Chic Bridal Hats for a Courthouse Wedding

As more brides prefer intimate weddings to grand receptions, courthouse or town hall weddings gain more popularity. This gives brides the possibility to choose fashion forward outfits and a chic wedding hat is the final detail to perfect the look and make a fashion statement. Here you will find ideas what hat or other bridal headpiece to choose to compliment your classic, modern or alternative bridal outfit.

Bridal pillbox hat is a classic that has regained its place also in the wardrobe of the contemporary bride.

Jacqueline Kennedy is the epitome of class and elegance. Pillbox hats were such an important part of her outfit that even nowadays pillbox hats that are worn at the back of the head are called Jackie O pillbox hats. Bridal pillbox hats can be made from a variety of materials – luxurious velour felt, exquisite wool and silk fabrics, fine straws. They can be trimmed with silk bows, ribbons, delicate flowers, birdcage veil, sparkly crystals and pearls. These hats fix with small combs and bobby pins at the the back of the head. Jackie O style pillbox hats can be worn not only with 60s style tea-length dresses, elegant suit ensembles, but also with modern pantsuits and long silk crepe dresses.

There are different styles of pillbox hats or so called cocktail hats:

• Classic pillbox hat with flat top and straight sides
• Rounded buttons style pillbox hat
• Teardrop shaped pillbox hat
• Heart-shaped pillbox hat

They are made in various sizes, starting from petite 10cm wide button hats, medium sized hats that are worn perched on one side of the head and up to full size beret style hats. Pillbox hats can be made from a variety of materials to suit the season and bridal outfit – felt, silk, straw. Most bridal pillbox hats are made with a birdcage veil, though there can also be hat designs without a veil. The trimming details can be as versatile as brides themselves – flowers, ribbons, bows, feathers, crystals, pearls etc. Most of the hats from my bridal collection can be customised to suit the individual needs of the bride.

These hats can be fixed in different ways – with a comb, hat elastic or headband. I talk more about the preferences of each of the fixings in my post How to fix a fascinator or cocktail hat. 

Headbands are such a stylish and easy to wear bridal headpiece. They can be combined with any bridal outfit be it classic, romantic, minimalist or avant-garde. There are classic alice bands that are decorated with flowers or crystals or veils, they can be also quite puffy and covered with fabric or straw. But in many cases headbands can also be made using traditional millinery techniques, e.g. the material is shaped on wooden hat blocks and a frame from millinery wire is added at a later stage. These headbands can be made from felt, straw, they can also be covered with various fabrics – silk, velvet etc. Also in my shop you will find a number of such milliner’s headbands and usually they fix with a hat elastic (similarly like pillbox hats). Creating such a headband is much more time consuming, hence also the costs will be higher than for a traditional alice band. Bridal headbands can also be made with a birdcage veil. For some designs I offer even a removable veil.

Sometimes all you need is a small detail to finish your bridal look. In such situations a bridal fascinator will be your choice. Similarly like bridal headbands also fascinators can compliment any bridal outfit. It is also an easy way how to add a pop of colour. RUBINA Millinery fascinators are made using traditional millinery techniques, e.g. the material is shaped on wooden hat blocks and then decorated with handmade details like flowers, bows, hand cut and shaped feathers. Fascinators can be made from felt, straw, they can also be covered with various fabrics – silk, velvet etc. Fascinators mostly fix with a headband or comb. Bridal fascinators are usually made with a birdcage veil. For some designs I offer even a removable veil.

With so many options it can sometimes be daunting to pick one hat or headpiece to compliment your outfit. I am always happy to consult brides to help them find the perfect hat, headband or fascinator.