Children will do exactly what they want to do, says Connie Reilly, owner of Your Wedding in Fox Point. It's important to give them age-appropriate responsibilities within the wedding party. Reilly often brings up this subject with her clients during the planning stage if they plan on including children in the ceremony. We do discuss their ages and what roles may be appropriate, she says, noting that older children can make wonderful miniature brides or grooms, junior flower girls or assist with handing out programs. It all depends on the child as well.
Little boys are generally less enthusiastic then girls when it comes to participating.
I've seen weddings where the flower girl has been instructed to scatter rose petals, and she'll do a great job, says Jason Greggs, co-owner of An Elegant Affair in Menomonee Falls. But sometimes those little girls will get to the front of church and find that they still have some petals left in their little baskets. They do the most logical thing they dump them in a heap right in front of the altar. Girls tend to be relatively enthusiastic about dressing up and being part of the ceremony, agrees Greggs. As a general rule, they tend to look for approval as they walk up the aisle.