16 Cute Junior Bridesmaid Dresses

In this article we’re going to take a look at a wedding role for the tweens in your family, as junior bridesmaids! We dig into all the pressing questions that often come up such as dress matching, age range, and what exactly a junior bridesmaid is expected to do.

Flower Girl vs. Jr. Bridesmaid

First, let’s define the difference between a flower girl and a junior bridesmaid, because a lot of online brides seem to want to know. It is a common question that has a lot of varying answers depending on who you ask.

The real difference is in age. Just how old is too old to be a flower girl? Or asked another way, how young is too young to be considered a junior bridesmaid?

Like most things at a wedding, it depends! Our consensus view is that a cut-off age of around 10 or 11 years old is correct. Aged up to about 10 or 11 can still be considered a flower girl, and anything beyond that age can be considered a junior bridesmaid.

Obviously it depends on the particular young girl’s maturity level and development. A 10 year old girl can sometimes be as tall in height as the bride — and act just as appropriately!

Jr Bridesmaid Dresses: Should they match Bridesmaids?

We’re weighing in on this question with a solid, “No, they don’t have to match.”

A common misconception is that you must match both color and style. As a rule of thumb, the color of the junior bridesmaid dress should echo that of the bridesmaid dresses, while the style of dress can be uniquely its own.

Most importantly, when choosing a dress for the junior bridesmaid, do be cognizant of her age.  It is way cuter for a junior participant to wear an age appropriate dress, rather than a miniature bridesmaid dress that is too old in style.  Showing as much skin as a maid of honor just doesn’t work.

To give you an example, we like the visual below. Choose dresses that are the same color and that have a similar cut.

For example, choose strapless dresses for the bridesmaids, and then add that little element of the illusion neckline to the junior bridesmaid to keep the look cohesive and age appropriate.

TIP: As a courtesy, it is a good idea to show the mother of the junior bridesmaid any dress style first to get approval before purchasing.  Your idea of what is appropriate for an 11 year old might not be the same as the mother’s opinion.

Junior Bridesmaid Looks from Real Weddings

Here’s what junior bridesmaids actually look like on the day — real examples to help you picture the possibilities before you shop.

Olive Green Jumpsuit Instead of a Dress

Same color, completely different silhouette — this junior bridesmaid wears an olive off-shoulder jumpsuit while the adult maids wear floor-length gowns, and the whole party still looks like a cohesive group.

See Kimberly & Leyton’s Greenery Garden Wedding in Sacramento →

Hunter Green V-Neck Knee-Length Dress, Matching the Bridesmaids

The junior bridesmaid wears the exact same hunter green V-neck dress as the adult bridesmaids — a case where matching works because the silhouette is already modest and simple, no modifications needed.

See Lauren & Brett’s San Diego Zoo Wedding →

Blush Junior Bridesmaid in a Ruffle Skirt

Long blush gowns for the adults, a shorter ruffle skirt for the younger member — the color is what ties the party together, not matching lengths or styles.

See Monique & Walker’s Vintage Texas Wedding →

Champagne Bow-Back Flower Girl Gown

A champagne ball gown with a dramatic satin bow at the back — the flower girl walks the aisle hand-in-hand with the ring bearer, one of the sweetest ceremony moments a photographer always catches.

See Anna & Jeffrey’s Rose-Filled Vineyard Wedding in California →

Black Cap-Sleeve Junior Bridesmaid Dress

At this dramatic New Orleans wedding, the junior bridesmaid wears a cap-sleeve black dress that echoes the bridesmaids’ look without replicating any of their more grown-up details — age-appropriate and still perfectly on theme.

See Caliie & Wes’s New Orleans Wedding →

Short Blush Chiffon with Cowboy Boots

Short blush chiffon dresses with cowboy boots give this southern bridal party a casual, outdoorsy energy — a style that works just as well on a tween who wants to feel part of the crew without a floor-length gown.

See Meredith & Sampson’s Rustic Southern Wedding →

Blush Spaghetti-Strap Gowns, Full Bridal Party

The junior bridesmaids here wear blush spaghetti-strap gowns that match the adults exactly — it works because the dress itself is inherently age-appropriate, with a modest, simple silhouette that looks sweet rather than overdone.

See Elaina & Joseph’s Greek-Inspired Wedding →

Blush Halter Gown, Same Style as the Bridesmaids

When the dress is already modest and flowing — a soft blush halter gown in chiffon — a junior bridesmaid can wear the exact same style as the adults. No modifications needed, and the procession reads as one cohesive group.

