Copyright ©2012 Michelle Houser www.diydreamwedding.com
How to Have Perfect Hair on Your
Special Day By
Michelle Houser
The Legal Stuff
How to Have Perfect Hair on Your Special Day is one of three elements within the
D0-it-Yourself Dream Wedding eBook set. As such it is copyrighted by Michelle Houser.
No portion of this bonus e-Book may be reprinted or reproduced in any way without the
author’s express written permission.
Copyright ©2012 Michelle Houser www.diydreamwedding.com
© 2012 Michelle Houser. All rights reserved. Duplicating, reprinting, or distributing
this material without the express written consent of the author is prohibited.
Copyright ©2012 Michelle Houser www.diydreamwedding.com
The Basics
Since your wedding day is supposed to be the best day of your life it’s only natural to
want to look the best that you possibly can. So here are some tips creating the perfect
ensemble of dress and hair.
Some wedding hairstyles are just plain incompatible with certain styles of wedding
gowns. It's important to strike a balance between the dress you're wearing and your
wedding hairstyle for an ultimately beautiful, overall look.
And since you will likely select your gown before choosing a 'do, your wedding
hairstyle should be carefully selected to mesh with the style and cut of the dress you've
chosen. While this might seem like common sense, it can be hard to be objective when
you fall in love with a hairstyle that just doesn't quite suit your gown.
Remember your wedding day will be well documented by your photographer or
videographer, and you simply don't want to look back at your pictures and say to
yourself…
"What was I thinking?!"
Here’s what I’ve learned from my own experience, the experts, and my friends who
have walked down the aisle recently.
Choose your hairstyle before you choose your head dress or your veil. When
you have chosen a head dress or veil to match your hairstyle try it on, and
accept the comments made by your bridesmaids, or family members.
Make sure that you or your hairdresser is happy and comfortable with the
arrangement. A few practices will show up any flaws in your plans and get
everyone at ease for the big day.
Don't be limited by your “everyday hair.” By adding hair extensions or a hair
piece you can add volume and length and completely change your look. The
beauty of a one off hair style is that you can go to much more effort than
would if you had to do it every day.
Copyright ©2012 Michelle Houser www.diydreamwedding.com
Also think about your wedding dress and try to match its style. The degree of
formality of your dress should be matched by your hairstyle.
Nurture your hair months before the wedding. You should already be doing
this anyway, right? But if your hair care is less than rigorous, and it’s in poor
condition, then you need about 6 months to bring it to the condition you want
on “your big day.”
The style you select should not be too bold or modern unless you really want
that look. Selecting a tried and true, yet contemporary, style means you won't
have to worry about looking foolish.
Make sure that you’ve used all the products that you are going to use on the
day of your wedding long beforehand. You don’t want to have an (usually
unsightly) allergic reaction to any of your hair care products.
Don't wash your hair on the day of your wedding or the night before. You hair
is better when it's settled down. I recommended, and so do the experts, that
you wash it at least 24 hours before the time of the wedding, but no closer to
the wedding than that.
Make Any Head of Hair Beautiful
Everyone who works to make brides the best they can be agrees, your bridal hairstyle
need to reflect, yet enhance, your personality and personal style. Here are their
recommendations, based on the current length of your hair. But, never forget that today,
hair extensions make almost anything possible.
No matter what, here’s a tried-and-true tip: bring a photo of your gown to the
consultation appointments you’ve made.
Long Hair
If your hair is long and you wear it pulled back most of the time, then many stylists
recommend an elegant updo. They can even incorporate a detail from your gown into
the hair design, such as braiding or twisting of fabric. Or, they can look to the texture of
the dress for inspiration.
Do you wear your long hair down most of the time? Then try wearing some of it up
away from your face and leave the rest to cascade around your shoulders. Maybe let few
Copyright ©2012 Michelle Houser www.diydreamwedding.com
tendrils escape to float around your face. Whether they are curled or left natural, they
will soften your appearance.
Some folks believe that wearing it all down is just too casual for the big day. But, you
need to listen to your inner voice too. Don’t be “talked into” a style that just isn’t
authentically you.
What if your long hair is full of natural curls? Stylists recommend that you enhance
them and work with them, not against the natural tendency of your hair.
But, what should you do if you’ve got long, straight hair? Stylists advise that you
wear it up, with any curls firmly pinned in place.
Medium –Length Hair
If your hair is medium in length, stylists agree: it can be curled and worn with a
sparkly headband or tiara to dress it up. Others recommend that you simply tuck some
hair behind your ears and use a decorative hair clips to hold it back.
If your dream is to wear it up and you have some time grow it out, go for it. But don’t
assume you should grow your hair long. Longer is not always better; in fact, some styles
are more difficult to achieve with longer, heavier hair. It is best to ask your stylist ahead
of time how your hair should be handled even if it's a year before the final styling will
take place.
