Vintage Repurpose Headpieces
Vintage wedding veil and bridal headpiece repurposing and restyling are our specialty.
It means so much to our brides to repurpose a headpiece or wedding veil of someone they love.
For many brides, choosing to repurpose a headpiece or repurpose veils from someone they love carries deep emotional meaning—especially when they want to repurpose mom’s headpiece as a way to honor her love, friendship, or memory. Thoughtfully executed repurpose bridal headpiece work requires advanced skill, particularly when transforming vintage styles from the 1980s and 1990s into designs that feel elegant and modern.
To successfully repurpose bridal crowns, old millinery, and heirloom accessories from decades past, a completely different level of craftsmanship and design knowledge is required. Marie’s expert techniques allow her to reimagine outdated pieces you’d never wear “as-is” into stunning statement headpieces that leave guests asking where you found them.
One of her most requested services is to restyle mom’s veil, removing poufs and excess volume to create a soft, flowing silhouette—often leaving brides astonished that the finished veil is the very one their mother once wore. Many brides even choose to be surprised by their final design, opening their signature purple box on their wedding day—a testament to the trust placed in Marie and the joy of preserving legacy through beautiful design.
REPURPOSE BRIDAL HEADPIECE & VIELS
Why Brides Choose Marie to Repurpose Bridal Headpieces and Veils
Marie has extensive knowledge about discoloration and oxidation of vintage bridal headpieces and has proven methods for lightening and reviving old florals, aged fabrics, and beads.
Marie is experienced in pattern design to restyle and update vintage bridal veils into sheer modern wedding veil shapes and styles using couture techniques.
Marie is dedicated to preserve any vintage piece she receives. She has never seen a headpiece she couldn't work with, no matter how dire its condition.
Marie is a trusted designer who takes ownership of the pieces she works with and personally engages with her brides to provide comfort to restore, and, redesign their vintage family heirlooms that mean so much.
Marie has mastered expert techniques in headpiece deconstruction and re-design to eliminate excessive bulk, weight, globs of glue, and tarnished beads from vintage headpieces.
Marie respects vintage pieces. She strives to preserve the essence of the original headpiece while creating an updated style with a more modern look, and brings her brides along with reassurance during the process.
REPURPOSE BRIDAL HEADPIECE CASE STUDIES
1985 VINTAGE WREATH HEADPIECE AND POUF TWO TIER SHORT VEIL
Most of my brides don’t love their mom’s headpiece. They know they want to wear it and are looking for expertise and direction to make it beautiful and current. What an amazing vintage transformation! It doesn’t resemble the 80s in any way. I masterfully changed it from a wreath to a back piece and a short veil to a long one. Adding crystal elements to the design made this into a breathtaking headpiece.
1990 PORCELAIN FLOWER AND SILK HALO
Teresa wished to repurpose her mother’s bridal headpiece into a statement hair accessory for her wedding day. Her mother’s vintage 1990 headpiece was challenging because the flowers were porcelain and fragile to deconstruct. I restyled the porcelain flowers into a collection of hairpins to be worn together or separately. The results were breathtaking! The nice thing is she can wear them again.
Read more of Teresa’s story on the Blog.
1992 PEARL AND CRYSTAL WEDDING TIARA
Melissa came to me to change her mom’s 90s wedding tiara into a headpiece that could be worn in the back above her bun. She asked me to clip it with wire cutters and add a comb to the back, which is not reflective of the type of work I do. I told her she could repurpose her mom’s headpiece into a stunning, statement-style bridal headpiece by restoring the actual elements of her mom’s wedding crown and redesigning it.
See Melissa’s reaction here.
1985 APPLIQUED PEARL AND ROCAILLE BEAD HALO
Carla Marie found Headpiece.com at the last minute by posting an Instagram Reel asking the Internet World for help finding an experienced shop to repurpose her mom’s vintage headpiece into bridal hair clips. The tiny seed beads were blackened and tarnished throughout the headpiece. Every bead was removed and hand-cleaned. Marie then created hair clips from scratch and “wowed” Carla Marie.
Read more of Carla Marie’s story on the Blog.
1990 BRAIDED PEARL HALO HEADPIECE
Michele’s mom passed away, and all that was left from her wedding day was her pearl headpiece. Michele followed @headpiececom on Instagram for years and knew that she wanted to repurpose her mom’s headpiece for her walk down the aisle. I suggested we keep some essence of her mom’s original headpiece and create additional bridal accessories made with her mom’s pearls to represent something new and special on her wedding day.
1994 DOUBLE TIER PEARL AND CRYSTAL CROWN
Ally and her mom came to the shop with one of the tallest and heaviest 90s wedding crowns I have seen hoping to restyle into a modern headpiece that would be noticed. While this crown had an abundance of vintage crystals and pearls, its weight was due to the amount of glue used to make it. Removing the glue from the beautiful crystals and pearls was an extensive process. Creating this unique and gorgeous headpiece was worth the investment.
Read more of Ally’s story on the Blog
Meet the Designer
MARIE HUNT
Ready to create a bridal headpiece or veil that feels truly yours? With over 35 years of experience, Marie offers personalized consultations to design custom pieces and restore treasured heirlooms with exceptional care and artistry. Meet in person or virtually to transform your story, style, and traditions into a one-of-a-kind bridal piece you’ll cherish forever.
CUSTOM BRIDAL PIECES PROCESS
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Fill out the form to request a consultation. Provide a brief description of the services you are looking for. Brides travel great distances for a personalized meeting with Marie in our NJ shop, but if that is not an option you will get the same HPC experience when you book a virtual appointment. Marie replies promptly to schedule a date and time.
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Consultations encompass all aspects of your wedding day style. I get a feel for your wedding day style and we get to know each other. I ask questions about your ceremony, venue, hairstyle, and wedding gown design, and offer design suggestions to meet your needs.
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If you are looking to restore, restyle, or refurbish a vintage wedding heirloom, it is necessary to do a hands-on evaluation to determine how the headpiece or veil was originally made, determine its condition, and discuss any challenges. In-store brides bring the headpiece or veil with them, while my virtual brides ship to the shop. I hold your hand during this process, and guide you through shipping to ensure comfort. I have 100% success designing for brides nationwide.
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I offer bridal accessory ideas that are unique to each modern or vintage bride. My vision and experience offers brides a fresh look outside of common wedding fashion trends. Through collaboration with my bride-to-be, we chat and finesse the final design concept, often amazing brides with design ideas imagined.
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I provide a detailed written quote to my clients within three days of the evaluation. A 50% deposit is required to proceed and schedule your design for production. Ballparks or estimates are not provided.
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You are all set and placed in line for production. Marie notifies you once your design is ready to be worked on. Her design production books out a year in advance so reach out asap. Rush services are available for an additional fee if there is an opening.
Let’s discuss about repurposing your beloved piece.