When it comes to styling your junior bridesmaid, many brides are at a loss.  You’re not alone!  That's why we’re here to give you the lowdown on all things junior bridesmaid dresses. That way, you can feel confident about your bridal party’s ensemble. Keep reading to learn what a junior bridesmaid should wear, and who should pay for the dress. Plus, check out some of this year's most popular junior bridesmaid dress colors and styles!

Bridesmaid Dresses: Kennedy Blue | Coastal Roads Photo

Who Can Be a Junior Bridesmaid?

So what exactly is a junior bridesmaid? A junior bridesmaid special girl in your life that you want to include in your wedding!  She is too young to be a bridesmaid and too old to be a flower girl. The typical age for a junior bridesmaid is 8 to 16-years-old.

Who should you consider for the role of a junior bridesmaid?  Many couples choose to ask a sister or niece, children of attendants, or their own children.  Note that a junior bridesmaid is not required in the wedding party lineup. Rather, it’s a title afforded to a person who fits in neither the category of flower girl or bridesmaid. Curious about how many junior bridesmaids you can have?  Well, you can have as many as you like! There are no limitations on how many people you can have in your bridal party.

Who Pays for the Junior Bridesmaid Dress?

Everyone knows that bridesmaids should pay for their own bridesmaid dresses. But, it’s a bit more unclear who should pay for the junior bridesmaid’s dress. Oftentimes, a junior bridesmaid is too young to pay for her own gown. So, the responsibility typically falls on the parents of the junior bridesmaid. However, plenty of brides have opted to pay for the junior bridesmaid dress themselves.

Junior Bridesmaid Dress: Kennedy Blue Lanie | Basically Emily Photo

We recommend talking with the parents of the junior bridesmaid before making a decision. In most cases, they’ll insist on paying. The average cost of junior bridesmaid dresses range between $60 to $120. Depending on the dress cost, you can decide if you want to pay for the dress yourself. 

What Should a Junior Bridesmaid Wear?

When it comes to your wedding party line-up, what should the junior bridesmaid wear? As a rule of thumb, the dress should at the very least be comfortable.  It should also coordinate with the rest of the wedding party, so that the junior bridesmaid looks like she fits in.

Some brides prefer to have their entire bridal party match for the wedding. In this case, you may choose to have the junior bridesmaid and bridesmaids opt for matching dresses. Of course, the junior bridesmaid’s dress will need to be an age-appropriate version. Most often, this applies to the neckline and length of the dress. Other brides prefer the junior bridesmaid to stand out in a way that makes their role clear. Instead of matching the bridesmaids, the junior bridesmaid can wear a dress more reflective of her age. In recent years, mismatched bridesmaid dresses have been trending. In this case, the junior bridesmaid can choose any dress she pleases - with your approval of course.

Another element to consider is accessories. If the junior bridesmaid is between 8 to 12-years-old, consider accessories that match the flower girl.  This could include a dainty bracelet or a necklace, or even a flower crown . For junior bridesmaids that are 13 to 16-years-old, choose jewelry that matches the bridesmaids. At this age, they will appreciate being treated like an adult.

Shop: MondayMonarch

What Colors Should a Junior Bridesmaid Wear?

When it comes to selecting a dress, brides often pick a color first.  At Kennedy Blue, the junior bridesmaid dresses are available in 40 colors. Plus, a variety of sizes and styles are available, including plus size junior bridesmaid dresses. There are even junior bridesmaid dresses with pockets! Even better, our dresses are made with a flat chiffon fabric, similar in quality to silk. Check out some of our favorite style and color combinations, and the type of wedding theme they suit.

1. Nica: Junior Bridesmaid Dress

Shop: Kennedy Blue Nica

Nica is the best-selling of our Bordeaux or burgundy junior bridesmaid dresses. This style features a scooped neckline, a ruffle bodice, and a sash accented waistline. Perfect for a romantic vineyard wedding if we do say so ourselves!  This dress also comes in many more colors!

2. Ireland: Junior Bridesmaid Dress

3. Gretta: Junior Bridesmaid Dress

Shop: Kennedy Blue Gretta

Gretta is the ideal dress for garden or warm-weather weddings! For blush junior bridesmaid dresses, brides tend to be prefer a more delicate and flowy style. With a modified halter neckline and lace details, this dress will check all your boxes. Plus with a band at the natural waist, it is as comfortable as it is beautiful.

4. Saylor: Junior Bridesmaid Dress

Shop: Kennedy Blue Saylor

Black junior bridesmaid dresses are a stunning choice for black tie affairs. Our current favorite style, Saylor, has an elegant pleated bodice and high v-neckline. The flowing a-line skirt makes it a good choice for brides who prefer a more formal look.

5: Presley: Junior Bridesmaid Dress

Shop: Kennedy Blue Presley

One of our most casual styles, Presley is a fan favorite navy junior bridesmaid dress. With a loose-fitted yet elegant shape, it is comfy yet elegant. It features a jewel neckline, high v-back, and a flowing a-line skirt with pockets. This style looks gorgeous no matter the season or your wedding theme.

White vs. Ivory Junior Bridesmaid Dresses

White junior bridesmaid dresses and ivory junior bridesmaid dresses are debated topics. Some feel that it’s inappropriate for anyone besides the bride to wear white. This is due to long standing traditions. However, as the wedding industry shifts further away from tradition, this idea is changing.

It can be completely normal for a junior bridesmaid to wear a white or ivory dress.  This is true especially for younger junior bridesmaids.  In fact, these colors often complement most color palettes extremely well!  So, it’s up to you to decide if a white or ivory gown is appropriate for your wedding!

What Size Junior Bridesmaid Dress Should I Order?

We recommend that a junior bridesmaid get measured by a professional. That way, you’ll get the most accurate fit!  Also, make sure to allow enough time before your wedding when placing the bridesmaid dress order.  Junior bridesmaid dresses can take between 10 and 16 weeks (from the point of sale) to ship.

If you choose to measure at home, you can find the Kennedy Blue sizing guide here.  If the junior bridesmaid falls between two sizes, go with the larger.  It is possible to take in a bridesmaid dress up to 2 sizes, while making a dress larger is nearly impossible.  It’s better to be safe than sorry! If your junior bridesmaid measures under a size 0, look at how many inches under the size chart she measures at. If her measurements are only slightly smaller, she may be able to order a 0 and have it taken in. If there is a large gap between her measurements and a size 0, you’ll need to look into other dress options.

Find Your Perfect Junior Bridesmaid Dress!

Between 8 and 16-year-old, the junior bridesmaids will be eager to get all dolled up for your wedding. When choosing a dress, it is important to consider the fit of a gown, so that it is age-appropriate. Luckily, our versatile gowns make it easy to find a style that aligns with your wedding day vision. Plus, with our easy to follow measurement guide, you can feel confident in ordering online.

Are you ready to buy junior bridesmaid dresses? Be sure to check out our latest line of Kennedy Blue junior bridesmaid dresses. Let us know which style and color combination is your favorite in the comment section below!