Creating Timeless Vintage Wedding Headpieces: A Step-By-Step Guide

Vintage wedding headpieces are a beautiful way to add a touch of antique glamour to your big day. Whether you're inspired by the opulence of The Great Gatsby or the ethereal romance of silk flowers, there are many ways to create a vintage-style headpiece. You can source vintage-inspired pieces from bridal designers, or you can make your own with materials such as lace, beads, pearls, crystals, and flowers. For an even more special touch, you could restore or repurpose a family heirloom, such as your grandmother's headpiece or veil, to wear on your wedding day.

Choosing your materials

When it comes to choosing materials for your vintage wedding headpiece, there are a few key things to consider. Firstly, think about the overall style and theme of your wedding. Are you going for a glamorous 1920s Gatsby-inspired look, a romantic and ethereal bohemian vibe, or something else entirely? This will help guide your materials choice.

For a glamorous vintage look, think about using materials like crystals, pearls, and delicate beading. You could opt for a headpiece with a lot of sparkle, or go for something more subtle and elegant. Consider using materials like rhinestones, Swarovski crystals, or even porcelain flowers for that extra touch of luxury. If you want to create a headpiece with movement and fluidity, tulle or chiffon fabric can add a chic and effortless feel.

If you're leaning towards a bohemian or floral theme, fresh or silk flowers are a beautiful choice. You can create a flower crown or halo using real flowers, or opt for handcrafted silk or fabric flowers for a longer-lasting option. Combine these with leaves, either real or handcrafted, to add a natural, whimsical touch. For a secure fit, you can attach your headpiece to a headband or comb, or even a full tiara if you want to channel your inner royalty.

Don't be afraid to mix and match materials to create a unique look. For example, you could combine crystals and pearls with delicate lace or fabric flowers. You can also incorporate feathers, gold or rose gold accents, or even velvet for a truly unique vintage headpiece.

Remember to choose materials that are comfortable and easy to wear, especially if you plan on donning your headpiece for the entire day. You can also add in some backing or padding to ensure a comfortable fit. Lastly, if you're repurposing or restoring a vintage headpiece, handle fragile materials with care and get creative with how you can transform them into something new.

Adding vintage details

Beading and Pearls

Vintage-style headpieces often feature intricate beading and pearls. You can add these details to a simple headband or hair comb for a delicate and elegant look. Use larger beads or pearls as focal points, dotting them along the headband, or add smaller beads for an all-over sparkling effect.

Crystals

Crystals are a perfect way to add some vintage glamour and sparkle to your headpiece. Opt for a statement crystal tiara or a more subtle crystal hair comb. You could also create a crystal halo effect by wiring crystals together and securing them to a headband.

Floral Details

Flowers are a romantic addition to any wedding headpiece. For a vintage look, opt for delicate fabric flowers, hand-painted blooms, or silk flowers with crystal centres. You could also add some greenery with beaded leaves or crystal-encrusted vines.

Art Deco and Gatsby Inspiration

Take inspiration from the roaring twenties and the elegant Art Deco movement. Look for headpieces with geometric crystal designs, or channel the opulence of The Great Gatsby with a statement headpiece dripping in crystals.

Vintage Hollywood Glamour

Silver screen sirens like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly can be your style icons. Think delicate crystal flowers, opalescent pearls, and sparkling headbands or tiaras.

Heirloom Details

If you're lucky enough to have access to an heirloom headpiece, you can add vintage details by repurposing or restyling it. For example, you could transform a wreath headpiece into a back piece or turn a short veil into a long, flowing cathedral veil. Adding crystal elements or beaded leaves can also help to modernise an older headpiece while keeping its vintage essence.

Remember, your vintage-style headpiece should reflect your unique style and personality. Have fun creating your dream bridal look!

Attaching to hair

When it comes to attaching your vintage wedding headpiece to your hair, there are several options to consider. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to ensure your headpiece stays securely in place:

Combs and Pins

One of the most common ways to attach a headpiece is by using combs or pins. Many vintage headpieces come with built-in combs that can be easily tucked into your hair. If your headpiece doesn't have combs, you can use bobby pins or hairpins to secure it in place. Slide the pins into the headpiece and then into your hair, crisscrossing them for added security. This method works well for headbands, tiaras, and smaller headpieces.

