She’s the cutest thing you’ve ever seen in her little white dress with a pink sash and matching flower basket, but the flower girl’s history is based on more than just heart-melting “aws” from your guests.  The “flower” girl first made her appearance in weddings in Ancient Rome when she would carry wreaths of herbs and wheat down the aisle which symbolized prosperity and fertility for the bride and groom.  During the Medieval period, a young girl carried garlic down the aisle which was said to ward off evil spirits (talk about pre-wedding jitters!)

(Photo Credit: Flickr)

During one of her many centurial makeovers, the flower girl of the Victorian era became the poster girl for modern day flower girls. Their dresses were white with a colored ribbon sash and they carried baskets of flower petals to sprinkle down the aisle before the bride made her grand entrance.  The flower girl was dressed as a “mini-bride” to symbolize the transition of the bride from little girl into womanhood.  Although the meaning behind having a flower girl has changed drastically over the centuries, I think we can all agree: thank goodness she no longer carries garlic!