Creating Wedding Flower Hair Pieces: A Step-By-Step Guide

Flowers are the perfect accessory for any wedding hairstyle, whether you're the bride, bridesmaid, or flower girl. With the right supplies, making a DIY floral hairpiece is simple. You'll need a hair comb, floral wire, wire cutters, and flowers. If you have thin hair, opt for a smaller comb and lighter, smaller flowers, while thicker hair can support a larger comb with more flowers. You can also add floral tape and greenery for a fuller look. Floral glue is another key supply that will help keep your flowers in place. When selecting flowers, consider colour and variety, choosing flowers that can tolerate being out of water, such as roses, carnations, or baby's breath.

Choosing the right flowers

Consider the size of the flowers you choose. Smaller flowers, like baby's breath, wax flower or greenery, are a good choice for hair pieces as they will adhere securely to the small area of the hair comb. If you opt for larger flowers, you may find they are wobbly and more likely to fall off.

You should also think about the variety of flowers you use. Your flower hair piece will not have a water source, so you need to choose blooms that can be out of water for a few hours. Garden or spray roses, ranunculus, carnations, and succulents are all good options.

Don't forget to add some foliage to your design! Eucalyptus works well as the leaves are very flat and durable, and they hold up well to floral glue and the metal of the hair comb.

Finally, if you are doing your hair yourself, a backcomb is a great way to add flowers to your hair. It is secure and acts as a great base. However, if you are having your hair styled by a professional, ask their advice on the best way to add flowers.

Selecting the right glue

Type of Glue

The two main types of glue used for creating wedding flower hair pieces are hot glue and floral glue. Hot glue is a versatile adhesive that can be used for various crafts and projects. However, it is important to note that hot glue should not be used directly on fresh flowers as the high temperature can burn and damage the delicate blooms. Instead, opt for a cold floral glue designed specifically for fresh flowers. Floral glue provides a flexible hold that causes less damage to the flowers while still ensuring a secure attachment.

Drying Time and Tackiness

When working with floral glue, it is essential to allow the glue to dry to the right texture before attaching your flowers or foliage. The glue should be tacky enough to ensure that your floral pieces adhere securely to the surface. You can test the tackiness by squeezing a small amount of glue onto a piece of cardboard and waiting for the edges to start "bubbling." This indicates that the glue is ready for use.

Amount of Glue

A little floral glue goes a long way! Apply a thin layer of glue to the stems of your flowers or foliage, ensuring they are well-coated. Then, place them on your desired surface and hold them down for about 30 seconds to a minute. This will create a strong initial bond, even if the glue is not completely dry.

Practice and Patience

Creating wedding flower hair pieces requires patience and practice. Allow yourself enough time to work carefully and securely attach each piece. Remember that the glue needs time to dry and set, so don't rush the process. If you're new to using floral glue, consider doing a few test runs on cardboard or spare surfaces to get a feel for the glue's tackiness and drying time.

Alternative Options

If you find the process of using floral glue too daunting or time-consuming, there are alternative options available. You can consider using faux flowers instead of fresh ones, as they are less delicate and can be attached using a hot glue gun, which may be faster and more convenient. Additionally, some hair pieces may be created without glue, using wire and tape to secure the flowers to the comb.

Using a backcomb

First, select your flowers. It is important to consider the colour and variety of the flowers you will be using. If it is for a wedding, you may want to match the colour of the flowers with the bridal bouquet. Since your flower comb will not have a water source, you should choose flowers that can tolerate being out of water for a few hours, such as roses, ranunculus, carnations, baby's breath, wax flower or greenery. You will also want to choose flowers with smaller stems so that they can adhere securely to the small surface area of the backcomb.

Next, design your backcomb. Play around with the placement of the flowers before adding any glue. You may want to use a combination of medium-sized blooms, hearty bits like mini succulents, and daintier pieces like hyacinth blossoms. You can also create a base for the florals to adhere to by using flat eucalyptus leaves.

Once you are happy with your design, it is time to add the glue. Pour some floral glue onto a piece of cardboard and allow it to get tacky. You will know it is ready when the edges start to 'bubble'. Add your flowers to the backcomb, starting with your largest element and then working your way down in size. Make sure to trim the stems of the flowers as short as possible so that the blooms can sit flush against the backcomb. Dip the stems into the glue and place them on the backcomb, holding them down for about 30 seconds to a minute.

Finally, add in any accent pieces to fill in the smaller spaces on the backcomb. Again, start with the bigger pieces and work your way down in size. These small pieces will add interesting texture to your backcomb.

Creating a base

Choose the Right Flowers and Foliage

Select flowers and foliage that are durable and have flat surfaces. For example, eucalyptus leaves work well because they are flat and sturdy, holding up to floral glue and the metal hair comb. Other options include a combination of medium-sized blooms like spray roses, hearty pieces like mini succulents, and delicate pieces like hyacinth blossoms.

Gather Your Materials

You will need a metal hair comb, floral glue, floral clippers, and spare cardboard. The floral glue will act as the adhesive to secure your flowers and foliage to the comb. The floral clippers will be used to cut and trim the stems of your flowers, and the cardboard will be used to apply the glue.

Prepare Your Workstation

Squeeze a small amount of floral glue onto the cardboard and allow it to dry until it becomes tacky. This is crucial, as the glue will be at its stickiest and most effective when it is slightly dry. You can test the glue's tackiness by touching it gently; if it feels slightly sticky, it is ready to use.

Create the Base

Start by adhering the foliage to the front part of the metal comb. For example, you can use three eucalyptus leaves, fanning them out from left to right. Be mindful that a little glue goes a long way, and floral glue is very sticky. Ensure that you only use a small amount and be precise in your application.

Secure the Base

Once you have applied the glue and attached the foliage, hold it in place for about 30 seconds to a minute. This will ensure that the glue sets and dries enough to hold the base in place. Be gentle and careful when handling the comb to avoid disturbing the arrangement.

Tips and Troubleshooting

If you find the process of using floral glue daunting, you can opt for faux flowers and use a hot glue gun instead. Additionally, if you are unsure about the best base for your hair texture or style, consult a hairstylist for advice. They can guide you on whether a floral crown, loose blooms, or another base option would be more suitable for your desired hairstyle.

Adding floral elements

When it comes to variety, it's important to remember that your flower comb will not have a water source, so you need to choose flowers that can be out of water for a few hours. Some good options are roses (garden or spray), ranunculus, carnations, and smaller fill flowers like baby's breath, wax flowers, or greenery. You want to avoid anything too big, as it won't adhere securely to the small area of the hair comb.

Once you've selected your flowers, trim the stems as short as possible so that the blooms sit flush against the comb. Dip the cut stem into the floral glue, ensuring it's covered, and place it in the desired spot on the comb. Hold it down for about 30 seconds to a minute, until the glue dries enough to hold the flower in place.

After you've added your focal flowers, you can start adding in accent pieces. These can be smaller flowers, buds, or greenery. Play around with different textures and sizes to create an interesting and beautiful hairpiece.

Frequently asked questions