What the upper age limit of a Jr. Bridesmaid?

duibheasa

Hey guys, this isn't a huge deal but I was just wondering what the average age is when you're labelled as Bridesmaid and not Jr. Bridesmaid.  My FI's sister will be 15 when we get married, is that still in the Jr. Bridesmaid age category or full-fledged Bridesmaid level?  Is there some form of rule of thumb or does it differ person to person?TIA!

Catwoman708

Flower girls are about 4-7 years of age, and junior BMs from about 8 to 15 yrs of age. They don't have any real purpose or have any duties, just a way for them dress up and be included.

Leah&Christian09

I wouldn't call anyone a junior BM unless they were under 12. Teenagers don't need to be reminded that they aren't adults.

aerinpegadrak

Just call her a bridesmaid.  The real question is whether you get her a regular bridesmaid dress or a junior variety, which will depend on how scandalous your bridesmaid dresses are.  Junior versions usually are cut higher in the neckline and have some kind of straps.  Your FMIL would probably be the best one to make that call, especially since she'll more than likely be paying for the dress.

mbcdefg

Anyone old enough to walk down the aisle, stand quietly for the ceremony and pose for photos is old enough to be a Bridesmaid. No "junior" title necessary. A junior BM is no different than a "full-fledged" bridesmaid.

Spim7

I'm not sure it really matters that much. If they're teenagers it can really go either way.

trix1223

Will she be doing everything that other BMs will be doing: wearing the dress, walking down the aisle, standing respectfully during the ceremony, and smiling for the pictures? Then she's a BM. Just don't use the Jr. title which is really silly considering that she's doing what everyone else does.

handfast4me

I second what others say--I'd just call her a bridesmaid, and depending on the dresses for your other maids, decide on that or the "junior" variety.  However, it might make it easier to figure out some distinction since she may not be invited to your bachelorette party (if you have one, and if it involves alcohol, etc.).   Just a thought. 

duibheasa

Thanks for all the responses.I was planning on having her be a bridesmaid and not a jr. bridesmaid, since up until a year ago or so I'd never heard the term jr. bridesmaid, I was just curious in general about the jr. bridesmaid stuff and if there were set "rules" or etiquette about it.

mbcdefg

The only rules for a wedding are to get the paperwork in order, and to treat people nicely and to take care of your guests (enough food, seating, heat/AC, greeting them, etc.). Beyond that, everything else is your call. You don't "have" to do anything that you don't want to do.

vgmartinez

I was a bridesmaid in my sister's wedding when I was 14 and was not labeled JR. I wore the same dress, got my hair done with everyone, and was escorted down the aisle by an adult groomsman. My niece is one of my bridesmaids and she'll turn 16 about two months before the wedding and she won't be a JR. I don't think I would call anyone a jr bm unless they were 12 or younger.

ffmaid

The only difference between BM and Jr BM is that to a JR BM you are saying you are a cute little bitty girl. Call her a Bm she will be flattered and it will change absolutely nothing else

faith194

My flower girl was 9My junior bridesmaid was 12(I asked her what she wanted to be referred to as, and she said junior bridesmaid---I would have happily called her a bridesmaid).My other three attendants(bridesmaids) were 16, 21, and 27. They all wore a style of dress they liked and enjoyed. . .They just wore the same color and designer. It looked wonderful!I would not call your FSIL a junior bridesmaid, unless she insists(and I doubt she would).

Kristin789

You can make her a full BM if you want, but at 15 she's unlikely to have been in a serious relationship - much less married, to be a marriage mentor for you. >> Junior Bridesmaids/Junior Groomsmen/Junior Ushers These are young members of the wedding party (aged 9-16). They'll attend all major functions (excluding X-rated bachelorette parties) and fulfill the same responsibilities as senior squad members. Junior bridesmaids can wear less-sexy versions of the bridesmaid dresses (if the dresses are risque); Junior groomsmen may don a tux like the big guys.

jollysangel

My sister will be 13 and my cousin will be 15 both my Junior Bridesmaids....I dont fell I should call them "Bridesmaids" because they wont be doing the same things as the Bridesmaids as far as bachelorette party, wearing the same dress, doing adult things. To me its like having two flower girls and telling one she cant throw flowers. But I guess its a personal thing, I dont want to give them a title if they cant do what the others do in the same title.

jollysangel

Its all about what you want!! Ive seen people have adult flower girls and ring bearers. Whose would say "she's too old to be a Jr Bridesmaid" at yor wedding??

Boosgirl79

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_upper-age-limit-of-jr-bridesmaid?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:10463033Post:62595229">What the upper age limit of a Jr. Bridesmaid?</a>:
[QUOTE]You can make her a full BM if you want, but at 15 she's unlikely to have been in a serious relationship - much less married, to be a marriage mentor for you.
Posted by Kristin789[/QUOTE]

<div>I'm pretty sure that most BMs aren't qualified to be "marriage mentors." My sister is 18 and is my MOH because she's my best friend, not because she knows about marriage.</div>

MyNameIsNot

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_upper-age-limit-of-jr-bridesmaid?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:10Discussion:10463033Post:62621071">What the upper age limit of a Jr. Bridesmaid?</a>:
[QUOTE]Its all about what you want!! Ive seen people have adult flower girls and ring bearers. Whose would say "she's too old to be a Jr Bridesmaid" at yor wedding??
Posted by jollysangel[/QUOTE]

If she's 15, she's the one that may be upset about it.  I was asked to be a junior BM when I was 13.  I was hurt.  I did everything that the other BMs did (except attend the B-party).  I felt totally belittled and marginalized b/c of the junior title.  Many teens would feel the same.  There's no point in adding the junior title, so why not avoid the potential conflict?  Just because it is your wedding doesn't make it all about what you want.  That's a very immature and self-centered way of seeing things. 

Because she can't attend the b-party?  One of my adult BMs couldn't attend my B-party.  Should I have changed her title to reflect that?

mbcdefg

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_upper-age-limit-of-jr-bridesmaid?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:10Discussion:10463033Post:62595229">What the upper age limit of a Jr. Bridesmaid?</a>:
[QUOTE]You can make her a full BM if you want, but at 15 she's unlikely to have been in a serious relationship - much less married, to be a marriage mentor for you. Posted by Kristin789[/QUOTE]

So according to this, I should boot my 26 year-old bridesmaid because she's never had a boyfriend and therefore can't be a "marriage mentor" for me?

I don't know why you continue to post this crap, Kristin. This is horrible advice.