by Julie Mott - Hair House

Up or down? Curly or straight? Veil or no veil? - There are plenty of things to consider when deciding on a hair style for your big day. The shape of your face and the style of your wedding dress are important. But just as important are things like climate, hair texture and accessories. Using pictures in magazines can be a good way to get ideas. But be careful – styles that look good in these pictures might not necessarily suit you, your wedding style or your dress.

Considerations - Veil or no veil? Are you having an ornament in your hair? These factors should be used to enhance the hairstyle, not be the hairstyle itself. And all these decisions are easy to make once you’ve answered a few key questions. What time of the day will the wedding be held? Where will the wedding be held? Will it be in a church or will it be a beach wedding? What is the style of your wedding dress? Is it a simple straight gown or an elaborate creation? And will your wedding be a formal event or a low-key cocktail party?

Once you’ve asked these questions and discussed them with your hair stylist, you’ll be able to determine the type of hairstyle that will work best for you on your wedding day.

Choosing a hairdresser - A good hairstylist can help achieve the wedding look of your dreams. It’s a good idea to select a hairdresser who specialises in wedding styles. Your regular hairdresser might be great at cutting and colouring but not necessarily good at creating fantastic wedding looks. Take a good look at the portfolio of work that a hairdresser has done before deciding on a stylist.

Hair tips - Once you’ve decided on a stylist, it’s also a good idea to collect pictures from magazines that represent your preferred look. This is a great way to communicate to your stylist the ideas you have about the look you want. Remember though to consider your own unique features and the circumstances of your wedding.

It’s also important to have at least one practice so that you and your stylist can nut it out together and see what really suits. It gives your stylist the chance to work with your veil, hairpieces or ornament as well. Some hair-dos that have been around for years and can look hard and ‘plastic’ from too much hairspray. So listen to your stylist and be guided by them.

Preparation - If your hair looks unconditioned and unruly the end result will too. To have perfect hair on the day, make sure your hair has a fresh colour and is in great condition. This helps to ensure all those fly always, split ends and re-growth are taken care of.

The ‘up do’ - For a classic elegant look, wearing your hair up is always best. When hair is up it’s out of the way, it’s not sticking to lip gloss, the hair is secure and you don’t have to worry about it all day. Up suits almost everyone – it shows off your collar bones which gives a sense of grace and elegance. An up do also shows of any ‘bling’ you might be wearing.

The ‘down do’ - Some brides look absolutely stunning when their hair is down - it can be worn casual or sleek satin.But make sure the conditioning is sublime to avoid messiness. And if you would prefer your hair down, be prepared for the curls to drop a little throughout the day. On a damp day you might also experience a little frizz.

The ‘short do’ - Short funky styles can also look great. If you wear your hair short all the time, why not keep it short for your wedding? Chances are you’re only going to cut it off on your honeymoon anyway! There are some beautiful head bands and bridal ornaments around to dress up your short style, or you can even get one custom made.

Costs - Most salons will have a price list for bridal hair, but be prepared to pay more for a more experienced stylist. They are hairdressers skilled in bridal hair and have done extra training to become the expert you need.If you want to have your hair done at your own home, you should also allow for petrol money and costs for extra time. And remember, if you’re planning a Sunday wedding, costs might increase as well. A girl’s wedding is one of the most important days of her life. It’s her day to be pampered and to be made to feel – and look – like a princess. Choosing the right hair do and the right hairdresser can help make that a reality.