Trendy & Traditional Wedding Hairstyles

Wedding day updo’s are a tradition as formal and elegant as the veil that drapes down below. Whether or not you wear your hair up on your big day is a choice only you can make. But if you decide to push it back, comb it over, or move it to one side, read on for tips that give you more bangs for your buck.

There was a time where all formal affairs were synonymous with updo’s. In today’s world that’s no longer the rule, although brides still tend to wear their hair in some sort of “up” fashion. Hillary Bell, hair and makeup artist at Miami’s 7 Salon, usually advises brides to wear it in a half-up, half-down fashion.

“For women who normally wear their hair down,” she says, “the half-up style will make them feel like themselves, but different than every day.” Bell says you should consider the neckline and style of the dress. “If your gown is strapless, a complete updo might make you feel exposed,” she says. A little dangling hair can also give you some warmth.

Bell believes that if you want to wear your hair down, by all means do so—“It can be just as stunning and effective as an updo”—but she has a few precautions. If you’re getting married outside, wind can make it unmanageable. Also, if you have a stole or jacket, flowing hair can compete with your outfit, as well as cause problems when putting garments on or off.

As for the best updo style, that depends on you. Chignons never go out of style, says Bell, and can be worn at the nape of the neck either in back or to the side. Bangs are very popular (“just know that they create a shadow under your eyes”), with hair pulled back, bouffant-style, or in a bun. “A lot of height in front is a great look, and it’s right where the veil goes,” she says.

Another popular look is a loose bun worn to one side—think Taylor Swift on pretty much any award show—a hairstyle that gives the impression that you just put it together, but one that takes a long time to create. “It’s an ‘anything goes’ look,” says Bell. “You do need to be careful about the veil, as it can seem lopsided on top.”

While wearing your hair down is no longer taboo, there are a few styles that make Bell weary. “If you wear your hair too tight, it will look severe in pictures,” she says. “Don’t wear anything contrived or trendy. If you see a celebrity wearing a hairstyle that you love, bring in the photo, but try not to emulate it—chances are, it will be dated by the time of your wedding.”

Even with all her experience, Bell doesn’t tell a bride how to wear her hair; she only advises. “If a girl comes in who’s been dreaming about her wedding since she was five years old, she knows what she wants.”

-David Toussaint

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