Wedding Hair & Makeup

Choosing Wedding Hairstyle

Deciding on the wedding hairstyle to complement your beautiful bridal gown may not sound like the most arduous of tasks, but it will make a huge difference to your overall look, and is worth putting some thought into.

Most brides will have their hair done by a professional stylist on the morning of the wedding, and it is worth booking a consultation with them well in advance so you can try a few different looks, and find the perfect wedding hairstyle for you.

Here are four tips on choosing the right wedding hairstyle:

1. Consider the style of your bridal gown

Ideally your wedding hairstyle should match the formality and the style of your bridal gown. If you have chosen a princess ballgown, a flamboyant updo is generally the best option. For a simple, contemporary gown, a slicked back ponytail or bun, with a floral fabric side band is elegant yet understated.

If you have selected a whimsical lace and chiffon dress, you can wear your hair down with unstructured curls, or try a loose chignon with trailing tendrils around the face. A glamorous evening gown works well with smooth structured waves and sparkly accessories.

2. Decide on your major accessories

Are you planning on wearing a wedding veil with your bridal outfit, and if so how long will it be and where would you like it to be attached? Would you like to wear a tiara, an Alice band, or a modern side band? Does your dress have a fabric corsage or any other details that you would like to mirror in your hair accessories?

If you know the answers to these questions it can help your stylist to create a look that will incorporate your bridal accessories. Take any accessories that you already have along to the consultation with you.

3. Think how long your wedding hairstyle will need to last

If your ceremony starts at 2pm and your reception won’t finish until midnight, your wedding hairstyle is going to have to last for a very long time. Talk to your stylist about your hair type and decide what the practical solution might be to keeping it looking great all day.

Your loose wedding hairstyle might look great when the stylist has blow dried it, but if your hair is prone to frizzing up you might look like a puff ball by the time you get to the first dance. Equally if your hair doesn’t hold a curl easily, you will need a lot of products to keep those corkscrews in place until your dramatic exit. The bun is a popular wedding hairstyle as it is sleek and elegant, and stays in place all day.

4. See your wedding hairstyle as part of your overall outfit

Your wedding hairstyle won’t stand alone on your wedding day; it will need to blend seamlessly with the rest of your bridal outfit. Think about how it will work with the neckline of your dress, any wedding jewellery you have chosen, and even the flowers in your bouquet.

The general rule is that if you have a very detailed bridal gown, or large complicated jewellery such as chandelier earrings, you should try to keep your wedding hairstyle as sleek and simple as possible. If however, you have a plain wedding dress, and few accessories, you can afford to be flamboyant with your wedding hairstyle and create a complex updo, or a cascade of curls.