Wedding hairstyle tips
Welcome to wedding hairstyle tips from some of my favorite wedding hair stylists around New England! I’m going to ask them a series of questions and provide you with their answers. I’ll also provide my reasoning for asking the questions, as it relates to photography!
I had the pleasure of interviewing the following ladies for this series. To check out their gorgeous work and to contact them, please see their information at the bottom of the blog!
Colby – Pretty Wife Beauty
Chelsey- Styles by Chelsey
Christina- Make Me Up by Christina Kaian
I hope you find this information helpful when choosing your hairstylist team as well as some thoughtful tips for your Big Day!
1. What’s one thing you suggest clients look for and/or ask when they are searching for their hairstylist team?
Maureen Russell Photography: This is the biggest question when it comes to finding any of your vendors is where to start! For hairstylists, you’ll want to find someone with a portfolio of brides! Just like with make up, you definitely want someone who is experienced on the wedding day. This will ensure they can handle the tight timeline of the day and work seamlessly with the other vendors- make up, photography and videography that could be in the room at the same time! Also, check for reviews and see what other brides are saying about their experience with them.
Colby: When clients are searching for a hair stylist or glam team for their big day there are a few key factors to be mindful of. The first being the artists portfolio; do they have images of their work that is a similar style or aesthetic that you’re looking to achieve? When looking at the portfolio be sure to check how updated their images are! If the artist or company has not updated any recent images of their work to either their social media, or website- this may be a red flag, as it is important for beauty industry professionals to stay up to date with the latest trends and techniques.
I also recommend that a bride should seek out referrals from their current vendors, such as their planner or photographer. Hiring a group of wedding vendors that have worked together in the past can be one of the most efficient ways to ensure that your day goes off without a hitch! When wedding professionals establish relationships with one another; we tend to feel more excited and eager to go above and beyond by helping one another, which in return helps you as the client.
Chelsey: When searching for a Bridal Hairstylist, it is important to see their work before hand. The most popular way to find a reliable stylist is asking your girlfriends who have already gone through the process, who they used and whether or not they had a nice experience. If you find that maybe you are the first in your group of friends to get married, find stylists who have social media accounts, have a website, or have had experience or been to the venue that your wedding will be held at.
Christina: When looking for a hair team for your wedding day, I recommend asking your friends for referrals; it may also be a good idea to poll your married friends for ideas as well. Lastly, read client reviews from either The Knot or Wedding Wire; reading reviews from former brides is a great way to get an idea of how your experience will be.
2. To follow up on searching for a hair stylist, what is the biggest advantage to hiring a professional stylist versus having a friend or family do your hair?
Maureen Russell Photography: When it comes to hair on the Big Day, it’s really a good idea to have a professional do your hair! A couple of aspects come into play here regarding photography with the first being the timeline. If you don’t like the style or what’s happening with you hair, it could cause your timeline to slip away as your friend or family continue to try and fix it. The second is having a professional that knows what’s going to last through wind, hugs, spins, dips, and all the dancing that’s bound to happen!
Colby: While it might be tempting to cut corners or save extra room in your budget by asking a friend to do your wedding day hair or makeup, I would highly discourage any bride from making this decision. Your wedding day is not the right time to take a risk on relying on anyone who is not a trained professional. An artist or company who is seasoned in the wedding industry understands what the day of process entails. The morning of your wedding day can at times feel stressful or chaotic. A professional hair stylist will have the experience necessary to be time efficient, productive, and keep a calm demeanor under any circumstances; all while executing the perfect hair style.
Chelsey: The biggest advantage of hiring a professional hairstylist is having no strings attached. You are not left feeling stressed, worried or concerned about telling a friend or family member if you are not happy with your hair. We all know how important the hair is on your big day and the best way to avoid any conflict is communication. A professional stylist has experience and is looking to execute an even better version of yourself in the easiest and most stress free way.
Christina: There are many benefits to hiring a professional for your wedding day. Weddings are an all-day event and hairstyles should be built to last; professional wedding hairstylists aren’t only good at doing hair, but they are good at making it last. From styling techniques and using high quality products, a professional is skilled in making sure your hair photographs beautifully all night. When you work with a pro, we will always be prepared for unexpected or last-minute changes. But most importantly, you deserve to be pampered on your wedding day, treat yourself!
3. How important is a trial run?
Maureen Russell Photography: This is so so important! Also it’s not a bad idea to have a style done for your engagement pictures! If you’re not used to say having your hair down, it’ll be great to see if you can get used to it during your hour engagement session. Also, to see how you like it in your engagement images! Having a professional that will be able to work with you and that you trust to make the right decisions with YOUR hair. You want to love how you look in your images on the Big Day, hair and make up play a part in this! You’ll get this feeling from your trial run, so take advantage!
