10 Tips for Perfect Wedding Hair

The right wedding hairstyle is just one of the things that help make the perfect wedding. The following is a list of tips to ensure everything goes smoothly so that you look and feel your absolute best on your wedding day.

1. Plan Ahead

This is all about deciding on the type of style you are looking for. Look through magazines and not just bridal ones. The glossy bridal shoots are often designed for the studio and are often impractical for an actual wedding. Talk to your hairdresser - they know you and your likes and will be able to suggest a style that would suit you. Also talk to them about a hair care regime

2. Basic Haircare

This comes down the using the right product for your hair type. Your stylist will be able to advise you on a hair care regime, which is suitable for your hair.

Have regular cuts every 6 weeks with treatments. If you colour your hair, it is important to use the right products - normally a colour-care shampoo and conditioner, plus a leave-in treatment. These products help prevent colour fade and maintain the vibrancy and condition of your hair. I would normally recommend that you have your hair cut and coloured one week before the wedding to allow your hair to settle.

3. What style?

What style ultimately depends on your personal preference, but you also need to consider:

• The time of the ceremony is it day or night?
• Is the ceremony inside or outside?
• How long do you need the style to last?

Some guidelines when choosing a style are:

• All Up: Very sturdy and will last all day and night. This look is very glamorous and stylish, suitable for both day and evening ceremonies.
• Half up/down: Still sturdy and should last all day and night depending on the hair type. This is a romantic look, very young and youthful. Normally a day style but does transform well to eveningwear.
• All down: Not practicable for outdoor weddings as this style won't last as long as the other two. The look is romantic and modern but normally considered more for the daytime than for evenings.

If you have decided on an upstyle for your wedding day then wash your hair the night before as most hairdressers prefer to work with slightly dirty hair on the day, your own natural oils will help keep your hair shiny and smooth.

Remember that some hairstyles can add inches to a bride's height, and shorter brides may choose to use this to their advantage.

4. Accessories

There are many different types of hair accessories available today a few suggestions are:

• Tiaras are available from most bridal shops and some hairdressers. Prices vary from $60.00 to $200.00.
• Silk flowers are becoming very popular today. There is a wide variety of silk and fabric flowers available at the moment many of which look like fresh flowers and can be found in department stores, salons but for the best design I have found flea markets to be the most creative with one off designs. Pricing starts normally around $30.00.
• Real Flowers are the traditional way of hair decoration and still look fantastic. However, be careful to choose the correct flower. You want one that won't wilt and is not too big for you head. Talk to your florist about the hardiness of flowers and also talk about the type of flower with your hairdresser at the trial. Prices vary form florist to florist.

5. In salon, or come to you?

This is a personal decision, and to be honest the quality of the work provided by either a salon or a mobile hairdresser should not vary. Make sure that you trial your hairdresser somewhere between 2-3 months before your wedding, as this allows plenty of time should something go wrong at the trial. The advantage of the salon is that often you can get everyone done at once, the disadvantage is that there may be multiple stylists involved whose work may vary slightly and you still have to coordinate getting your party to and from the salon. The advantage of a mobile hairdresser is that they come to you so that you are not rushing around on the day, the disadvantage is normally only one hairdresser so with a large wedding this means an early start.

Tips 6-10