Bridal Hair: From Classic Updos to Beautifully Styled Waves
Your wedding day hair is one of those decisions that can feel surprisingly difficult.
You might have spent years knowing exactly how you like your hair — then suddenly you're looking at hundreds of photographs of buns, braids, curls, waves, veils, tiaras and flowers and wondering how on earth you're supposed to decide.
And while there's something undeniably beautiful about a classic bridal updo, bridal hair doesn't have to mean having your hair pinned up.
In fact, some of the most beautiful bridal styles are much closer to the way you might normally wear your hair — just beautifully polished, thoughtfully styled and finished with the right accessories.
Whether you're dreaming of a timeless chignon, soft romantic curls or glossy Hollywood-inspired waves, the most important thing is that your hair feels like you.
Here's everything worth thinking about when planning your wedding hair.
Start with the dress — but don't forget about you
Your wedding dress is often the natural starting point for your overall bridal look, and your hairstyle can help bring everything together.
A high neckline or detailed back can look particularly beautiful with the hair swept away, allowing those details to be seen.
A strapless or simple neckline might work beautifully with hair worn down, creating a softer frame around the face.
A very classic dress might lend itself to an equally timeless hairstyle, while a more relaxed or modern dress could look incredible with loose, undone waves.
But there are no hard rules.
The most important question isn't:
"What hairstyle is a bride supposed to have with this dress?"
It's:
"How do I want to feel when I look at myself?"
If you always wear your hair down and feel most confident with it around your shoulders, you don't suddenly have to become an updo person because you're getting married.
Your wedding is probably not the best day to discover that you don't actually like having your hair pinned away from your face.
Bridal hair doesn't always have to be up
For years, the default image of bridal hair was a carefully constructed updo.
And beautiful updos aren't going anywhere. From sleek buns and elegant chignons to softer textured styles, they're timeless for a reason.
But wearing your hair down can be just as bridal.
One of the biggest trends we've seen is beautifully styled, classic waves — and we're not talking about the slightly beachy waves you might create for a day at the coast.
Think glossy, structured, softly brushed waves with plenty of movement.
Hollywood-inspired waves, classic curls and polished brushed-out waves can all look incredibly sophisticated, particularly when paired with a veil or statement hairpiece.
There's something lovely about the contrast of beautifully styled hair with a delicate veil falling over it.
And if you're wearing a tiara, comb or decorative hairpiece, waves can provide a gorgeous base without making the overall look feel too formal.
Think soft, polished and timeless rather than "done".
Your hair can still feel special without feeling completely unlike you.
Classic waves and a veil: an effortlessly beautiful combination
Classic bridal waves, styled by Charlotte in Rustington.
If you love the idea of wearing your hair down but are worried it won't feel "bridal" enough, your accessories can completely change the look.
A classic veil placed into beautifully styled waves can create a very traditional bridal silhouette while allowing your hair to remain down.
A long, delicate veil can look particularly beautiful over polished waves, creating movement as you walk.
Alternatively, a shorter veil can work beautifully with more defined curls or a classic side parting.
And there's something particularly timeless about seeing the veil and hair work together rather than treating the veil as an afterthought.
Your stylist can consider where the veil will sit, how it will be secured and what will happen when you eventually remove it.
Because ideally, your hair should still look beautiful after the veil comes off.
Or add a tiara, comb or delicate hairpiece
Chic bridal up-do with a little extra decoration.
Not every bride wants a veil.
A beautiful hair accessory can create just as much of a bridal feel without covering the hairstyle.
A delicate tiara can work beautifully with classic waves, particularly if you're looking for something timeless rather than overly princess-like.
Decorative combs can be tucked into an updo or placed into the side of a down style.
And smaller pins or individual accessories can add a little sparkle without becoming the main event.
The trick is to think about the whole picture.
Your dress, jewellery, veil, hair accessory and hairstyle should all work together rather than competing for attention.
Sometimes the most beautiful bridal hair is the style where nothing looks like it's trying too hard.
If you do want your hair up, there are endless options
Of course, there are plenty of reasons to choose an updo.
You might love the feeling of having your hair completely off your face.
You might want to show off the neckline or back of your dress.
You might want something incredibly secure that you don't have to think about throughout the day.
Or perhaps you've always dreamed of wearing your hair in a beautiful bun on your wedding day.
And there are so many variations beyond the traditional tightly pinned-up style.
The classic chignon
A timeless choice that can be sleek and sophisticated or softer and more relaxed.
A low textured bun
Beautiful for romantic, relaxed weddings where you want the style to feel polished but not overly formal.
A soft updo
Pieces can be left around the face to create movement and softness, rather than having every strand perfectly pinned into place.
A high bun
Elegant, striking and particularly beautiful with certain necklines and statement earrings.
The right updo should be chosen around your hair, dress, accessories and personal style — not simply because it's what you think a bride is "supposed" to wear.
A high bun is always an elegant option.
What if your hair is naturally very curly?
Your natural texture can be a beautiful starting point for bridal hair.
You don't necessarily need to straighten or completely transform naturally curly or wavy hair to make it bridal.
A stylist can work with your natural texture to create definition, shape and polish while keeping the character of your hair.
