Crafting A Wedding Hat: A Guide To Making Your Own

Making your own wedding hat is a great way to express your creativity and add a unique touch to your wedding outfit. Whether you're the bride, mother of the bride or groom, or a guest, a wedding hat can be a fun and elegant accessory. In this guide, we will discuss the steps to make your own wedding hat, from design to materials to hat-making parties. We will also explore the different types of ceremonial hats and how to choose the right one for your face shape and wedding attire. So, get ready to don your creative hat and craft a one-of-a-kind headpiece that will turn heads at the wedding!

Design: Choose a design that suits your face shape, hair and eye colour

When designing your own wedding hat, it's important to consider your face shape, hair and eye colour.

Firstly, determine your face shape. There are six basic face shapes: oval, round, oblong, heart-shaped, square, and triangle. An oval face is roughly one and a half times longer than its width, with a forehead that's larger than the jawline and a rounded jaw angle. A round face is roughly the same width and length, with a round chin, full cheeks, and a rounded hairline. An oblong face is longer than it is wide, with a high forehead, and similar-sized forehead, cheekbones, and jawline. A heart-shaped face has a chin that is the narrowest part of the face, with a broad forehead and/or wide cheekbones. A square face has a length that is almost equal to its width, with similar distances from the forehead to the chin and from cheek to cheek. Finally, a triangle face is characterised by a large jawline, slightly smaller cheekbones, and a small forehead, and can be any length.

Once you've determined your face shape, you can choose a hat style that will complement it. If you have an oval face, congratulations! You can choose from a variety of hat styles, including woollen beanies, trapper hats, flat caps, Fedoras, Trilby hats, berets, and cheeky hats worn on the side. If you have a round face, opt for asymmetry with a hat that has sharp angles and slants, such as a fedora, a trilby, or a baseball cap. For an oblong face, try a hat with a flared brim and low crown, such as a sun hat, a cloche, or a large-brimmed fedora. A heart-shaped face is complemented by a medium-brimmed hat, like a fedora, boater, cloche, homburg, beanie, or beret. For a square face, choose a hat with rounded lines to soften your angular features, such as a sun hat, cowboy hat, cloche, or a beret to add a feminine and flirty touch. Finally, if you have a triangle face, you can choose from a variety of hats, just be sure to avoid a crown that is narrower than your cheekbones.

In addition to your face shape, consider your hair and eye colour when designing your wedding hat. If you have dark hair, avoid dark bases and fabrics, as these will blend into your hair. Instead, opt for bright colours that will pop against your dark locks. If you have very fair hair, stay away from pale colours, unless you're the bride, in which case, embrace your big day and wear that ivory-coloured headpiece with pride!

Materials: Opt for subtle materials, like feathers, beading or sinamay

When it comes to choosing materials for your wedding hat, it's important to be subtle. Opting for a couple of feathers, some beading, or beautifully structured sinamay can be very effective. Sinamay, a fabric made of woven fibres that holds its shape well, can be worked with to create various shapes.

If you want to add some glamour to your wedding hat, consider using feathers. Feathers can be combined with other materials, such as a glass organza flower, to create an elegant look. You can also incorporate artificial flowers, ribbons, combs, or bases to complement your chosen feathers.

Beading is another option for adding subtle detail to your wedding hat. You can play around with different types of beads and incorporate them into your design in creative ways. Combine beading with other materials such as fabric flowers, leaves, or even a touch of glitter to create a unique and elegant look.

Sinamay, a classic choice for wedding hats, offers a great base to build upon. Its structured nature allows you to create various shapes, and you can embellish it with feathers, flowers, or other decorative elements. Sinamay is available in different colours, including green and natural straw, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your wedding colour scheme.

Remember, when working with these materials, it's important to choose pieces that complement each other well. Avoid going overboard with any one element, as too much of a good thing can spoil the overall look of your hat.

