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Secrets to Finding the Perfect Wedding Hairstyle

The dress is perfect, your flowers are divine, so your crowning glory must be equally special for your big day — after all you will be looking at photos of your wedding day for years to come.

But choosing the right hairstyle can be tricky, so I’ve compiled a few tips to help you along!


Planning During the Run-Up


You should start thinking about the sort of style you want as soon as you get engaged! This might sound too soon, but if you picture long, flowing locks, while your own hair is cropped and boyish, you need time to allow it to grow. Many up-dos also need longer hair, so drop those scissors now. A few months before the wedding, consider taking a vitamin supplement that targets your hair to ensure that it is glossy and full for all those photos. And start regular deep conditioning treatments about six weeks before.

The next big consideration is color. If your hair is colored, make an appointment to get it freshened up about a week before your wedding day, this will allow time for it to settle and, heaven forbid, to fix any disasters. This is also a good time to talk to your stylist about the style you want for the ceremony.

The “Natural Versus Formal” Dilemma


Although there’s been a trend towards simpler styles, many girls still opt for the traditional fancy up-do. Take into account the style of your dress — a stiff formal do could look over the top with a floaty, peasant-style dress; while a too-relaxed hairstyle might look messy or under-done with a more traditional Cinderella gown.

Most of us don’t wear elaborate hairstyles every day, so take someone whose opinion you trust with you to a trial — your mother, bridesmaid or husband-to-be. Remember stylists love the opportunity to do intricate styles too, so be prepared to rein them in and say exactly what you want.

Bringing photos with you is a good way to explain your choice — especially if you choose a particularly complicated or formal style. It is best to schedule the practice run for at least a week before the big day. Look at magazines and HairstylesWatch.com for ideas to print out and take with you. If you plan to wear a veil, bring it along too.

Nowadays, most brides opt for a pretty, girly style. For loose hair, shine is essential! If you are doing your hair yourself, stick with products that you know work for you — it’s tempting to splash out on new shampoo, conditioner, mousse, serum, shine spray, etc., but try them out in advance and don’t forget that more expensive doesn’t always mean ‘better’.

Also, remember that simple hair can look just as stylish when the right accessories are chosen. Flowers are the traditional wedding accessory, but butterflies and pearls are also very big. Tiaras remain popular with the more formal look.

On the Big Day Itself


Don’t be tempted to make any last minute changes. Your stylist will have prepared the products he or she needs and a change could result in disaster.

Make sure to use plenty of hairspray to hold the look in place through to the evening. If your style is particularly elaborate or you have a heavy veil or accessories clipped to your hair, get your bridesmaid to carry a mini hairspray and extra hairclips so you can freshen up during the day. And don’t panic if your hair starts to fall down during the day. Find a mirror and a quiet spot and fix it up, or if it’s dropping very badly shake it out — and pretend you had a day look and an evening look planned all along!

Jen Dallison writes about hairstyles at www.HairstylesWatch.com. There is a section of that site devoted to wedding hairstyles.

Published by special arrangement with FavorIdeas.com.

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samantha
wrote
on June 11th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
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my hair is curly, red, about shoulder length (layers of course) and im not sure what to do with it. im not getting married until october 2009 and i dont really plan on cutting it between now and then (occasional trim for dead ends.)

we are getting married at the aquarium and the colors ive picked are pool, white/cream/ivory (which ever i finally decide on haha), black (pretty much only for the tuxedos), and silver. silver and pool are accent colors, while the black and the white shade are the base (**the BM dresses are going to be pool with a white shade sash, though.)

i was thinking of maybe having my hair down and loosely pulled back with a tiara (an ornate, but not huge one) or something of that nature in my hair. perhaps a messy bun? maybe even straightening it, although my mom and grandma would have a fit if they saw me straightening out “all those pretty curls.”

Ashley
wrote
on June 6th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
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Try a half up do. It is where the top part of your hair is pinned up and the lower part will fall around your shoulders. I have seen this work beautifully with a friend of mine that had tons of curls. oh and the pinned up part was loose so it was softer looking. Either way talk to your hair dresser and try it out before then wedding. Good luck!

 
 
charlotte
wrote
on April 3rd, 2008 at 8:47 am

I am being a bride in june 08 and I havn’t got a clue what i’m doing with my hair it’s about middlen of my neck length but I want it curly what should I do?

 
STACEY
wrote
on February 9th, 2008 at 11:43 am

I have short hair and will be having 4 bridesmaids who all have long hair would it look better if I got there hairs put up?

 
leanna
wrote
on September 19th, 2007 at 7:46 am
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I am having a September wedding, I would like to stick with warm colors and the fall theme. We are using a darker blue for one of our wedding colors. The majority of the flowers that time of year are purple,yellow, orange and red. I would like to use a chocolate brown with the blue, but its kind of a dark blue. I’m having some trouble deciding on the colors. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Holly
wrote
on January 5th, 2009 at 3:23 am

I would say chocolate but you want it to be shiny. Unless if like me you have pale girls.

 
 
Sherri
wrote
on April 24th, 2007 at 10:52 am

I am getting married in Cancun and knowing that it is windy, I am going to do a partial up do, with either flowers or hair pins for decoration:D

 
wrote
on February 25th, 2007 at 12:12 pm

if its a beach wedding i would go with a simpler hairstyle maybe a messy bun with curls and twist but nothng too fancy

 
Brenda
wrote
on February 15th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
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I’m planning a beach wedding, any ideas for a bridal hair style? My hair is getting longer, I would say about medium length with layers… I have a year until our wedding and I’m planning on letting it grow out.

 
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