The OurWeddingDay Blog

As far as bride style is concerned, vintage is the new contemporary. With indie- and retro-themed weddings becoming more popular, so are retro hairstyles. There are countless brides hairstyles to choose from, but going the retro route may be the perfect look for you. The following looks are also fun bridesmaids hairstyles to keep in mind as well.

Classic Bob: During the post-World War I 1920s, women began to establish independence and their hair reflected that by losing its length. The bob (seen on the legendary Louise Brooks, above) became the most popular hairstyle among women, including flapper girls. If you have short, straight hair then rock the 1920’s bob at your wedding like there’s no tomorrow. Have fun with it and add vintage hair clips, headbands, or headpieces.

Wave: This hairstyle became popular in the 1940’s and is drastically different from the bob. This style works best with hair that lands below the shoulders. Get this look by pinning curls around your forehead or by curling your hair into soft, natural waves with hot rollers. Make sure to get rid of any whispies or fly-aways with hair-smoothing serum.

Bouffant: This 1960s hairstyle, which was made popular by Jackie Kennedy, is iconic and will definitely make an impression on your wedding day. Achieve this style by teasing a section of your hair on the crown of your head, which will create a round bouffant bun.

Read more:

• DIY Wedding Day Hair
• How to Add Indie Style to Your Wedding
• Short Hairstyles for Brides

The use of bridal hair accessories is one of the most economical ways to get a more glamorous look on your wedding day. Before going out and buying bridal headpieces, this is what you need to do first:

1. Do not even think about choosing bridal hair accessories before you choose a dress. Your dress will dictate whether or not you wear a hair accessory, and if you do, what type and style. You should not wear a sleek and simple wedding dress with an extremely glitzy hair comb. Likewise, a grand ball gown is not going to look right with a simple flower. You need to have your dress chosen before making any accessory decisions.
2. Decide whether or not you are wearing a wedding veil. More and more brides are opting to forego wedding veils for less traditional bridal hair accessories. Whether or not you wear a veil often depends on the level of formality of your wedding and your dress (if you are having a casual beach wedding, for example, a veil may not be appropriate). Remember that if you do wear a veil, this will definitely limit what type of hair accessories you can wear. Less is more, even on your wedding day. Whatever you wear, you want it to make a statement, and too many accessories can get busy and detract from the bride!
3. Decide whether you are wearing earrings and/or a necklace. Again, this largely depends on the style and cut of your dress, especially the sleeves and neckline. Often strapless dresses look best with earrings instead of a necklace; other dresses demand a gorgeous necklace to set it off.

Here are a few types of hairpieces to consider:

1. Hairpins are great because they keep your hair in place while adding a bit of sparkle. They are usually available in many different styles and shapes, covered in flowers, crystals, beads, or pearls. Just make sure that you don’t use too many, as your hair can look cluttered.
2. Combs and Barrettes are also useful, especially for sweeping your hair off to one side. Like hairpins, they can add a lot of sparkle and whimsy. But again, make sure that the person doing your hair knows how to put them in correctly so that your hair looks neat and elegant.
3. Tiaras must be expertly chosen and suitable to your dress. They can make you feel like a princess, but remember that less is more. Often, the most elegant tiaras are the most simple, adding just a touch of sparkle to the crown of your head. Also, make sure that the tiara you choose does not fight with your dress, and that the beading does not contrast with any beading on your gown. For example, if your dress is covered in vintage-looking crystals and your tiara is made primarily of pearls and ribbon, you would be better off without the tiara. A tiara is also versatile, in that it can be used with both updos and long waves.

Read more:

• Extensions & Fake Hair are "In"
• 5 Fabulous Updo Hairstyles
• Ways to Accessorize Your Hair

Bridal hairstyles must strike the perfect balance between being “you,” but also being elegant and appropriate for wedding fashion. Here are some examples of unique hairstyles from a few recent brides:

• A bride recently married in Long Beach, CA, wore her hair swept to the side with long, elegant waves, accented with fresh white orchids.
• A recent Boston bride wore her hair in a forty’s inspired updo, with a birdcage headpiece made of tulle. It was gorgeous and reminiscent of The Great Gatsby.
• A Baltimore bride wore her hair in an updo (with cascading waves and curls coming out from it), but it was accented with a feather hairpin. It was the perfect blend of vintage and modern.
• A bride from Northern California (who was married at a vineyard) recently wore her hair in a simple updo, but decorated with fresh leaves that were picked that morning. Some of the most interesting bridal hairstyles are both earthy, yet elegant.
• A bride from New Orleans wore a long veil for her ceremony, but for the reception, she switched to a more whimsical look, with a birdcage and canary yellow feather headpiece.
• A bride who was married in Chicago wore an updo that was inspired by the sixties, a slightly lower version of the bird’s nest. It was reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn’s hairstyle in the movie Wait Until Dark.

