Flower Girl and Ring Bearer Tips for New Orleans Weddings (From a Mom Who’s Been There)
If your child has been asked to be a flower girl or ring bearer in a New Orleans wedding, congratulations. It’s such an honor to be a part of someone’s most special day.
I know the wedding is of course about the bride and groom, but the second a tiny human walks down the aisle, all bets are off.
After surviving multiple weddings with little ones, I’ve learned a few things. Here are my best flower girl and ring bearer tips for New Orleans weddings.
1. Bribes Are Your Friend
I’m not saying you maybe should bribe your child. I’m saying you absolutely should bribe your child.
Choose something small, non-messy, and non-sticky. This is not the time for chocolate, suckers, or anything capable of staining a white dress. Individual Smarties, mini marshmallows, or tiny treats work great. Have a Tide-To-Go Pen ready just incase.
2. Give Them Something Exciting to Think About
Someone I know surprised her daughter with a Disney trip announcement right before she nudged her down the aisle. The result? The biggest smile you’ve ever seen.
You don’t have to promise Disney, but giving them something fun to look forward to can help calm nerves and create those picture-perfect expressions. Even just the promise of cake later or beignets for breakfast tomorrow!
3. Even Perfect Rehearsals Mean Nothing
I’m sorry, but it’s true. A child who nails the rehearsal may completely freeze when faced with a room full of guests. A child who refused to participate at rehearsal may suddenly perform like a Broadway star.
Practice walking down the aisle at home. Practice again. (Practice walking on uneven surfaces as most outdoor New Orleans venues have. ) Then lower your expectations just enough to enjoy whatever happens.
4. Know Where They’re Going
The favorite parent should sit near the front and be the destination, with one staying with the wedding party until it’s time to send them down the aisle. Don’t assume your child will happily continue with the wedding party after reaching the altar. Make sure they know exactly where they’re headed, where they’ll stop, and where they’ll sit.
5. Prepare to Become Part of the Performance
Sometimes the flower girl walks down the aisle. Sometimes the flower girl gets carried down the aisle. Sometimes the flower girl sprints back toward the entrance halfway through. Just accept that you may unexpectedly become part of the wedding entertainment as you have to help them down the aisle and remember to smile for those pictures so you don’t end up derping on film.
6. New Orleans Weddings Are a Marathon
Most kids skip their nap on wedding day. It’s like they sense the importance of the event and collectively decide sleep is no longer necessary. Just accept this.
Pack snacks, water, backup clothes, wipes, and whatever else helps your child function when they’re running purely on excitement and wedding cake.
7. Save the Fancy Shoes for Game Time
Don’t put those adorable shoes on first thing in the morning. Put them on for photos. Take them off. Put them on again right before the ceremony. Even broken-in shoes can become torture devices after several hours. And no one wants to see crocs in professional wedding photos. Bring an attractive-enough pair of their favorite shoes to change into for the reception,
8. Redo the Hair Right Before Photos
There’s nothing like that New Orleans humidity. If your child has fine, straight hair, understand that curls may have approximately the same lifespan as a snowball in July. Plan to touch up hairstyles right before photos and again before the ceremony if needed. Or plan a hair style with the weather effects in mind.
9. Pace the Petal Tossing
Nobody warned me about this one. My eager two-year-old emptied her basket before we even reached the aisle and I was scraping the floor to reload for her. Practice petal distribution beforehand. Explain that the petals need to last the entire walk.
10. Pack Kid-Friendly Food
Traditional New Orleans wedding food is incredible. Unfortunately, many children do not share this opinion. If your child isn’t interested in jambalaya, shrimp and grits, crawfish pies, or whatever else is on the menu, bring backup options. I hope I wasn’t judged for my ziplock of mac-n-cheese. Future you will appreciate not making a 10 p.m. McDonald’s drive-thru run.
11. Catholic Church Weddings Require Extra Preparation
Many New Orleans weddings take place in Catholic churches and include a full Mass. An exercise in patience and a physical exercise of up-downs in itself. If your family isn’t Catholic, talk to your children beforehand about what to expect. Explain the traditions, the quiet moments and that the ceremony may last longer than they’re used to. Honestly, some adults could use this preparation/refresher too.
12. Prepare for New Orleans Weather
If the wedding is outdoors, assume weather will be involved. Heat? Bring fans and lots of water. Rain? Bring backup shoes, socks, clothes, and maybe even a clear umbrella for adorable photos. Mud and white flower girl dresses are not a combination anyone enjoys.
13. Second Lines Are Fun Until They’re Not
Every child dreams of a second line. For about five minutes. By the end, many younger kids are tired, overstimulated, or asking to be carried. Plan for it. Wear comfortable shoes yourself.
14. Consider Hearing Protection
New Orleans wedding receptions can get loud. Between brass bands, second lines, and packed dance floors, sensitive children may appreciate noise-reducing headphones. Then again, some kids can fall asleep next to an eight-piece band like mine did. You know your child best.
15. Keep the Real Rings Away From the Ring Bearer
This may be controversial, but I stand by it. Use decoy rings. Or have the ring bearer walk symbolically. The actual rings should stay with someone whose frontal lobe is fully developed.
16. Wagons Are Underrated
If your flower girl or ring bearer is too young to walk independently, decorate a wagon. A little New Orleans flair can make it even more fun. Think traditional wagon float vibes!
17. Skip the Rehearsal Dinner if Needed
Attend the rehearsal, then consider heading home. Rested children are much more valuable on wedding day than children who stayed out late eating chicken tenders at a fancy restaurant.
Bonus: You’ll save the wedding party a few seats and a little money.
18. Know When It’s Time to Go Home
New Orleans wedding receptions know how to party. At some point, the flower girl and ring bearer have fulfilled their duties. When the dance floor gets crowded and bedtime was several hours ago, it’s okay to make your exit and let the newlyweds celebrate.
And if your child didn’t make it down the aisle exactly as planned? Don’t worry. Years from now, nobody will remember whether they scattered petals perfectly.
They’ll remember the tiny tuxedo, the twirling dress, the unexpected moments, and the joy that only kids can bring to a wedding day in New Orleans.
