How To Choose Your Bridal Hairstyle

From your dress, to the venue, to the texture of your hair, there are SO many factors that go into selecting your bridal hairstyle.

Before really deep diving into considerations, I always give the disclosure that 99% of what you are seeing on Pinterest under "bridal hairstyles" include extensions worn by models. While they're great for general "inspo", they aren't always feasible, wearable (we'll get into this later), or realistic. Okay, now lets deep dive!

• Hair Length, Texture & Inspo: First and foremost, what does your hair look like? Longer down styles & fuller up do's are typically done with lengthier, fuller hair (or extensions). If you have very fine, thin, or shoulder length hair, these fuller styles will be harder to achieve. Find inspo pics that are similar to your hair! If you have a cute bob, or shorter hair, search "short bridal hairstyles". By narrowing your search to your specific hair type, the looks you see will be more attainable. PRO TIP: Look at your bridal stylists portfolio for inspo.
• Dress Style & Venue: I strongly encourage brides to WAIT on deciding on a hairstyle until they have their dress & veil/ accessories selected. (More to come on veils later!) If you purchase a dress with a swooping low back or incredible lace detailing, you want to SHOW THAT SH*T OFF! This would mean likely doing a form of an up-do. If your dress is more simple, a half-up or all down style might be more fitting. Your style should also match your venue vibe. If you are going for a black tie, super formal event, a boho braid might not fit in the best with the atmosphere. PRO TIP: When trying dresses on, play with putting your hair all up or all down to see how it looks & what you like best.
• Comfort Level: Let's face it, we all have an insecurity or feature that we don't love. For some, this could be having their ears show in a hairstyle, or hiding their jawline. If you wear your hair down every single day, and that feels most comfortable to YOU, wearing your hair down in a much more elevated style than your day-to-day may be your comfort zone. If you always wear your hair up in a bun, an elevated up-do might be your comfort level. Now, on the other spectrum, we often have brides who choose to do the exact opposite of their day-to-day because after all, it's their WEDDING & they want something different than what they look like on the norm. Just be sure to try this out to ensure you still feel comfortable. 
• Veils: An optional, but stunning accessory for brides! Let me start by saying, nearly any hairstyle can accommodate a veil. Are there hairstyles that are easier for veils? Absolutely. Up-do's. These are going to be your tried and true for really holding a veil tightly in place. The base of the up-do works as a "shelf" for the veil clip to snuggle into. Another great option for veils is a half-up style. Where the pulled back pieces connect, a veil can easily sit on that "shelf". If you're set on an all down style, the stylist can tease pieces by your crown, under the top layer of hair, so that the veil clip has hair to grip to. Bobby pins can also be added for extra security. Basically, don't let having a veil deter you from any style you want. Veils are typically only worn for photos and the ceremony; so think long term!​
• Accessories: If you are set on having a hair piece, select a hairstyle that can accommodate it. There is such a wide variety of accessories ranging from dainty pearl pins, to wire wraps, to clips. If you have those dainty pearl bobby pins, an all down style may not be the best since they won't have anywhere to hold to. PRO TIP: Buy a variety of accessories and bring them to your trial to play with! Return what you don't end up using.
• Extensions: Perhaps the HOTTEST discussion point of bridal hairstyles. Do you need them? What kind do you get? I'm going to break this one down by specific styles. (Side note: IF you are blessed with mid-back or longer hair & thick locks, extensions really aren't needed for you!)
  • ​Hollywood Waves/ Volume Curls: Yes. If you want those long, va-va-voom full waves, you'll want some extensions. Extensions are going to add length that the curls are going to take away from your natural hair length. They also help this specific curl style stay put longer.
  • Up-do's: This really depends on how much height & volume you want in your up-do. If you want that high volume, piecey, textured, full up-do, you'll want extensions. If you're leaning more towards a sleek, low bun style, you can probably opt out of them.
  • Half Up-do's: Again, this depends on how long & full you want it. If your hair is long, but thin, adding extensions for this style is probably a good idea. When the stylist pulls those front pieces back to create the half-up part, this will take volume away from the bottom half of your hair. Extensions can add that fullness back in. 
  • Bonus: If you get clip-ins for your wedding, you get to re-use them for other special occasions after- woo hoo!

Still not sure if you need them? Ask your stylist! At your trial, we will always be honest if we think you will need them for the big day. We highly recommend these: www.bellamihair.com/

• Wearability: A lot of this subject comes down to your venue, time of year you're getting married, and your hair texture. If your venue is all outside in mid-July, or your venue doesn't have AC, humidity is likely going to be a HUGE factor. Styles like Hollywood waves do NOT love humidity, wind, rain, etc. No amount of hairspray or product is going to ensure this style lasts all day if it's 100 degrees with 100% humidity. If you're eloping on the top of Mount Mansfield, wind is going to be a big factor. If your hair texture is one that doesn't hold curl well, take that into consideration with styles. Have an open conversation with your stylist about your venue details & how your hair behaves on a day-to-day basis. (Don't worry, we will ask these questions, too!) Be open to the professional suggestions & trying some options out. 

Still unsure of what style might be best for you? That's what trial runs are for! A lot of our brides will typically try out 1-2 styles (or variations of them) during their appointment. Even after a trial, we show up to weddings where the bride switches from a down style to an all up style because of weather that day, or because they just changed their minds! 

Happy planning! XO, Hillary​

Photos by: The Light and Color, Keith MacDonald Photography, Garrentee Photography, Jenna Brisson