Creating A Wedding Fascinator: A Step-By-Step Guide

Fascinators are a timeless and chic accessory to elevate your look at weddings and other special events. They are an elegant alternative to traditional veils for brides who want a chic hair ornament. You can make a fascinator using feathers, Swarovski crystals, vintage jewellery, millinery, flowers, rhinestones, pearls, beads, quills, luxe fabrics and other textural embellishments. You can attach a fascinator to your hair with a clip, headband or comb, and even add a stand-alone birdcage veil to complete the look.

Choosing a fascinator style: vintage, modern, pillbox, feather, floral, tulle, wide-brimmed, etc

Choosing the right fascinator style for a wedding is essential to completing your look. Here are some popular fascinator styles to consider:

Vintage Style

A vintage-style fascinator can add a touch of retro glamour to your wedding ensemble. Look for styles that emulate the fashion of a particular era, such as the 1920s Gatsby or Flapper look, often featuring peacock feathers, mesh veils, and pearls. These styles are perfect for a wedding with a vintage theme or for those who want to channel old-school Hollywood elegance.

Modern Style

Modern fascinators offer a more contemporary take on the traditional fascinator. These designs often feature clean, sleek lines, asymmetric shapes, and unique materials. Modern fascinators can be a great choice for those who want to make a statement with their wedding attire, offering a fashion-forward alternative to traditional headwear.

Pillbox Style

The pillbox fascinator is a classic and elegant choice, often associated with sophistication and style. This style is typically a small, round or slightly oval hat that sits neatly on the head, often with a decorative trim such as a veil, feathers, or flowers. Pillbox fascinators are versatile and can be worn to weddings, cocktail parties, or race-day events.

Feather Style

Feather fascinators add a touch of luxury and glamour to your wedding outfit. Feathers can be combined with other materials such as mesh, veils, or pearls to create a statement piece. They are often associated with the 1920s and Great Gatsby themes but can also be designed in more modern ways.

Floral Style

Floral fascinators are a beautiful choice for weddings, especially for outdoor or garden weddings. These styles often feature fabric flowers, but some designers use fresh flowers for a unique and natural look. Floral fascinators can be designed to be bold and eye-catching or more subtle and delicate, depending on your preference.

Tulle Style

Tulle fascinators offer a soft and romantic look, often associated with ballet and fairy tales. This style typically features layers of soft tulle fabric, creating a whimsical and elegant statement piece. Tulle fascinators are perfect for weddings, especially if you want to channel a delicate and ethereal aesthetic.

Wide-Brimmed Style

Wide-brimmed fascinators or occasion hats are an excellent choice for those who want to make a bold statement with their wedding headwear. These styles provide more coverage than other fascinators, offering shade and an instant style boost. Wide-brimmed fascinators can be designed with various materials and trims, allowing for a range of decorative options.

Fascinator bases: headband, hair clip, comb, or veil

Fascinators can be attached to a variety of bases, including headbands, hair clips, combs, or veils. Each type of base has its own advantages and considerations:

Headband Fascinators

Headband fascinators are fixed in place with an alice band or hairband, usually wrapped in satin fabric to match the colour of the fascinator. They are quick and easy to wear and work with most hairstyles. They are perfect for medium-sized to large fascinators and provide stability in windy weather.

Hair Clip Fascinators

Hair clip fascinators are the most popular choice as they are quick and easy to use and can be worn with most hair types and lengths. They are best used with small to medium-sized fascinators as they are lightweight.

Comb Fascinators

Comb fascinators are attached to the hair using a hair comb slide. They work better for people with thicker hair as the comb needs to grip the hair to stay in place. Combs can also be used as a styling accessory to hold the hair in place, providing flexibility. Clear acrylic combs can be discreetly hidden in the hairstyle.

Veil Fascinators

Veil fascinators often come with a headband or hair clip included, providing options for attachment. They are perfect for special occasions, evening cocktail parties, and weddings.

