Wedding Day Hair

"How will I wear my hair?" Every bride faces that question. Your wedding day hairstyle is a great part of the total bridal look, definitely worth some thought. If you have a bad hair day, the photos to prove it will be around for years to come. However, it's a great opportunity to do something really special with your hair.

The Test Run

Do a "test run" with hair and make-up, just the way you plan to wear it on your wedding day. Have someone take several pictures from different angles and with different facial expressions. Then, look closely at the pictures. Do you like what you see? Is there too much make-up or not enough? How do you feel about the hair style - too much height or not enough?

If something doesn’t seem right, start again and do another test run until everything comes together. It's important to actually take photos of yourself because it can give you a different perspective rather than just looking in the mirror.

During the "test run," walk around with the hairstyle you plan to wear to determine its comfort level. A good rule is: the simpler, the better, since pins can hurt, and intricate styles are often delicate and apt to fall. The photos, wedding and reception could last as long as ten hours, will the hairstyle stand the test of time or will it fall before the reception starts?

So Many Styles

Consider the time of day and type of wedding when choosing a style. Loose styles are appropriate for informal or daytime weddings, while up-do's portray a formal, evening look. Strive for balance. The hairstyle and headpiece needs to look balanced to the dress and body type. Like a puzzle, all the pieces fit together to make a lovely picture.

Remember some hairstyles can add inches to your height, and shorter brides may want to use this to their advantage, while tall brides might end up being taller than their groom.

One option is to let the texture of the hair determine the style. Thicker and coarser hair stays up the best, while slicker or finer hair is better with the front up and the back down.

Will you be wearing a veil? If so, your hair style and your veil must work well together. It might be a good idea to get your veil first, or at least have some idea of the type veil you want.

Tiara headpieces continue to be popular. They look their most elegant atop a romantic style updo. That way, you can choose to wear a veil for the ceremony, but remove it for the reception if you wish, and show off the artwork of your updo!

The Salon

Schedule your wedding day hair appointment at least eight weeks ahead. But, don't expect to get your regular stylist to do your wedding hair if you desire an intricate updo. This is a specialty service and best left for the resident expert, so request the right person for the job.

Stylists and makeup artists do their best work in their own environments with their own tools, so have your wedding party meet at the salon a couple of hours before they need to be at the ceremony for pictures. This increases efficiency, and usually costs less!

If you do arrange for them to work in your home, provide adequate space with good lighting.

General Wedding Hair Suggestions

It's best not to go overboard with hair spray. "Helmet head" is not an appealing look for any woman.

If your stylist tells you to show up with dirty hair for your wedding day, don't be too surprised. Some styles work best when the hair isn't too clean, depending on your hair type. Just washed hair can be fly-away and less manageable.

Remember to wear a button down shirt when you're getting your make-up and hair done. Otherwise it's either mess up your finished look or cut off your shirt! When you're ready, step into your gown, rather than pulling it over your head.

To ensure your hair looks healthy on your wedding day, take good care of it in the months prior. There are plenty of affordable deep-conditioning treatments available for at home use. But don't use one the day of your wedding or your hair could end up looking flat and greasy. The same holds true with chemical treatments. This is not the time for surprises!

One of the newer trends is ornamenting your hairstyle. Check the bridal section of your local craft store for creative options. There are also many decorative hair sticks, barrettes and bobby pins to add to your hairstyle.

Check out our Wedding Hairstyle Ideas article with pictures you may want to use.