Bridesmaids- if you can get a trial – do it! You are on a timeline for the big day too. You want to be comfortable if you’re trying something new and don’t want to be making major changes.
Colby: We require any bride who books with us to have both hair and makeup trials. Although we are always very flattered when brides are so trusting in the skills of our artists, the trial is not solely to ensure the bride’s satisfaction. Performing a hair and makeup trial gives us a chance to see how different products react to someone’s skin type. Working with different products that have various texture, color, pigment, and finish can be somewhat of a science. Having a trial beforehand with the bride eliminates any sort of question or variables in communication between the bride and artist. The trial also allows the bride to sit and relax while having her hair and makeup done on her wedding day, instead of feeling as though she has to explain what she wants, and make any adjustments to the work the artist has done. This is also extremely important in regards to timing… We work on a very meticulous schedule on wedding days, and while we always leave extra time in case of any hiccups, the comfort of having a trial where you and the artist have both agreed on an exact look will ensure you are not wasting time figuring out any adjustments.
Chelsey: Trials are SO important. I require them! I feel hair is so personal, and must be tailored to each client’s specific style and facial features. A trial is the best time for the bride and I to get to know each other, and for me to fully grasp her needs as a Bride. I use this consultation to give her a taste of my style, while getting to know her, her preferences and any ideas she may have. I like to test different products, and styles on the bride, making adjustments together so that her hair is exactly what she is looking for on her big day! Its truly a team effort, and her word is very important to me. Images of hair inspiration and ideas are a useful jumping off point for me to create her wedding day look. Any hair accessories such as clip-in extensions, combs or veil she may have are also helpful to create her complete bridal look. If she do not have her veil or headpiece, no worries! I will perfect her style so any accessory will look fabulous!
Christina: A trial is important for many reasons. A trial is more than just a practice run. It is a perfect opportunity to get to know your stylist so that you feel comfortable with them and feel confident that they will execute your desired style the morning of your wedding. In addition, as professionals, we always strive to please our clients, but trials are so important because the desired look is not always possible depending on each person’s hair type, thickness, color, etc. The trial is the best time to discuss options and figure out what will look best.
4. If a bridal party wanted to compile “looks” for themselves to present to their stylist, what do you suggest looking at OR staying away from?
Maureen Russell Photography: While Pinterest is a great option for compiling ideas, I always suggest looking at a vendor’s portfolio as well! You can see how the styles are photographing on actual wedding days and have an idea of how you might look in your wedding images. Looking at your photographer’s portfolio might give you an idea of prior bridal styles that you might love as well. Remember to be realistic with your hair style and texture, so that you are going love how you look on the Big Day!
Colby: When members of a bridal party are searching for looks to use as a source of inspiration there are a few key tips to keep in mind. Search for something that is first and foremost compatible with your hair length. A long braid or ponytail is of course not going to be an option for anyone with shoulder length or above hair. The density or thickness is also an important factor to keep in mind. So many hair styles on pinterest or instagram are created by adding in clip ins or hair pieces. A large bun or intricate updo may not be possible for someone with very thin, fine hair. While a professional hair stylist can always do their best to add volume using products and various techniques, be sure to have realistic expectations based on your natural hair, and the time the stylist has available to perform the service. A common occurrence we see is a bridesmaid trying out something new that they’ve never done to their hair before… I recommend showing the stylist at least two options of styles and asking him or her what their recommendation is. A stylist knows his or her own skill set, and can also determine what will look best after looking at a clients hair. When we have options, we will always steer a client in the best direction!
Chelsey: If a bride and her tribe want to put together “looks” or a “vision board”, the best place to start is finding pictures on Pintrest! It is pretty much every girls dream scrolling through so many pictures of inspiration. It is important to keep in mind when searching for looks or ideas to be realistic with how the pictures may actually look using the bride or bridesmaids natural hair. For example, if the model in the picture has a very full textured bun, or loose long waves and the bride or bridesmaid has shorter or finer hair, the style may need to be adjusted accordingly or need to use specific hair pieces to achieve the desired look.
Christina: Pinterest or Instagram is a great tool to gather some inspiration photos to show your stylist. However, be realistic in your expectation. For example, if you are a brunette with thin hair and all your inspiration photos are of blondes with highlights and 3 sets of hair extensions, just know going into it that it will not look the same.
5. Do you suggest looks based on when the wedding is and where, i.e. summer and outdoor ceremony?
Maureen Russell Photography: This question comes from me personally, from my own wedding day! Our aunt who is a hair stylist, worked with me to make the final decision to put my hair up on the wedding day. It wasn’t far off from my half up-half down look, but the weather was not going to corporate with what I was going for. It was on the windy and rainy beach, in the July heat! I was able to dance the night away without a worry!