Read more:

• 5 Fabulous Updo hairstyles
• Hairstyles for Different Types of Brides
• Braided Updos for Bridesmaids

There are so many different bridal jewelry styles to choose from, it could make any bride’s head spin. The key to simplifying your choices is to decide what type of overall style you’d like to showcase on your big day. For example, the trendy vintage bride should explore antique wedding jewelry, while the traditional bride should lean toward more classic jewelry styles. The following wedding jewelry options are ideal for the classic, trendy vintage, and diva bride.

Classic
The classic bride typically wears either pearl or diamond bridal jewelry sets. If this is you, then choose simple pieces, for example, small pearl earrings or diamond studs. Focus on minimizing your jewelry so that it doesn’t take too much attention away from your dress. The classic bride is clean, simple, and uncluttered.

Trendy Vintage
The trendy vintage bride should explore vintage and heirloom pieces that highlight her unique style. Since vintage jewelry can have intricate, colorful, and eye catching designs, it’s best to choose your jewelry pieces first, then choose a dress that fits with the overall look. The best aspect of this style of jewelry is that it typically showcases head turning geometric prints and flower ornaments.

Diva
For the diva bride, the bigger and more colorful your jewelry, the better. If this is you, then you really have the freedom to choose whichever style you love the most, in other words, no holds barred. Sizable crystal wedding jewelry is ideal for the bride who wants to be the belle of the ball. This style would match perfectly with a wedding gown adorned with crystals and sparkling embellishments. If you already have a dramatic piece of jewelry in mind for your big day, then make sure to plan your dress, shoes, and veil around that signature piece.

Read More:

• Bridal Earrings: Diamonds or Pearls?
• Ways to Accessorize Your Hair
• Wedding Party Accessories

Many brides today think that they need to grow their hair long before their wedding day, or that they need to invest in hair extensions. While hair extensions can look natural and add some body to your hair, you do not need long locks to look elegant. Here are some ideas for hairstyles for brides:

Short wedding hairstyles are in! If you have short hair (and that is your best look), then keep it that way for your wedding. You want to look like the best version of yourself, so go to an experienced hairstylist who can give you the best cut and style for your wedding. Also, consider wearing a hair accessory that accents your dress. An accessory or pin can add a measure of elegance without taking away from your chic and streamlined look.

Hairstyles for brides constantly change, so make sure to choose something classic that suits your facial shape. If you really want extensions, then use them; just make sure that they look natural, to the point that people won’t guess that you are even wearing them.

Take into consideration the style of your dress. If you are wearing a sleek and simple wedding gown, having a huge updo with a wealth of tresses and curls will not look right. Likewise, a dramatic ball gown will probably not go well with sleek and short hairstyle. Make sure that there is congruity to your entire look.

Read more:

• 5 fabulous Updo Hairstyles
• Ways to Accessorize Your Hair
• Your Guide to Bridal Headpieces

Believe it or not, there are countless fun and flirty hairstyles for brides that are perfect for your special day. A fabulous updo is a fantastic alternative to long wedding hairstyles and can be just as stylish if not more. The following updos are perfect options for the modern bride.

1. Classic Twist with Bangs: Grab this classic look with the added spunk of thick bangs by straightening your hair and pull it into a low ponytail. Twist your ponytail from the bottom of your head to the top and hide the loose ends by folding and pinning them.
2. Side Bun with Bangs: Straighten your hair and pull it into a ponytail on the side of your head. You can choose how low you’d like to place the ponytail, but the lower the better. Take strands of your ponytail and weave them back into the elastic until all of your hair is up and you have a perfectly messy bun. Use bobby pins for any lose strands.
3. Braided Bun: Take a handful of your hair in the lower part of your head and braid it. Take the remainder of your hair and put it in a ponytail. Then combine your ponytail with the braid and wrap them together into a tight bun. Use bobby pins to hold your bun together.
4. Messy Bun for Curly Hair: Pull your hair into a loose ponytail and twist into a lose bun. Leave loose hairs that land on each side of your face by your ears. Out of all of the bridal hairstyles listed, this one in particular is ideal for the romantic bride.
5. Looped Bun: Pull your hair into a high and tight ponytail. This look works best if your hair is shiny and straight. Starting at the bottom of your ponytail, take your hair and roll it up until you can’t roll it any longer and pin it down to ensure it stays put.

