The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Hair: Unveiling the Perfect Bridal Look

by HEATHER COLLIER / MAY 22, 2024

Reading Time: 11 Minutes

Index

Calling all bridal fanatics, you are cordially invited…

Say ‘I do’ to the ultimate love affair: unlock Cliphair’s top secrets to creating sensational wedding hairstyles.

Your wedding day is one of the most special moments of your life, and every detail counts, especially your hairstyle. Whether you're going for a classic updo, bohemian braids, or romantic waves, you want it to look and feel both beautiful and memorable. This guide is your ticket to unlocking bridal hair perfection, both as a bride or bridal hairstylist. From hairstyle and extension advice for brides, how to coordinate your dress with your locks, gorgeous bridal party looks to expert tips and our exclusive competition for bridal hairstylists, Cliphair have got you covered!

Hair Trials and Prep

What is a Wedding Hair Trial?

Before the big day, it's crucial to schedule a hair trial with your stylist. This gives you the opportunity to experiment with different styles and find the best one to compliment your features and personality. Remember to bring inspiration photos and any hair accessories you plan to wear so you and your stylist have a clear plan of the look you want to achieve. A hair trial is also the perfect way to judge if you will need to use extensions to achieve your desired look, or whether your natural hair will do the trick!

Feeling inspired by our model’s hair look? Become a bridal goddess by following our step-by-step guide to achieving Bridal Hollywood Waves.

When Should I Have My Wedding Hair Trial?

We recommend scheduling in 2-3 wedding hair trials, all taking place 2-4 months before the day so you have enough time go back to the beauty drawing board if needed. In the weeks leading up to your wedding, focus on hair care. Treat yourself to regular trims to keep your locks healthy. Cliphair’s Quench The Thirst Collection is guaranteed to have your hair feeling luxurious and shiny in the days prior. Our Deep Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner are haircare staples for any bride, along with our Deep Conditioning Hair Mask. Healthy hair is the foundation for any stunning bridal hairstyle!

When washing your hair during the days before, you’ll want to avoid using products to make your hair overly silky on the day, as it makes it much harder to style and manipulate. We recommend washing your hair the night before, instead of on the day to prevent any styling difficulties or mishaps.

When it comes to colour, we’d advise colouring your hair no sooner than 2 weeks before the wedding unless you’re covering white regrowth with a very dark dye.

Choosing Your Hairstyle Based on Your Wedding Dress

Your choice of dress can have a huge impact on the hair and makeup style that you choose. You don’t want to spend a fortune on a beautiful intricate lace back dress only to hide it away with your hair. We advise choosing your dream dress first; using this to help narrow down your hairstyle choices. 

Dresses with intricate lace detailing on the back should be shown off and admired. It would be a shame to hide the details of your dress with long hair or veils. We believe that having your hair up is the best way to complement this style. Low, elegant buns are a perfect accompaniment to this style of garment.

If you're wearing a more modern gown, consider a polished bun or sleek ponytail to match. For a bohemian or vintage-inspired dress, loose waves or soft braids offer an elegant, romantic aesthetic.

For off-the-shoulder or strapless styles, consider hairstyles that frame your face with soft curls or intricate updos, enhancing your natural beauty.

Let's not forget the neckline, the cornerstone of any dress's silhouette. Sleek chignons or glamorous updos are also great for high necklines, adding a touch of sophistication without overshadowing your dress.

Using Hair Extensions for Bridal Hair

Hair extensions can be a game-changer for achieving your dream wedding hair. Whether you want to add length, volume, texture or a mixture of different colours, extensions offer endless possibilities. Collaborate with your stylist to find the right type of extensions and ensure they blend seamlessly with your natural hair.

For brides with fine or thin hair, hair extensions for wedding hair can provide the extra volume needed to create a full and luxurious hairstyle. Just be sure to schedule a trial run with your extensions to master the placement, ensure they blend seamlessly, are the right shade match for your natural hair colour and don’t cause too much strain on your scalp.

Whatever the reason for using hair extensions, we strongly recommend having at least 2 trials with your stylist before your big day to make sure the set you’ve ordered is a perfect match for your tresses. Whether you’re using Clip-In Extensions or having Permanent Extensions fitted beforehand by a professional, you’ll need Cliphair’s quality 100% Remy human locks to ensure they last all the way through your honeymoon and beyond. Whether it’s Clip-In Ponytails, Clip-In Fringes, or Remy Royale Invisible Tape-Ins, you’ll truly be spoilt for choice!

For the masterpiece seen above, our model wears 20” Seamless Hair Extensions in the shade Iced Cappuccino.

Bridal Party Advice

Bridesmaids Hairstyles

Embracing the diversity of bridesmaids' hair lengths, textures, and thicknesses is essential for creating a cohesive look that complements the bridal party's aesthetic. With such variety, opting for a versatile hairstyle is key to ensuring everyone feels confident and beautiful. Consider styles like soft, romantic updos, such as a twisted bun or a tousled low chignon, which can be adapted to accommodate different hair types.

These styles allow for customization, whether it's incorporating braids for added texture or pinning up shorter lengths for a seamless finish. Additionally, half-up, half-down styles offer flexibility, allowing bridesmaids to showcase their individual lengths while maintaining a unified appearance. Emphasizing natural texture and incorporating accessories like delicate hairpins or floral accents can further enhance cohesion while celebrating each bridesmaid's unique beauty.