Colby: The overall theme or aesthetic of a wedding, in my opinion is a more important factor to be mindful of than the month or location of a wedding. If a bride is choosing a boho or relaxed style for her wedding, a sleek chignon bun or classic french twist would look and feel out of place. I have worked with brides who are getting married at a waterfront location, but are still hosting a black tie event. While it’s definitely important to be mindful of the weather (most importantly any humidity) I find it’s more important to consider the style of the overall day.
Chelsey: I try to guide my brides to style their hair based on many factors such as, how well her hair holds, what her dress looks like, her personal style, weather and/or time of year, and indoor/outdoor ceremony. If a bride is having her wedding in the middle of July and it is an outside wedding, it may be best to wear her hair up to keep her from overheating and keep the hair secure for the whole day and night.
Christina: To some extent, it is important to take into consideration the time of year your wedding will take place and the location. For example, if you are getting married outside by the ocean in the summertime, a hair down style may not be practical because of the high winds and humidity. With that said, hair is so personal for each person; at the end of the day, you must pick a style that still feels like you and that you would feel comfortable in throughout the day; whether that is all down, half up half down, or an updo; if you love it and feel your best then you made the right decision.
6. Do you suggest hair extensions to achieve a look or do you try and opt for a look that they can achieve with their natural length and volume?
Maureen Russell Photography: This has become very popular over the last few years, so I wanted to ask these ladies about it! When a bride has an idea of how she will look in her images, there are ways that she can achieve it! This is obviously one of them, so if it’s an option and you have a look you’re going for- why not! When it comes to your images, photographers want you to LOVE your look!
Colby: Hair extensions can be a great way to add extra volume and length to a bride’s hair. This is something that is usually discussed during a trial. I would estimate that about 50% of my brides do opt for hair extensions. While this is a great add on for brides, I do not recommend bridesmaids purchasing hair extensions unless they have worn them before and are comfortable with the way they look and feel in their hair. Adding in hair extensions takes a decent amount of time which takes away from the time a stylist has with a bridesmaid to complete their hair style… If they have never worn them before, they may end up not feeling comfortable with them, which essentially is time wasted on their scheduled appointment slot.
Chelsey: Depending on how the bride wants to wear her hair for her wedding day, I always like to recommend using clip in hair extensions for the style if she finds that her hair is to short or fine for the style. Clip in extensions are great because they are temporary, meaning that you can wear them for the wedding day, take them out that night and then wear them again for another event. The extensions can be bought at any local Boston Beauty or Sally Beauty Supply Store. Most store reps can help the bride match her natural hair color to the extensions. When purchasing the extensions, the bride must make sure that the hair on the extensions is 100% real human hair. Any extensions that are not made of real human hair can melt when used with hot tools. Clip in extensions or hair pieces do not have to be worn but they can be very beneficial when it comes to achieving a specific style. If the bride is unsure if she should purchase the extensions, she should send pictures of her natural hair and the style she wants to achieve to her bridal stylist. Upon looking at those pictures the stylist can then determine if the extensions would be needed. If the stylist thinks the bride will need them, it will be important for the bride to have them to bring them to the trial.
Christina: This will depend on each person and their desired hair style; this is also something that can be discussed during a trial. We are constantly shown hair photos from Pinterest of women with such amazing hair styles; what a lot of our clients do not realize is that most of the women in the photos have hair extensions. Your wedding day should not be the first time you put in extensions; it is recommended that you get used to the feeling, look and weight of having extra hair. Many brides opt for clip-ins because there is no commitment required; they can be removed when you are done. Clip-in hair extensions may be a good option for your wedding day; they are great for adding volume or length!
7. Now that they have chosen a stylist, what are a couple of simple tips the wedding party can do to prep their hair leading up to the wedding day? What about for the guy’s hair?
Maureen Russell Photography: Listen to your hairstylist when they give you tips and tricks for perfecting your Wedding Day look! As always- we want you to love your look on the day! Hair and makeup are such a big part of what you see in the images, so you really want to make sure you finalize any looks with the professional you’re working with and don’t do anything too drastic leading up to the day!
Colby: Leading up to the wedding day, I recommend that bridal parties spend time looking for styles they might consider for the day, rather than searching online as they are sitting in a stylist’s chair. We only have a specific chunk of time to spend with each bridesmaid, if they are still looking for style options during their time slot it can put us behind in our schedule. I recommend collagen protein powder and biotin to all of my clients which helps the overall health of your hair skin and nails. For the groom, I recommend seeing their stylist or barber a few days prior to the wedding day rather than on the day of.
