Preparation
Every girl wants an excuse to wear flowers in her hair, which may explain why flower crowns have become one of the most popular bridal accessories. The natural headpieces first popped up in bohemian ceremonies as an ethereal alternative to veils, and soon enough, brides everywhere began customizing the colorful floral halos to suit every wedding style, from sophisticated and elegant to whimsical and chic. According to Denise Porcaro, founder and owner of Flower Girl NYC, the trend isn’t dying anytime soon.
Are you itching to don a beautiful crown of blooms at your wedding? Read these “do’s and don’ts” before visiting a florist, or choosing a flower crown for your bridal accessory.
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First and foremost, brides must realize that flowers many types of flowers wilt and discolor quickly without water, so they should choose blooms that have the best chance of surviving throughout the big day. Porcaro recommends working with a florist to achieve your desired flower crown style “with the hardiest blooms that can sit out of water for a really long time.” Some safe options include orchids, spray roses, freesia, and spirea. In terms of greenery, Porcaro recommends seeded eucalyptus and Italian ruscus. Dainty white baby’s breath is another popular choice for flower crowns worn by brides, bridesmaids, and flower girls. “If used properly, baby’s breath can really make a statement,” she says.
When choosing flowers for a crown, Porcaro says to stay away from anything that’s heat-sensitive or temperamental, since these types of blooms are more prone to wilting and yellowing. Some of the worst offenders include poppies, peonies, hydrangeas, and gardenia. Avoiding temperamental flowers is especially important for summer weddings, since the hot sun will exaggerate dropping and sagging in the florets.
If a bride is worried about her headpiece holding up throughout the night, Porcaro suggests that she have two separate crowns: One for the ceremony and one for the reception. Still, a bride should accept that she’s dealing with nature, and some discoloration of the flower crown may be unavoidable. “Know that your crown might change over the course of the day,” Porcaro says.
Who says flower crowns have to look bohemian? Porcaro considers many factors when designing a flower crown, including a bride’s style and personality, the wedding dress, and the ceremony theme. But of course, the most important factor is personal preference. Feel free to cater the crown to your liking, and don’t be afraid to experiment with flower color and symmetry.
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The placement and size of the flower crown also depend on personal preference. Some brides want the blooms to fall across the forehead, while others prefer the headpiece to be situated further back on the head. There’s no right or wrong way to sport the trend, but make sure the crown will work with your bridal hairstyle-whether you plan to wear your locks straight, wavy, braided, or pulled into an updo. Imagine teasing your hair into an elaborate top knot, only to discover that your flower crown won’t fit properly over top!
Porcaro says that a reputable florist should measure the dimensions of a client’s head, then make a custom crown based on these measurements. Even so, some brides may worry that the headpiece will fall off while dancing, mingling, or-yikes!-walking down the aisle. A few strategically placed bobby pins can secure the crown without compromising the overall look.
Although some florists may suggest storing a flower crown in a refrigerator, Porcaro said she’s “heard some horror stories” about that method. The cold temperatures in a fridge may speed up discoloration-especially in white blooms. Instead, Porcaro strongly recommends leaving the crown with your florist until “the latest possible time that will coincide with your photos,” adding that “anything that should be in water, you should be retrieving in the last possible moment.” If you must pick up your flowers early, keep them in a cool and dry place, such as an air-conditioned room.
