How to Pick a Wedding Hairstyle

The FIVE KEY FACTORS to finding you perfect wedding hairstyle.

In a world full of endless media, endless choices and endless inspiration, it is hard to figure out where to start when looking for a wedding day hairstyle. I am going to help you find your perfect style by narrowing down your options. Sounds weird right? But trust me, it’s going to make a world of difference to when it comes to picking a style and you will soon be asking yourself “why didn’t I think of that?!”

Let’s go through each of the Five Key Factors and work out what works best for you. I have written questions through out that I often ask my clients in their trial. You can write down your answers as they come up, it might be helpful to look over later when finalising a style.

Factor One: Where is your venue?

It’s so important to pick an appropriate style for your wedding venue. If you are getting married on a cliff, chances are it’s going to be windy! Especially if it is a Wellington Wedding! The weather can have a huge impact on the day and how long your style stays in tip-top shape. If you are getting married in a church or barn, you have a few more options as you will be protected from the weather. The seasons can also play a big part in picking a style. A lot of summer brides love the idea of their hair out, until its too hot on their neck and it is starts to stick to their back. And on the flip side, hair out for a cold winter wedding could be lovely and keep your shoulders a bit warmer.

Dollhouse Tip: Visit the venue on a day in the same season you are getting married in. Many people visit the venue 6 months before and it might not have the same feel as it does in your season (Even down to what flowers will be blooming and lighting!)

Question 1: Is you perfect hairstyle dependant of having perfect weather?
Question 2: What will the season be for your wedding?

Factor Two: What does your outfit look like? (And accessories!)

Your dress plays a big part in your choice for your wedding day hairstyle. There are no rules, do what you want! Here are just some examples I have come across over the years. Example one, if you have a low back dress, it might be nice to have your hair up so you can really show off the back feature. Or if you have a strapless dress, you might want to have your hair down to have some framing around the shoulders. It all comes down to how you feel most beautiful and comfortable. Some dresses are very detailed, so you might want to pick a simple hairstyle, or vice versa. When it comes to accessories like veils, I am a huge fan! Just make sure that YOU are the main focus. I would avoid having a high neck dress, with hair down, with a veil because you will get lost in amongst everything and YOU are the most important part. Remember, you can have a veil for the ceremony and then lose it for the reception. Or, just use the veil in some photos! It’s your wedding, do what you want!

Dollhouse Tip: look up images of people with similar dresses to yours and see what styles they have gone for. What catches your eye and what really doesn’t?

Question 3: Does your outfit have a feature you want to show off?
Question 4: Do you want a veil?

Factor 3: What is your hair type?

Believe it or not, I am not a magician. The best way to avoid disappointment is to search for inspiration of people with similar hair to yours. When you are typing into Pinterest, feel free to be more precise with your searches. Instead of typing “Wedding hairstyles” in the search bar, try “Curly brunette long wedding hair” or “Thick Brunette hairstyles”. This way you will find a more accurate visualisation of what this style will look like on your hair. Often people show me photos of models with long beautiful waves that go down to their hips, when their hair only reaches their bra strap. So they will not get that same look they are wanting. There is a style out there to show case every type of hair, you just need to find it. Also, don’t feel you have to get something “different” just because it’s your wedding day. If you have signature curls that you and your groom absolutely love, just rock them. Don’t feel any pressure to look any other way.

Dollhouse Tip: highlights through your hair will often make features like texture, braids or twists stand out more and it photographs really well too! Same goes for hair accessories, they can make a style POP!

Question 5: Is your hair thick or thin?
Question 6: Is your hair long, medium or short?
Question 7: What colour will your hair be on the day?

Factor 4: What is your theme?

There are so many to choose from and, chances are, you already know what yours is! Are you thinking Rustic-Boho vibes? Romantic-whimisal fantasy? Vintage-Hollywood Glamour? Traditional-Timeless Elegance? Modern-High-Fashion Chic? Oh man, there are SO many and each hairstyle has certain types of “look” that can compliment that theme. If you are getting married in a barn with a floaty dress and a flower crown, chances are that you probably don’t want a 1920’s pin curl, right? It’s very easy to find a whole bunch of looks that you love, save them on instagram and want them all separately. But sometimes when you put them together you will realise it’s not the same theme. I’m guilty of that - I pin 1940’s Victory rolls but then also Lace boho dresses and pearl veils- they are all beautiful individually but together, maybe not so much. Again, it’s your wedding though, so you do you boo!

Dollhouse Tip: You can have different themes for the ceremony and reception if you can’t choose. And you can always have an outfit change (or accessory change) to match!

Question 8: How would you describe your wedding theme?

Factor 5: What is your face shape?

This is less about rules and more about what makes you comfortable and feel beautiful. Is there anything you want to highlight or maybe soften a bit? A lot of brides show me inspiration of what they want their hair to look like a the back, but haven’t thought about the front. The front is going to be 90% of your photos, so make sure you look for some front inspo too! A common request is to have “whispy bits” framing the face rather than having the hair straight back. This can soften the face and jawline. Some people ask to have their ears covered. Some want their parting to match a specific arch in their eyebrow. It all comes down to what you want to see when you look in the mirror and back at photos.

Dollhouse Tip: I would recommend getting the “whispy bits” cut before your trial or else you will have 90’s strands and it will be hard to get an accurate picture of how you will look on the big day

Question 9: What do you want to see when you look back at your wedding photos?
Question 10: How do you feel most comfortable with your hair?

Final thoughts. Where can I find inspiration?

Of course look on Pinterest, instagram, and Facebook. Be specific with your searches and you will get a much better result. Also, look at brides who have has similar dresses to yours. Watch movies. Think of when you have felt most beautiful and how you hair was at that time.

Please let me know if this was helpful for you and if there is any more information you would like to see on here. Forever growing and glowing!

-Dollhouse Do x

Video: Sink or Surface
Location: Sudbury, NZ
Florals and Styling: Twig and Arrow
Photo: Candy Capco
Makeup: Kristy Leigh Makeup
Hair: Dollhouse 'Do
Cake: Stiletto Studio
Dress: Paperswan Bride
Suits: Mandatory Menswear