Last updated on November 29th, 2023 at 11:56 am
A wedding is a magical time, it’s the best excuse for us to dress up in all our finery and celebrate with our family and friends. For kids, a wedding can be great fun and so exciting, especially if they are asked to be part of the wedding party. There are many roles for children to take during a wedding such as flower girl, page boy and bridesmaid with each role bringing with it different responsibilities.
Wedding days are amazing fun but they are also extremely tiring, being such a long busy day it is crucial to choose the right shoes for their little feet. Read on to find out our top tips for choosing wedding footwear for children…
How to Choose Flower Girls Shoes
Role Of The Flower Girl
The role of a flower girl is usually reserved for the youngest girls of the family, aged between 3-8 years they are normally just a little too young to be a bridesmaid. Flower girls however have the important and exciting job of preceding the maid of honour and the bride down the aisle, scattering flowers or rose petals along the path the bride will walk. It is a great part for a little one to play and will really make her feel like part of something special.
Flower Girl Shoes
Flower girls are renowned for being so cute they almost outshine the bride. They will normally wear a similar colour to the bridesmaids or classic ivory and will need a pair of smart shoes to match. It can be hard deciding which shoes to get for your little flower girl as they not only need to be comfortable enough for her to wear them all day but they also need to look smart.
Which shoes you choose can depend on the month the wedding is taking place and whether it is a full traditional affair or something a bit more low key. For very young girls and toddlers a flat pair of shoes is ideal, super comfy and perfect for keeping her steady on her feet on that walk down the aisle these are a must have. Choose pretty pastels such as ivory or soft blush pinks with sparkly detailing to make her feel like a princess. For younger flower girls choose little slip on shoes in white with thin straps cut out detail and small buckles which will be perfect for those little feet.
If your flower girl is a little bit older then a pair of girls heels will make her feel grown up, choose a chunky supportive heel that is guaranteed to keep her feet comfy. Mix things up by picking out different materials such as patent or beautiful satin. All little girl’s love a bit of sparkle, so find a style that has pearls, rhinestones or pretty butterflies and ribbons. If you are a bit crafty then select a plain ivory shoe and jazz it up yourself with corsages, pearls and diamante’s, these can be picked up from a haberdashery for just a few pence.
If your little flower girl has a traditional ivory dress, add something blue to her look with navy or pale blue satin shoes, of course be sure to ask the brides permission first, while girly shades such as silver and gold add a sparkly, girly look. Always try and tie the colour of her footwear in with the bridesmaid’s dresses or the flowers, so she doesn’t look too out of place, however almost 100% of the time flower girls footwear is ivory. A pair of plain white ballet shoes can be worn again and again so try and invest in shoes that can be reused, or perhaps use a pair you already have at home.
If the wedding is taking place on a hot day or perhaps on a beach then you’re going to need to change her footwear. Pretty sandals will keep her little feet cool and comfy throughout the day. Choose styles with pretty butterflies and flowers to tie in with the summery look and pick out colours such as pinks, whites and metallic.
Shoes For Young Or Teenage Bridesmaids
Role of a Junior Bridesmaid
There is nothing more exciting in a young girl’s life than being asked to be a bridesmaid; it’s so exciting and a chance to dress up like a princess for the day. Junior bridesmaids are generally 8-17 years old, which is thought to be a little bit too old to be a flower girl. The junior bridesmaid will join the bride and the other bridesmaids on the all-important walk down the aisle; she will also wear a bridesmaid dress however this might differ slightly due to her age. She also has some very important tasks such as helping the ushers show people to their seats, hand out the order of service or give out the confetti to guests after the wedding service. With lots of responsibility and the excitement of the day she is going to need a good pair of shoes to see her through it.
Bridesmaid’s Shoes
Bridesmaid’s shoes should never have a heel that is too high; you don’t want to outshine the bride after all so for your junior bridesmaid choose a kitten heel or a small block heel. Kitten heels add a touch of understated glamour that will make her feel a bit more grown up among the other bridesmaids while being comfy enough to walk in all day. A block heel is perfect for girls who are not used to wearing heels; they are sturdy enough to keep her on her feet all day and they also look super pretty! It’s important that the bridesmaids all coordinate; different style of shoe in the same colour is a cool and unique way to get your girls different personalities to shine through. For example a nude shade in a range of different styles including ballerinas, sandals and heels can really give the bridesmaids a unique look.