Short Hair
Don’t worry – there are lots of things you can do with short hair to feel extra special
on your wedding day, such as:
Sweeping it forward
Embracing the pixie look, and setting it off with a really feminine gown
Curling longer pieces in front of your ears into feminine face-framers
Spiking it. If your dress is sleek and modern, a glamorous-yet-edgy style
would look fabulous.
Faking a poufy updo
Using a deep side part
Thinking "waves" not curl!
Taking advantage of sweeping bangs, slicking the rest of the hair back and
pinning it into a quasi-updo.
Copyright ©2012 Michelle Houser www.diydreamwedding.com
For other styling ideas, just "Google" short hair wedding tips. You’ll be overwhelmed
by what you see; so be sure to print out your favorite styles, and take those to your stylist
consultations.
And What about Your Veil and Headpiece?
Here is the best advice I’ve heard, from experts, friends, and family members. The
basic rules of thumb are:
Pick out your wedding gown first
Decide on your hairstyle second
Choose the headpiece and veil third
I’ve heard some horror stories where a headpiece was torn apart by the bride or on-
site stylist on the day of the wedding; because it did not go with the hairstyle the bride
wanted. How can you avoid this nightmarish scenario?
Have a couple of trial run appointments at the hair salon prior to the big day. This
way an exchange can be made for a different style headpiece if necessary.
Don’t feel pressured into purchasing a headpiece because it "matches your dress".
You could choose instead to look for a detail from the gown you would like to enhance
and find a headpiece that complements it. Maybe you could choose pearls, or you might
even think of matching the flowers in your bouquet.
If you find that every headpiece seem to big, look at what is offered for first
communion headpieces, and if you find something you like, ask the bridal salon to add a
longer veil.
What if this is your second marriage? Many agree that having a veil is fine if you
want one, but you may want to just skip it all together. A beautiful tiara, hair ornament,
or even a hat, could be the solution of choice. After all, hats are coming back!
If you’re just not sure what you want, or should have, your stylist can also help to
determine what style of headpiece or veil is best for your dress, neckline and neck shape.
Copyright ©2012 Michelle Houser www.diydreamwedding.com
My Tried-and-True Perfect Hair Timeline
Three months before the big day…
Experiment with Different Hairstyles
Start experimenting with your hair after you select your gown and (if possible) at
least three months before the event. When doing a consultation with a stylist (if you're
having your hair done at a salon), take any hair accessories you plan to wear on your
wedding day, including hair pieces, and bring pictures that will inspire the look you
want to achieve.
Also tell your stylist during your practice round whether you have an oily, dry or
normal scalp and follow washing instructions accordingly. And, talk about the seasonal
weather variants and the venue whether the wedding will be held indoors or out-of-
doors.
That’s because some styles will work better than others, depending not just on your
personal preference and dress selection, but also because of the weather. For example,
long flowing hairstyles do not hold up well in high humidity at outdoor weddings.
During your consultation, make sure that you are comfortable with the stylist as well
as hair style. You don't want something that is not you. You want a style that will make
you feel like yourself and will look great in pictures.
Here’s a great tip from a bride I know. She says it’s a good idea to do errands and go
about your normal day with the practice style to see how it holds up under strain and
works for you visually.
Six weeks ahead of time…
Trim your Hair
All the experts agree (and so do many of the brides I’ve spoken with), a bride should
cut her hair about a month and a half before the wedding, to ensure all the scruffy ends
are gone, and they have a fresh, clean cut. But don’t go overboard! This is not the time
to experiment with a new drastic haircut before your wedding, as it may end in disaster.
Copyright ©2012 Michelle Houser www.diydreamwedding.com
Just 10 days to go…
It’s time to Straighten or Color Your Hair or Add Those Highlights
Naturally, you want your hair to be freshly colored, but you also want to leave time to
fix any mistakes.
Stylists advise if you’re doing all-over color (and it’s a color you’re used to working
with), you can wait until just a week before the wedding, if you need to.
But when it comes to getting highlights, they all advise getting those a full week and
half prior to the wedding. That’s because they can be tricky to “get right”.
What if you want to have your hair straightened? Everyone agrees – brides and
stylists alike, that straightening or relaxing treatments should be done a week or two
before the wedding. That way the treatment can settle into your hair and appear more
natural. And if you plan to color your hair too; then have your hair straightened/relaxed
first, then wait a couple of weeks and do color -- in order to prevent damage. Obviously,
that pushes your timeline back a bit – so plan accordingly.
The wedding is just seven days away…
Brow Shaping
While people don’t consider eyebrows to fall under the topic of wedding day hair, I
think it’s important enough to bring to your attention. You don’t want the perfect hair
style, and scruffy brows, do you?
I advise that you go to a better-than-usual salon to have your brows groomed five to
seven days before the wedding so you won’t have any residual redness or irritation. And
–because of the many horror stories I’ve heard, steer clear of using warm waxes so you
don’t get any burns. Who wants to try to camouflage scabs and red marks on the
morning of their wedding? Certainly no one I know.
