Create A Unique Wedding Hanger For Your Big Day

Personalized wedding hangers are a great way to add a special touch to your big day. They can be used as a prop in wedding photos or as a thoughtful gift for the bride-to-be. You can buy them online on sites like Etsy and Amazon, or you can make them yourself. DIY wedding hangers are fairly easy to make and only require basic supplies like hangers, floral wire, pliers, glue, a drill, and ribbon. By making your own, you can customize the hanger to your liking and save money.

Choosing your materials

The materials you will need to make your own personalized wedding hanger will depend on the design you have in mind. Here are some common materials to consider:

• Hangers: Choose hangers in your preferred colour and style. You can opt for simple shirt hangers or suit hangers with a bottom part for pants. IKEA's Bumerang hangers are a popular choice as they are affordable. Alternatively, you can browse options on Etsy and Amazon.
• Wire: If you plan to add wire lettering or designs, you will need floral wire or craft wire. 12-gauge floral wire is readily available at craft stores like Michaels or on Amazon.
• Tools: Needle-nose pliers will come in handy for manipulating the wire. You can also use a drill with a 3/16" bit to create holes in the hanger for attaching the wire.
• Adhesive: A hot glue gun or super glue will help secure the wire to the hanger.
• Embellishments: Ribbon, bows, flowers, or pearls can be added for a decorative touch. These can often be found at craft stores or online.
• Personalization: Decide on the wording or initials you want to include. You may also want to plan the lettering on paper beforehand to ensure it fits and looks the way you want.

When selecting your materials, consider the overall colour scheme and theme of your wedding. This will help you create a cohesive and personalised hanger for your special day.

Prepping your hangers

The first step to making your own personalized wedding hangers is to prep your hangers. If you are using suit hangers, start by removing the bottom part that holds the pants. These usually come off pretty easily; just pull hard and then remove the little 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 what you would like your wire lettering to look like. Remember, you won't be able to cut the wire, so get creative with ways to cross your t's and dot your i's! You can make your letters loopy and girly or keep them simple - it's up to you!

Once you have your outline, grab your wire and straighten out a decent length, depending on the length of your word or name. It's better to be liberal with this step as you don't want to run out of wire halfway through!

Bending the wire

Now it's time to start bending! You might want to start with a loop before the first letter, as this adds a cute touch. Bending the wire can take some practice, so don't be discouraged if you don't get it right the first time. Here are some tips to help you out:

• Don't second guess yourself! Once you bend the wire, you won't be able to make it straight again, so commit to each bend. Try to make your bends twist around the letters to add strength to your wiring.
• Only use the pliers for very sharp angles and bend the wire as much as you can before using them. When using pliers, make sure to use the flat part, not the ridged area, to avoid leaving bumps in your wire. You can also put masking tape on the inside of the pliers to act as a guard.
• You can twist your i's for added durability. Put the wire flat on the table and, looking at the word straight on, twist right to left.
• Once you're done bending, straighten out a few inches of wire after your last letter and cut the end using wire cutters.

Planning your lettering

• Using a pen and paper, sketch out the design of your wire lettering. It doesn't have to be perfect or to scale, but make sure your pen doesn't leave the paper. Get creative with how you cross your t's and dot your i's, as you won't be able to cut the wire.
• Feel free to make your letters loopy and girly, perhaps even adding hearts for the dots on your i's. Remember, this is just an outline, so don't worry about making it perfect.
• When you start bending the wire, grab a decent-length piece and straighten it out. It's better to have a bit too much than too little.
• Bending the wire takes practice, so don't be discouraged if you don't get it right the first few times. Be patient and don't give up!
• Don't second guess yourself once you start bending. Make sure you're committed to each bend, as it's difficult to straighten the wire again. Make your bends twist around the letters to add strength to your wiring.
• Only use pliers for very sharp angles, and try to bend the wire as much as you can before using them. When using pliers, use the flat part closest to the wire cutter to avoid leaving ridges in the wire. You can also put masking tape on the inside of the pliers to act as a guard.
• To add durability, try twisting your i's. Place the wire flat on the table and, looking at the word straight on, twist right to left (never left to right, as this will mess up your previous letter). Usually, three half turns are enough.
• Once you're done bending, you can straighten out the letters, but try not to move them around too much or make any drastic changes. Remember, once you've bent the wire, it's difficult to straighten it out again.

Bending your wire

Bending the wire is the most challenging part of making a personalised wedding hanger, but with some practice, you'll get the hang of it! Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prep your wire

Before you start bending, straighten out a decent length of wire. The exact length will depend on the length of the word or name you're spelling out, but it's better to be generous than to run out halfway through.

Step 2: Start bending!

You can start bending the wire to form the word or name you've chosen. It's optional, but you might want to start with a loop before the first letter and end with another loop for a cute finish. This technique takes practice, and you'll probably need to go through quite a bit of wire before you're happy with the result. Don't give up!

Step 3: Tips and tricks

• Commit to each bend. Don't second guess yourself! Once you've bent the wire, it's hard to make it straight and nice-looking again.
• Make your bends twist around the letters. This adds strength to your wire formation and prevents it from coming loose if it gets snagged or tugged.
• Use pliers only for very sharp angles. Bend the wire as much as you can with your hands first. If you need to use pliers, make sure you use the flat part, not the ridged area, to avoid leaving bumps and marks on the wire.
• If you're worried about forgetting and using the wrong part of the pliers, you can put masking tape over the ridged surface to protect the wire.
• If you want to add a bit of extra durability, try twisting your 'i's. Put the wire flat on the table and, looking at the word straight on, twist right to left (not left to right, or you'll mess up the previous letter!). Usually, three half turns are enough.

Step 4: Final touches

Once you've finished bending and are happy with the result, 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

• Ribbon or Bows: Adding a ribbon or bow to your hanger can add a touch of elegance and sophistication. You can choose a colour that matches your wedding theme or the dress that will be hanging on it. Tie the ribbon into a bow and secure it to the hanger with glue or string.
• Flowers: Flowers, real or artificial, can be a beautiful addition to your wedding hanger. You can attach them with wire or glue, and they can add a touch of nature and romance to the overall look.
• Beads or Pearls: Stringing beads or pearls along the wire of your hanger can add a bit of sparkle and glamour. You can choose colours that complement your wedding palette or the dress.
• Glitter or Gems: If you want to add a bit of sparkle, consider using glitter or sticking on some gems or rhinestones. This can make your hanger stand out and shine in photographs.
• Personalized Tags: Adding a personalized tag with the bride's name, the wedding date, or a special message can be a thoughtful touch. You can attach the tag with ribbon or string.
• Fabric or Lace: Wrapping the hanger with fabric or lace can give it a soft, romantic look. Choose a fabric that matches your wedding colours or the dress, and secure it with glue or string.
• Paint or Stain: If you want to change the colour of your hanger, you can paint or stain it. This can be a good way to match it to your wedding palette or add a pop of colour.

Remember, these are just a few ideas to get you started. The finishing touches are all about your personal style and creativity, so feel free to experiment and have fun with it!

Frequently asked questions