Choosing Your Wedding Day Hairdo
Deciding on your wedding day look isn’t as easy as finding a picture you love on Pinterest and asking your stylist to replicate it. Everyone is different, and the hair styling of your favorite celebrity may not complement your features the way you imagine on your wedding day. Here are some things you’ll want to consider before deciding on your beauty look.
The Weather
OH Snap! Photography
The season in which you choose to marry plays a large part in all aspects of your wedding planning – including your beauty look. You should consider factors like rain, humidity, and wind, as well as what season you’ll be tying the knot in! Fall weddings tend to pay tribute to nature. With the crisp, autumn air, you should lean toward loose waves and braids. Spring weddings are where love and beauty blossom. Create an effortless updo with wisps of curls hanging around your face for the perfect, fresh spring look. Summer weddings mean high temperatures and long days. Pull your hair up into a chic chignon or bold topknot to keep your neck and back cool. This is especially helpful if you battle frizz. It will also ensure that your hair isn’t flying into your face during your vows and ruining romantic photo ops. Winter is a time where virtually any look goes. Because your wedding will be inside, you can get away with a flawless updo or a romantic side sweep.
Theme and Style of your Decor
BCR Studios by Brad
Your hair should definitely match the theme of the day. If the wedding has 1920s décor, you wouldn’t expect the bride to have blunt bangs or wear a flower crown. For a Gatsby theme, try a coifed hairdo with old-Hollywood type curls. For a more bohemian, eclectic theme, wear your hair down or in a loose braid and consider adding a flower crown. A more modern wedding with geometric accents and industrial elements may feature a bride with sleek hair. Having wildflowers and a flowy dress? Loosely gather waves in a knot or braid match perfectly! Whereas an elegant chignon or intricate up-do is perfect for a traditional and classic bride with a ballroom wedding.
Your gown
Klodt Photography
You’ll want to consider your gown when choosing a hairstyle. Does your dress have a delicate lace overlay, elegant pearl buttons, or an exposed back? Wearing your hair down in loose waves or curls will cover up those features! Instead, opt for an up-do to show them off. For strapless or spaghetti strap dresses, long hair worn around your shoulders looks great framing a pendant necklace and sweetheart neckline. Necklines like bateau or off-the-shoulder can pair well with various hair-dos. You can also use inspiration from your dress for hair accessories! For instance, if your dress is bedazzled in crystals, a crystal hair clip or tiara can be the perfect accessories for a consistent look. If your dress has a bohemian feel or is draped in lace, an embroidered veil add a romantic, vintage vibe to your look.
Your veil
Genevieve Nisly Photography
If you plan on wearing a veil, typically a chignon or low bun works best to support its weight. For an up-do that’s not near the nape of your neck, you’ll have to decide whether you want the veil clipped in on top of the ‘do or underneath. If you wear your hair down, you may want to pull a few pieces back to add a bit of dimension to your look. You’ll want to be sure that it’s not too difficult to take the veil out, either. Odds are that you won’t want to wear your veil throughout the entire reception, but the last thing you want is to ruin your hairdo when you take the veil off! You want your veil to be secure, but ask your hairstylist to use as little bobby pins as possible and be sure to have a bridesmaid help you when removing your veil.
Tips
Orchard Photography
- Start your search for a hair stylist 3-8 months before your wedding. You want someone who has experience, understands your vision, and who you feel comfortable enough to say “No, I don’t like that” to.
- Look through your stylists Instagram and portfolio to see their work and see if there’s any ‘do they’ve done that you want to replicate.
- Schedule several hair trials. This will ensure that your ‘do looks exactly the way you want it to on your wedding day and that your stylist knows exactly what to do and won’t have to experiment on the day of. Bring in photos of hairstyles you love and be sure to try on any accessories and your veil to ensure they fit with your do.
- Schedule a few conditioning treatments, and make sure you get a good trim the month of your wedding. We recommend not experimenting with any new colors 6 months before the wedding, but one final dye or highlight session should happen the 2 weeks before the day.
Choosing and executing your wedding day hairstyle is a big task. It will be documented in photos and video for all of posterity! Consider factors like location, season, and your dress, and consult with your hair stylist to come up with a perfect ‘do for you!
