We’re taking a brief reprieve from winter with today’s post, because nothing says springtime like a softly colored floral crown. Given the current revival of all things bohemian, we’re seeing more and more brides opt for romantic, maidenly head wreaths in lieu of traditional veils. Although these might seem like a passing fad, they’ve actually been bridal accoutrements for ages. In ancient China, brides entwined fresh orange blossoms, which represented purity and innocence, into coronets. During the time of the Crusades, the tradition was brought from the East to Spain, then to France, then to England in the early 1800s. Queen Victoria cemented the trend when she donned a lavish crown of orange blossoms for her 1840 nuptials. In earlier times, other kinds of bridal crowns were made from gilded branches of leaves and stalks of wheat.
Here we present some of our favorites—which make use of everything from baby’s breath to olive branches—and share a few tips on how to wear one.
Photo by Priscila Valentina (via Green Wedding Shoes), “Paradise Falls” silk floral crown by Wild and Free Jewelry
Photo by Lene Photography (via Magnolia Rouge)
Photo by Amelia Lyon, floral crown by Honey and Poppies (via Grey Likes Weddings)
Photo by Kari Crowe, floral crown (including scabiosa pods, eryngium, ivory dahlias, coral ranunculi, and viburnum berries) by Kate Foley Designs (via Wedding Chicks)
Photo by Eric Kelley Photography, floral crown by Beehive Events
Photos by Elizabeth Messina
Photo by Jose Villa
Photo by Daniel Gurton (via Life in Pics)
Photo by Life in Still Photography (via Style Me Pretty)
Photo and floral crown by Brumley & Wells (via Ruffled)
HOW TO ROCK A FLORAL CROWN
- Keep it sweet and simple. Although lush, elaborate floral crowns can be awe-inducing, they can also leave you looking like a flower basket fought your head and won. Not exactly pretty. Never underestimate understated elegance!
- Generally, pick flowers that contrast nicely with your hair color and pop against your tresses. For example, if your hair is a rich auburn shade, try whites or pale pinks. If your hair is very blonde, flowers in darker shades, such as black dahlias, will stand out beautifully.
- Your floral crown shouldn’t clash with your bouquet. The two should complement one another. If your florist isn’t creating your crown, make sure she or he knows that you’re wearing one and that she or he has a good idea of what it will look like. Trust your florist!
- If you’re wearing a crown of fresh flowers, have your florist make a prototype that you can bring with you to your hair consultation. It’s worth the extra money. Even if you’re not wearing this type of hair adornment, you should always do a trial run of hair (and makeup). This is also a good time to test the structural soundness/wilt factor of the crown. Take pictures from different angles so that you can see how the crown (and your hair!) translates on camera.
- Although floral crowns suit many updos, such as fishtail braids, your safest best is soft, loose waves.
- Consider the setting. If you’re tying the knot on a beach in Hawaii, wear a lei! If you’re in Provence, wear lavender! If you’re in either of these two places, consider yourself lucky.
- Feeling up to the challenge of going the DIY route? Here’s a tutorial that we love.
For more floral crowns that catch our fancy, follow our Crowning Glory board on Pinterest!
Great advice and lovely pics! Definitely second you on the “if you’re in either of these two places, consider yourself lucky” ;-)
These floral crown pics are so pretty! I love how each one has such a romantic look to it! Wonderfully helpful advice as well…thanks for sharing this!
OMG the pretty!!