The 2024 and future brides have more options than ever and have never been more spoilt for choice with the ever-growing wedding industry rolling out creative hairstyles at every turn. We bet you never even knew you were so indecisive until you got engaged, right? We hear you, and believe us when we say you’re not the only one. With social media and inspiration as part of our daily lives, it is easy to see how the variety of details can become overwhelming. To navigate these waters, Claire Topliff of Beautiful Bridal Hair offers her expertise with a curated list of tips and advice aimed at refining your search for the ideal bridal hairstyle.
MEET THE EXPERT
Claire Topliff is the founder and lead stylist of Beautiful Bridal Hair. Being one of New Zealand’s top bridal hair specialists and educators with over 25 years in the industry, Claire launched her company in 2013. She has grown her brand into a distinguished name within the wedding industry and her team into a handpicked group of sought-after hair stylists recognized for their modern and romantic signature hairstyles, regularly featured in international publications.
The talented team behind Beautiful Bridal Hair thrives on delivering outstanding bridal hair customized to make every bride feel incredible. Their philosophy is to provide a luxury service with a personable touch.
Wedding Hairstyles
There are endless wedding hairstyle options to choose from, each as varied and unique as the brides themselves. Here are some of the main hairstyle types to inspire your bridal look:
Down Hairstyles: Romantic voluminous curls, effortless loose waves, and straight, sleek hair—each style can beautifully complement your gown, theme, and personal taste. These hairstyles can all be paired with a side part to enhance a classic, old-fashioned bridal look.
Updos: These timeless and popular styles involve gathering and pinning the hair up, often at the nape of the neck or higher. Variations include the chignon, bun, and French twist. They can be sleek or textured and accented with braids, suiting almost any face shape. Updos are perfect for showcasing beautiful necklines and statement jewelry. The bride can also add hair accessories to elevate the hairstyle.
Half-up, half-down: This style balances an updo and loose hair. It’s an excellent choice for brides who want to show off their hair’s length and volume while still having some structure.
Ponytails: High, low, or side ponytails can be incredibly stylish and elegant yet comfortable for weddings. Adding volume, waves, or braids to a ponytail can elevate the look, making it a chic option.
Natural Texture: Embracing natural hair texture is a growing trend among brides. Whether you have curly, wavy, or kinky hair, wearing it in its natural state can be a beautiful and authentic choice. This style can be enhanced with accessories like headbands, flowers, or jeweled pins.
Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Day Hairstyle
1. STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF
“Brides often find themselves torn between staying in their comfort zone and exploring new styles for their special day. The wedding day presents a wonderful opportunity to elevate your style, whether to embrace a new look or create a better version of a style you’re comfortable with. I mean, no one actually goes about their daily lives with a Luxurious Hollywood wave. However, the bride who chooses a Hollywood wave may feel very comfortable with their hair down and want to elevate their style on their regular loose wave for their wedding day. The decision should both embrace your individuality and fulfill your desire to create a memorable, knock-out look for your special day,” says Claire Topliff.
So whether you opt for a classic hairstyle or experiment with an on-trend aesthetic, the key lies in selecting a look that makes you feel confident and the best version of yourself. Trust your gut feeling and embrace your authenticity. If you are torn between styles, discuss your vision with your stylist and potentially try out both styles at your hair preview.
2. CREATE A PINTEREST BOARD
Pinterest is an invaluable resource for brides seeking hairstyle inspiration. Creating a Pinterest board can help you identify recurring themes in your preferences. If you find yourself saving a wide range of styles—from sleek buns to glam waves and everything in between—it’s helpful to narrow down your choices for clarity and focus. Dedicate some time to critically evaluate each pinned hairstyle, discerning whether you love the entire look or just specific elements. This introspection will help you refine your preferences and improve communication with your stylist.
