10 wedding hairstyles for your big day
From timeless updos to Hollywood waves, read my guide to the best bridal hairdos for your wedding day
It can be overwhelming to choose the perfect hair for the most photographed day of your life. Luckily, there is no right or wrong way to do it. Some brides will know how they’d like their hair to look the moment they are proposed to, others will wait to find The dress and work from there to find a hairdo that works with their look. Gone are the days of tight, corkscrew curls and school prom tiaras. It’s time to make way for delicate hair jewellery, carefully placed fresh flowers and bouncy blowouts.
Whatever approach you have to your wedding day hair, I am here to provide you with inspiration with ten of my favourite leading bridal hair trends.
1. Effortless ponytails
There is a ponytail to suit every style from high, medium or low, to one with or without face-framing tendrils. They work with or without a fringe, and can be tied tightly for a slick backed look, or more loosely for an effortlessly tousled look. Wrap a section of hair around the hair tie to create a flawless look.
2. Textured updos
For a deconstructed, textural hairstyle, use kirby grips to pin curls and loose sections of hair into place. Try not to be “too neat” as you secure hair into place, but keep it balanced, checking how it looks as you go. Tease out tendrils to leave them loose for a soft, romantic look, and incorporate small braids and twist to add texture. You can add flowers, hair jewels or pin pearls to suit your style and wedding dress.
3. Hollywood waves
Vintage-inspired Hollywood waves are a sleeker alternative to curly blow-dry or beached waves. Unlike these styles, these cascading waves run in a continuous line for a more polished effect. Perfect for a red carpet glamour look. Ask your hair stylist for a deep side parting with smooth, brushed-out curls and volume at the roots to embody Veronica Lake movie starlet vibes. Jewelled slides and embellished hair jewellery work well with this style’s side parting.
4. Sexy blowouts
Bouncy blow-dries are here to stay. Use a hairdryer, rather than curling tongs for an understated, beautiful look that works with all dress designers from fitted styles to soft, bohemian dresses. This style works best on hair types that hold heat styling well, as it does not last well on all hair, and may not stay in place for your entire wedding day.
5. Effortless loose dos
Straight, “left loose” hairstyles can be both glamorous and chic or effortlessly laid back, depending on how you style them. This style is versatile and works with a centre or side parting, and with or without a full or side fringe. Add a few floral blooms to coordinate with your bouquet, for a boho aesthetic.
6. Boho waves
Bohemian waves are more relaxed and less structural than their bouncy blow and cascading waves alternatives. Fluff out the layers of curls, instead of combing them all together for a beach, lived-in look. Add any hair accessories you like, from flower crowns to embellished hair pins, or keep is simple.
7. Unstructured mid dos
A modern take on the classic mid-height style from the 90s, where the ends of the hair are left to naturally tumble from the bun shape. It’s a fun, sexy look which looks beautifully effortless and incredibly sexy when paired with on-trend slip dresses.
8. Natural movement
This is the best style for brides that want to look natural and feel like themselves on their big day. The way to achieve this look is by not concentrating on making it “perfect”, and instead working with the natural movement of your hair. Allow it to part where it naturally wants to fall, and let any tendrils fall out independently. You can choose to tong small sections that come loose to create delicate face-framing waves and add further movement. This happens to be my favourite style.
9. Soft low buns
A classic which is easy to wear and will stay put in any weather, allowing you to forget about it and enjoy your day! You can add hair accessories or flowers to match your style, and opt to tease sections of hair out to frame your face or keep all the hair back to let your features shine.
10. Smooth chignon
A smooth low bridal bun is a chic style that suits most faces. For example, oval shapes, suit deep central partings with a twisted bun at the nape of the neck. Statement earrings help add width to your face and highlight your features. Square and round-faced brides suit low-side buns and side partings with simple stud earrings best. Chignons are beautiful and adaptable and can be done on straight, wavy and curly hair, and even shorter hairstyles too.
Whether your bridal style is classic, glamorous, fairytale, simple or boho, you can find a look that suits you and your wedding. Once you’ve found your look, you can include it in a wedding illustration of your choice. I can create this for you before your wedding for use across your stationery, Fingerprint Tree and Table Plan using your hair trial photos, or I can draw a keepsake portrait following your big day. After the wedding drawings make ideal first wedding anniversary gifts.
Follow what I am up to day-to-day @hannahweeksillustration on Instagram for more inspiration.
