On your wedding day, you want to feel your most beautiful. It’s a day in your life when you can feel like a fairy-tale princess, and once you’ve selected your wedding dress, you can start thinking about how to wear your hair.
The golden rule is to make sure your hairdo complements your dress, rather than competes with it.
With so many options to choose from – including an updo, chignon, formal ponytail, loose waves and braids to name a few – it can be overwhelming.
So, we’ve come up with some tips to help you make the right choice so you can shine brightly on your wedding day.
Wedding Dress Styles
If your wedding dress is strapless (and let’s face it, a lot are), almost all hairstyles will complement your gown. The only style you might want to avoid is a tight bun, with all your hair scraped back, as this can look harsh. Your shoulders and neck are on display, so show them off with some loose curls or waves which will also soften the look.
A dress with a boatneck (like Meghan Markle’s) calls for an elegant updo as loose hair can look messy and get caught in the neckline. Similarly, if your dress has a halter neck, or gorgeous back detail, it’s a shame to cover them up with long locks.
For a ballgown with a full skirt, choose an updo for a formal, elegant look. If you prefer a less formal approach, consider a half-up/half-down style or loose braids.
A suit or chic wedding dress looks fabulous when teamed with a sleek hairstyle or ponytail.
Factors to Consider
If you’re like most brides, you probably have some idea of how you want to wear your hair, but you might want to consider:
- Will you wear a veil? Some brides love them, others not so much. They can be annoying if it’s windy, and require constant attention so they sit nicely. Also, when people give you a hug, your veil can be tugged and dislodged. One way to get around this is to remove your veil after the ceremony, or for the reception.
- Do you want to grow your hair? That’s not to say there aren’t gorgeous hairstyles for short hair – there are – but many brides dream of long hair on their wedding day. These days, you can use hair extensions to get the length you crave, but you may want to grow your fringe longer than normal.
- Is your wedding outdoors? If so, you’re at the mercy of wind and rain. Long, loose curls might look lovely, but the wind constantly ruffling your hair can be annoying and rain or humidity can cause your hair to frizz. It may be more practical to have your hair in an updo instead.
- What jewellery will you wear? An elaborate, ornate necklace calls for an unfussy hairstyle. If you’re wearing earrings, you might want to catch the sides of your hair up so you can see them.
- What will you wear in your hair? A tiara, decorative clip or comb, fascinator, cocktail hat, flowers, beads or crystals? Once you’ve decided, your hairstyle should show them off to their best advantage.
Many brides start gathering pictures of hairstyles online or in magazines months before their wedding. Show them to your hairdresser at your consultation so they can get a good idea of what you have in mind.
It’s also wise to have a practice run so you can see how comfortable your hair feels. You’ll be wearing the hairstyle for hours and hours on your wedding day, and you don’t want to get a nasty headache because your hair is too tight or uncomfortable!
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