Personalized Wedding Coat Hangers: A Step-By-Step Guide To Making Yours

Personalised wedding coat hangers are a must-have for every bride and her bridal party. They add a beautiful finishing touch to the wedding dress and make great gifts for the bridesmaids. You can buy them online, or make them yourself. To make your own, you will need wooden coat hangers, adhesive vinyl, a computer and printer for the font, and ribbon bows. You can also use a metallic pen or vinyl stickers to write initials on the hangers.

Choosing a hanger

Type of Hanger

The first step is to decide on the type of hanger you want to use. Wooden hangers are a popular choice for wedding coat hangers as they offer a nice, natural look and are sturdy enough to hold wedding dresses and suits. You can find wooden hangers in various colours, such as natural wood, white, or brown. Additionally, some hangers come with a non-slip trouser bar, which can be useful for holding trousers or skirts in place.

Metal hangers are another option, and they can add a modern or glamorous touch to your wedding coat hanger. Metal hangers often have a shiny finish, such as gold or silver, which can complement the wedding attire and accessories.

Size of Hanger

Consider the size of the hanger, especially if you are creating hangers for a variety of attire, such as children's clothing or plus-size garments. Standard-sized hangers may not be suitable for all items, so make sure to choose a hanger that is proportional to the garment you wish to display.

Customisation Options

When choosing a hanger, think about the customisation options you want to include. Some hangers can be personalised with names, wedding roles (such as "bride", "bridesmaid", or "maid of honour"), and the wedding date. You can also add decorative elements like ribbons, bows, or floral details in colours that match your wedding theme.

Engraving or Adhesive Vinyl

Decide whether you want to engrave the hangers or use adhesive vinyl to add the personalisation. Engraving creates a permanent, elegant finish, while adhesive vinyl offers a simple and cost-effective method for customisation. If you choose adhesive vinyl, ensure you select a permanent and durable option to withstand the weight of the garments.

Online Customisation

Some companies offer online customisation options, allowing you to design your hangers by adding names, choosing ribbon and text colours, and selecting the type of hanger. This can be a convenient way to create personalised hangers without having to assemble them yourself.

Adding a name

If you have access to a computer and printer, you can type out the name you wish to add in a font you like. Print out the name, then shade the letters with a pencil. Turn the paper around and trace the outlines of the letters onto the hanger. Continue until you have a sketch of the full name on the hanger. Fill in the sketch with a silver marker, and add the person's role in the wedding and the date of the wedding.

If you have a Cricut, you can use permanent, adhesive vinyl to create names and label the hangers. You can also use a simple marker or some paint to write the names on the hangers. Be sure to choose a hanger with a nice little area just below the hook part to make the name easy to read, even with clothes on the hanger.

You can also personalise your wedding coat hangers with name tags or stickers. These can be made from wood, acrylic, or vinyl, and can be fully customised with names, wedding roles, dates, and colours to match your wedding theme.

Adding a role

Choosing the Role

The role you choose to include on the coat hanger can vary depending on the person you are gifting it to. For the bride, you can simply write "bride" or "Mrs [Last Name]". For bridesmaids, you can write their first name along with "bridesmaid" or "maid of honour" underneath. You could also include the role of other members of the bridal party such as the mother of the bride/groom, flower girl, groom, groomsmen, ushers, and so on.

Materials and Methods

There are a few different ways to add the role to your coat hangers:

• Using a computer and printer, print out the font of the role in your chosen style and size. Shade the letter you need with a pencil and trace the outline onto the hanger. Go over it with a silver marker and add the person's role and wedding date.
• Use adhesive vinyl and a Cricut machine to cut out the name and role. You can then apply this to the wooden hanger.
• Engrave the hanger with the person's name, role, and wedding date.

Colour Scheme

To tie the coat hangers into your wedding colour scheme, you can choose a coloured ribbon to match. Some companies also allow you to choose the text colour when customising your hanger, so be sure to take advantage of this if it is offered.

Adding a date

Choosing a Date Format

Decide on the date format that you want to use. You can go with the full date, including the day, month, and year, or opt for a more concise format like "Month, Year" or just the month and date. Play around with different formats to see what looks best on the hanger.

Using Numbers or Words

When adding the date, you can choose to use either numbers or words to represent the month, day, and year. For example, for a wedding on September 10, 2023, you could use "10.09.23" or "September 10, 2023". Using numbers gives a more modern look, while spelling out the date creates a more classic or traditional feel.

Placement of the Date

Consider where you want the date to appear on the hanger. It can be placed below the name, to the side, or even on a separate line. If you're including the role of the person, such as "Bridesmaid" or "Maid of Honour", you can put the date next to this information. Play around with different placements to see what looks best visually and ensures all the information is easy to read.

Using Different Materials

There are several ways to add the date to your wedding coat hangers, depending on the materials you're using. If you're using a wooden hanger, you can paint, engrave, or burn the date onto the wood. For metal hangers, engraving or etching are great options. If you're adding ribbons or bows, consider attaching a small tag with the date printed or embroidered on it.

Matching Your Wedding Theme

When adding the date, consider using colours or materials that match your wedding theme. For example, if you're having a rustic-themed wedding, use twine or jute rope to hang a small tag with the date written in a rustic font. Or, if your wedding colours are blush pink and gold, incorporate these colours when adding the date to the hanger.

Combining with Other Details

In addition to the date, you can include other details such as the wedding location, a short quote, or even the couple's names. For example, "John and Emily, 10.09.23" or "Bermuda, 2023". This adds a more personal touch to the hangers and makes them even more unique.

Adding a bow

To make your own bow, you will need ribbon in your choice of colour and a glue gun. If you want to make a double bow, you will need a bit of patience!

First, decide on the size of your bow. Smaller bows will look neat and elegant, while larger bows will be more of a statement. Cut your ribbon to the desired length, leaving enough excess to secure the bow to the hanger.

Next, create the loops for your bow. Take the ribbon and fold it back on itself, then cross the other end over to create a loop. You can adjust the size of the loops to your liking.

Pinch the centre of the loops to create a bow shape and secure this with your thumb and forefinger.

Wrap the excess ribbon around the centre of the bow, pulling it tightly to secure the loops. You can then use your glue gun to secure the ribbon at the back of the bow.

Finally, use your glue gun to attach the bow to the top of your hanger. Position it slightly to one side, so that it doesn't cover any personalised details you've added to the hanger.

Your bow will add a beautiful finishing touch to your wedding coat hangers and will look lovely in your wedding photos, especially if you choose a ribbon that matches your wedding colour theme.

Frequently asked questions