Should you base your bridal hairstyle only on your gown?
It’s reasonable to say brides will spend days tossing and turning over choosing the perfect wedding dress. And once found, will happily daydream about walking down the aisle in it. But there is one crucial element that all brides need to consider when bringing their bridal look to life: the bridal hairstyle. Join Melbourne Wedding & Bride’s Alice O’Brien as she discusses with Natasha, owner and principal hair and makeup artist at Mobile Makeovers, how to match the dress with the hair.
Image courtesy of Mobile Makeovers
The wedding day bridal look is one of the most important a bride will create in her lifetime. While most of the attention is dedicated to finding the perfect dress (and rightly so), the hairstyle plays an equally important role in tying this monumental look together. A look where love and a commitment to a shared life is declared. Someone who truly understands the impact of bringing a bride’s vision to life is Natasha, having worked with brides that have “cried when passing the mirror, claiming they can’t believe [she] was able to do that with their hair and that they feel so beautiful.” This is the simple power behind a hairstyle. Yes, a wedding dress on its own is beautiful, but when purposely paired with an elegant hairstyle, that is when the heads turn and eyes water.
The choice a bride makes on her hairstyle is greatly dictated by the style of her wedding gown. But how does a bride know which hairstyle will work best with her gown, or even what aspects of the gown she needs to consider?
The Neckline
The shape of the neckline (top edge of a dress framing the neck and shoulders) is a highly influential factor. There are countless varieties, all differing in shape, depth and placement and each type has a corresponding hairstyle that best matches. For inspiration, Natasha has described which hairstyles pair beautifully with certain necklines:
V-shaped with spaghetti straps
“Low soft bun or half up so the shoulders are still exposed.”
Sweetheart
“I feel it depends on a bride, as if the hair is fully pulled back a bride can feel a bit exposed, so I like this style with a half up as it gives a princess look.”
The Process
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Halter
“I would definitely go full up, as it allows the neck to look longer and show off the detail in the halter. Halter neck dresses are designed to highlight the shoulders, neck and back and often there are details on back of dress and you don’t want to be covered by hair.”
One shoulder / Asymmetric
“Looks stunning with a side-swept updo, a low textured bun or a soft ponytail worn on the opposite side of the strap. This balances the asymmetrical neckline and allows the dress to remain the focal point. My favourite though is a soft bun to the side, seen just behind the ear with a little bit of face framing.”
Strapless & backless
“This look is based on a bride’s level of confidence. This can look great with a sleek tight bun for a snatched look exposing a beautiful back but depending on the vibe of the dress, it also looks amazing with soft curls down for a more boho beachy vibe.”
The Veil
Surprisingly, the veil is an accessory that can sometimes get lost among considerations, despite playing the most “important role in the design of a bridal hairstyle” and Natasha says, “it’s essential to discuss this during a consultation.”
It is no surprise that the veil, which sits delicately on the bride’s head, impacts the hairdo. However, less straight forward is navigating the types of veils. Similarly to different types of gowns, there are different types of veils, each suiting different hairstyles. For example, Natasha says, “a blusher veil can be brought over a bride’s face during the ceremony, so the placement of the veil is especially important. The hairstyle should include enough
structure at the back of the head to securely hold the comb at the correct height, so the blusher falls gracefully, sitting around shoulder level when brought over the face.”
After you choose your wedding gown, but before you start thinking about bridal hairstyles, remember to ask yourself: do I want to wear a veil? This is why planning for your bridal hairstyle is important – the hairstyle needs to last through every changing condition, long hours and still feel cohesive to the final look.
The Navigation
A bridal hairstyle is far more complicated than the normal hairdo. Not only does it face competing factors but has the pressure to seamlessly blend into a bride’s wedding day vision. Having more than thirty-three years of experience, including a specialisation in bridal hairstyling, it’s in her experience that Natasha’s clients find comfort in.
“I will guide the bride … give an unbiased, truthful opinion in what I feel will work best with her hair, as there are many variables such as length, thickness and whether there are enough layers for height and face shaping etc,” explains Natasha.
Because of these countless variables she “strongly believes in having a trial run.” She sees “choosing a hair style to be like choosing your wedding dress: you think you know what you are after but once you try it, it can be completely wrong for you.” And at the end of the day, that’s the most important deciding aspect: what is best for you.
Yes, it’s important to consider a gown’s neckline and whether a veil will be worn, but if the hairstyle is not reflective of the bride, it can show on the day. A well styled hairdo has the power to change a bride’s aura and that is why, for Natasha it’s “more than hair and makeup – it’s about creating a calm, enjoyable experience and help every bride feel relaxed, confident and radiant as she begins her wedding day.”