Junior Bridesmaid Roles and Responsibilities

When a girl is named a Junior Bridesmaid, there's often confusion about what her role will be, and what she needs to do to prepare. Does she wear a dress to match the wedding bridesmaid dresses? Does she help to plan the shower? What does she do during the ceremony?

Choose Attire

The Junior Bridesmaid will be taken to the dress shop, or shown a dress online, by the bride. Some brides ask the Junior Bridesmaid’s (or her parents’) advice on the dress she’d like to wear, but the final decision is the bride’s. The Junior Bridesmaid can wear a dress in the same color and style as the bridesmaids’ dresses only if the chosen style for the bridesmaids’ dresses is more modest. No high leg slits or plunging necklines. Strapless dresses for the bridesmaid are a bit too sophisticated for the Junior Bridesmaid, so the Junior Bridesmaid’s matching dress will usually have shoulder straps added. If the bridesmaids dresses are appropriate for a young teen with no plunging necklines, the junior bridesmaid may wear the same dress as the other bridesmaids.

Assist at Wedding Shower and Party

The Junior Bridesmaid is considered a part of the bridal party, so she may participate in helping to plan the shower. She can attend planning meetings if she wishes, and her parents can support her choices in what she can help contribute. She should arrive to the shower early so that she can help the hostess set up or arrange any favors. During the shower, the junior bridesmaid should assist with the games and hand out prizes to the winners. She also should offer to help the hostess clean up after the event. A junior bridesmaid must attend the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner with her parents. At the rehearsal, she will learn where to walk in the processional and where to stand when she reaches the altar.

On the Big Day

She will be dressed and ready on time for pre-wedding photos and pose for her portraits and group portraits.On the wedding day, the junior bridesmaid walks down the aisle in the process with a junior groomsman, if there is one. Otherwise, she will walk alone before the rest of the attendants and move to her designated area upfront. While flower girls may need to be seated with their parents during very long ceremonies, she should remain with the bridal party. She will take a place among the other bridesmaids during the ceremony. In addition to or instead of having ushers, junior bridesmaids can assist guests with finding seats at the ceremony and even the reception.