Colour: Avoid dark bases and fabrics if you have dark hair

When making your own wedding hat, it's important to consider your hair colour so that your hat doesn't blend into your hairdo. If you have dark hair, it's best to avoid dark bases and fabrics as these will simply blend into your locks. Instead, opt for bright colours that will make your dark tresses pop.

Dark hair is extremely versatile and works well with almost all colours. Dark blue is a popular choice for women with dark hair, as is grey. For a bolder look, red can also work very well and make a big impact. To really offset your dark hair, white might be the perfect choice.

If you're feeling creative and want to experiment with different colours, there are a few guidelines you can follow. As a general rule, warm and rich-coloured hats can complement brunette hair, while deep green colours can also work well. Black is a versatile option that rarely clashes with outfits and can be paired with any colour combination.

When choosing a hat colour, it's important to consider your entire outfit, not just your hair colour. Unless you're going for a neutral colour like black, it usually looks better to repeat colours throughout your outfit. For example, you could match your hat colour with your gloves or other accessories.

Face shape: Those with a square jaw should opt for softer lines, while round faces suit sharp angles

When designing your own wedding hat, it's important to consider your face shape to ensure you create a look that complements your features. If you have a square jaw, you'll want to opt for softer lines in your hat to balance your defined jawline. Think rounded shapes and avoid anything too angular or structured. Go for something with a soft, rounded brim, perhaps with a slight tilt or asymmetry to add interest and flatter your face.

On the other hand, if you have a round face, you can have fun with sharp angles and slants in your hat design. Look for designs that feature structured lines and perhaps a more geometric shape. A hat with a sharp, angled brim can add definition to your look. Play with different angles and don't be afraid to experiment with bolder shapes.

For those with a square face, consider adding texture to your hat. Something with a bit of volume or a slight curve can help soften the angles of your face. Perhaps choose a hat with a bit of height to add length and create a sense of balance. Avoid blunt lines and strong, straight-across bangs, as these can accentuate the squareness of your jaw.

If you have a round face, you might want to try a hat with a strong, angular front and some height. This will help elongate your face and create a flattering silhouette. Steer clear of overly soft styles that may accentuate the roundness of your face. Leave your hair down and avoid tucking it behind your ears to balance the overall look.

Remember, when it comes to hat-making, don't go overboard with too many materials or embellishments. Keep it subtle and elegant, and don't be afraid to add a personal touch, like a unique brooch, to make your wedding hat truly yours.

Hat type: Ladies can choose from a hat or a bibi, while men can choose from a panama, porkpie or top hat

When it comes to choosing a hat type for your wedding, there are several options to consider, depending on your style and preferences. Here are some popular choices for ladies and gentlemen:

Ladies' Hat Options:

• Hat: A traditional choice for weddings, ladies' hats come in various styles, such as wide-brimmed hats, cocktail hats, or fascinators. They can be made from materials like straw, sinamay, or felt and can be adorned with feathers, veils, or flowers.
• Bibi: A bibi is a type of small hat or headpiece, often worn at an angle and secured with a headband or clip. Bibis are usually made from lightweight materials like straw, sinamay, or fabric and can be decorated with feathers, veils, or other embellishments. They are a more modern and understated alternative to a traditional hat.

Men's Hat Options:

• Panama: A Panama hat is a classic and elegant choice for gentlemen. It is a traditional brimmed straw hat of Ecuadorian origin, typically lightweight, breathable, and light-coloured. The tightness of the weave and the finesse of the straw characterise the quality of a Panama hat.
• Porkpie: The porkpie hat has been popular since the mid-19th century and was initially worn by women. It is characterised by a flat crown and a narrow brim that curls towards the crown. Porkpie hats can be made from various materials, including straw, felt, or velvet.
• Top Hat: A top hat is a tall, flat-crowned, cylindrical hat with a broad brim. It is typically associated with formal wear and is often made from felt or silk.

Frequently asked questions