Chances are you’re either a "plan everything to a tee," or a “wear your hair however you want” kind of bride. If you’re the former and you want your bridesmaids' hair to be unique and elegant, then consider the various braided updos that seem to be trampling the red carpets as of late. Your bridesmaids' hairstyles are an important ingredient in your wedding recipe, which is why you should consider exploring these insatiable updos donned by only the hottest celebrities.

There are so many different updos to choose from for bridesmaid’s updo hairstyles, but the classic milkmaid braid is a style that has found its way back into the spotlight, making it one of the hottest modern wedding hairstyles. Mary-Kate Olsen is often spotted with the Grecian goddess braid in a halo style that wraps perfectly around her entire head.

Anne Hathaway has been seen wearing two thick French braids around the crown of her head at various press events. This style looks stunning on Hathaway because it perfectly combines elements of tradition and elegance.

Jessica Alba rocked two thin braids at the Academy Awards. Alba’s braids played a supporting role in her hairstyle since they were thin which exuded a hippie vibe. The thin braids were pulled into a messy bun that was situated at the nape of her neck.

The braided updo is Nicole Richie’s staple hairstyle when she’s out and about. She’s worn up to four beatnik-style braids that wrap into a knotty bun.

Choosing the perfect bridal earrings is almost as important as choosing the right gown. There are countless bridal jewelry sets to choose from, but the most commonly chosen styles include either diamonds or pearls. If you’ve narrowed down your wedding earrings to either one or the other and can’t commit to just one, then perhaps the following ideas will help to narrow it down even more.

• Let Your Dress Guide You: If your dress is simple, with little to no frills then your options are wide open. You aren’t limited to just diamonds, or just pearls, and you certainly aren’t limited to only simple designs. The simpler your dress, the bigger your jewelry can be. For example, if you have an empire waist strapless white wedding gown then you have the option to go for chandelier diamond earrings. If your dress is simple, you also have the freedom to choose earrings that combine pearls and diamonds. For example, diamond earrings that dangle into a pearl would be stunning when paired with a simple wedding gown.
• Think of Your Personal Style: If you are a low-key, laid-back kind of gal then pearls most likely fit your personality better than diamonds. Pearls aren’t as flashy as diamonds, and have a subdued quality to them since they don’t demand a lot of attention, unless they are large pearls. If you are a retro gal then pearls are also a fitting choice.
• Time of Wedding: If you still can’t decide then let the time of your wedding make the decision for you. Pearls are a better choice for a wedding that takes place before 6pm, and diamonds are more appropriate for evening weddings.

A fantastic place to find hip and gorgeous hairstyles for brides is in celebrity wedding albums. Celebrities often look flawless on set, the red carpet, and at various press events, so you can imagine how perfect their wedding day style must be. If you’re in the process of narrowing your wedding hairstyle down, or need more ideas, explore the following celebrity wedding hairstyles.

Messy
A lot of actresses go for the disheveled look on the red carpet, and also on the aisle. The “Bachelor” star Molly Malaney went with the messy bun look on her big day. Ken Paves created this look by pinning her hair up to the crown of her head and pulled out small strands of it to give it that gorgeous yet un-kept look. A diamond clip added sparkle and elegance to Molly’s amazing up-do.

Romantic Waves
Rebecca Romijn could not have looked dreamier on her wedding day. Her stylist set large pin curls to mold her long blond locks into romantic waves. Two white roses, which were pinned to the back, were the icing on this insatiable wedding cake.

Bohemian
Erin Bartlett took the Bohemian look to a whole new level on her wedding day. Her long blonde locks were parted in the middle and had a loose curl, giving her hair a casual yet classic Bohemian look. This style was topped off with a silver hippie-style headband that held her hair in place.

The current wedding fashion trend is to adorn your hair with interesting accessories. Not only can hairpieces add some sparkle and panache, they can also give your wedding look a decidedly vintage appeal. Here are a few tips on adding hairpieces:

Are you drawn to wedding updo hairstyles? If so, this may be the perfect way to dress it up and showcase your style. A recent Boston bride wore a simple dress, but on the right side of her updo, near to her nape of her neck, she wore a glittering clip with a black feather that looked like it scooped up all of her hair and swept it to the side. It was absolutely gorgeous, and it made her look completely unique, while still being classy and elegant.

Another favorite of the modern wedding hairstyles is the twist or chignon, which falls lower on the neck and was popular in France in the late 18th century. This is extremely elegant, and can easily transition from mid-day to later in the evening. This wedding fashion also lends itself to a beautiful silk flower accessory, a sparkly pin, or other type of costume jewelry.

Note: When choosing a hair accessory, make sure that you consider your other jewelry, especially earrings. Otherwise, the two may conflict.

Read more:

• Making the Right Hairstyle & Fashion Decisions
• Extensions & Fake Hair are "In"
• Short Hairstyles for Brides