Whether you're going for a timeless updo, soft romantic waves, or want to ensure your short hair style looks its absolute best, your hair plays a major role in completing your bridal look. But how do you make sure your hair looks its best and complements the outfit you’ve chosen? Here’s a step-by-step guide to how to prepare your hair – and the finishing touch: your bridal accessories – for your big day.
Plan Your Hairstyle Early On
Your wedding day hairstyle shouldn’t be a last-minute decision. Start planning early, ideally at least 3-6 months before your big day. Consider your hair type, length, and texture, as these factors play a big role in determining which styles will work best for you. Get inspiration from places like Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, magazines and blogs and start building up folders or boards with pictures of the styles you like and you’ll soon get a feel for the ones you are most drawn to.
Steps to Prepare Your Hair Before Your Wedding Day:
- Consult with a Stylist: Book a consultation with a professional stylist who specialises in bridal hair. A bridal hair stylist has experience of creating looks that not only look great, but will last for the entire wedding day. Bring inspiration photos, but also be open to their suggestions based on your hair type and the overall vibe of your wedding.
- Schedule a Hair Trial: About 2-3 months before your wedding, schedule a hair trial. This is crucial to help you find the style you love and for testing out how your chosen style will hold up. Booking a few months in advance means that if you need to have another appointment or find a different stylist you should still have time to do so.
- Select Hair Accessories: If possible, try to choose your hair accessory before your trial so you can bring it with you to try it on with your planned hair style to ensure the accessory will work with your hair style and complement your overall look. If you would rather wait to choose an accessory until you’ve finalised your hairstyle your stylist or favourite hair accessory designer can help advise on an accessory style to suit you and your style.
- Hair Health Routine: Start a hair care routine to ensure your locks are healthy and vibrant for your wedding. Hydrating masks, trimming split ends, and avoiding excessive heat styling can go a long way.
- Colour Touch-Up: If you colour your hair, plan for a touch-up about two weeks before the wedding. This will give your hair time to settle but still look fresh.
Wedding Day Hair Prep: What to Do On The Day
Now that you've prepped your hair and chosen the perfect accessories, it’s time to get wedding-day ready. Here are a few key tips for the morning of your wedding:
- Wash Your Hair: Unless your stylist advises otherwise, wash your hair the night before, not the morning of. Slightly “lived-in” hair tends to hold styles better than freshly washed, slippery hair. (I broke this golden rule on my wedding day and there were a few escaped strands from my updo by the evening!)
- Keep Your Hair Hydrated: Discuss with your hairstylist the best products to use on your hair in the run-up to the wedding and on your final wash day.
- Avoid Unnecessary Heat: If you're having your hair styled professionally, avoid heat tools in the months and days leading up to your wedding. This will prevent damage and ensure your hair stays in top condition.
- Bring Your Accessories: Make sure you bring your hair accessories to your appointment! Your stylist will be able to help place them securely and ensure they enhance your overall look.
Choosing the Right Bridal Hair Accessory or Veil
Bridal accessories are the finishing touch that will tie your entire look together. The key to this is to find the right piece or pieces that not only complement your hairstyle and gown but also the overall look or theme of your wedding.
I offer a wide variety of bridal hair accessories with something for all hairstyles and personal preferences.
I work hard to ensure my pieces are versatile and can be styled in multiple ways and with various hairstyles – ideal if you're still undecided on your final look for the big day or if you want to change your look or hairstyle later in the day. If you can’t find the exact piece you dream of, why not get in touch to discuss a bespoke bridal hair accessory.
Tiaras and Crowns
Whether you're dreaming of a regal, vintage, or whimsical fairytale theme, tiaras and crowns are the perfect accessory to complete your look. They work beautifully with updos, shorter styles, and flowing hair. A tiara or crown is a great option for a celestial, botanical, enchanted forest, or traditional bride.
Hair Combs and Pins
These classic, elegant and flexible accessories can be positioned creatively and are among the most versatile wedding hair accessories you can choose. Hair pins can be subtle or dramatic and instantly elevate your hairstyle. They're suitable for a wide range of looks, from intricate updos to loose waves. They can also be worn with other accessories to create your own unique look - try adding them to a crown or hair vine to extend or add drama to your look.
