Can you guess the amount of time the average woman spends yearly on her hair? It’s ten days. The average woman dedicates 10 days a year to her tresses.

 

Cut and style are personal, a form of self-expression – doing hair is almost as important as getting dressed. And what better time to get it perfect than when all eyes are on you – no pressure – on your wedding day?

But… How do you go about selecting the perfect updo for your I do?

The answer is actually pretty simple.

Here are five factors to consider. Each will aid in narrowing down the perfect hairstyle for your wedding day.

What’s your current hairstyle?

Shoulder length? Bangs? When it comes to hair (unless you’ve got a year to plan and allow your hair to grow an additional six inches) it’s a good idea to start where you are.

Yes, you can always get extensions, highlights, or a cut. But your wedding day is really not the day you want to experiment. Consider your current look: what do you like about it? What would you like to change? Does it contribute to making you feel beautiful, or do you just consider it blah?

If you have hairdresser friends, ask them for their opinion. They make a living helping women look stunning by choosing a style that brings out their best features, and are well versed on how to tame the tresses to frame the face.

What About Your Bridesmaids?

Many brides tend to forget, they don’t just have their own hairdo to do.

Whether or not you want your bridesmaids to have the same hairstyle as you, or if you decide to let them choose how to wear their hair is entirely up to you. 

Stuck? Try this trick. Use the style of the bridesmaids’ dresses to help guide how their hair should be worn. Or settle for a classic, like a bun. Again, it’s up to you. (Still looking for bridesmaid dresses? Check out this site.)

What’s the best hairstyle for your face?

Yes, there’s an app for that! Those who don’t know where to start can download one of the free app options, and have some fun.

At the very least, these apps are amusing. At best, you’ll discover something you love, perhaps that you’d have never considered before.

Again, if you have a hair-wizard for a friend, ask them for advice. Of course, you don’t have to do what they tell you, especially if it’s a style that makes you feel uncomfortable. But for those for whom a simple ponytail is the extent of their hair styling capabilities, it’s always a good idea to discover fresh new ways to take it up a notch.

What’s the vibe of your wedding?

This is a biggie. The style of the dress and the theme of your wedding play a big part in how to style your hair. Beachy vibes usually mean natural flowy waves, as does a boho wedding – though that may include a simple flower crown too.

Indoor classic weddings usually have hair gathered in a low bun, with face-framing tendrils.

For a themed wedding, anything goes! Just think of the amazing hair you could have with a 1950s or 1980s theme…

What will the weather be like?

Unfortunately, the whims of the weather are still very much a mystery, and thus it’s impossible to narrow down the exact temp, wind speed, humidity, and AQI of your day until the big moment arrives.

If the wedding is indoors, this isn’t too much of a factor.

However, those planning an outdoor occasion need to be aware: Heat, humidity and wind mean it’s a good idea to wear your hair up, reinforced with a max hold hairspray. Cooler temps and a slight breeze allow you to comfortably get away with a lot more.

What style makes you feel absolutely gorgeous?

A big part of looking your best is feeling your best. If you look gorgeous with your hair in a tight bun, but it gives you a headache, feel free to pass on it.

We all know the effect the perfect hairdo has – how it can transform us from feeling invisible pre stylist appointment, to shaking a silky mane post appointment – wondering if it’s time to get headshots; embark on that modeling career. 

But then the inevitable happens. You try to recreate the look yourself, and the result is something like those celebratory mugshots, the ones everyone laughs at.

If you’re lucky enough to have a hairstylist for your big day, run through some different options with them, and vote on your fave.

Conclusion:

Whether or not you have hair-help or have figured out how to style it on your own, revel in the fact that you get a chance to shine, as you.

Because that, my friend, is all that really matters.