Flower Girl to Bride: “More Petals Please.”

A long time ago in England, the wedding party did not drive to the church. Neither did they get there in a horse drawn carriages. They got there on foot. Yes, they walked to the church.

At the head of the long or short procession was a young-girl. A flower girl. She held a basket filled with multi-coloured, multi-scented flower petals. On her way to the church, she would drop these petals along the road or path where the bride would walk. The strewn flower petals symbolised a hope for a smooth joyous path throughout the brides married life.

Today, this tradition lives on in Christian weddings. Child flower girl attendants, starting at the entrance of the church, walk slowly down the aisle, usually to the rhythm of an entrance hymn such as “Allegro’s” Wedding March or “Solomon’s” Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, dropping assorted flower petals on the carpet where the bride will slowly follow.