When it comes to your wedding hair, choosing the perfect style for your big day can prove to be just as difficult as finding your dream dress! With so many styles to choose from it may feel hard to decide on just one – do you want elegance and class or flowing and ethereal? Maybe you simply have no idea where to start when it comes to your locks and we don’t blame you! So to give you some inspiration we’ve put together the top five bridal hairstyles of the moment; you can give the pictures to your hairdresser or try putting your own personal spin on them. Whatever your style, we’ll cover everything from intricate professionally produced styles to simple, elegant looks you can achieve at home.
1. Chignon
Chignons are up-dos that generally sit at the nape of the neck… and that’s where the rules stop! This look is all about contrasting your hair to your dress, for example with a heavily embellished dress you might choose to have a sleek, simple style that doesn’t distract from your gown or you could add a deep side parting to create a vintage look. But the options don’t stop there! Chignons can be made more intricate by adding curls or more casual by keeping the chignon loose. They are extra popular with those of you who have chosen a dress with detailing at the top or embellished straps, as your hair won’t block the view! Oh and one last thing: sweeping the hair away from the neck means more focus on your jewelery… so now you’ll have to buy that diamond necklace!
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2. Half-Up
Having your hair half-up, half-down is a popular choice among bridal hairstyles because your hair is kept away from your face (always an advantage if the weather’s windy!) yet the length and movement of your hair are maintained. Try creating a quiff at the front of your hair and leaving the rest straight and long for a modern look or clip the front of your hair to the sides and curl the rest, à la Kate Middleton, for a softer and super flattering style. This “do” is great if you have a fringe, as you can keep your hair down without having too much going on around your face.
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3. Loose Curls
Getting married barefoot on a beach or surrounded by lanterns in the woods? Loose curls look delicate and natural and are the easiest look to create – simply curl the hair in sections and brush through, then add salt-spray for a more matte, windswept effect (here’s a tutorial) or shine serum for high-gloss curls (tutorial) et voila! This is the perfect hairstyle if you want to wear a headpiece that’s outside the box such as a headdress or perhaps a floral crown… keep your dress plain and let your accessories do the talking!
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4. 1920’s Waves
Perfect for brides with a vintage theme or just those who want to add a touch of old-Hollywood glamour, 1920’s waves are a classic look and once they’re set they’re guaranteed to stay in place all day (thank the hair Gods!) If you have short to mid-length hair try following one of the many easy internet tutorials and set your hair in finger waves. For those with longer hair try a deep side parting with the hair swept over the opposite shoulder for the perfect Great Gatsby look. The 1920’s was all about the sparkle so complete your look with a sequined or diamante hair band.
5. Braids/Plaits
Braids are a versatile, fashion-forward look that can be tweaked to suit your own style. You can wear a French braid simply vertically or be more daring and style it diagonally across the head or to one side. A fishtail braid can be worn sleek in a pony or back-combed and messy to create a gorgeous boho look. Braids can also be incorporated into other hairstyles such as up-dos and half-up dos by creating a horizontal braid across the head, incorporating as much hair as you want. If your dress is plain (or even if it isn’t!) adorn your braid with flowers or sequins for a dreamy, fairy tale style.
There are so many hairstyles out there for brides, but all of our five most popular styles are easy to make unique to you. Try them out yourself or take a picture of a more intricate look to your hairdresser, and don’t be afraid to try out more daring styles – there’s nothing wrong with a little trial and error! Always make sure you take into account the cut/style of your dress, your accessories and your make-up, but the most important thing is to find the style in which you feel and look most comfortable… and trust us, once you’ve found it you’ll know it’s the one!