Hair

HAIR

Here are some general guidelines for your hair on the big day. A lot depends on what type of hair you have, fine, course, thick, thin, straight, curly, short, long, etc. The other factor in determining how to do your hair is what type of headpiece or veil you plan to wear. Look through bridal magazines and cut out the hairstyles you like. This will help you and your stylist later.

There are a variety of hair styles from which to choose. Some include:

• Natural - just leave it pretty much the way you always look. If you have long hair, leave it long (not put up). You can curl it, decorate it, etc., but it basically stays natural. This is probably the easiest and least expensive method.
• Bun - which is basically a ponytail wrapped around itself, usually at the top of your head.
• Chignon - a tight knot at the base of the head. This style can be a wound braid or many braids, or a plain, ungathered ponytail. A chignon works well with almost any type of hair.
• French Braid - a three stranded braid woven close to the head. Very good for fluffy, out-of-control hair.
• French Twist - winding up all of your hair sideways and fastening it. This lends itself to a variety of beautiful hair accessories.
• Petal Curls - many smooth folds of hair on top or at the back of the head.
• Updo - pretty much any upswept look. Generally there are loose tendrils of hair framing the face.

Natural

Chignon

Updo

Updo

In general, thick, course hair stays up the best and thin, fine hair may be better with the front up and the back down. To put hair up and have it stay, it is better to start with dry, slightly dirty hair. This is because it will have more texture. It is recommended to wash it the night before the wedding day rather than the morning of.

If you want to wear your hair up, but it is a little short, start growing it now (or at least six months before the wedding). Hair grows at about one-half inch per month. But, it is not a good idea to just grow it for the wedding and then cut it off right after. It's better to be yourself.

If you have colored, permed, or treated hair, have it done at least two weeks before the wedding. This will give your hair a chance to relax a bit and also you will have time to fix it if need be. For the same reasons, you should get a trim two weeks before the wedding.

If you are undecided on what to do with your hair, wearing it up will generally keep it the way you want longer and it keeps your hair from hiding the neckline of your dress. Tall women can wear curls any length. Shorter women probably will look better with longer curls - that is not too short. Curls one inch below the shoulder is safe.

The best advice is to keep your hair healthy and shiny and as natural as possible. A good conditioner can help, especially for dry or curly hair. Also keep curling iron use to a minimum as this can dry out your hair. This is true in general, not just for your wedding day.

If you are planning to have a stylist do your hair, have a practice run long before the wedding. This will give you time to try out a number of stylists and you may find that what you thought you would like, just isn't "you". Or that hair tightly bound will give you a headache after a few hours. It is a good idea to have your headpiece/veil along to see how it works with your hair style. And, don't go too trendy. You don't want to look at your pictures later and be disappointed.

Plan on at least 2-3 hours for your hair and makeup; more if all your bridesmaid's hair are done by the same person. And, if the same person is doing your bridesmaids hair, do yours last, so it will look the freshest for the ceremony and pictures.

Headpieces/Veils

First, a look at the different types of headpieces and then the variety of veils. Then we'll discuss how these affect your hair style. Whatever you decide on, make sure it is comfortable and that you can turn your head and bend over and dance without it falling off. If you choose a hat with a brim, be sure the groom can easily kiss you. Hats work best with low chignons, lose and flowing styles or sleek, short hair cuts. They may be most appropriate for informal, outdoor, daytime weddings.

• Bow - usually positioned at the back of your head and is often flower trimmed. It is generally made of lace or satin.
• Combs or Barrettes - usually pearl-encrusted or decorated.
• Coronet - a wreath resting high on the crown of your head.
• Floral Wreath - a circlet of flowers which can nestle on top of your head or at your mid-forehead.
• Garden Hat - a crownless hat, usually made of horsehair, trimmed with flowers and ribbons.
• Half Hat - a small hat covering half, or less than half, of your crown.
• Headband - a raised hairband, decorated and ornamented.
• Juliet Cap - a small cap, ornately festooned with pearls and jewels, that snugly hugs your crown.
• Mantilla - a fine-lace trimmed netting usually secured to an elegant comb, gently framing your face.
• Picture Hat - ornamented hat with a very large brim. You can also tilt this hat to one side with the brim up.
• Profile - silk flowers with pearl sprays and crystals secured on a comb. It's worn asymmetrically on one side of your head.
• Tiara - crown, usually encrusted with crystals, pearls, rhinestones, or lace, resting high atop your head.
• Toque - small close fitting hat without a brim.

Except for the Mantilla and perhaps the Picture Hat, veiling is usually attached to all of these headpieces. Most veils are made of nylon material called illusion. Decorations often include poufs, which are small gathers of veiling on the crown of a headpiece. Often times the veil will have an edging around the outside of satin or silk. Wreaths often have flowing ribbons called streamers tied into "love knots". Some veil types include:

• Ballet-Length or Waltz-Length - falling to the ankles.
• Birdcage - falling just below your chin, gently shirred at the sides and usually attached to hats.
• Blusher - loose veil worn forward over your face and after the ceremony is turned back over the headpiece. It is often attached to a longer, three-tiered veil.
• Cathedral-Length - cascading at least 3 1/2 yards from the headpiece and it is usually worn with a cathedral train.
• Chapel-Length - cascading 2 1/3 yards from the headpiece.
• Fingertip - this is the most popular length and it has several layers that touch your fingertips.
• Fly-Away - has multiple layers that brush the shoulders and is usually worn with an informal, ankle-length dress or a style with details in back.

You will want to build your hair around your headpiece. Consider what your hair will look like if you want to take off your headpiece or veil during the reception. This will also determine how they are fastened into your hair. Hairstyle will also vary depending on where the headpiece/veil will sit on your head. The formality of your gown should also dictate your hairstyle.

If you have fine hair or straight hair, use finer combs on your headpiece. The bridal store can replace wide tooth combs with fine. Or, go with a headpiece that can be easily secured. A smaller headpiece may be better. For thin hair, consider sewn in extensions and hairpieces for more body. If you do this, the headpiece can be attached to it for a solid feel. Wavy, curly hair can use wide tooth combs, bobby pins, barrettes, etc. If you have thick hair, consider a larger headpiece, so it won't get lost in your hair. Keep proportion in mind.

Considering flowers for your hair? Fresh flowers add dimension and texture. Avoid fake flowers. Flowers may be braided into the hair, pinned in, used as a wreath around your whole head, attached to the veil or even used instead of a veil. This is particularly a good idea if it's a second marriage. Most florists can provide fresh flowers for your hair and even craft the whole headpiece. Getting the flowers from your florist will ensure that they match your bouquet. Also, your hair stylist can integrate flowers when doing your hair. Don't put flowers in your hair too early on the wedding day, as you want them to look as fresh as possible. It is generally best to pick, small, hardy flowers like roses, orchids, daisies, stephanotises, narcissus, etc. Avoid bulb flowers like tulips or daffodils, because they wilt quickly. Accents of greens may also be included. Your florist is a good resource on what types of flowers would make good hair accessories. Be sure you or your groom are not allergic to the flowers and that you both will like the scent of them.

If you are wearing a veil and flowers, first attach the headpiece and veil to your head and then add the flowers. If your florist individually wraps the flowers first with wire and tape, they will last longer on the headpiece.