Modern & Unusual Flower Girls, Ring Bearers and More!
Torn between two children? There’s no rule that says your Ring Bearer and/or Flower Girl has to be limited to one child each, or, for that matter, one child. These days, many couples have found untraditional and fantastic ways of incorporating new ideas into the old Flower Girl/Ring Bearer tradition. Often, opting out on the “normal” rules is the result of not being able to choose one child without hurting someone’s feelings, having an adults-only wedding, or simply wanting to do something completely different.
Animals bearing rings.
Animals are another popular option these days, as pets have become increasingly well behaved. Be warned: If you want Rover to be the Ring Bearer, he needs to have exceptional training skills, and no stage fright. No matter how many times you rehearse with him, an “audience” might make him more bashful than a two-year-old child. Rehearse with him several times, and in front of your friends. And be prepared for any unexpected mishap—like Aunt Joan’s kitty suddenly running across the pew, or Rover’s need to “do his business.” You can always have a friend walk down the aisle with Rover to guide him and keep him in the correct spot.
Then there are the people who want to go really crazy and bring in exotic animals into the fray, or jugglers or magicians or just about anything that will scream “original” on the day of the wedding. Performers for your wedding can be found with a simple Google search, or by checking the Yellow Pages. As for animals, the same rule applies; many services rent them out for the day, whether you’re in need of a cockatoo or a snake, or classic flock of doves. Make sure you check out the company’s references (if you can, try and go through friends’ recommendations, or use a company that a vendor you trust recommends). Prices will vary greatly, depending on the animal and your location.
Easy solutions for the littlest problems.
If there are several children who you’d like to have participate in the Ring Bearer/Flower Child duty, by all means have more than one. (This option can avoid potential conflicts between different sets of relatives and their children; if two male cousins are both eight, and you’re close to both of them, it might be the best solution.) If you have, say, two young girls, have one throw petals, and the other hold a bouquet. Or one can blow bubbles while the other throws confetti. With two little boys, you can have two ring pillows, or position them so they are both holding one end. When in doubt, ask the children what they would like to do, and which “job” they are more comfortable with.