. Now you can have fun, dance and party like it’s 1999. You’ll have one more moment to play the quite game during the speeches. You’ll know it’s time because the best man, who may or may not have had one too many glasses of daddy juice, will be talking, shouting, or crying on the microphone. However the guests react, make sure you imitate them. If it’s all just too much to handle, head over to the crayon station and paint yourself a picture present for the bride. She’ll be so happy you did.

xoxo,

Your “Older, hotter, more confused yet still a dreamer” Self.