17 Junior Bridal Party Dresses for Every Age (2024)

A bridal party can be as large or pared-back as you please. While some brides opt for a small group of friends to accompany her down the aisle, others seize the opportunity to incorporate all those most important in their lives in the big day—including those of the younger variety. Specifically, junior members of the bridal party are a thoughtful way to honor the young women you hold dearest.

The age range for junior members is typically between eight and 16 and can be anyone from a younger sister to a daughter to a cousin or niece, there are no rules! An easy rule of thumb is that they are typically too old to be a flower girl.If you've decided to have junior bridal party members in your wedding, the next course of action is to determine what they'll be wearing for the ceremony.

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Read on for the best junior bridesmaid dresses.

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Best Sparkle: La Novale Atelier Store Sequin Flower Girl Dress

17 Junior Bridal Party Dresses for Every Age (1)

If you’re all about a bold moment, then let that trickle down to your junior bridal party members and have her wear this glamorous sequin and tulle gown.

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Most Vintage-Inspired: Adrianna Papell Beaded Blouson Gown

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Let your junior members sparkle in this Adrianna Papell number. The Art Deco-inspired detailing makes this a fitting choice for a vintage-themed soiree.

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Best Ruffle Dress: Needle & Thread Valentine Ruffle Kids Dress

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If you're looking for a whimsy option (and something suited for someone younger), allow us to introduce you to Needle &Thread's ruffle dress. In a cream color, this is the perfect complement to a bridal party sporting neutral shades.

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Best Halter: Birdy Grey Kiko Dress

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While Birdy Grey is traditionally intended for the bridal party, their selection of dresses come in smaller size runs and could be tailored to fit a petite frame. This particular frock would look great on a teen.

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Best Cowl Neckline: Amsale Bridesmaids Corinne Dress

A modest option, Amsale's Corinne dress is a great pick for the young members of your bridal party. But don't the simplicity fool you—the cowl neck and slit skirt add some playful sophistication.

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Best High Neck: Celebrate DB Studio Flounced Crinkle Chiffon Junior Bridesmaid Dress

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A halter neckline is a great choice for junior bridal party members as it’s on the more conservative side. This pretty shade of steel blue is a great fit for any season of the year.

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For a Boho Wedding: Mango Floral Print Long Jumpsuit

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If your wedding has a distinct boho vibe to it, then your junior bridal party outfit should reflect that. This earthy jumpsuit is a cool, casual pick, and comfortable to boot.

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Best Floor-Length: David's Bridal Cap Sleeve Lace and Mesh Long Girls Dress

17 Junior Bridal Party Dresses for Every Age (8)

If your ceremony is on the more formal side, this floor-length gown featuring lace and pleating is ideal. Plus, the skirt is perfect for twirling on the dance floor.

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Best Flutter Sleeves: Azazie Daphne Junior Bridesmaid Dress

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Simple in design, this floor-length frock is feminine and fun thanks to the flutter sleeves. A versatile pick with strong group photograph potential.

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Dessy Tie-Shoulder Juniors Dress with Tiered Ruffle Skirt

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The shoulder ties and tiered ruffles make this mint dress feel unique and stylish–plus, the color is to die for. We love this sweet style for a garden wedding filled with fresh greenery and flowers.

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Most Simple: Azazie Oceana Junior Bridesmaid Dress

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Keep things classic with this v-neck floor-length gown. It comes in over 50 colorways so you'll be sure to find a shade that matches the wedding palette. To add a delicate finish, add in a string of pearls.

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For a Formal Wedding: David's Bridal Chiffon Surplice Tank Junior Bridesmaid Dress

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Ballet pink for the win! There’s no going wrong with this gorgeous gown, just add flats or a low heel and you'll be all set for a formal wedding.

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Best Under $60: JJ's House A-Line V-neck Asymmetrical Chiffon Junior Bridesmaid Dress

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A sweet silhouette with cascading ruffles and a flowing skirt—what’s not to love? Keep it casual and simple with flats or dress the look up with low block heels and a sparkly bracelet.

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Best White: JJ's House A-Line One-Shoulder Floor-Length Chiffon Charmeuse Dress

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If you’re having your bridal party also wear white, this is a cute pick for the junior dress. It subtly nods to a Grecian style that’s well-suited for a wedding.

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Best Cheery Color: The Dessy Group Dessy Collection Junior Bridesmaid

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A cheery yellow hue is a fun pick for junior bridal party members, particularly this lace frock from David’s Bridal. Bring on the sunshine!

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Most Unique Neckline: David's Bridal One Shoulder Mesh Junior Bridesmaid Dress

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The one-shoulder silhouette on this junior bridal party dress is balanced by the single strap on the alternate side. It’s a subtle touch that makes a noticeable difference.

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Best Pastel: David's Bridal Long Sleeveless Mesh Dress with Ruched Waist

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A powdery blue dress with a v-neck silhouette and floor-length hemline, this option offers it all. Plus, the color would look so pretty with white flowers.

What to Look for in a Junior Bridesmaid Dress

Sizing

Just like bridal party dresses, junior bridesmaid dresses must keep within the wedding theme and color palette. While some junior bridesmaids may wear the same outfit as the bridal party, others may have to wear something different due to sizing limitations. Whatever you choose for your junior bridesmaid, it's important that the youngest member of your bridal party feels comfortable and confident in their dress. This means picking a style that's available in the appropriate sizing for your junior bridesmaid.

