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Updated Mar 06, 2025Kid-Free Wedding? No Problem! 14 Flower Girl Alternatives and Ring Bearer Substitutes
Everyone from pets to parents can join in on the fun.
When you're having a kid-free wedding or you're short on nieces and nephews, you have two options. You can totally forgo the tradition of flower girls and ring bearers or you can start getting creative with flower girl alternatives and ring bearer substitutes. The littlest members of your wedding party don't actually have to be four years old and adorable—there's no hard and fast limit on flower girl age or ring bearer height. You get to write your own rules!
"Not having a flower girl is no problem at all! Couples can get creative and make this tradition uniquely theirs," says Chelsye Harp, owner and designer at Intrigue Design & Events based in Charleston, South Carolina.
Considering alternatives to a flower girl or ring bearer gives you a chance to have some fun. You can incorporate friends and family members who will revel in their moment in the spotlight, or you can pull out something completely unexpected with a flower girl basket alternative that's best left to the adults. This is truly a chance to make the ceremony completely your own.
Need some inspiration? Here are 14 planner-approved ideas for everything from alternatives for flower girls to flower girl baskets to petals, ring bearers and ring pillows.
In this article:
- Flower Girl Alternatives
- Flower Girl Basket Alternatives
- Flower Girl Petal Alternatives
- Ring Bearer Alternatives
- Ring Bearer Pillow Alternatives
Flower Girl Alternatives
The best part about forgoing a flower girl is there's no need to worry about who pays for a flower girl dress, wondering who will wrangle a toddler who gets out of hand or stress over the no kids at the wedding wording that is clearly giving some family members a pass.
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"We have seen many surprises ranging from friends throwing petals out of fanny packs to grandmas given this role. These are fun ways to include significant friends and family in the ceremony in a fun and thoughtful way," says Chris Weinberg, founder and CEO at Chris Weinberg Events in Miami.
1. An Adult Friend
Have a good friend that's not a bridesmaid or groomsman, yet you still want to honor them during the ceremony? Harp suggests, "Having an adult guest walk down the aisle always brings laughter and smiles and they can either scatter petals or we have even seen some handing out adult beverages to guests as well."
Plus, this can expand your definition of flower girl duties—your friend can serve as an additional support system, just like other members of the wedding party.
2. Pets
Who doesn't love a pet wearing a bow tie? It's a surefire way to win over hearts before you even get to your vows. "There's nothing quite like a derpy golden retriever bounding down the aisle in a tux or fairy dress to seal your wedding as the most unforgettable ceremony ever," says Amy Mccord, founder and CEO at Flower Moxie. Just be sure your pet is comfortable in large gatherings and have someone familiar on hand to manage their leash and excitement.
3. Older Relative
Everyone loves seeing a grandparent get in the mix on the big day, and stepping in as the flower girl is one of the most charming ways to give Grandma a role. McCord explains, "Consider including your grandmother or great-aunt in the ceremony. Grandparents walking hand-in-hand down the aisle—your grandpa carrying a ring box and your grandma sprinkling petals—will leave everyone misty-eyed."
4. Floral Runner
Skip having anyone process down the aisle and, instead, have flowers already lined up, creating a gorgeous path for the wedding party. "Create a beautiful floral aisle runner ahead of time. A stunning path using fresh petals or greenery creates that same magical entrance feel," says Althea Wiles with Rose of Sharon Floral Design Studio in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
5. Potted Plants
If you want an option with more staying power than petals, Wiles suggests potted plants that can have a second life long after you've said "I do." She explains, "I've also had couples opt for potted flowering plants lining the aisle and these can be gifted to special guests afterward or planted in the couple's garden as a lasting memory."
6. The Wedding Party
Bridesmaids and groomsmen are already planning on processing down the aisle, so why not let them multi-task? Ask these close friends and family to each carry a basket of petals and give them a dual-purpose role.
7. Baby in a Stroller
If the only child in your family is a baby, they could still step in as the flower girl. Have one of their parents push them in a decorated stroller or wagon. There's no need to throw petals—they're already bringing all the cuteness necessary.
8. The Guests
Let your entire guest list serve as an alternative to a flower girl! Provide flowers at the entrance to the ceremony, then let them sprinkle them en route to their seat.
Flower Girl Basket Alternatives
Flower girl baskets are lovely but, if you have someone besides a traditional flower girl walking down the aisle, you might want to break the mold a bit. If you have an adult flower girl, there's charm in them holding a fun prop. "A whimsical wand, pinwheel or small banner that says 'Here Comes the Bride' can replace the basket," Harp says. Wendee Vezzetti, wedding planner at Custom Weddings of Colorado in Arvada, Colorado, suggests skipping the petals and instead opting for a different floral option, like a spray bouquet or pomander.
If you have an evening wedding and want a glowy ambiance, McCord says, "A mess-free option is a lantern with an LED candle, which adds a warm and romantic touch, especially for softly lit evening weddings."
Flower Girl Petal Alternatives
If you want a more sustainable wedding option, but still like the idea of something being thrown into the air, whimsical flower girl alternatives to petals include bubbles or biodegradable paper confetti. Harp also suggests ribbon wands or bells for a joyful atmosphere where you don't have to worry about anything littering the ground. "Guests can wave or ring these as the flower girl walks down the aisle. They're reusable and festive," Harp says.
Ring Bearer Alternatives
If you don't have a young child in your family who's up for the duty of ring bearer or you're not quite sure you trust them with the responsibility of carrying the rings, here are a few options for ring bearer alternatives.
9. Best Man or Maid of Honor
Let your most responsible friend do the honors of carrying the rings. "Entrust the rings to a member of the wedding party for a meaningful moment," Harp says.
10. Ring Box
The ring bearer doesn't necessarily need to be a living, breathing human. Instead, incorporate the rings as part of the ceremony decor. Harp suggests, "Display the rings in a decorative box or dish on a small table at the altar."
11. Your Dog
Dogs can step in as a ring bearer with more ease than trying out for flower girl (the lack of opposable thumbs holds them back!). "Some couples involve their dog with rings tied to the collar and have them walk down the aisle with a friend or family member," Weinberg says.
12. A Parent
Since your parents will already have a seat towards the front of the ceremony, it makes sense to let them hold on to the rings until the big moment. This also gives them the chance to step back in with an all-important role.
13. The Couple
If you two are nervous about handing over the rings to anyone but yourselves, don't worry. You can each carry your future spouse's ring down the aisle, and you'll be ready to present it at just the right moment. No worrying about where it might be or whether a scatterbrained groomsman may have dropped it.
14. The Officiant
Want the safest possible place to keep your ring? The officiant is a safe bet for making sure the ring is where it's supposed to be when it's supposed to be there.
Ring Bearer Pillow Alternatives
Whether or not you have an official ring bearer, there's no need to hold yourself to a traditional ring bearer pillow. In fact, Vezzetti doesn't advise it. "We recommend couples place the actual rings with the best person or marrier to avoid mishaps," Vezzetti says. But, if you want something festive to store the rings, here are two ideas.
Wiles has created a floral nest for couples that is similar to a ring bearer pillow but with an organic touch. "A floral nest is a small, beautifully crafted arrangement that holds the rings. We nestle the rings into fresh flowers or preserved botanicals, and it can be carried by anyone in the wedding party or displayed on a special table at the altar."
Meanwhile, McCord had another suggestion that can be used long after the big day. She says, "A jewelry or ring box not only feels more contemporary than a pillow but it can also be repurposed after the wedding."
