Who Pays for the Flower Girl Dress? All Expenses to Consider

Flower girls are a special part of any wedding. They tug on guests' heartstrings and nab their attention before the to-be-wed follows. But flower girl etiquette isn't always clear. Who pays for the flower girl dress? And how much does it cost to be a flower girl? As with most wedding-related activities and events, there are endless questions for all parties involved when it comes to who pays for what. Parents usually cover most flower girl costs, which typically come in under $1,000 but vary widely. Here's what to know about flower girl costs and how to gracefully handle expenses that are out of your budget.

In this article:

• Who Pays for the Flower Girl's Dress?
• How Much Do Flower Girl Dresses Cost?
• Additional Flower Girl Costs
• How Much to Budget Flower Girl Expenses
• How to Tell To-Be-Weds Flower Girl Costs Are Too Much
• Where to Find Flower Girl Dresses in a Range of Budgets

Who Pays for the Flower Girl's Dress?

Similar to how the wedding party typically foots the cost for their dresses or tuxes, the parents of the flower girl usually pay for her dress while the couple may offer guidance on the dress's color and style. But the rule of thumb for who buys the flower girl dress may vary depending on the relationship between the nearlyweds and the flower girl, and the couple's wedding budget. "It may be a nice gesture for the couple to offer to pay for the outfit, but it's not expected," says Ness McGovern, planner and designer at Ness McGovern Events and Design based in NYC.

One exception may be when the couple plans for a custom flower girl dress, adds Sam Barredo, event producer at Chris Weinberg Events in North Miami, Florida. "This typically costs significantly more, and often, in that case, the couple will cover the cost of the dress," she says.

How Much Do Flower Girl Dresses Cost?

The average cost of a flower girl dress can vary widely, depending on the flower girl's age, the designer and the dress's fabric and size. "There are simple and traditional dresses that are under $100 and then there are designer options, like a Ralph Lauren white smocked silk dress for almost $500, that can push the investment upwards," McGovern says.

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You can find more affordable options for $50 to $70 on wedding party websites like Azazie. If you have a little more room in your budget, you can look at retailers like Anthropologie, where flower girl dresses typically range from $150 to $250. For couples paying for the flower girl's dress, use The Knot Budget Tool to decide the best price point.

Additional Flower Girl Costs

Of course, the dress is only the beginning—every outfit needs a few extras to dress up the look, especially if it's for a wedding. For flower girls, that includes accessories, like jewelry, plus the basket and the flowers themselves. While this will all make your flower girl the cutest wedding party member ever, it does rack the bill up a little higher (and that's not to mention the costs for any alterations). Here's what you should include in your budget, according to McGovern and Barredo.

Basket of Flowers

A flower girl often carries a basket with petals to sprinkle down the aisle, but McGovern says that younger flower girls under the age of two who may have difficulty throwing petals often have a flower crown or carry a pomander. Florals are notoriously pricey, so you might be wondering how much flower girl petals cost. Typically around $25 by themselves, or $50 for a flower girl basket with petals. Sometimes, the florist will rent out the basket for the couple. "As always, types of petals used and the quality of the basket can increase this cost," McGovern says.

Barredo adds that the couple usually covers the cost of the flowers since they typically come from the florist or event designer along with other wedding florals, so it's part of their wedding budget.

Alterations

Since parents are typically the ones buying the dress, they're usually covering the cost of alterations. Luckily, flower girl dresses don't cost as much as bridesmaid dresses would since they're smaller in size. While the price varies depending on what's needed, you can expect to budget $50 to $75 for this.

Shoes

Parents also typically pay for the flower girl shoes, which are often ballet flats or Mary Janes. These usually cost $20 to $50 in children's sizes but might cost a little more if the flower girl is older and a bigger size is needed.

Accessories

Jewelry, tights, belts or headbands are just some of the accessories that help complete the flower girl's look. These range anywhere from $10 to $30 each, and it's typically parents footing the bill on this as well. In some cases, the couple may give an accessory as a flower girl gift.

Professional Hair Styling

If the flower girl is older, they might need professional hair and makeup, which costs an average of $45 to $75 and $15 to $75, respectively. It really varies on who pays for this; sometimes, the parents do, but Barredo says that brides often cover the cost. If the whole wedding party is getting ready together, sometimes the flower girl will be included in the services.

How Much to Budget Flower Girl Expenses

How much does being a flower girl in a wedding actually cost? Totalling up the low-end of the minimum costs above, from the flower girl dress to a couple of accessories, it could run you $140. On the higher end, factoring in hair and makeup if the couple isn't covering those services, it could cost as much as $775. You can realistically expect the costs to fall somewhere in between, and of course, it's dependent on things like types of alterations and accessories needed. Your flower girl may have tights or shoes already, and maybe their dress fits them perfectly and you can cut alterations from your budget.

How to Tell To-Be-Weds Flower Girl Costs Are Too Much

But what if the flower girl costs aren't within your budget? Let's face it: Sometimes the price tag that comes with being in a wedding climbs faster than we'd like. You may feel awkward or uncomfortable telling the nearlyweds you can't afford to have your daughter in their wedding—especially if they're a family member or close friend. But it's best to be transparent, with a polite and diplomatic approach.

Barredo says that if the to-be-wed requests a specific dress that's out of budget, express your gratitude and be upfront from the beginning about your budget concerns. Doing some research and finding similar options may ease the situation, she adds.

Address how honored you are to be part of the wedding before sharing specifically and somewhat directly that you aren't in a position to financially contribute with "I" statements, McGovern recommends. Here are a few ways to word your concerns:

• Thank you so much for including my daughter in your special day. As much as I'd love for her to be a flower girl, I'm unfortunately under budget constraints right now and can't afford it. But I appreciate you thinking of her.
• I'm so honored that my daughter will get to be your flower girl. The dress you selected for her to wear is beautiful, but it's sadly not in my budget. I found a few similar options that are more affordable for me—would any of these work for you?

Where to Find Flower Girl Dresses in a Range of Budgets

From satin blue gowns to pastel pink confections, there are a variety of stylish flower girl dresses across all sorts of price points. David's Bridal, Angel & Rocket, Azazie, Revelry and Anthropologie are just a few popular retailers offering flower girl dresses. But you can also find them at your local bridal salon. Just head to The Knot Vendor Marketplace and search bridal salons, then filter by location, dress types and flower girl dresses. You're bound to find a place that has what you're looking for.