Color

If you're going for a cohesive look and want your junior bridesmaid dress to match your bridal party perfectly, it's helpful to pick dresses from the same brand. Many occasion brands will offer junior and bridal party dresses in the same colorways, styles, and silhouettes. However, if you're going for a mismatched look and want your junior bridesmaids to wear a different color, it's always a good idea to order color swatches to make sure all the different colors work nicely together.

FAQ

  • Who chooses the junior bridal party dress?

    Typically, the dress is chosen by the bride with the junior bridesmaid's input. However, sometimes the bride will give the junior bridesmaid free rein to choose her own gown.

  • Can the junior bridal party wear the same dress as the rest of the bridal party?

    Yes! This usually depends on the bride's preference and if the bridal party dress comes in junior sizes.

  • Do junior bridal parties carry bouquets?

    Junior bridal party members usually carry the same bouquet as the rest of the bridal party. However, the choice is truly up to the bride!

Why Trust Brides

Nicole Kliest is a fashion, travel, and food & wine writer based in New York City. With over nine years of experience in the digital publishing industry, her work has appeared on sites includingWho What Wear, The Zoe Report, Cools, Popsugar, Harper's Bazaar, Elle.

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17 Junior Bridal Party Dresses for Every Age (2024)

FAQs

Can a 17 year old be a junior bridesmaid? ›

Junior Bridesmaid Definition and Age

A junior bridesmaid is a younger member of the wedding party who falls between the ages of a flower girl and bridesmaid—usually she's between 10 and 15 years old, says event planner Kelly McWilliams.

What should junior bridesmaids wear? ›

You should try to find the same wedding attire for the junior bridesmaid that the older bridesmaids are wearing so your wedding party's looks are cohesive. Many designers make bridesmaid collections that include garments for the junior attendants so every party member can look alike.

What color does the junior bride wear? ›

If the junior bridesmaid is younger, the bride may want them to wear white or ivory- like a flower girl dress. The color of the dress for the junior bridesmaid is completely up to the bride and her preference.

What is the purpose of a junior bride? ›

Too old to be a flower girl but too young to be a bridesmaid, a junior bridesmaid fills in the gap between the other female attendants. If there's a young girl who's special to you, consider asking her to be in your wedding in this role instead.

Do JR bridesmaids walk alone? ›

If you have fewer than five bridesmaids, they walk in single file. With more than five, they walk in pairs; if there's a “single” bridesmaid, she starts the processional alone. The junior bridesmaid walks next; if there are two junior bridesmaids, they walk together down the aisle.

What do you call a junior bridesmaid? ›

A junior bridesmaid (junior-maid), generally aged 9-15 years, is too old to be a flower girl but still slightly too young to be a bridesmaid. Their role in the bridal party can vary but mainly they follow some of the adult bridesmaids duties given they are age-appropriate.

Do junior bridesmaids have to stand at altar? ›

A junior bridesmaid is expected to fulfill some of the traditional bridesmaid duties including wearing a dress of the bride's choosing, attending the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, participating in the ceremony processional, and standing at the altar with the bridal party.

Does a junior bridesmaid count as a bridesmaid? ›

A junior bridesmaid is very similar to your mature bridesmaids and will perform similar duties. Their specific duties will depend on what tasks you would like to share with your bridal party.

Do junior bridesmaids sit at the head table? ›

If you're going to have a head table, she should be included. Otherwise, she should be with her mother and her mother's SO together at one table. You don't have to seat all of the wedding party together, but don't break up couples and their children. I agree with this.

Who pays for junior bridesmaid dress? ›

A: Just as for the adult members of your wedding party, agreeing to be in the wedding generally also means agreeing to buy an outfit. Usually, child attendants' parents pay for their clothes, but you might choose to purchase a flower girl's dress or ring bearer's suit as a gift.

What color is the mother of the bride's dress supposed to be? ›

The most popular color for the mother of the bride to wear is navy or a royal blue, followed by blush or a shade of nude.

Can a 16 year old be a maid of honor? ›

Like many aspects of wedding planning, there are no rules when it comes to your bridal party. This means that you can absolutely have a junior maid of honor if doing so is something you want and something that makes sense for your life and relationships.

Do junior bridesmaids wear the same dress? ›

Instead of matching the bridesmaids, the junior bridesmaid can wear a dress more reflective of her age; after all, mismatched bridesmaid dresses are a popular choice. In this case, the junior bridesmaid can choose any dress she pleases - with your approval of course.

What age is the flower girl? ›

Usually, flower girls and ring bearers range from ages three to eight years old. But don't let that stop you from giving those roles to someone younger or older, or even to adults, especially if you're not too keen on the idea of including children in your wedding.

Can my aunt be my maid of honor? ›

Contenders for your maid of honor can be absolutely anyone you're close to and want to honor on your special day. As far as family, sisters and cousins make excellent candidates, but you are not obligated to give the honor to someone you're related to.

What is the age limit for a bridesmaid? ›

Is she too old to be your bridesmaid? There's no upper age limit really, it's just whether she feels happy to do it. Should bridesmaids be under 25, 30, 40, 50.

Can minors be bridesmaids? ›

The first and most important criterion that determines a girl's title is how old she is. If she's from four to eight, she's a flower girl, If she's between nine and fifteen, she falls into the junior bridesmaid category; older than that, you can go ahead and call her a bridesmaid.

What age is a junior groomsman? ›

There is no set age for a junior groomsman. Typically, it's about age 9 to the early teens. The definition of a junior groomsman is a member of a wedding party who is too old to be a ring bearer but too young to be a groomsman. So as long as the child falls in that range, he would be considered a junior groomsman.

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