Crafting A Wedding Headpiece: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding headpieces are a beautiful addition to any bridal look, and with a bit of creativity and patience, you can make your own unique headpiece at home. Whether you're aiming for a vintage-inspired style, a floral crown, or a simple hair accessory, there are many ways to create a stunning wedding headpiece without breaking the bank.

Some common materials used for DIY wedding headpieces include lace appliques, ribbons, beads, wire, pearls, crystals, and veils. You can often find these supplies at local craft stores or online. When creating your headpiece, it's important to consider the style and length of your veil, the overall aesthetic you want to achieve, and how to securely attach the headpiece to your hair.

By making your own wedding headpiece, you can save money and add a personal touch to your special day.

Characteristics of "How to Make a Wedding Headpiece"

Choosing the right veil and headpiece combination

Veil Length and Style:

The length and style of your veil will determine the type of headpiece that will complement it best. Short veils, such as birdcage or blusher veils, pair well with smaller, delicate headpieces like simple combs or vintage-inspired clips. Medium-length veils offer versatility and can be worn with various headpieces, from tiaras to floral crowns. Longer veils, such as chapel or cathedral veils, are typically paired with more substantial headpieces like crowns to add a regal touch.

Match the Aesthetic:

Create a cohesive look by ensuring your veil and headpiece share a similar aesthetic. If your veil features lace or beading, choose a headpiece with similar details. Conversely, if your veil is simple, a more ornate headpiece can add a touch of elegance and draw attention to the details of your wedding dress.

Coordinate with Your Dress:

Consider the level of detail on your wedding dress when choosing your veil and headpiece. If your dress has intricate embellishments or beading, opt for a simpler veil and headpiece to avoid overwhelming your overall look. Conversely, a plainer dress can be paired with a more detailed veil and headpiece.

Placement Matters:

The placement of your veil and headpiece can significantly impact your bridal look. For a classic, regal appearance, position them at the front or top of your head, reminiscent of a tiara. If you prefer a contemporary look, place the headpiece with the veil underneath at the top of an updo or half-up hairstyle. For a subtle, understated effect, opt for low placement at the nape of your neck, especially if you're wearing your hair in a low updo or chignon.

Proportions and Width:

When selecting your bridal comb, consider its width relative to your veil comb. The bridal headpiece should be wider than the veil comb to ensure they sit well together. If you have a particularly wide veil comb, pair it with a longer and narrower comb to maintain a delicate appearance.

Veil Comb Material:

Avoid plastic veil combs as they tend to appear heavy and bulky in the hair. Instead, opt for fine metal hair combs, which are stronger, sturdier, more flexible, and lightweight.

Veil Type and Volume:

If you prefer a fuller veil with lots of volume, ensure your headpiece is wide enough to cover the veil comb. On the other hand, if you opt for a sheer veil, a drop veil will sit flat against your head, allowing your bridal comb to sit flush against it.

Placement matters

The placement of your veil and headpiece can dramatically affect your overall bridal look. Here are some tips for getting it just right:

Classic placement

Traditionally, the veil and headpiece are positioned at the front/top of your headpiece. Similar to the look of a tiara, this look feels regal and effortless.

Contemporary placement

For a more modern look, consider placing the headpiece with the veil underneath at the top of an updo or half-up hairstyle.

Low placement

If you’re wearing your hair in a low updo or chignon, you can position the headpiece and veil at the nape of your neck. The placement is elegant and works well for brides who prefer a subtle, understated look.

It's all about the proportions

When choosing your bridal comb, consider its proportions relative to your veil comb. The width of your bridal headpiece should be wider or longer than the width of your veil comb. For example, if your veil comb is 3 inches long, your headpiece should be at least 4-5 inches.

If your veil comb is particularly wide (4-4.5 inches or wider), opt for a longer and narrower comb. Delicate hair pins will look disproportionate and busy in the hair.

If your veil has a plastic comb, consider its thickness. Plastic combs with a lot of tulle wrapping can be challenging to work with as they can appear heavy and chunky.

If you prefer a fuller veil with lots of volume, ensure your headpiece is wide enough to cover the veil comb.

If you prefer a sheer veil, a drop veil will sit flat against the head, ensuring your bridal comb sits flush against it.

Using glue to attach lace appliques to a ribbon

Making a wedding headpiece is a fun and creative project. Here is a step-by-step guide to attaching lace appliques to a ribbon using glue:

First, gather your materials. You will need lace appliques, which can be purchased online or from a local fabric store, and a ribbon that is approximately 1 inch wide and 39 inches long. It is also important to have glue suitable for the task; fabric glue is recommended, but super glue can also be used.

Next, decide on the placement of the lace appliques on the ribbon. Hold the ribbon and the appliques against your head to determine the desired layout. This will help you visualize the final look and ensure the placement is comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. Mark the spots where you want the appliques to be glued.

Now, it's time to start gluing. Apply a small amount of glue to the back of each lace applique and carefully attach them to the ribbon in the desired locations. Be careful not to use too much glue, as it may seep out and cause a messy finish. Allow the glue to dry completely before proceeding to the next step. This usually takes around 10 minutes.

Once the glue is dry, use scissors to cut the ribbon with a V-shaped edge. This adds a decorative touch to the ends of the ribbon and gives it a finished look. Be sure to cut carefully along the marked lines to ensure a clean edge.

Your wedding headpiece is now ready to be worn! You can style it with a glamorous hairstyle of your choice and pair it with a veil or other accessories to complete your bridal look.

Remember, when working with glue, it is always a good idea to work in a well-ventilated area and protect your work surface from any potential glue stains.

Beading the headpiece

Prepare the Materials:

Firstly, gather your materials. For a beaded headband, you will need an iron hairband, copper wire, pearl beads, crystal beads, and any other decorative beads of your choice. You can also add fresh flowers to your headpiece for a more natural and whimsical look.

Wrap the Copper Wire:

Take your copper wire and wrap it around the iron hairband. Cut the wire to the desired length, leaving enough to twist and secure the ends. You can use a soft tape measure to ensure the wire is wrapped evenly and securely around the headband.

Add the Beads:

Now, it's time to add the beads! Cut a piece of copper wire that is twice as long as your head circumference. Twist one end of this wire around the wrapped hairband 2-3 times. Then, begin to twine the thin wire around the band, adding beads as you go. Thread each bead onto the wire and secure it by wrapping the wire tightly against the bead. Continue this process, spacing the beads as close or as far apart as you prefer.

Finish the Pattern:

Once you've beaded the headband to your liking, finish the pattern by wrapping the wire tightly a few times and clipping off any excess. Repeat this process to create more beaded sections, depending on the desired complexity of your design.

Add Fresh Flowers (Optional):

If you want to incorporate fresh flowers into your headpiece, you can pin them into your hair or wire them directly to the headpiece. This step adds a beautiful, natural touch to your creation.

Embellish Further (Optional):

You can further embellish your headpiece by adding larger beads or pearls and finishing with crystal dots for extra sparkle. You can also attach a small veil or some combs to secure the headpiece in place.

Creating a beaded headpiece allows for creativity and customization, ensuring your wedding ensemble is uniquely yours. Enjoy the process of crafting your own headpiece, and don't be afraid to experiment with different beads, colours, and textures!

Frequently asked questions