See the Old World Spanish Style Wedding at Rancho Mirando →

Dusty Mauve in a Large Formal Party

A dozen bridesmaids in dusty mauve and flower girls in white — the color palette does the work here, making it easy to include younger members in matching dresses without anything looking out of place.

See Shannon & Philip’s Winery Wedding in Georgia →

Pink Tulle Ball Gowns for Younger Members, Navy for Adults

Full contrast: adult bridesmaids in navy knee-length dresses, younger girls in puffy pink tulle ball gowns. It’s a bold separation, but it works — the two groups are clearly distinguished by role, and the pink stands out beautifully against the navy.

See Brittany and Elliot’s Nautical Wedding at Davis Islands Garden Club →

Matching Lavender Floral Print Knee-Length Dresses

Five junior bridesmaids in the same blue-gray floral print cap-sleeve knee-length dress — coordinated without looking like scaled-down adult gowns. The colorful wildflower bouquets are the right amount of contrast against the quiet pattern.

See Stephanie and Damon’s Wedding →

Lighter Lavender Junior Bridesmaid Among Deep Purple Bridesmaids

One shade lighter is all it takes — this junior bridesmaid wears a lavender-toned version of the bridesmaids’ deep purple knee-length dress, keeping the palette cohesive while giving her a subtly distinct look in the aspen grove backdrop.

See Jennifer and Sam’s Park City Mountain Resort Wedding →

Personalized Flower Girl Basket, DIY

A chalkboard heart tag chalked with the flower girl’s name turns a plain wicker basket into a keepsake she’ll actually want to keep — one of those easy DIY touches that costs almost nothing and photographs beautifully.

See Danielle & Mike’s Red and Turquoise Wedding →

Lace Boho Midi, Mini Replica of the Bride’s Gown

A custom lace dress made to mirror the bride’s boho gown is one of the most memorable things you can do for a younger wedding party member — the floral crown and gold sandals complete the look perfectly.

See Rachelle & Mark’s Boho Berry Farm Wedding →

Where to Shop for Junior Bridesmaid Dresses

For those who read the top of this article, you’ll see that David’s Bridal has partnered with us for this post!

We’re fans of David’s Bridal and think they offer good value for wedding attire. In fact, Love & Lavender shopped David’s Bridal for both college graduation as well as parts of our own wedding day!

One thing we really like about their dresses for bridesmaids and junior bridesmaid is that no matter what size or style you are looking for, most of the dresses are available in multiple colors! This makes it so much easier to mix and match.

On that note, it only makes sense that we highlight a few of the outstanding combinations for your junior bridesmaid to blend in with regular bridesmaids.

Let’s take a look!

What does a Junior Bridesmaid do?

Alright, we gotta give you a bit more value for this post other than some cute dress options. Although we think the above picks are super cute and would work for a lot of different wedding styles.

We did some homework and looked at our favorite resources to come up with a list of duties for a junior bridesmaid, which include:

• Junior bridesmaids are not expected to give bridal showers, however, they should plan to attend any shower and help with cleanup, making favors, or other age appropriate activities.
• If you’re feeling up to a junior wedding gown shopping experience, take your junior bridesmaid for a dress consult and make a day out of it!
• Buy a dress that is similar (or the same) in color and style to the bridesmaids’
• Don’t forget to order a matching corsage or bouquet for your junior bridesmaid
• Junior bridesmaids attend the wedding ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• They can help out ushers by seating guests
• After the ceremony, they can help to hand out send-off props such as bubbles, confetti, or rice

Creative Ways to Ask a Jr Bridesmaid

Asking those you choose to be part of your bridal party is a big thing. Most brides and grooms want memorable ways to ask potential bridesmaids, groomsmen, a junior bridesmaid, and others to join their wedding crew.

With younger bridal party members, you can really get creative and make it a fun surprise. After all, it is those memories that you will cherish most for years to come after your wedding day has passed.

1. A cute handmade card is an obvious choice. Kids these days so rarely get real snail mail. It will be fun for her to get something unexpected from the postman.
2. You could get her a (girly) purse that she can use for the wedding day
3. Take her dress shopping and then end up at the bridal salon as a surprise. Make a day out of it with lunch or even ‘afternoon tea’ as a real grown up treat.

Sweet Memories

Although the role of junior bridesmaid is not necessarily an essential role for your wedding, you can still make your younger bridesmaid feel special and included.

Speaking from experience, a niece or younger sister who is a junior bridesmaid will look back and remember your wedding day as one of the highlights of her youth. She’ll recollect in ways you’ve long forgotten, just how fabulous your wedding really was, and how she got to play a special role.

Note: This post is sponsored by David’s Bridal