Equally, if you normally wear your hair curly but have always imagined yourself with a smoother, more structured bridal style, that's absolutely possible too.
This is exactly why a bridal hair trial is so useful.
It gives you the opportunity to see what feels like you before the wedding day.
The bridal hair trial: why it's worth doing
A trial isn't just about deciding whether you like a particular hairstyle.
It's an opportunity to work out what actually works for your hair.
Your stylist can look at:
Your hair length and density
Your natural texture
How your hair holds a curl
Your parting
Your face shape
Your dress
Your veil
Your accessories
How you normally wear your hair
The overall feel you're trying to create
You can also discover things you hadn't considered.
Perhaps you love the idea of a particular updo but don't actually feel like yourself with your hair completely off your face.
Perhaps you arrive convinced you want curls and discover that polished waves are much more "you".
Or perhaps you realise that the hairstyle you've saved 47 photographs of simply isn't practical for your hair — and your stylist can create something with the same feeling that works beautifully for you instead.
That's the point of a trial.
Not to force you into the first style you chose on Pinterest.
Bring your accessories to your trial
If you've already bought your veil, tiara or hair accessories, bring them with you.
This is particularly important if you're considering wearing your hair down.
The placement of a veil or tiara can completely change how a hairstyle looks.
A stylist can also work out exactly how the accessory should be secured so you aren't trying to figure it out on the morning of your wedding.
If you haven't bought anything yet, that's fine too.
Your stylist can often help you think about what type of accessory would work with the style you're considering.
Bring photographs — but don't just bring photographs
Your Pinterest board is useful.
Very useful.
But it shouldn't be the only thing you bring to your appointment.
Bring photographs of hairstyles you love, but also think about why you love them.
Is it the softness around the face?
The volume?
The glossy finish?
The movement?
The vintage feel?
The fact that the hair is down?
Sometimes the photograph you've saved isn't actually the style you want — it's the feeling you're responding to.
A good stylist can take that inspiration and translate it into something that works for you.
Think about the whole wedding day
Your hair needs to look beautiful in more than one photograph.
Think about what you'll actually be doing.
Will you be outside?
Will you be dancing?
Will you be wearing a veil for part of the day?
Will you want to remove your hair accessory later?
Will you be changing outfits?
Will you be somewhere warm?
Will you want your hair to look almost identical at 11pm as it did at 11am?
There isn't necessarily one "right" answer.
But these things are worth discussing with your stylist.
The best bridal hairstyle isn't necessarily the most elaborate one.
It's the one that looks beautiful, works with your hair and allows you to enjoy your day without constantly wondering whether your hairstyle is still intact.
When should you book your bridal hair?
Don't leave it until the last minute.
If you're getting married during a particularly busy period, it's worth contacting your salon well in advance to secure your preferred date.
You can then arrange a trial at an appropriate point before the wedding.
Your stylist can also advise you if you need to make any changes to your hair beforehand.
For example, if you're considering a significant colour change, don't make your first ever colour appointment a few days before your wedding.
Give yourself time.
The same applies to major changes in length.
If you're thinking about growing your hair for your wedding, start planning early rather than waiting until you're a few months away and hoping it catches up.
What about colour before the wedding?
Your wedding hair isn't just about the hairstyle.
Colour can make a huge difference to the finished look.
Balayage, highlights, blondes, brunettes, glosses and dimensional colour can all photograph beautifully, but the timing matters.
You may want to schedule your final colour appointment close enough to the wedding that everything looks fresh, while allowing enough time to make adjustments if needed.
Your stylist can help you work out the best timing depending on your colour and what you're having done.
And if you're thinking about going dramatically lighter, darker or changing your colour entirely?
Start early.
Your wedding morning is not the time for a colour experiment.
Don't forget the condition of your hair
Beautiful styling starts with hair in good condition.
If your hair is dry, damaged or prone to breakage, it's worth putting some attention into its condition in the months leading up to your wedding.
That might mean regular professional treatments, adjusting how often you use heat, improving your home-care routine or simply making sure you're getting regular trims.
Healthy hair tends to behave better when it's being styled.
It also has that lovely softness and shine that looks particularly beautiful in photographs.
And finally: don't lose yourself in the Pinterest board
There is nothing wrong with being inspired by other brides.
But your wedding day doesn't need to be the day you become a completely different person.
If you never wear your hair in an intricate updo, you don't have to.
If you always feel most confident with your hair down, beautifully styled waves with a veil or tiara could be absolutely perfect.
If you've always dreamed of a classic chignon, go for it.
If you have naturally curly hair and want to celebrate it, do that.
There are no rules that say bridal hair has to look a certain way.
The most beautiful bridal hair is often the hair that makes you look in the mirror and think:
"I look like me — just on my very best day."
Planning your wedding hair?
Whether you're dreaming of a classic updo, romantic curls, polished waves or something completely your own, the Raire Hairdressing Company team can help you find a bridal style that works with your hair, dress and overall look.
We recommend booking a bridal hair consultation and trial so there's plenty of time to explore your options and make sure everything feels right before the big day.
Raire Hairdressing Company has salons in Wick, Littlehampton and Rustington.
Book your appointment online or contact your local salon to discuss your bridal hair.