3. CONSIDER YOUR WEDDING LOCATION
Weather can play a significant role in determining the perfect bridal hairstyle, ensuring that you look and feel your best despite whatever conditions the day may bring. Here are some styles to consider for each type of weather:
• For humid climates paired with outdoor ceremonies brides may want to consider an up style to keep their hair off the neck and prevent frizz. The humidity can cause havoc with any hair on the neck. Styles like a lush ponytail, sleek bun, tousled bun, or high bun would all be excellent choices.
• For colder climates or indoor weddings, you have more flexibility with hairstyles. You can consider intricate styles, romantic curls, or glam waves—luckily, you have plenty of options.
• Windy conditions call for hairstyles that can withstand gusts. Half-up, half-down styles, and tousled buns are great because they can handle the wind and already have an undone look. Remember that overly structured styles might look messy once the wind picks up like they have fallen out.
4. DOES YOUR DRESS MAKE YOU WANT YOUR HAIR A CERTAIN WAY
Claire shares: “While I’m not completely sold on the dress dictating whether your hair should be up or down, it does help eliminate what won’t look right with the dress and also determine which areas of the dress you definitely want to show off. Whether it’s showcasing intricate details, complementing the neckline, or enhancing the overall silhouette, your attire can significantly influence your hairstyle choice.”
For dresses with high necklines, elegant updos or sleek ponytails can accentuate the dress’s details and maintain a balanced silhouette. Sweetheart or strapless necklines pair beautifully with Hollywood waves, soft curls, or half-up styles, framing the face and adding a romantic touch. It’s a good idea to take photos of your dress fitting with your hair both up and down so you can get a sense of your preferences before your hair trial.
5. ACCESSORIES
Accessories can elevate a simple hairstyle to something truly spectacular. Consider how veils, headbands, pearls or floral elements can be incorporated to complete your look. Once you have found your dream dress, you will likely have an idea of which accessories will complement it best. Waiting until after your hair trial to buy your accessories allows you to tailor your choices to match your specific hairstyle. Sometimes, hairstylists may even have a selection of accessories for you to try during your trial or can offer advice on what works best with your chosen style.
“While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, my advice is to find your perfect dress, decide on your hairstyle, and finally purchase your accessories. This sequence ensures that everything harmonizes beautifully for your special day,” Claire recommends.
6. HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
It is essential to understand that not every dream hairstyle is feasible with your natural hair length, texture, or density. Be open to the idea of extensions to attain the volume or length you desire for your wedding day. This advice also applies to those with long, thick hair who aspire to a hairstyle like Hayley Bieber’s cute bun—yours might end up being a larger version!
7. HAVE YOU ALREADY CHOSEN YOUR HAIRSTYLIST?
Assuming you have selected your hairstylist based on their expertise and style alignment with your vision. Use their social media as a gateway to inspiration heaven. After all, you chose them for a reason—so make the most of their talents!
8. HAVE A TRIAL
Investing in a hair trial is invaluable. It provides a preview of how your chosen styles will look and perform, offering an opportunity for adjustments before the big day. This step can eliminate surprises, ensuring your wedding day hair is everything you have envisioned.
9. LEARN TO POLITELY DECLINE
“We mean this in the kindest way possible,” Claire says. “Once you start planning a wedding, believe us when we say everyone has an opinion. While advice can be helpful, it’s crucial to maintain clarity about your own desires. Politely declining suggestions from loved ones that don’t align with your vision is perfectly acceptable.”
10. OPT FOR TWO
“We have all seen the trend of two dresses, and now having two hairstyles is becoming a little slice of luxury. If you can’t decide between two styles, why not have both? Embrace both looks by scheduling a hair change before the reception,” Claire concludes.
In summary, the key to finding your perfect bridal hairstyle lies in authenticity and a clear vision of your personal style and wedding theme. This ensures that your bridal look remains a true reflection of you. Check out Beautiful Bridal Hair’s Instagram for more hairstyle inspiration, and visit their website to book a wedding hair trial with Claire or her team.
