from the top

Once you've got your dream dress you'll have to come up with a gorgeous hair style to do it justice! But there are just so many choices; straight or curly, up or down, chic or funky...? Here are some top bridal hair tips to get you started.

your dress

Your gown will have a certain look and you want a hair style that complements, or at least doesn’t detract from, your outfit. For example, if you’re wearing a 60s style dress it would look great with a beehive. Similarly, if you’re going for a very traditional outfit, a modern funky do might look a little out of place. The proportions of your dress are important too. If you’re wearing a very full-skirted dress, a wider style will work best to help balance you out, whereas a sleek narrower dress would suit an up do piled high on your head.

dress it up

If you’re wearing a veil and/or tiara the hair style needs to work well with them, not just on its own - it may be that a hair style you love is just too over the top when the accessories are in place.
There are lots of ways to enhance your bridal hair style, regardless of whether you’re wearing a veil and/or tiara. A simple flower looks great for summer garden party weddings, and for a bit of glitz and glamour you can’t beat hair crystals. Don’t go over the top though, unless you want to end up looking like Jordan. Ribbons, slides, clips and pins can all help complete your look.

up or down

Your chosen style needs to work all day long – many brides like the idea of having their hair down but in the end choose to wear it up because it saves any worry about it getting messy. A hair style that stays put is generally what brides look for, especially as you’ll be having so many photos taken. Good as your intentions may be, external factors such as the weather, alcohol, heat and even dancing will make it virtually impossible to look perfect all night! It might be neater have your hair pulled back, but if you’ve got gorgeous locks the groom in your life may request that you leave it down. Which leaves you facing a bit of a dilemma really doesn’t it? This is probably why so many brides go for the half-up-half-down compromise, keeping both parties happy.

try before you buy

You may be quite set on a certain look – perhaps it’s the classic bridal ringlets for you? Or you may be vacillating between two contrasting styles. Either way, it’s vital that you have a trial with the hairdresser who’s going to be creating your style on the day. You might think you love the ponytail swept to the side look, but until you actually see it you won’t really know. Sometimes your colouring or the shape of your face simply mean you have to accept that a certain style just doesn’t suit you.

top hair tips

• There are lots of very realistic and reasonably priced hair extensions on the market that can give you loads more options – whether it’s giving you that extra length or adding a new colour
• Experiment with different styles; a wedding dress is an unusual outfit so it may be that something you’d never normally consider works really well for your hair
• Ask bridesmaids what styles they would like – and if money is tight consider having their hair blow dried and straightened rather than paying for complex up dos that cost more
• Browse the internet and wedding magazines to find pictures of the looks you like
• It’s good to choose details from your dress to incorporate into your hair style, such as diamanté or pearls
• Ask your hairdresser for advice on what styles complement your dress and suit your face shape
• Wedding fairs are great for seeing wedding hair styles on real people (albeit models) as opposed to two-dimensional photos
• It’s a good idea to try your proposed hair style with all the accessories you plan to wear
• Wear a top that buttons down the front when you go to the hairdressers on the wedding day – otherwise you’ll ruin the hair by putting the dress on