Bridesmaid Hairstyles

As your wedding planning progresses, you may be considering many different hairstyles for your bridesmaids. The hairstyle you decide upon should flatter each bridesmaid's face shape and hair quality, as well as complement the dresses and overall theme of the wedding. The all-hair-down hairstyle might go best with a casual or informal wedding, whereas a regal ceremony with every formal element in place would be best for bridesmaids with an elegant and complex up-do or half-up half-down hairstyle. And don't forget the ponytail, whether a sweet side ponytail or a high and tight elegant one! 

Each bride should talk with her hairdresser and bridesmaids to determine which hairstyle will be best for everyone involved. Though this is the bride's wedding, she mustn't be stubborn and dictatorial in her decision for her maids' hairstyle(s). They are ultimately going to be the ones wearing and displaying this hairstyle, and it must complement them before it pleases the bride.  

A very old, and (I believe) thoughtful, trend is coming back into wedding style, which is the bride letting each bridesmaid choose the style of dress (within limits) that will suit them best. Along with this, many brides decide to humor their friends by letting them each decide what hairstyle they prefer. Any chance for the bride to practice unselfish deference to the dear friends who have stuck by her over the many years is worthy thing indeed.

The up-do has long been considered the most elegant and formal hairstyle. In ancient literature, hair that was piled on top of the head was likened to a gleaming crown, the "cherry on top," of the woman's head. A wedding is a very appropriate occasion for this most-elegant of hairstyles, whether for the bride or the bridesmaids.

One thing to be cautious of is each bridesmaid's individuality. Not all face shapes, head shapes, or hair lines can be complemented by an up-do. With this in mind, you may allow your bridesmaids to choose their own style of up-do, bun or twist, because they know best what will suit them. Another thing to keep in mind is the weight, curliness, straightness, or fineness of each bridesmaid's hair. Straight and heavy hair may take twice as long to put up and use twice as much hairspray and hairpins as hair that is curly or has natural body. Be sure to factor plenty of time on your wedding day for each bridesmaid's hairstyle.

Many stylists prefer to work with hair that has not been washed within 24 hours because it has fewer variables. Hair goes through many changes as it dries, such as straight to frizzy, curly to straight, heavy to light, etc., which could make it very difficult to work with.

Bridesmaid up-do hairstyles are lovely with wedding hairpieces or flower hair pins tucked into the side of the twist or bun.

The half-up hairdo is the most versatile hairstyle because it looks great on just about every woman. It also has the most variations possible, as both the pinned-up hair and the loose hair can be styled differently and in different combinations. The hair that is pinned up can be parted, braided, twisted into a bun, curled, wavy, or pinned in cascading ringlet curls. The hair that is left down can be straight, curled at the ends, in ringlet curls, or in loose waves.

These styles are best done with hair that is already styled to a certain extent, with hairspray or curling for body, even if no noticeable curl is visible. This is especially necessary for fine or flat hair that smoothes itself to the shape of the head if nothing else is done to liven it up! Hair that already has wave and body can be interwoven using a loose braid or by tying strands of hair together. Use gel or spray to keep frizzy strands from sticking out. 

On a side note, have you thought about the flowers you will be using for your bridal party? Many brides are turning to silk and "real-touch" because of their versatility and affordability.

Your love doesn't die after your wedding day is over-- why should your flowers? Lilywinkel: the Bridal Blossom Shop creates custom and ready-made silk and real-touch bouquets that last long after the ceremony is over, designed with as much care and style as a bouquet of fresh flowers.

Reminiscent of hairstyles from medieval days, the front-twist hairstyle is simple, sweet, and romantic. Two small pieces of hair are taken from the front, twisted back from the forehead, then gathered together with another piece of hair, which is twisted in again. This is repeated until the half-up twisted hair resembles a gentle tiara on the top of the head. 

Nothing says spunk and sportiness like a ponytail, which has kept it out of the elegant bridal hairstyles in the past. However, recently the ponytail has come into wedding fashion as a simplistic and elegant style, with many elegant variations that have lifted it above its former status quo.

The hair that is pulled back can be back-brushed to create a look of fullness and volume or to visually change the shape of the head. Ponytails are also great for showing off complex zigzag parting or weaving, whether below the pony tie or above it. The hair that swings out of the ponytail itself can be curled and bouncy, shaped into one large and soft wave, or straight and smooth. If done right, any bridesmaid can look great in this hairstyle. 

Over the usual elastic rubber band that holds the ponytail together, consider a wide ribbon with long ends that reach below the shoulders, or a large flower tucked into the side, a hair-wrap around the pony to disguise it, or a beaded band that sparkles. Ribbon hairbands or tiaras can also contribute effectively to the loveliness of the ponytail bridesmaid hairstyle.

Simplest and cheapest of all wedding hairstyles is the all hair down option, which allows the beauty and cut of each bridesmaid's hairstyle to show, but is possibly the most casual of all hairstyles. Having all the hair down does not mean it isn't styled, however, as there are many techniques stylists use to get the hair to lay, bounce, or wave just as it should. Hair can be anywhere from tight ringlet-curls to long flowing waves, to straight and smooth and shiny. Just make sure that whatever style is chosen will work for each bridesmaid and will hold itself in place throughout the ceremony and reception.

A cute flower hairband or ribbon band looks great with the all-hair-down style, and is an easy way to bring one of your secondary wedding colors into the bridal party's attire.