Today’s the day…
Relax, and Enjoy each Moment
You’ve done the planning, organizing, and delegating. There’s really nothing more to
do. Today is about being fully present, and savoring as many moments as possible.
But there are two important things I can share about the day of the wedding which
could make it easier to relax and enjoy. Here’s the first.
Copyright ©2012 Michelle Houser www.diydreamwedding.com
Everyone I know says “do all the bridesmaids first and the bride last”. Makes sense.
And the second?
Whether you visit the salon on the day of your wedding, or your stylist comes to you,
remember to wear a zip-up or button-up shirt when getting your hair styled. In other
words, no turtleneck sweaters, please.
Oh, yes; one more thing. Because many pictures are typically taken before the
wedding, have your hair done two hours before the photo session starts.
Copyright ©2012 Michelle Houser www.diydreamwedding.com
My Guidelines to Wedding Day Hair Perfection
Is there anything “simple” about planning, and preparing for, your wedding?
Sometimes it doesn’t feel that way, does it? But, believe it or not, if you follow my
guidelines, on the morning of your wedding, you won’t be worried about your hair. And
that’s a good thing!
1. Don’t Settle for Second Best
Consult with more than one stylist for your trial run so that you find the best person
for you. There may be someone you already know and trust; someone who specializes in
the look you want for your wedding. Certainly go to them first. But, it never hurts to take
the recommendation of friends, co-workers, or family, and try someone new. And, you
know you can always use a consumer review web site, such as Yelp! (www.yelp.com).
Just enter “wedding hair stylist” into the search bar, after noting your location, and see
what pops up. I did just that, as an experiment, and found reviews for 96 salons and
stylists in my area.
Don’t be concerned about slighting your regular stylist. She is sure to understand
that having your hair done for this occasion is very different from getting an everyday
great cut or color.
2. Plan Ahead
If you have your hair colored, permed, or treated, have it done at least one month
before your wedding date. The extra time will soften your style a bit, so it looks more
natural. Also, should disaster strike (dare we think it?) you'll have time to fix it. And be
sure to get a trim a few weeks before your wedding date to neaten up your tresses and
eliminate split ends.
3. Seek a Relaxed Mindset and a Relaxed Hair Style
Don't get your hair done (or do it yourself) too early on your wedding day, and don't
wear it pulled back too tightly. Your scalp may start to hurt and you could get a
headache if you wear a killer updo for too long.
4. Don’t be Shy… Ask for Help!
I know a lot of brides who chose to do their hair themselves. And those who enlisted
the help of an honest, yet supportive friend who can give you their perspective or
assistance while you work can make all the difference to your emotional well-being, and
the quality of your hair when you walk down the aisle.
Copyright ©2012 Michelle Houser www.diydreamwedding.com
5. Have Realistic Expectations
Whatever you do, look to celebrity hair for only for inspiration. Did you know that
“A-list” celebrities can spend upwards of $17,000 on their hair for one event?
Unbelievable! You’ve got to admit that it’s completely unreasonable to expect the same
exact look from your stylist, who probably has only about two hours on the day of the
wedding in which to work her magic. So be realistic – it will save you heartache and
disappointment – two things you really don’t want on your wedding day.
6. Be True to the Real You
This should really be the #1 guideline to follow. Don’t, don’t, don’t overdo things.
You want to be authentically you, don’t you? I like what Dr. Phil has to say about
authenticity, and happiness:
Be your authentic self. Your authentic self is who you are when you have no fear of
judgment or before the world starts pushing you around and telling you who you're
supposed to be. Your fictional self is who you are when you have a social mask on to
please everyone else. Give yourself permission to be your authentic self.
If your stylist, friends, or family are leading you to a hair style that feels ‘wrong’ in
some way, listen to that inner voice. You want to feel relaxed and comfortable on your
wedding day, right?
Even if authenticity isn’t a big issue to you, think about this: an overly complicated
hair style is just one more thing for you to worry about. And we all know that's not
something you need right now. This is your day to shine, smile, laugh…and love!
Copyright ©2012 Michelle Houser www.diydreamwedding.com
Style Gallery Web Sites
The Knot
http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-beauty-tips/wedding-hairstyles-
updos.aspx?MsdVisit=1
Latest Hairstyles
http://www.latest-hairstyles.com/wedding
Wedding Hair
http://www.weddinghair.com
Brides
http://www.brides.com/wedding-dresses-style/wedding-
hair/gallery/hairstyles/editors-pick/results
Celebrity Bride Guide
http://www.celebritybrideguide.com/celebrity-wedding-hairstyles
Celebrity Bride Guide’s 2011 Winning Styles
http://www.celebritybrideguide.com/2011-wedding-hairstyle
The Wedding Channel
http://weddings.weddingchannel.com/wedding-planning-ideas/wedding-
hairstyles.aspx