You want to start by looking through your huge stack of bridal magazines and also online for pictures of hairstyles you like. Look for things you like and also things you do not like. Gather examples of pictures where you like the front or the side and maybe nothing else about the style. While in your gathering stage, more is better than fewer as you can always weed out similar pictures later. Looking online for images at places like theKnot.com and celebrity gossip websites are generally the best places to find examples of hair and also makeup looks for your wedding day. And don't forget to grab magazines or look through photo galleries of the stars on the red carpet after major events such as the Oscars and other movie and music awards shows.
Once you have your stack of photos, go through and weed out similar ones. This will also hopefully force you to narrow down what type of chignon or romantic half-up style you want. Think about whether you like the height or volume of one style over another, whether you like the tightness or the looseness of a curl or wave over another. Also think about your own hair type and the amount of hair you have to work with to create your desired style. Understand that though in pictures, these styles may look natural and gorgeous, there may be a ton of extensions used along with multiple other products, and while the picture may look like the hair is touchable, in person it was actually quite sprayed down with product. However, if you are interested in having that particular style, be sure to be open to having extensions and a decent amount of product in your hair. It is important to have realistic expectations walking into your trial run through.
As you have your hair trial run through and try multiple styles, you may find that you like your hair in a couple different styles that you never thought of before--such as all down or half-up. Generally after we set a bride's hair to curl and then take the rollers out, the bride will be amazed at how she looks and start to consider having her hair all down or half-up.
Our advice in choosing a style amidst the many styles that look beautiful on you is that you want to be practical. Unless you want your stylist to stay and change your hairstyle after the pictures or ceremony and have two different hairstyles--which some brides do as it is a big day--you will have to choose one hairstyle. If you do choose to have one hairstyle, think of the point in the evening when you will be dancing (and probably sweaty) on the dance floor. Are you the type of person that throws her hair up in a ponytail or can you have your hair down all day long? If you generally wear your hair up on a long day at work, you will most likely want to do it up in some way. Many brides who do not decide to do this end up throwing their hair back in a ponytail on the dance floor. Also, if you sweat on your neck/back when you get warm, if your hair is down and your back is exposed/open, your hair has nowhere to go but there--and unfortunately, no amount of product/spray will hold a curl when it is being drenched in sweat/water.
Another difficult decision brides often face when deciding on their hairstyle (and this applies to deciding on your makeup look as well) is choosing between how they see themselves every day when they do their own hair and makeup or choosing to do something totally different. Most brides are past the "prom" stage of their life where the standard slicked-back-helmet-of-curls look is not an option, however, many brides get to their wedding day and also have no other event that they really had their hair professionally styled for and therefore have no other reference point as to seeing themselves "done up".Many brides end of having this thought that their hair has to be a certain way because their wedding is a "formal" event, when in fact, you can wear your hair down to a formal event and still be just as formal. Remember that you will be the one wearing the white gown carrying the flowers in a gorgeous venue. Unless you decide on blue jeans, you will be looking quite formal--whether your hair is up or down.
The most important thing to remember is that you choose something that you love the way it looks. It may be that this look is just a little more polished than what you do for yourself on a regular day--and that is just fine. The same applies to your hair as to your makeup--a bride who feels beautiful is always going to be the most beautiful. The genuine smile and glow you will have feeling gorgeous is going to stand out much more than how you wear your hair.
Photo credits: Dietrich Gesk, Solvara, George Delgado
Photo credits: Dietrich Gesk, Solvara, George Delgado