Headbands
Known for their ease of wear, headbands are an excellent choice if you have shorter hair or if you don’t plan to have a hair stylist on your wedding day. They’re also a beautiful finishing touch for longer hair, updos or half up hairstyles.Opt for an ornate crystal side-tiara for a vintage look, a detailed padded headband for a modern classic look, or a chic birdcage veil headband to add instant glamour to your look.
Hair Vines
Ideal for brides seeking a bohemian, whimsical, or vintage feel, hair vines offer endless styling options. They can be woven into or over your chosen hairstyle, and are a really flexible choice, especially if you haven't settled on a final look yet. A ribbon tie hair vine is an especially versatile choice which can be worn as a headband or, with the ribbons removed, pinned into the back or side of your head.
Veils
If you’re going for a traditional look, a veil is a classic option. When choosing a veil, consider your dress style and the length of your hair. A long, cathedral-length veil pairs beautifully with formal, romantic or boho gowns and looks stunning with a variety of hair accessories from hair vines to combs, hair pins to headbands and, of course, a tiara or crown.
A short, blusher-style or birdcage veil works well with modern, retro or vintage-inspired looks and is an especially good choice for a city wedding or legal ceremony. A shorter veil looks beautiful with a mini dress, trousers, jump suit or slimline gowns.
Pairing Bridal Hair Accessories With Your Outfit
When selecting your accessories, there are a few key factors to consider to ensure they match your hairstyle and wedding outfit. There is a school of thought that the more detailed your outfit, the simpler your hair accessory should be - but I say rules are meant to be broken! It’s all about balance really - if your personal style is fairly dramatic then a statement headpiece with a detailed dress can look and feel incredible.
If your dress has a lot of beading, crystals or pearls, I would say a crystal or pearl based headpiece is essential to pull your look together and make it look intentional. Going without a headpiece risks you looking as though your detailed gown is wearing you, rather than the other way round. If your gown is heavily embellished I would say go with something that works with the detailing (although it doesn’t have to be an exact match) in the size that you feel comfortable wearing. Anything from simple hair pins, to a comb, mid-size hair vine or headband or super-sparkling crown will work if it’s your style and you feel comfortable wearing the piece.
A large headpiece can still be quite a subtle look if you go for something in a delicate design like a clear crystal crown or one of my minimalist Wild Love designs. The more open the design or the subtler the materials the bigger you can go without overwhelming your look.
A simple gown can be paired with a bold, ornate hairpiece to add drama with no need to worry that you’ll overdo it. A statement crystal hair vine, headband or crown can be a great finishing touch to a gown with clean simple lines and minimal or no embellishment.
However, wearing a smaller simpler hair accessory, or even just a pair of statement earrings, can be a gorgeous way to accessorise this kind of look and create a really modern timeless vibe.
When choosing your accessories you’ll also want to ensure they work with your wedding venue or theme. If you’re having a formal, black-tie wedding, go for elegant, timeless accessories like pearls or crystals. For rustic, boho, beach or forest weddings, floral, celestial or botanical pieces will work beautifully. A city hall or town hall wedding is the ideal setting for a birdcage veil or veil headband or some modern chic pearls.
Why You Should Wear A Bridal Headpiece
Your hair accessory is more than just an afterthought. It helps frame your face, add dimension to your hairstyle, and elevate your entire bridal look. Whether you choose a classic veil or a sparkling tiara, these pieces serve as the finishing touch to make you feel radiant - and look like a bride - on your wedding day.
Not sure which accessory is right for you? I can help you to find the perfect match for your hair and gown - simply drop me an email to ask for advice, book a consultation in my studio or online, or take my bridal accessory style quiz and I’ll send you my top picks for your personal style.
The One Hair Accessory Rule You Should Follow
Prepping your hair for your wedding day is all about planning, patience, and finding the right accessories to complete the look. By investing time in choosing the perfect veil, comb, or headpiece, you'll not only look stunning but also feel confident as you walk down the aisle.
Explore my full collection to start your journey to finding the perfect piece to make you feel like the best version of yourself. And remember, the suggestions above are just that, there is no real rule book you have to follow when choosing your bridal hair accessories. Well, apart from one simple one that is very similar to choosing your spouse - choose the one you love and makes your heart sing!