Fascinator embellishments: feathers, flowers, pearls, beads, crystals, quills, etc

Fascinators are decorative headpieces often worn at formal events, including weddings. They are an opportunity for self-expression and creativity, allowing for a wide range of embellishments. Feathers, for instance, can add a whimsical and ethereal quality to your fascinator. They can be bold and dramatic, like ostrich plumes, or soft and subtle, like peacock feathers. Feathers can be arranged in clusters or used as a focal point, with their direction and flow adding movement to your design. Flowers, on the other hand, bring a touch of nature's beauty and romance to your creation. You can use silk flowers for timeless elegance or fabric flowers that can be customised to match any colour palette. For an avant-garde look, consider leather or metal flowers for an edgier twist.

Beads and pearls are also popular choices for adding texture and sparkle to your fascinator. They can be strategically placed to catch the light, adding a subtle shimmer. Etsy offers a range of beaded fascinators, including a gold and red wood bead necklace with a circular fascinator, and a grey and black beaded fascinator headband.

Crystals are another embellishment option to add glamour and sparkle to your fascinator. Rhinestones, diamantes, and crystals can be used to create a bridal fascinator with a touch of vintage glamour. Etsy offers a range of crystal fascinators, including a white peacock feather fascinator with rhinestones and a gold rose triple flower fascinator.

When adding embellishments to your fascinator, it's important to consider the occasion and your outfit. For a wedding, soft pastels, delicate lace, and neutral tones may be appropriate, while a vibrant garden party could call for bolder colours and more extravagant feathers. Feathers, flowers, beads, crystals, and pearls can all be used to create a unique and stylish fascinator that reflects your personality and the event you are attending.

Fascinator colours: black, white, navy, pink, gold, silver, ivory, etc

When it comes to choosing a fascinator colour, it's important to consider the occasion and your personal style. Fascinators come in a wide range of colours, from bold and bright shades to pastels and neutrals, allowing you to find the perfect one to complement your wedding outfit. Here are some tips and suggestions for choosing fascinator colours:

• Black: A sophisticated and versatile choice, black fascinators can be paired with various colours and are perfect for a sleek and elegant look.
• White, Ivory, and Cream: These colours are often associated with bridal wear and can be an excellent choice for a wedding fascinator, offering a pure and elegant appearance.
• Navy: A rich and regal colour, navy fascinators add a touch of sophistication to your look. They can be easily paired with other colours and are a popular choice for formal events.
• Pink: Pastel pink fascinators are ideal for spring weddings, adding a soft and romantic touch to your outfit. For a bolder statement, choose a bright fuchsia or hot pink shade.
• Gold: Glittery gold fascinators are perfect for a special occasion or a night out. Gold adds a touch of glamour and can be paired with ivory, white, or black for a sophisticated combination.
• Silver: Silver fascinators are another glamorous option, often paired with black or white to create a modern and elegant look.

When selecting a fascinator colour, consider matching it with your dress, shoes, clutch bag, or jewellery for a coordinated ensemble. Additionally, take into account your hair colour; bright colours like pink, purple, red, blue, or green fascinator pop against darker hair, while redheads may favour neutral tones like cream, beige, or nude. For blondes, warm pastel shades such as lilac, coral, gold, or silver can be flattering choices. Ultimately, the choice of colour depends on your personal preference and the overall style you wish to achieve.

Occasions: weddings, races, tea parties, cocktails, etc

Fascinators are perfect for a range of occasions, from weddings to tea parties, races, cocktails, and more. They add a touch of elegance and style to your outfit and are available in various colours, styles, and sizes.

For a wedding, whether as a guest or the bride, a fascinator is a beautiful alternative to a traditional veil. You can opt for a pillbox hat, a feather fascinator, or a headband fascinator. Bridal fascinators often incorporate soft feathers, crystals, pearls, beads, and veils. Wedding fascinators are usually attached to the hair with a clip, headband, or comb.

Fascinators are also ideal for race events, with floral headpieces and tulle creations being popular choices. For a day at the races, you might consider a fascinator with feathers, flowers, or a wide brim.

Tea parties call for timeless and chic fascinators. You can add a touch of glamour to your tea party outfit with a feather fascinator, a veil fascinator, or a headband fascinator. Many tea party fascinators come with lace gloves or other accessories for a truly elegant look.

Cocktail parties and fancy dress events are also perfect occasions for fascinators. You can find fascinators in various colours and styles to match your outfit, from feather fascinators to mesh veils and headbands.

No matter the occasion, fascinators are a wonderful way to accessorize and elevate your look.

Frequently asked questions