Create A Wedding Name Hanger: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding name hangers are a popular choice for brides and can be purchased from sites like Etsy and Amazon or made at home. They are a practical choice for brides as they are both decorative and functional, with many brides choosing to use them in photographs of their wedding dresses. Making a wedding name hanger at home is a straightforward process and can be done for a fraction of the cost of buying one. All that is required are some basic supplies, including a hanger, wire, glue, a drill, and ribbon. The process involves five simple steps: preparing the hanger, planning the lettering, bending the wire into the desired shape, drilling the hanger and attaching the wire, and adding any final embellishments, such as a ribbon.

Choosing the right wire

Wire Type and Gauge:

• Choose a floral wire or craft wire that is readily available at craft stores or online.
• Opt for a 12-gauge wire, which strikes a balance between strength and flexibility. Thicker wires may be harder to bend, while thinner wires might not provide enough support for the letters.

Wire Length:

• Be generous with the wire length you select. It's better to have some wire left over than to realize midway that you don't have enough.
• Consider the length of the word or name you'll be creating, and add some extra length to account for loops and bends.

Wire Bending Tips:

• Practice bending the wire before starting on your final piece. It may take a few tries to get the hang of it.
• Use needle-nose pliers to make sharp bends, but try to bend the wire with your hands as much as possible to avoid ridges and bumps.
• Avoid second-guessing yourself. Once you bend the wire, it's challenging to straighten it out again.
• Make your bends twist around the letters to add strength and prevent the wire from unraveling if snagged.
• If you need to make a "t," try to incorporate it into the previous letter's design rather than gluing it on separately afterward.
• For the letter "i," you can twist the wire flat on the table, going right to left, to add durability.
• Straighten out the letters when you're done bending, but avoid making drastic adjustments that might weaken the wire.

Remember, choosing the right wire and taking your time with the bending process will ensure that your wedding name hanger looks beautiful and lasts for years to come.

Planning your lettering

Plan your lettering design

Start by using a pen and paper to outline the design of your wire lettering. It doesn't have to be perfect or to scale, but it will help you visualize the final product. Be creative with your lettering as you won't be able to cut the wire; instead, find ways to cross your t's and dot your i's. Consider adding loops, hearts, or other decorative elements to your design.

Choose the right wire length

Grab your wire and straighten out a generous length, depending on the length of the word or name you're spelling out. It's better to be liberal with the wire length to avoid running out halfway through.

Practice bending the wire

Bending the wire takes practice, so don't be discouraged if you don't get it right the first few times. Commit to each bend you make, and make sure your bends twist around the letters to add strength to your design. Use needle-nose pliers for sharp angles, but try to bend the wire as much as possible without them. When using pliers, use the flat part closer to the wire cutter to avoid leaving ridges in the wire. You can also put masking tape on the inside of the pliers to protect the wire.

Straighten and cut the wire

Once you're happy with your lettering, straighten out a few inches of wire after the last letter and cut the end using wire cutters or needle-nose pliers.

By following these steps and practicing your wire bending skills, you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful and personalized wedding name hangers.

Bending the wire

Planning Your Lettering:

Before you start bending, take some time to plan out your lettering. Grab a pen and paper and sketch out the design you want for the wire name. Remember, this doesn't have to be perfect, but it will give you an idea of how to create the letters without lifting your pen off the paper. Get creative with your letter formations, especially when crossing "t's" and dotting "i's". You can even add some loops and hearts to make it more fun and whimsical.

Bending Tips and Tricks:

• Be Liberal with Wire Length: When starting a new name, cut a generous length of wire. You can always trim the excess later, but it's frustrating to run out of wire midway through a word.
• Commit to Your Bends: Once you've bent the wire, there's no going back. Be confident in your bends and try not to straighten out the wire, as it won't look neat. Make your bends twist around the letters to add strength and prevent them from coming loose.
• Use Pliers Sparingly: Reserve the needle-nose pliers for sharp angles. Bend the wire as much as possible with your hands first. When using pliers, opt for the flat part near the wire cutter to avoid leaving ridges in the wire. You can also cover the pliers with masking tape to protect the wire.
• Twisting the "i's": For added durability, twist the wire for the "i's" by placing it flat on the table and twisting right to left. This will prevent affecting the previous letter or reducing the space between letters.
• Straightening and Finalizing: After you've formed the letters, you can gently straighten them out, but avoid making drastic changes. Cut the wire a few inches after the last letter, ensuring a neat finish.

Drilling and Attaching the Wire:

Drill holes in your hanger using a 3/16" bit to attach the wire. You can use the existing holes in suit hangers or create new ones. Measure and cut the wire so that it fits securely into the holes, centering the word on the hanger. Use a hot glue gun or superglue to secure the wire in place, being careful not to glue the letters too tightly or loosely together.

With these tips in mind, you're well on your way to becoming a wire-bending pro! Practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if your first attempts don't turn out exactly as planned. Keep trying, and soon you'll be creating beautiful wedding name hangers for yourself and your loved ones.

Drilling the hanger

Step 1: Gather Your Tools and Materials

Before you begin, ensure you have all the necessary tools and materials ready. For this step, you will need a drill with a 3/16" drill bit. It is important to use the correct size bit to ensure a precise fit for your wire.

Step 2: Decide on the Placement of Your Wire

Take your hanger and decide where you want your wire name to be placed. If you are using a suit hanger, you can utilise the existing holes where the pants hanger was attached. Alternatively, you can choose to drill new holes in your desired location.

Step 3: Drill the Holes

Using your drill, carefully create the holes for your wire. Take your time and work slowly to avoid making the holes too big or in the wrong position. Ensure the holes are straight and neat.

Step 4: Measure and Cut the Wire

Measure how far the wire will go into the holes and then cut the wire to the appropriate length. It is important to be precise at this stage to ensure a neat finish. If you are nervous, cut a little bit of wire at a time to avoid cutting it too short. You want the wire to be long enough so that the name is centred on the hanger when placed in the holes.

Step 5: Attach the Wire

Place a small amount of strong adhesive, such as hot glue or superglue, into the holes. Work quickly as the glue will dry fast. Immediately insert the wire into the glued holes. Ensure the wire is straight and parallel to the top of the hanger.

Step 6: Secure the Wire

Once the glue has dried, cut the wire on the other end, ensuring a neat finish. Check that the wording is not too tight or too loose. You want the letters to be evenly spaced and secure. Double-check the length by placing the wire in the holes before finalising the cut.

By following these steps, you will have successfully drilled and attached the wire to your wedding hanger. Now you can move on to adding any additional embellishments, such as ribbon, to complete your personalised hanger!

Adding the ribbon

To add the ribbon, first, cut a piece of ribbon, ensuring it is long enough to tie around the hanger and form a bow. You can choose the colour and width of the ribbon to match your wedding theme or the bridal dress. Once you have the desired length, tie the ribbon around the hanger, making a bow. You can adjust the bow to ensure it looks neat and tidy.

If you want to add extra embellishments, you can glue on some rhinestones, pearls, or other decorative items to the bow. You could also add some fresh or dried flowers to the ribbon for a more natural, rustic look.

• Iron the ribbon beforehand to ensure it is smooth and free of any creases or wrinkles.
• Cut the ends of the ribbon at an angle to prevent fraying and to give it a polished look.
• Secure the ribbon with a small amount of hot glue to ensure it stays in place.
• If you want a fuller bow, you can layer multiple ribbons or use a wider ribbon to create a more dramatic effect.

Your wedding name hanger is now complete! This elegant and personalised touch will surely enhance your wedding dress photos and be a cherished keepsake for years to come.

Frequently asked questions