Every bride is different, and every bride’s hair should capture her own individual style. So there are no “rules” for bridal hair—but there is some advice that can help you get the perfect look. Here are my top 10 tips:
1. Show and tell. On the day of your hair trial, bring anything you think will help your stylist understand the looks you love or the style of your wedding. Have a friend take a photo of you in your dress at a fitting. Bring a swatch of fabric if you think that will help. Bring pictures of brides, celebrities, models—anyone whose look inspires you.
2. Enhance your unique beauty. When you’re finding pictures to show your stylist, try to find ones that don’t stray too far from your own look and style. If you are the kind of girl who loves having her hair down and flowing, maybe you don’t want to go for a sleek up-do—and vice versa. I think it’s best to go with the look you normally go for when you dress up for an occasion, and then glam it up a notch for your wedding day.
3. Be open. Your hair trial gives you the chance to live with a look and discover whether you feel comfortable with it. If your hair stylist suggests looks that you hadn’t considered before, don’t feel pressured to follow their advice—but while you have their expertise at your fingertips, you may as well give it your consideration.
4. Accessorize. There are so many great hair accessories available now to add a gorgeous accent to your wedding hair. It will depend on the look you’re going for. For a more classical look, you might want to wear a tiara. Jeweled barettes can be great. Some of my favorites at the moment are bird-cage veils, and feathers, which go beautifully with more unstructured, flowing, playful gowns.
5. Extend yourself. If you or your stylist are worried about your hair holding a particular style all through your wedding day, you might want to consider hair extensions. Even if you own hair falls, the extensions won’t.
6. Keep having regular haircuts. Even if you are trying to grow your hair for your wedding, keep having regular haircuts. If your hair is very long or unlayered, it can be difficult to manage and style, limiting the looks your stylist can show you at your trial.
7. But don’t get your hair cut just before the wedding! It’s better to be safe than sorry, so avoid having a cut too close to your wedding. Especially avoid a radical change of style.
8. Look after those locks. Pay special attention to hair care in the weeks before your trial and wedding, so that your hair is shiny and healthy. If you’re unsure of the best products for your hair type, consult with your stylist.
9. Be product free on the day. On your trial day and wedding day, go to the stylist with clean, dry hair. Avoid using a lot of conditioner that morning, especially a leave-in one. Stay away from silkening products that weigh your hair down and make it slippery to work with.
10. Don’t make any last-minute changes. The hour or so before you walk down the aisle is not the time to be experimenting with looks. Have someone take photos at your hair trial, so that there won’t be any confusion or stress. A marriage is a joyous occasion, and at Once Upon A Bride, we believe that the preparations should be too!
Stacey Lyn Weinstein is owner of "Once Upon A Bride", one of New York's premier Bridal Hair and Make-up firms and "Loft 26" a full service Salon in the heart of Chelsea with the ambience of a day-spa.
