DIY Japanese-style Wedding Accessories for Your Traditional Wedding ♡

2015.07.05 published

Weddings Are Better in Traditional Japanese Attire ♡

While a Western-style wedding in a church is nice, the traditional Japanese wedding style, known as "wakon," is also very beautiful. Recently, there has been a trend of increasing weddings in traditional Japanese attire and at shrines ♩

But what accessories go well with traditional outfits?

This is a must-see for brides-to-be who want to hold their wedding in traditional attire! We will introduce four types of accessories that match traditional Japanese clothing, including photo props, venue decor items, and hair ornaments ♩

Accessory 1: Garland

There are traditional Japanese-style garlands made with washi paper and chiyogami, which are perfect for traditional attire ♡ You can hang them on walls or use them as photo props to hold while taking wedding photos—they're adorable too!＊

It's common to include phrases like "We are getting married" or "We are married" in Japanese garlands ♡

[DIY] How to Make a Traditional Garland ♡

Making a traditional garland is very simple. The materials you need are asahimo (string), origami paper, a glue gun, a compass, a cutter, a cutting mat, and double-sided tape.＊

Fold the origami paper in an accordion style (make sure the end is patterned), then cut it in half and apply double-sided tape.＊

Attach both ends with double-sided tape and secure the center with a glue gun to complete the basic form ♡ (Doing both the front and back will enhance durability ◎)

Finally, just attach printed paper with words on the surface and thread some jute string through it ♩

Accessory 2: Red Thread

You can create a photo prop of a red thread simply by threading wire through red colored string sold at 100-yen shops. It's trendy to have the bride and groom wear it on their pinky fingers to create the look of "fate's red thread" for pre-wedding photos.＊

You can create heart shapes or spell "LOVE," allowing for creative customization ♩

It's impressive that such stylish DIY items can be made with the vermillion-colored string available at any 100-yen store! It's a beautiful red that matches well with the bride's red uchikake (kimono).♩

Accessory 3: Ball Bouquet

Among bouquets, the unique round-shaped ball bouquet can be created by threading a cord through it. Adding tassels or strings makes it fit perfectly with traditional attire! ♡

A small, cute bouquet that resembles a temari (handmade ball) will surely enhance the glamour of the kimono.＊

[DIY] How to Make a Ball Bouquet ♡

You will need flowers for the bouquet, a round styrofoam ball (available at 100-yen shops), cord for the handle, a glue gun, wire (preferably for flower arrangements), a pick, and decorative strings or tassels.＊

First, tie the cord for the handle and wrap wire around the knot a few times. (It's better if the remaining length is even.) Insert the leftover wire into the styrofoam, bend it at the end, and tuck it back into the styrofoam.＊ You can attach a tassel to the bent wire part if you like, then simply stick the flowers into the bouquet! ♡

Accessory 4: Tsumami Kanzashi

The tsumami kanzashi is a hairpin that adds charm to the bride's hair. While using one large kanzashi is lovely, scattering small kanzashi pieces is also cute! ♡

Choosing red and white kanzashi can symbolize good luck, making it perfect for celebrations!＊

[DIY] How to Make Tsumami Kanzashi ♡

There are two types of tsumami: "maru-tsumami" (round) and "ken-tsumami" (sword). This section explains how to DIY the maru-tsumami.＊

The materials you'll need are fabric (chirimen), tweezers, glue or starch glue, thick paper, a hairpin base, a toothpick, and something to hold it together like pins or clothespins. As for preparation, cut the fabric into 2-3 cm square pieces (since they become petals, you'll need many) and cut thick paper into a round shape of about 2 cm in diameter, along with fabric to wrap around them. ♡

Fold the square fabric in half (to make a triangle), pinch the center with tweezers, then fold it in half again, adjusting as you go.＊ Fold the lower parts (the two ends) outward to align with the top of the triangle, and the shape will be formed ♩

Apply glue to the forked part of the triangle and secure it tightly with clothespins or pins ♩

Pinch the corners of the petals with the tweezers to shape them, and you're done! ♩ (If stacking them, use scissors to cut and even out the height of the petals. For the preparation, cut slits into the thick paper, push the pin through to its back, secure it with glue, and then cover the glue with the fabric.) Finally, apply glue on top and place the petals you just made to shape the flower! ♩

Make Your Traditional Wedding Even More Fun with These Accessories ♩

Let's create the perfect items for traditional attire and have an amazing wedding! ♡