Looking your very best on your wedding day is no easy feat. First, you have to find the perfect gown. Then, of course, there are the shoes. And the jewelry. And something old. Something new. And all of it has the same goal: to make guests gasp when you walk down the aisle. It’s almost as much work as planning the wedding itself. But what about your hair?
Luckily, you don’t need to spend countless hours pouring over pictures of bridal hairstyles — because we already did the work for you! From messy chignons to modern finger waves, today’s brides are creating unique looks that not only match their dress but also reflect the look and feel of the wedding itself.
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“The right hairstyle is almost as important as the right dress on your wedding day,” said Rose Renda, owner of Weddings By Rose Renda, a mobile hairstyling service in Bridgewater. “Not only does a bride’s hair frame her face for pictures, [but] it sometimes even carries the wedding theme.”
A hairstyle can, indeed, have as much of an impact as makeup or even — gasp! — the dress. “Bridal hairstyles can soften and enhance a bride’s facial features,” said Renda. “It’s kind of like creating a cosmetic finish that completes her look for the day.”
Here, Renda weighs in on the 5 bridal hair trends to watch this summer.
Modern Finger Waves
“Finger waves are really hot right now,” said Renda of the classic, loosely curled hairstyle (left) that boasts flattering, wispy face-framing pieces. “It’s a throwback hairstyle from the 1930s but it’s got a more modern twist now with long, cascading waves,” Renda added. The resulting look, which can be worn with short or long hair, calls to mind a day spent at the beach, making it the perfect hairstyle for a summertime seaside ceremony.
Soft Chignons
“These have a softer look than they used to [have] for brides,” she said. “Whether they’re off to the side or centered on the head, they’re not too tight anymore. This is a great way for a bride to show off her neck, especially if she’s wearing a dress that shows her back.”
Rope Twist Braid
“These are pieces of hair that are intertwined to create a rope-like effect,” explained Renda of the intricate hairdo (left) — perfect, perhaps, for a Game of Thrones fan who loves Daenerys’s braided hairdos? “You can make it tight or soft, whatever the bride wants. It’s got a nice finished look and brides love it because it’s customized. No two rope braids can look exactly the same.” The result: a dramatic look that’s perfect for a once-in-a-lifetime day.
Lots of Volume
Go big or go home! “Getting volume is all about teasing and setting the hair,” she said. “I usually use curling irons with smaller barrels instead of roller sets. And you don’t necessarily need a lot of hairspray. There’s a common misconception that hairspray will set the hair but it just locks it in. The volume is created from teasing and using irons.”
Clip-in Hair Extensions
“Eight out of ten brides get hair extensions these days,” said Renda. “They’re a very big part of my business. I use 100-percent human hair extensions so they look more authentic. They help create any look I want on a bride, whether she needs more length or volume. Hair extensions can make a bride look younger, more stylish, softer and sexier.”
Hero (Top) Feature Image: Rose Renda
Additional Images (in Order) Courtesy Rose Renda
