Creating Wedding Hangers: A Step-By-Step Guide For Beginners

Personalised hangers have become a must-have for brides on their wedding day. They are a dreamy addition that will show off your wedding dress at its very best and will also make for beautiful photographs. They can be a little expensive to buy, but they are pretty simple to make yourself and will make a nice present for your maid of honour, bridesmaids, or even the newlyweds. All you need is a little bit of patience and some basic supplies.

Choosing the right wire

When it comes to choosing the right wire for your wedding hangers, there are a few key things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to opt for a wire that is thin enough to be flexible and easy to bend, but also thick enough to hold the shape of the letters. A good option is 12-gauge floral wire, which can be purchased from craft stores like Michaels or online at Amazon. This wire is thin enough to work with, but sturdy enough to hold its shape.

Another factor to consider is the colour of the wire. If you're going for a more subtle look, a thin silver wire will be almost invisible against the hanger, allowing the lettering to stand out. Alternatively, you can opt for a coloured wire that matches your wedding theme or the colour of the hanger. This can add a nice touch of cohesiveness to your hangers.

When working with the wire, it's important to be careful and deliberate. Once you've bent the wire, it can be difficult to straighten it out again, so take your time and plan your lettering beforehand. Use needle-nose pliers to help you create sharp angles, and be mindful of the ridges on the pliers, which can leave marks on the wire. To avoid this, cover the ridges with masking tape before using the pliers.

In addition, consider adding some extra durability to your wire lettering. For example, when creating the letter "i," try twisting the wire flat on the table. Twist right to left, as twisting left to right can mess up the previous letter and decrease the space between letters. Usually, three half turns are enough to add strength without affecting the overall look.

Finally, when attaching the wire to the hanger, be sure to measure and cut the wire to the correct length. You don't want the lettering to be too tight or too loose, so take your time and cut a little bit at a time until you get the perfect fit. Use a strong adhesive to secure the wire in place, and your personalised wedding hangers will be ready to go!

Prepping your hangers

If you are using suit hangers, you will need to remove the bottom part that holds the trousers. This can be done by pulling hard and then removing any small nails inside using needle-nose pliers. If you are using regular shirt hangers, you can skip this step.

Next, you will need to plan your lettering. Using a pen and paper, outline the name or word you wish to spell out with wire. This step is important as it will guide the placement of the wire on the hanger. It also allows you to plan how to form letters like 't' and 'i' with wire, which has limitations compared to writing with a pen. Consider adding loops, hearts, or other embellishments to your lettering. Remember that you will need to be committed to each bend you make in the wire, so be confident in your design before moving on.

Once you are happy with your lettering design, straighten out a decent length of wire. The amount you need will depend on the length of your word or name. It is better to be generous and leave some excess wire than to find yourself needing more wire halfway through.

Planning your lettering

Planning and Sketching:

Before you start bending wire or shading letters, take some time to plan out your desired wire lettering. Grab a pen and paper and sketch out what you want your lettering to look like. It doesn't have to be perfect or to scale, as this is just an outline. Ensure that your pen doesn't leave the paper, as you won't be able to cut the wire. Get creative with ways to cross your t's and dot your i's! You can make your letters loopy and girly or experiment with different styles. Remember, this outline doesn't need to be perfect.

Bending Wire:

Once you have your outline, grab your floral wire and straighten out a decent length, depending on the length of your word or name. It's a good idea to be liberal with the length to avoid running out of wire halfway through. Then, start bending the wire to form your letters. This step may take some practice, and you may go through a bit of wire before getting the hang of it. Be patient and don't give up!

Tips for Bending:

• Don't second guess yourself! Once you bend the wire, it's challenging to make it straight again. Commit to each bend and twist the wire around the letters to add strength and prevent snagging.
• Use needle-nose pliers for very sharp angles, but try to bend the wire as much as possible without them. When using pliers, ensure you use the flat part, closer to the wire cutter, to avoid leaving ridges in the wire.
• Optionally, you can twist the "i"s to add durability. Place the wire flat on the table and twist it right to left (not left to right, as it will affect the spacing between letters).
• Straighten the letters if needed, but try not to move them around too much or make drastic changes. Remember, once you bend the wire, it's challenging to straighten it out again.

Drilling and Attaching Wire:

After you've created your wire lettering, it's time to attach it to the hanger. Use a drill to make holes where you want your wire to go. You can use the existing holes in suit hangers or create new ones. Estimate how far the wire goes into the hole and measure where to cut it. Cut a little at a time until your word is centred on the hanger when the wire is placed in the hole.

Final Touches:

Now, it's time to add the finishing touches! Use a hot glue gun, superglue, or a strong adhesive to secure the wire in place. Ensure the wording isn't too tight or too loose, and cut the wire as needed. Double-check the length by placing the wire in the hole before gluing. If you're adding a ribbon or other embellishments, tie it on and make a bow.

With these steps and tips, you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful and personalised wedding hangers with lettering that perfectly captures the magic of the occasion.

Bending the wire

Starting with a loop, if you so wish, begin bending the wire into the shape of your chosen word or name. This part can be fiddly, and you may go through a lot of wire before you get the hang of it. It's important to be confident with each bend you make, as you won't be able to straighten the wire out again. Make your bends twist around the letters to add strength to the wire. Only use pliers for very sharp angles, and be sure to use the flat part of the pliers to avoid leaving marks on the wire. You can also put masking tape on the inside of the pliers to act as a guard.

If you are making the letter 'i', try twisting the wire flat on the table, looking at the word straight on, and twisting right to left. Usually, three half turns are enough. Once you have formed the word or name, you can straighten out the letters, 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 or the wire cutter on your needle-nose pliers.

Adding the finishing touches

Now that the wire lettering is attached to your hanger, it's time to add some final embellishments to complete your wedding hanger. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Ribbon Bow:

Add a ribbon bow to your hanger for an elegant and feminine touch. Choose a colour that matches your wedding theme or the colour of the dresses. You can make a single bow or a double bow for a more extravagant look. Secure the bow to the hanger using a glue gun. This will add a whimsical and romantic touch to your wedding photos.

Personalised Details:

Include personalised details such as the person's name, their role in the wedding, and the wedding date. You can use a silver marker to fill in the letters or get creative with glitter or other decorative elements. This adds a special touch and makes the hanger a memorable keepsake for your bridal party.

Charms and Tags:

Hang charms or tags from the hook of the hanger. These can be personalised with names, roles, or even a special message. Acrylic tags, wooden tags, or even horseshoe-shaped hangers are unique options. These add-ons will make your hangers even more special and can be treasured long after the wedding.

Flowers and Greenery:

Incorporate fresh or dried flowers and greenery to add a natural and whimsical touch to your hangers. You can attach small clusters of flowers or foliage at the base of the hook, or wrap a floral garland around the hanger. This idea is perfect for a rustic or outdoor wedding theme.

Glitter and Glam:

Bring some sparkle to your hangers by adding glitter elements. You can use glitter glue to outline the letters or add a glittery border to your hanger. This is a fun way to incorporate your wedding colours and add a touch of magic to your bridal party photos.

Remember, these finishing touches are what will make your wedding hangers unique and memorable. They will not only enhance your wedding photos but also create lasting keepsakes for you and your bridal team to cherish.

Frequently asked questions