Creating A Wedding Flower Crown: A Step-By-Step Guide

Flower crowns are a whimsical and romantic addition to any bridal look, and they can be easily made at home. This simple DIY project requires just a few materials and steps. The type of flowers and greenery used can be customised to fit any aesthetic, from classic to whimsical. This introduction will cover the essential materials and steps to create a flower crown, as well as tips for making the process easier and more efficient.

Choosing the right flowers

Filler Flowers and Focal Blooms:

When crafting a flower crown, it's important to choose a combination of small filler flowers and bold focal blooms. Filler flowers add texture and fullness to your crown. Some great options for filler flowers include spray roses, baby's breath, wax flowers, and lavender. If you want something bolder, consider using focal flowers such as garden roses, orchids, peonies, or anemones.

Greenery:

Don't forget to include greenery in your flower crown! Eucalyptus, olive branches, and Italian ruscus are excellent choices to complement your floral selection. They add a natural, whimsical touch to your design.

Flower Longevity:

Consider the longevity of the flowers you choose, especially if you plan to wear your flower crown for an extended period. Flowers like lavender and rosemary are known to last longer and are suitable for drying, while others like ranunculus and poppies tend to wilt quickly.

Colour and Variety:

Select flowers that complement your wedding colour palette and theme. You can choose a single type of flower in varying shades or mix and match different varieties to create a whimsical, romantic look. Play around with colours and varieties to find the perfect combination that suits your style.

Flower Size:

The size of the flowers you choose will impact the overall look of your crown. Smaller flowers like rosemary, lavender, and berries create a delicate, dainty crown, while larger blooms like garden roses or peonies make a bold statement. Consider the scale and proportion of the flowers in relation to your head and hairstyle.

Remember, the key to choosing the right flowers is to trust your instincts and select blooms that align with your personal style and the overall aesthetic of your wedding. Happy crafting!

Preparing the wire base

The wire base will form the foundation of your flower crown. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing it:

• Gather your materials: You will need wire cutters, floral wire (18- to 20-gauge heavy floral wire is recommended), and floral tape. You may also want to prepare some ribbon, depending on your preferred style.
• Cut the floral wire: Cut a length of floral wire that is 25 to 30 inches long. This will be the base of your crown, so you may want to add a few extra inches to accommodate different head sizes and hairstyles.
• Create a circle: Take the cut wire and form it into a circle. Ensure that the ends overlap by a few inches. You can twist the ends together to secure them. This will be the base of your flower crown.
• Adjust for size: Try the wire circle on your head to ensure a comfortable fit. You may need to adjust the size by twisting the wires closer or farther apart. Remember to leave a little extra room, as adding flowers and tape will reduce the size slightly.
• Wrap with floral tape: To ensure comfort and prevent the wire from poking your head, wrap the entire wire circle with floral tape. This will also help to secure the twisted ends of the wire.
• Prepare the ribbon (optional): If you prefer a ribbon tie closure, you can attach a ribbon to one end of the wire circle. Leave enough ribbon to tie a comfortable bow. You can also add a loop to the other end of the wire and use the ribbon to tie the crown together.

Now that your wire base is prepared, you can move on to adding the flowers and creating your desired look.

Attaching flowers to the wire

Step 1: Prepare the Flowers

Before you begin, it's essential to cut and prepare your flowers. Trim each flower stem to about two to four inches long. This step ensures that your flowers are ready to be attached to the wire.

Step 2: Wire Each Flower

Take a piece of wire, approximately four inches long, and insert it through the stem of the flower, close to the flower head. Bend these wires along the length of the stem. Then, use floral tape to wrap the entire stem, creating the illusion of a single solid stem. This step provides added stability to the flower.

Step 3: Attach Flowers to the Crown Wire

Now, you can start adding your flowers to the crown wire. Secure each flower with a small piece of floral tape. It is important to add each stem in the same direction and to alternate between flowers and greenery if you're using both. This technique will create a harmonious and well-balanced pattern.

Step 4: Create a Full Appearance

To achieve a full and lush appearance, place clusters of smaller filler flowers, such as baby's breath or wax flowers, between the larger blooms. This step ensures that there are no gaps in your flower crown and creates a cohesive look.

Step 5: Adjust and Secure the Flowers

Once you have attached all the flowers, adjust them as needed to ensure they are secure and positioned as desired. You can use floral tape to secure any loose stems or add extra support where needed. Remember to consider your hairstyle when positioning the flowers to achieve a comfortable and correct fit.

With these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating a beautiful flower crown for your wedding. Remember to take your time, and don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you!

Covering mechanics with tape

Selecting the Right Tape

Choose a floral tape that matches the colour of your flower crown's base. For example, green tape for a foliage-heavy crown or brown tape for a crown with a twig base. You can also use different coloured tapes to distinguish the different mechanics of the crown.

Taping the Base

Begin by wrapping the floral tape tightly around the wire base. Start at one end and work your way down, spinning the wire with your fingers to ensure an even coverage. Don't worry if the tape snaps, simply press it in place and continue wrapping. This process will create a smooth foundation for your flowers and leaves.

Securing the Ends

Once you've reached the halfway point of your wire, hold another wire against it and continue wrapping, joining the two wires together. This will create one long taped piece with a join in the centre. You can then shape the wire around your head, cutting off any excess. To finish the ends, create small loops by bending the wire and securing it with more tape. This will safely cover any sharp ends.

Attaching Flowers and Leaves

Prepare your flowers by cutting their stems to a few centimetres in length. Then, attach the flowers to the crown by tightly binding their stems to the wire base with floral tape. Start from one end and work your way down, overlaying wires and taping them together. As you add each flower, lay their heads against each other and gently bend the wires to position them as desired.

Hiding Mechanics with Flowers

When placing your flowers, remember to conceal the mechanics of the crown. Alternate between placing blooms on top of the wire, on the side, and on the bottom. This will help disguise any visible wire or tape. As you approach the end of the crown, ensure your final flowers are placed close to the loop or hook to disguise the ending mechanics.

Adjusting the crown size

To adjust the crown size, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, you will need to measure the wire to fit around your head, leaving a little extra room – around 3 inches – as the floral tape will reduce the wire size. Twist the ends of the wire together to form a circle, which will be the base of your crown. This is your opportunity to adjust the size before adding flowers. Try the wire circle on your head and twist the ends closer together or further apart as needed.

You can also adjust the crown size by choosing different ways to connect the ends. One option is to form a loop at one end of the wire and a hook at the other, allowing for adjustment without the need for a ribbon. Alternatively, you can bring the two ends together without loops or hooks and tape them securely. If you prefer a ribbon closure, create a loop at one end and thread the ribbon through, giving you plenty of room for adjustments.

Frequently asked questions