Mother of the Bride Hairstyles

Whether your daughter is getting hitched or you’re seeking some guidance on how to style a beloved family member’s hair, here are some of the main things to consider:

When selecting a hairstyle, it may be best to take into account yet again the style of your dress, any accessories you’re drawn to, and even your face shape to see which hairstyles bring out your natural beauty in the way you deserve. Browse our blog 10 Elegant Hairstyles for Mother of The Bride for a beautiful, versatile range of mother of the bride hairstyles. @ashleyleehair adds 16” Double Weft Clip-Ins in the shade Silver/Grey to our model’s hair for a boost in thickness and volume to enhance this elegant, soft wave look.

Wedding Guest Hairstyles

Being a wedding guest can often be a lot of fun and huge privilege, so you’ll want to be looking and feeling your best, which starts with your hair!

Begin by considering your outfit's neckline and style – intricate details call for elegant updos like a classic French twist or a braided crown, while simpler ensembles pair seamlessly with loose waves or a sleek ponytail. Whether it’s for day-to-day or special occasions like a wedding, extensions can add a touch of long-lasting glamour that will withstand hours of celebration, instilling you with the confidence you need.

However, even without extensions, you can achieve stunning results with the right products and techniques. For those forgoing extensions, invest in quality styling products like texturising spray or volumising mousse to add dimension and hold.

If the date is fast approaching and you’re unsure of how to style your locks for your friend or loved one’s wedding, here’s 10 Gorgeous Wedding Guest Hair Ideas.

Flower Girl Hairstyles

Adding a floral headband or pretty tiara to a little girl’s hair is absolutely enough. Not only will it look beautiful, but it’s also achieved in less than a minute, saving the stylist’s time and the flower girl’s time in the styling chair. A floral headband will work with any hair type and length, meaning your flower girls will match without any real hard work. However, if you’re looking for more of an intricate braid or detailed hairstyle for your flower girl, our 10 Flower Girl Hairstyles blog is sure to give you the inspiration you need.

Communication is key when it comes to bridesmaid hairstyles. Have open discussions with your bridal party about their preferences and any hair concerns they may have. Ultimately, you want everyone to feel confident and comfortable throughout the course of the day.

Advice for Bridal Hair Stylists

As a bridal hair stylist, your role is to bring your client's vision to life while also providing expert advice and guidance. Communication is key throughout the process, from the initial consultation to the final touch-ups on the wedding day.

Stay updated on the latest bridal hair trends and techniques to offer your clients a wide range of options. Don't be afraid to suggest alternative styles or modifications based on your expertise and the client's hair type and face shape.

We asked our resident stylist Abbey what advice she’d give for budding bridal stylists, here’s what she had to say:

“Not all venues are kitted out conveniently for doing hair, so always pack your own extension lead and handheld mirror. Remember the hairstyle you create needs to last a full day and may come up against bad weather and lots of movement, so don't skimp on your setting time and use prepping products such as mousse, volumising sprays and rollers.”

For a full lowdown on all the must-have tools, products and accessories for bridal stylists check out our blogs below.

Cliphair Bridal Hairstyling Awards 2024

Our Bridal Styling Awards is set to reopen this year on June 1st and will be running all the way until June 30th. Our annual awards are an excellent opportunity for you to showcase your talent as a bridal hairstylist, share your business with other industry professionals, network with potentially hundreds of new followers or clients, all with an exciting array of gift cards and cash prizes up for grabs! Any qualified, training or student hairstylist worldwide can enter.

To enter, simply share an image or video/reel on Instagram of your bride’s final look with or without extensions, along with a styling tutorial process if preferred. Follow us and tag @cliphairlimited in your post. Use the #CliphairBridalAwards24 hashtag to enter for all categories. For ‘Best Cliphair Look’ use the hashtag #BestofCliphairBridal. All hairstyles must be created on a real person, not a training mannequin. Entries must be submitted before 11:59pm BST.

Winners will be announced on July 31st 2024. Save the date, and we’ll do the rest!

To browse last year’s winners, take a look at our full breakdown of the 2023 Bridal Awards.

Bridal Hair Inspiration

Need some last minute inspo? Look no further than Cliphair’s Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest, where we have dozens of bridal looks at your fingertips! Save your favourite looks and share them with your stylist during your hair trial to help convey your vision.

Are those wedding butterflies starting to flutter? No worries! Take a deep breath and let Cliphair's Bridal Bible be your ultimate companion through this magical journey. If you’re feeling flustered, you can also read some of our in-depth bridal and wedding style guides:

Take our bespoke Bridal Quiz to find your dream shade and extensions expertly tailored to you.

Ready to tie the knot? Consider factors such as the season, venue, and overall theme of your wedding when choosing your hairstyle. Whether you're going for a glamorous Hollywood-inspired look or a relaxed beachy vibe, there's a hairstyle out there to suit every bride's unique style.

Conclusion:

Your wedding day is a celebration of love, and your hairstyle should reflect the joy and excitement of the occasion. From hair trials and prep to choosing your style and incorporating hair extensions, this guide has covered all the essentials for achieving your dream wedding hair.

Remember, the most important thing is to feel confident and beautiful on your special day. Trust your instincts, communicate openly with your stylist, and embrace the journey of creating an alluring bridal look. With the right preparation and inspiration, you're sure to shine as the stunning bride you are!

Whether you're hiring a seasoned professional or relying on the talents of your nearest and dearest, we're excited to see your wedding day snapshots! Share those final looks with us and let's celebrate the magic together. Tag us in your photos on Instagram at @cliphairlimited and use our hashtag #WeWearCliphair.