One important thing to take into account when choosing bridesmaid shoes is the length of their dress, if they are going to be wearing a stylish knee length dress then a small heel will elongate legs and by choosing a pretty pair featuring pearls or bows, it will give them a timeless look. One thing that is quite fashionable nowadays is to choose a bold eye-catching colour such as yellow or fuchsia for your bridesmaid’s shoes, you will really give the girls an eye-catching trendy look, which looks amazing when styled with a pastel dress.
If they will be wearing a floor length gown then a little more thought has to go into choosing the right shoes, wearing such a long dress can be quite daunting already as it can be easy to trip over it so by choosing pretty flats they can feel a little more comfortable and at ease. Choose a pair of lace up ballerina shoes to add an interesting touch to their shoes, just because they’re hidden doesn’t mean that they can’t be pretty. Choose styles with gorgeous bows on the front or back to add a feminine touch. If the wedding is a vintage inspired then you can find cheap second hand shoes in charity or vintage shops, you’ll find the sizes are more on the petite side which is perfect for younger bridesmaids, you can add your own detailing to these using small diamante’s or bows creating a one off unique look.
Choosing Shoes For Page Boys
Page Boys Role
Having a page boy at a wedding is sadly becoming less common nowadays but it is a fantastic way to include a young relative or friend in the wedding party. Traditionally page boys were given the important task of carrying the brides train as she walked down the aisle. Page boys are normally aged between 3-10 years old so are often thought of as a little young to be a junior usher so the role of page boy is perfect. With such a long day ahead of them a comfy yet fashionable pair of shoes is an absolute must.
Page Boys Shoes
We know that finding shoes for little boy’s feet can be stressful at the best of times but with such an important role to play in a wedding it can be even more so. Finding a pair of shoes at least a month before the wedding will give them plenty of time to get used to them and avoid painful feet on the day. Don’t however buy them too far in advance, kids grow so quickly you don’t want the shoes not to fit come the big day. Always try to go for a smart pair of black shoes with either an easy Velcro fastening, lace up or even better a slip on style.
If the wedding is a bit more casual and your little page boy is a toddler then a pair of smart canvas shoes might be better for his little feet, just be sure to choose neutral colours such as black, brown or navy. Try and get them to wear them in for a couple of days so they can get used to the smarter shoes. For even younger page boys, try little booties in white, these will still fit in with the smart look whilst keeping him comfy on his feet.
For older page boys, get them involved when choosing their outfits and shoes so they know what they feel comfortable in and feel part of the festivities. Little boys tend to get a bit grubby no matter what the occasion; it’s guaranteed they will be sliding around the dance floor come the end of the night so think about a budget for their shoes. If you think you have a suitable pair already use them, simply add new laces and polish them up, if you do have to buy a new pair choose a cheaper version that you won’t mind them dirtying up, it’s only for one day after all.
So there we have it, just a few of the important roles children can play in a wedding, there are others you could choose such as Gift Attendant, they are responsible for looking after all the wedding gifts and make sure they remain on the table, they can also be in charge of for the guest book, carrying it round and making sure it gets signed by everyone.
Another role is Junior Usher/Groomsman, usually aged between 8 and 14 years old they can help to seat guests, hand out the order of service and walk down the aisle with the groom and best man, it’s just a nice way of getting the younger boys in the family involved in the wedding party. One other role and one of the most important is ring bearer, it’s not as common nowadays as it once was with best men now keeping hold of the rings however it could be a lovely way to get a little girl or boy involved in the wedding party itself.
At the end of the day weddings are meant to be fun! A fun packed day, dressed up with all your family and friends. The key to the children looking smart is to get them involved, find out what they like and what they feel comfortable in. Try and save money where you can, as they probably won’t wear these shoes again. Pick up plain styles and jazz them up yourself or see what you already have at home. Don’t forget to check out our range of kid’s shoes here.