Hair Clips

For a more secure hold, especially for heavier headpieces, consider using hair clips. You can attach the clips to the headpiece beforehand or slide them directly into your hair, depending on the design of the headpiece. Place the clips strategically to balance the weight of the headpiece and ensure they are comfortable. This method works well for larger headpieces or those with a more intricate design.

Headbands

If your vintage headpiece is designed as a headband, it should fit snugly and securely on your head. You can also use bobby pins to tuck in any stray hairs and ensure the headband stays in place. This option is ideal for those who want a comfortable and easy-to-wear headpiece.

Veils

In the case of a veil, you can attach it to your headpiece or directly to your hair. If you have a comb or pins on your headpiece, simply slide them into your hair as mentioned above. If you prefer to attach the veil directly, you can use bobby pins to secure it to your hairstyle. This works well for both long and short veils, ensuring a seamless and elegant look.

Customisation

If you're feeling creative, you can customise your headpiece by adding additional decorations or attaching it to a hat or fascinator base. This allows you to personalise your look and ensure the headpiece stays securely in place. You can use hot glue or needle and thread to attach the headpiece to the base, depending on the materials used.

When attaching your vintage wedding headpiece, it's important to consider the weight and design of the piece. Heavier headpieces may require more support, so be sure to use enough pins or clips to distribute the weight evenly. Practise placing the headpiece in your hair before your wedding day to ensure you're comfortable and confident.

Vintage styling

Vintage wedding headpieces are a beautiful way to honour your mother or grandmother on your wedding day. With influences of Art Deco design from the 1920s through to delicate bejewelled bouquets from the 1950s, vintage headpieces are classic and timeless.

When curating your vintage bridal look, silver screen sirens such as Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Ava Gardner, and Elizabeth Taylor are your first port of call for inspiration. These demure starlets were trailblazers in bygone eras for their fashion and style and offer ample points of reference for putting together a sophisticated look influenced by bygone eras.

Whether you're stealing Audrey Hepburn's style as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's or channelling Ava Gardner's sultry and seductive Kitty Collins in The Killers, a well-placed vintage headpiece dripping with crystal embellishments, delicate flowers, or opalescent freshwater pearls will complete the look.

Vintage-inspired bridal headpieces

• A headband made of delicate fabric flowers, hand-pressed silk organza, and dainty crystals
• A bridal halo inspired by the spirit of French Bohemia, created from appliqué lace flowers, crystals, and glass beads
• A vintage-inspired bridal headpiece made with bronze crystals, small ivory pearls, and gold
• A bridal halo with navette crystal leaves and baguette flowers to help any wedding hairstyle ooze vintage romance
• A Juliet cap, a 1980s wreath, or a halo with old crystal and pearl pieces

DIY Vintage Wedding Headpieces

If you're feeling creative, you can also make your own vintage wedding headpiece. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Use porcelain flowers from a vintage headpiece to create a collection of hairpins that can be worn together or separately.
• Transform a wreath headpiece into a back piece and add crystal elements to the design for a breathtaking vintage transformation.
• Restyle bulky organza and crystal flowers into leaves to create a gorgeous back piece.
• Brighten dingy lace and restyle a vintage veil into a current flowing bridal veil design that will wow your wedding guests.

Restoring old headpieces

The first step is to carefully take apart the headpiece, separating its individual elements. This can be done by gently prying or cutting through the glue that holds the pieces together. It is important to work slowly and meticulously to avoid damaging the original components. Once the headpiece has been disassembled, clean each element thoroughly to remove any remaining glue or residue. This can be done with a mild adhesive remover or a gentle solvent, being careful not to use anything that could damage or discolour the materials.

After cleaning, examine the individual pieces and select those you wish to incorporate into your new design. Consider the overall style and colour palette you are aiming for, and choose elements that complement each other. This is also the time to source any additional materials or embellishments you may want to add, such as crystals, pearls, or lace.

When you are happy with your selection of elements and materials, it is time to start rebuilding and redesigning the headpiece. This is where your creativity and craftsmanship come into play. Using traditional millinery techniques, as well as your own innovative ideas, carefully construct the headpiece, ensuring a secure and durable assembly. Take your time with this process, as the finished piece should not only look elegant but also be comfortable and secure for the wearer.

Finally, add any finishing touches, such as a veil or additional embellishments. These final details can truly elevate your design and give it a unique, personal touch. Remember that restoring and redesigning a vintage headpiece is a creative process, and there is no single right way to do it. Embrace your creativity and enjoy the process of transforming something old into something new and full of sentiment.

Frequently asked questions