In ancient Greece, wreaths made from plants like laurel, ivy, and myrtle were awarded to athletes, soldiers, and royalty. Similar wreaths were designed in gold and silver for the same purposes or for religious functions. This example conveys the language of love.
A plant sacred to the goddess Aphrodite, myrtle was a symbol of love. Greeks wore wreaths made of real myrtle leaves at weddings and banquets.
By the Hellenistic period (300-30 BC), the wreaths were made of gold foil; too fragile to be worn, they were created primarily to be buried with the dead as symbols of life’s victories. The naturalistic myrtle leaves and blossoms on this wreath were cut from thin sheets of gold, exquisitely finished with stamped and incised details, and then wired onto the stems.
Today I came to a realization: I need a golden laurel wreath for my wedding. But where? How? Not real gold such as this, obviously, but something classic: no sequins; something timeless, not gaudy or glitzy. I had such great luck in finding a ceramicist to create a custom wedding topper (more on that later: thanks, Robin!) that I’m putting it out to the universe once again. Recommendations? Lay ‘em on me.
[Wreaths, clockwise: MFAH; Christie's; Macedonian Heritage]
Oh man, our museum here has a small collection of these and I was obsessed with them, especially when I was studying Latin and dating a Classics major. They are so gorgeous & it was my favourite corner of the museum.
I have no idea where you could find a replica, but I really love this bridal-y wreath and wish I had room in my budget for it: http://www.twigsandhoney.com/collections/new-2012/products/blushing-floral-crown-style-207
Somehow I’d never seen these wreaths until today, and I was completely awestruck. I wasn’t going to have a veil or anything at all, but now I feel like I need one of these! And Twigs and Honey does it so right.
Orrrr maybe you could DIY, haha: http://www.etsy.com/listing/62209502/12-antique-gold-plated-brass-leaf-drops (still thinking about this!)
That’s a great idea! My main thing was how real it would look in person. Some other options I’ve considered: http://www.etsy.com/listing/98109658/athena-ii-grecian-headpiece
But gold and maybe not so shiny: http://www.etsy.com/listing/94096317/giant-dwarf-laurel-crown-diamond
Rope-ish: http://www.etsy.com/listing/84447609/cleopatra-golden-braided-head-piece
A DIY might be in order!
Oh man, that first Etsy listing is gorgeous!
I would start by trying some gold fabric spray paint:
http://www.amazon.com/Deval-Simply-2-Ounce-Stencil-Glimmer/dp/B001K7Z40S
on faux waxflowers (or whatever you like, but those crowns look like waxflower to me). You might be able to get away with cutting up some meant for home arrangements, or you may need the more delicate type designed for millinery use, which you should be able to find on etsy or in the garment center in NY. Good luck with it!
Oh, that is an amazing idea! Thank you!!!
What about using craft foil sheets? I’ve actually long thought of using them to replicate this sort of crown, but lord knows I’ve no occasion to wear one. They’re only aluminum or copper I think, but would look almost identical!
Orrrr, metallic leather? Lasercut or hand cut?
Maybe this one?
http://wedreamincolour.com/jade/hair.003.php
spray paint some fake leaves and flowers and make your own?
Hey I’d seen this tutorial before but I came across it again and thought of you.. I bet you could probably find some chain like this on ebay or etsy. Obviously this one is a more simplified version but I still thought it was pretty cool. Anyways good luck and congrats on the wedding. I looked through your wedding Pintrest selections and I love everything.
Hilary
Forgot to post the link hah here ya go: http://www.lovemaegan.com/2012/02/turn-necklace-into-headband-diy.html
Hi, found your site thru my tumblr. thanks for following! i recently got married in an orthodox ceremony and had to source stefana. I got married in Greece and found thallo.com but there is also this lovely (very affordable) wreath found on etsy that i considered. just google ‘athena ii grecian headpiece’
Wishing you well,
oops. sorry, i misspoke, found you thru someone else who started following my tumblr and they linked to you =)
[...] I became obsessed with ancient Grecian gold laurel crowns, I thought I had no hope of finding something similar. I mean, those crowns are artifacts in a [...]