When I was planning my wedding last summer I paid a lot of attention to the flower girl—and I should have, considering that our flower girl was our three-year-old daughter. I wanted her to wear a dress that was not only similar to mine in color but one that was really comfortable. Comfortable shoes were another must. Like everything I do, I went into research mode.
My flower girl ensemble obsession led me to a lot of the same things: white dresses, white satin baskets, rose petals. Blah. While your flower girl will doubtlessly be adorable no matter what you send her down the aisle in, there are so many more options than the old standbys.
For one, think about injecting a little color into her look. This adorable sequined ballgown by Belle du Jour is a fabulous place to start. The soft Cinderella-blue 
color and sparkles would make any little lady feel like a princess (and a happy flower girl is much more manageable than one who hates her dress and is pouting about it all day). Just as important, the subdued color would work well with a variety of color palettes (who says everything has to match perfectly?!).
You can also do something different with her hairpiece. Crowns of flowers are totally adorable, but if you’re looking for something different you could try something like Virginia Geiger’s sweet headband. Three silk flowers 
(in the color of your choice!) are adorned with Swarovski crystal pearls to create a classic look that could definitely be worn again. Easy to dress up or dress down, this versatile piece is a cute twist on the standard flower girl look.
If you’d like to step away from in-your-face floral, you will love this bow headband from Wedding Aisle. Made from hand-cut silk and accented with a small blue flower, this piece is available in a variety of colors (from turquoise to tea stained). Unlike most of the flower girl headpieces I’ve ever seen, this pretty piece is fun and feminine without the explosion of flowers.
Another fun way to accessorize your flower girl is with a necklace that’s just like the big girls’. This personalized piece from Say Anything Jewelry is great for bridesmaids and flower girls alike. The small sterling silver flower can be hand stamped with her initial and you can add a pearl or crystal that picks up the color in 
her dress or the flowers. A pretty gift that she can wear for years to come, it’s also perfect for your wedding day!
Possibly my favorite part about shopping around for flower girl accessories is looking for that special something she’ll carry down the aisle. Like most people, I’m sure your brain automatically goes to those ubiquitous white satin baskets. But there are so many other ways to go! If you’re dead set on a basket, consider one that reflects the feel of your wedding a little bit better. Going for a woodland theme? Bragging Bags offers an incredible rustic basket that can be personalized with your initials. Lined with moss and accented with pretty paper flowers, this basket is absolutely perfect for outdoor summer weddings.
A great alternative to a basket is a pomander (sometimes called a kissing ball). The one shown here by Emma Leigh Designs would also work really well at a rustic wedding. The six-inch satin ribbon that the ball (which is covered in natural rope) hangs from can be changed to any color you want.
Petal cones are another unexpected (and easy to carry!) alternative to baskets. The eco-friendly one shown here by Orange and Blossom is made with paper from managed timber sources and printed with water-based and solvent and VOC-free inks. The vintage-inspired pattern and pale yellow and grey color are totally unique and absolutely gorgeous.
Another cute option (and one that any little girl would adore) is a flower wand. Maihar Design makes the ones shown here. Available in eight different colors, the hand-sewn silk flowers are attached to “stems” that are wrapped in green grosgrain ribbon. Great for playing dress up after the Big Day, I don’t know any little girl who doesn’t love to wave a wand around!
Like most of the details of your wedding, your flower girl’s look doesn’t have to be a cookie cutter example of what you would see if you type “flower girl” into your search engine of choice. With just a little digging you can find some adorable, unexpected pieces that she can use again and again.
Jennifer Garry is a writer and accessories designer living in Westchester, NY with her husband and daughter. When she's not up to her ears in kiddie crafts, you can find her swimming in a pool of beads. Her obsessions include tea, chocolate, sarcasm and her daughter's giggle--any of which can be used to coax her from her little jewelry-making fantasy world.