12 Wedding Day Hairstyle Tips for Brides

by KristenAugust 5, 2010 0

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Photo via Brides.com

Your wedding day is fast approaching, and after choosing your dress, your hair is probably the next step in putting together your wedding day look. Here are 12 tips to having a stress-free day at the beauty salon and choosing the look that’s right for you.

1. Book your hair appointment as soon as your wedding date is set. This may seem like a minor thing that can wait, but stylists’ schedules fill up quickly, especially on weekends during the spring and summer months.

2. Do a trial run. When you book your wedding day appointment, most hairstylists will suggest a trial session a few weeks before the wedding. These practice runs are often free or cost a nominal fee that is tacked on to the big day ‘do. Bring photos of styles you like, any hair accessories you plan to wear (i.e. veil, flowers, clips, tiara) and someone to give a second opinion.

Photo by Lamar Gee Photography

3. Bring a photo of your dress (or the dress itself) too, and take the dress’s neckline into account when choosing your hairstyle. (Other considerations: the earrings you plan to wear and the shape of your face.)

4. Speaking of second opinions, ask your fiancé what he or she likes! It’s your hair and you’re obviously free to do what you like with it, but if he fell in love with your long, tumbling locks, you may change your mind about that tight, high bun.  After all, you’re not letting him wear his red dice cufflinks, and fair’s fair.

5. Wear a button-down shirt. You wouldn’t want to ruin two hours in the stylist’s chair by pulling a t-shirt over your head.

Don't let this happen to you! Awesome photo via HaselBride

6. Wash your hair the night before, not the day of. Or go even longer without washing if you can stand it. Slightly dirty hair with no product in it is the perfect canvas for the stylist to work his or her magic. Updos hold better and unstructured looks have more shine.

7. If you color or highlight your hair, do it at least a week before the wedding. This will give new color a chance to ‘settle’ a bit, and will allow enough time to correct any unforeseen dye disasters.

8. Think about the back of your hairstyle. Of course your face will be photographed all day long, but hundreds of people may be staring at the back of your head while you walk down the aisle and say your vows.

Photo via Bridal Beauty Chicago

9. Step out of your comfort zone…but not too much. Your wedding day hairstyle is probably going to be fancier than your everyday ‘do, so don’t be afraid when you see a bit of glitz and glam and teased roots – embrace it!

At the same time, if you’re fairly laid back and low maintenance on most days, don’t go for a rigid, structured look that doesn’t suit your personality, or a loose, hippie look if you’re Audrey Hepburn at heart. You want to look like you when you look in the mirror – just the best version of you.

10. Think about your overall look. This ties in with #9. If you’ve got an elaborate, $15,000 Vera Wang gown, you’ll want to do more than just run a brush through your hair. If you’re going vintage, ask your hairstylist what retro styles work well with a birdcage veil. Try a simple hairstyle with an elaborately lacy, cathedral-length veil, or some big, bouncy, va-va-voom curls with a discreet blusher veil.

Photo by Amanda Brooks Photography

11. Don’t micromanage your bridesmaids’ hairstyles. True story: for my eldest sister’s wedding in 1989, the entire bridal party was required to get a perm. Your bridesmaids have already thrown you a shower, listened to you vent about wedding stresses, and are wearing the dress you picked out – let them do their hair however they’d like.

12. Have fun! Bring bagels and coffee and music. Take pictures of everyone with giant hot rollers in their hair. It’s your wedding day! Relax and enjoy – we’re sure that after reading these tips, you’ll look your best!