Chelsey: Leading up to the wedding it is important for the bridal party to schedule all hair color appointments in advance. This will assure that the hair color is bright and fresh for the big day. It is also important to maintain the color and shine throughout the upcoming weeks of the wedding using high quality hair products. Using a deep conditioning mask once a week can help rebuild the hairs integrity from the inside out as well as adding shine and smoothness. On the day of the wedding, all members of the bridal party should have their hair previously washed and dried the day before so the hair is prepped and ready to be styled.
Christina: It is always a good idea for the wedding party and/or bridal party to have some inspirational photos of looks that they like saved to their phone. It is much easier to show a stylist a photo of what you want rather than trying to explain it. In addition, it is best to wash your hair the day or evening before you get your hair styled and always arrive with dry hair. Men should get a fresh cut from their barber the day before their wedding.
8. How much time do you need to allocate to the Bride and rest of the wedding party?
Maureen Russell Photography: This is SO important when it comes to the photography timeline! I always create a timeline well ahead of the wedding, so that you can work with your hair and make up team for timing. It’s important to know who is getting their hair done and when so they are ready to go. Any last minute changes to who and/or styles can throw off the timeline. If you want your mom and bridal party in the pictures of you getting ready, you’ll want to adjust the timeline accordingly.
Colby: Our team works on 45 minute time blocks for the bridal party and family members. We allocate a bit more time for the bride, depending on the style being performed. Generally, the bride is in our chair for about one hour!
Chelsey: The amount of time needed to get the bridal party ready all depends on a few factors. Will there be a first look? What time does the ceremony start? What time is your photographer arriving on site? Will the photographer be taking pictures through out the getting ready process or will they be there more towards the end? These are some of the questions I will ask every bride to determine a start and end time. The more information I have, the easier it is to come up with a timeline that works for everyone to allow for a smooth and easy day.
Christina: We like to schedule an hour for each of our brides and approximately 30-45min per bridal party member. In addition, we leave about 30min at the end for last minute touch ups. We believe it is better to have too much time and be done early, rather than not enough time.
9. What is a big ‘don’t do it!’ leading up to the wedding day?
Maureen Russell Photography: Please no drastic changes before the big day! Talk to your bridal party about their plans as well. Is anyone planning on color changes or hair cuts. This goes for guys as well! Although not for a wedding, one of the biggest mistakes I made was getting my son Luke a haircut before his pictures and it did not come out well! (I should have known better!) So think about the little ones too 🙂
Colby: A huge no-no before the wedding day is a big cut, or change in color. Just. Don’t. Do. It!!!!
Chelsey: A big “don’t do it” would be getting a hair cut right before the wedding if you plan to wear your hair up or down and want length and fullness. Those dead ends may be driving her crazy but I promise she will want that length and fullness when her hair has to be styled. If the bride is also thinking about getting a spray tan for the wedding and has never had one before I suggest doing a trial run a month or two for the wedding. This will help the bride decide whether or not she likes the tone and wear of the spray tan. It will also prevent any fear or worry on the big day if she has never had a spray tan before!
Christina: I would say do not make any last-minute drastic color changes and do not get a last-minute cut.
10. Last, what do you suggest a photographer keep in their bag, so we can help with hair throughout the rest of the day?
Maureen Russell Photography: As photographers, we are there throughout the entire day and there is A LOT going on! We are always looking at what’s happening with hair, make up, the dress, flowers, etc. for images. So if there’s anything we can have on hand to touch up quickly- it’s beneficial for everyone! We want you to look your best and want other vendor’s work to look amazing as well!
Colby: Bobby pins, hair spray, a smoothing brush, and comb. Pomade for the groom is a great touch!
Chelsey: I love this question! I am currently working on little kits to give to photographers in case of a hair emergency. The go to essentials to have in the bag would be a travel hairspray (flex hair spray from Livingproof is my favorite), a few bobby pins, and a few safety pins! Team work makes the dream work!
Christina: It cannot hurt for photographers to have hairspray on hand and a handful of bobby pins close by in case any loose strands of hair begin to fall.
Thank you so much to these amazing ladies for their answers. These are such great tips and tricks for the wedding day. Check out their gorgeous work on the website and social media links below!
I hope you enjoyed this week’s vendor series. Head back to the blog to see more tips and tricks from other wedding day vendors!
Colby- Pretty Beauty Wife
Website: http://www.prettywifebeauty.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/prettywifebeauty/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/prettywifebeauty/
Chelsey- Styles by Chelsey
Instagram: www.instagram.com/styles.by.chelsey/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/styles.by.chelsey/
Christina- Make Me Up by Christina Kaian
Website: www.makemeupri.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/makemeupri/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/makemeupri/