Create Floral Wire Wedding Hanger For A Personal Touch

Personalized wedding hangers are a great way to add a unique touch to your big day. They are perfect for bridal photos and can even be used as gifts for your bridesmaids. In this blog post, we will show you how to make your own personalized wedding hanger using floral wire. The process is simple and only requires a few basic supplies, which include floral wire, a hanger, pliers, glue, and ribbon. By following these easy steps, you can create a beautiful and personalized addition to your wedding day.

Choosing the right floral wire

When choosing the right floral wire for your personalised wedding hanger, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the gauge of the wire is important. The gauge refers to the thickness of the wire, and for wedding hangers, a common gauge recommendation is 12. You can also find floral wire in gauges such as 14, 16, and 22. The higher the gauge number, the thinner the wire will be. So, if you are a beginner, starting with a thinner wire, such as 16 gauge, might be easier to work with. However, keep in mind that thinner wire might not be as durable as thicker wire.

Another important consideration is the length of the wire. You will need enough wire to form the name or word you desire, plus some extra for attaching the wire to the hanger. It is always better to have more wire than you need, as you can always cut off any excess. Cutting the wire to twice the width of the hanger is a good starting point.

In addition to the gauge and length, you should also consider the colour and finish of the wire. Floral wire comes in various colours, such as silver and dark green. Choose a colour that complements your wedding colour scheme or the colour of the hanger. The finish of the wire can also vary, with some wires having a shiny or coated finish.

When purchasing floral wire, it is a good idea to read reviews from other customers to get an idea of the quality and ease of use of the wire. Look for wire that is durable, flexible, and easy to work with. Some wires may also come with additional tools or storage containers, which can be convenient.

Lastly, consider the price and availability of the floral wire. Compare prices from different suppliers to find the best value, and don't forget to factor in any shipping costs or discounts that may be available. Floral wire is available at craft stores and online retailers, so you can choose the option that best suits your needs and budget.

Prepping your hanger

The first step in making a personalised wedding hanger is to prepare your hanger. If you are using a suit hanger, you will need to remove the bottom bar designed for holding pants or trousers. This can usually be done by pulling it off and then removing any small nails inside with a pair of needle-nose pliers. If you are using a regular shirt hanger, you can skip this step.

Next, you will need to decide what you want your hanger to say. Common choices include the name of the bride, 'Mrs. [Name]', 'Bride', or 'Mr. & Mrs.' You can also add a heart, rose, or the date of the wedding. If you are making hangers for your bridesmaids, you can write their names.

Before you start bending your wire, it is a good idea to plan out your lettering. Using a pen and paper, sketch out what you would like your wire lettering to look like. Remember that you won't be able to cut the wire, so you will need to get creative with how to cross your t's and dot your i's. You can make your letters loopy and girly or add hearts for the dots on the i's. This step is just an outline, so it doesn't need to be perfect.

Now you are ready to start bending your wire. Straighten out a decent length of wire, depending on the length of the word or name you are writing. It is better to be generous and have some wire left over than to run out halfway through. You can start with a loop before the first letter, which is optional but adds a cute touch. Bending the wire can be frustrating and may take some practice, so don't be discouraged if it doesn't come out perfectly the first time. Go slowly and keep comparing your progress to your sketch. Make sure you get the right shape before moving on to the next letter.

Planning your lettering

Planning and Sketching:

Before you start bending your floral wire, it's a good idea to plan and sketch out your desired lettering. Grab a pen and paper and start experimenting with different letter shapes and styles. You don't need to worry about perfection or scale at this stage—this is just an outline to guide your wirework. Remember, you won't be able to cut the wire, so get creative with how you form letters like "t" and "i." Practice makes perfect, so don't be afraid to try out different designs until you find one that you like.

Lettering Techniques:

When it comes to forming your letters, there are a few techniques to keep in mind. First, try to avoid second-guessing yourself. Once you've bent the wire, it's challenging to straighten it out again. Commit to each bend and twist the wire around the letters to add strength and prevent snagging. Use needle-nose pliers for sharp angles, but bend the wire as much as you can by hand first. Additionally, consider adding embellishments like loops or hearts to the start and end of the word to add a cute touch.

Lettering Order and Spacing:

When bending your wire, start with a decent-length piece, slightly longer than you think you'll need to avoid running out midway. Begin bending about 4 inches from the end, and work slowly, comparing your progress to your sketch. Form each letter carefully before moving on to the next one to avoid mistakes. Leave enough space between letters to ensure they don't look cramped, especially if you plan to add embellishments like bows or flowers later.

Lettering Practice:

Bending wire takes practice, so don't be discouraged if your first attempts don't turn out perfectly. You may go through a lot of wire before you get the hang of it. Take your time and be patient, and soon enough, you'll be able to create beautiful, legible lettering. Remember, these hangers are meant to be fun and creative, so embrace the process and enjoy the satisfaction of making something unique for your special day!

Bending the wire

First, plan your lettering. You can do this by writing out the word or name you want to bend with your wire on a piece of paper. Remember, you can't lift your pen off the paper as you write it out, as it won't work with the wire. You could also try drawing the name in the size you want your letters to be and marking arrow-like notches along the letters to show the direction of the loops. This will help you to visualise how much wire you will need.

Then, start bending! It can be helpful to start with a loop before the first letter, and it's a good idea to do this at the end, too. It's totally optional, but it looks cute! You need to be committed to each bend you make, as you won't be able to straighten the wire out again. Make your bends twist around the letters when you can; this will add strength to your wiring and prevent it from coming loose. Only use pliers for very sharp angles, and try to bend the wire as much as you can before using them. When you do use pliers, make sure you use the flat part, not the ridged area, as this will leave bumps in your wire. You can put masking tape over the ridged surface to protect the wire if you think you might forget or worry about accidentally snipping the wire.

If you want to add an 'i', try twisting the wire right to left (not the other way, as this will mess up the previous letter!). Usually, three half-turns are enough.

Once you're done, you can straighten the letters out, but be careful not to move them around too much or make any drastic changes. Finally, straighten a few inches of wire after your last letter and cut the end using wire cutters.

Adding ribbon or other embellishments

If you're using a ribbon, cut it to your desired length, then tie it onto the hanger in a bow. You can also form a simple loop with the ribbon and glue it onto the back of a printed tag, then slip the loop over the hanger's neck. If you want to add a tag, you can download free tag designs online, or create your own. Write the name or role of the bridal party member on the tag, along with the wedding date.

You can also add other embellishments like artificial pearls or gemstones, or even a small bunch of flowers. If you're having a beach wedding, you can use seashells to decorate the hanger. Just make sure not to overcrowd the hanger with too many different embellishments.

Frequently asked questions