Wedding Hair 101: Bridal Hairstyles to Match Your Dress

When deciding on how to wear your hair on your wedding day, take into account the shape and style of your wedding dress. Some bridal hairstyles are more flattering for a particular type of gown. Here are some tips for choosing the right bridal hairstyle.

Bridal Hairstyles for a Strapless Gown

If you are wearing a strapless gown on your wedding day, considering wearing your hair down rather than up. Loose curls falling to your shoulders is a very beautiful look, even if you have to get hair extensions to make it happen. If you wear your hair up, don't make it too tight or sleek.

Illuminate Makeup & Hair, Calgary

Sarah Loveng, Vancouver

Beauty-A-Go-Go, Vancouver

Yasiv Marin, Vancouver

Sarah Loveng, Vancouver

Bridal Hairstyles for a Ball Gown

If your wedding dress is a full at the bottom, in the case of a ball gown or A-line princess skirt, wear a tighter hairstyle to emphasize the look of your dress. Pull your hair back in a chignon at the base of your neck or in a classic, formal bun.

Bridal Hair by John di Bratto, Toronto

Hair & Spa in Motion, Toronto

Illuminate Makeup & Hair, Calgary

Bridal Hairstyles for a Sheath

If you are wearing a form-fitting wedding dress or sheath style, go for a bigger hairstyle with lots of volume. A high updo or any sort of "big hair" look is perfect. The tighter, smaller shaped dress is a nice contrast to fuller bridal hairstyles.

Hippie Hair Concepts, Toronto

Bridal Hair by John di Bratto, Toronto

Bridal Hairstyles for a Mermaid Gown

If you are wearing a mermaid gown - one that is fitted through the body and flares out below the knee - a retro 60s hairstyle is a great look. Hair piled high on the head in beehive with a fringe of bangs sideswept across the forehead or any other style that invokes that 60s feeling will be the perfect complement to a mermaid shaped gown.

Sarah Loveng, Vancouver

Hippie Hair Concepts, Toronto

Some General pointers for great Wedding Hair

Whatever hairstyle you choose on your wedding day..
• ..make sure that your hair is in great condition
• Get a haircut about a month before your wedding
• Visit your stylist several weeks in advance and try out a variety of possible bridal hairstyles
• Bring pictures of your wedding gown along with any hair accessories, so that the stylist knows what they are working with
• Also talk about the possibility of hair extensions if you hair is a bit too short for the look you desire

Story by Kori Ellis