Shopping for your headpiece

Your Crowning Glory

Headpieces sit on the head differently, so pick one that will complement the shape of your face and hairdo, as well as the style of your gown.  While one of the options includes a hat with a veil attached, that look is not currently popular with brides who are generally choosing headpieces that work with their hair style.  Style options include:

Backpiece: any headpiece that attaches to the hair at the back. It is often a bow or cluster of flowers.

Bun Holder or Wrap: a  small to medium sized circular headpiece that wraps around a bun. Often decorated with beads or lace.

Butterfly: a partial headband that arcs over the top of the head but does not extend all the way to the ears.

Combs: while they serve a function to hold a veil down, they can also serve in lieu of a headpiece when trimmed with jewels, flowers, or feathers; close together teeth will hold more securely than widely spaced ones.

 Fascinator:a concoction of feathers, ribbons,beads,  flowers, or a combination of them attached to a headband. clip, or comb.  These types of headpieces are not confined to bridal occasions, but in white with a birdcage veil attached, they top off a sophisticated bridal look.

Headband: usually a design of flowers and/or pearls going all across.

Jeweled Pins & Sticks: an alternative to an actual headpiece; these hair ornaments can embellish your updo or add some sparkle to a standard hairstyle with pearls, flowers, or crystals.

 

Juliet Cap: a small cap that covers the crown of the head, a bit retro looking. 

 

Tiara:  a crown, which can feature crystal, pearls, flowers, or any combination of the above, sits on top of the head.

 

Vines: a wire base adorned with jewels or flowers produces a headpiece that is flexible enough to wrap around an updo or to frame the head with hair worn down.

 

Wreath of Flowers: this is worn on the crown of the head, some may extend to the forehead, while others sit further back. Wreaths are a popular adornment for flower girls, too. A kallah could also skip the headpiece and add a blooming touch with flowers woven into her hair or with a flower comb for a less formal look.  You can make these out of fresh flowers, but then you would have to have great confidence in your florist getting the measurements exact, as you will only get to ascertain that the finished product is a perfect fit on the wedding day instead. Silk flower wreaths can look perfectly lovely and offer more peace of mind.

 For information on veils to attach to the headpiece, see www.examiner.com/x-18522-NY-Jewish-Bridal-Examiner~y2009m8d11-Why-would-anyone-wear-a-birdcage

 

Where to shop for the headpiece?

If you shop for a headpiece in a salon, you are likely to spend more than you have to.  Even the rental charges often exceed what it would cost you to buy if you know where to shop. While I would not recommend that anyone but a truly skilled seamstress attempt to sew a wedding gown, that is not the case with headpieces, which can be very easily put together.  Check out the headpieces, veils, and kits for customizing in craft supply stores like Michael’s.  You know that gorgeous headpiece you saw in a salon for $200, you can duplicate it for a fraction of the price without any sewing skills. 

 

Then of course, you can borrow.  A friend or relative who got married recently may have her headpiece just sitting in the closet.  She will probably be happy to lend to you because, unlike dresses, headpieces do not require expensive dry cleaning or alterations for each wearing.   Many gmachs [see www.examiner.com/x-18522-NY-Jewish-Bridal-Examiner~y2009m8d5-The-secret-to-saving-thousand-on-a-wedding] will return the full deposit paid when the headpiece is returned undamaged.