Brides’ Biggest Wedding Hair Regrets: Tips for Saying ‘I Do’ to the Perfect Bridal Hairstyle
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There are many important decisions when it comes to planning a wedding: the dress, the venue, and the guest list. It’s a lot to think about. Although choosing a wedding hairstyle may seem like an easier decision compared to the others, looking and feeling your best on your big day is incredibly important.
Choosing a wedding hairstyle is an extremely personal decision, yet many brides end up regretting their decision later down the line. It’s not uncommon for brides to then dislike wedding photos and videos due to this mistake.
Six Wedding Hair Regrets
Not Trusting Your Instincts
When looking at Reddit threads, such as those in r/weddingplanning, it appears that most users regret not speaking up when they weren’t sure about the style. Many mentioned that they didn't feel their hair was right during the trial, or even on the big day, but instead of trusting their instincts and saying something, they went with it, later realising that their initial gut feeling about their hair was right.
This is a common experience, especially with friends, family members, and even the stylist trying to reassure you. This natural uncertainty can feel like you’re overthinking or being too ‘picky’.
Of course, stylists play an important role in sharing their advice and expertise on what styles might work best for your hair type, face shape, and overall look. However, confidence and comfort are the most important. If you’re not sure during your trial, it’s always worth speaking up so adjustments can be made ahead of the big day. Your wedding day is not the time to settle; trust your instincts and pick a style that you truly love and feel confident with.
Choosing a Hairstyle That Doesn’t Feel Like ‘You’
It's very easy for us to get caught up in what's popular on social media or trending with celebrities. ‘Wedding hair trends’ gains 5,400 Google searches a month in the UK. Whilst trends are a great inspiration for wedding hair, a big mistake many brides make is simply opting for a trending style, rather than something that feels right for them.
Jenny Dold, Session and Bridal Hairstylist at Pinned By Jenny, commented: “I’d say one of the most common things I see is brides choosing a trending style rather than what truly suits them. It’s easy to fall in love with a viral look or a celebrity's hair, but it doesn’t always translate the same way for everyone.”
The thing with trends is, they die off, so if you opt for a current trending style, there is a risk that the style will no longer be trending in a few years, and you might end up hating the choice. Going for a trend is a common regret mentioned by brides in Reddit discussions.
Jenny added: “I’d say from experience, what brides regret most is choosing a style that feels completely different to what they’d usually go for. I always ask my brides what their go-to style is for a night out, because that’s often what they feel most confident in.
“If you never wear your hair up, going for the total opposite can sometimes feel a bit unfamiliar on the day. I completely understand wanting something different or more elevated for your wedding, but it’s really about enhancing a look you already feel comfortable with. That way, you still feel like you, just a more polished, special version.”
There are ways to elevate your go-to style for the big day, such as adding extra length or fullness with extensions, or adding in hair accessories.
Ignoring Your Hair Type
A big reason brides may regret their wedding hair is simply that the style didn't last throughout the day, and doesn’t look great in pictures. Of course, there are certain factors which can affect this that are out of both the bride's and stylists' control, such as the weather. Although some hairstyles may not last as well due to them not necessarily working with your hair type.
Jenny advises: “One of the main things to think about is how your hair naturally behaves. Does it hold curls well, and are you comfortable wearing it down all day? If you’re someone who tends to touch or play with your hair, a more structured style like Hollywood waves might not be the best fit.”
Certain products can be added to your hair to help it last longer, regardless of hair type, to help you achieve your desired wedding hair and ensure it lasts. It's important to speak to your stylist about your hair type, which styles may work best, and recommended products.
Jenny added: “If your hair struggles to hold, that’s where extensions can really help. They act like scaffolding to support the style and add longevity throughout the day. It’s all about working together to find a look that suits your hair and feels comfortable for you. There’s always an option, so it’s just about finding the right one.”
Skipping the Wedding Hair Trial
In Reddit discussions, particularly within wedding planning communities, many brides didn’t have a hair trial before their big day, which is a huge regret for many! Both hair and makeup trials ahead of the wedding day are extremely important for deciding on the perfect hairstyle. Hair trials are a non-negotiable for Jenny.
Jenny expanded: “For the bride, it’s your chance to see how the style works for you and how it lasts, and to make any changes before the wedding day, which is exactly what the trial is for. It’s totally ok to make any tweaks.”
Trials are not only key for the bride, but they’re also important for the stylist, too.
Jenny continued: “For me, as the stylist, it’s when I can ask all the right questions and properly advise you as a professional. Whether that’s around extensions, the most suitable style for your face shape and features, or how well it will hold, what works with the dress, etc.
“Trials mean everything runs smoothly on the day, you know exactly what to expect, and it takes away any stress. Often, brides think they’ll love a certain look, but once it’s done, they feel differently. Having a trial avoids that happening on the wedding morning.”
Leaving Wedding Hair Decisions Until the Last Minute
Another common regret quoted on relevant Reddit threads is leaving it until the last minute to decide, or even think about, your wedding hair. This is understandable due to all the other pressures that come with planning a wedding. Leaving it too late to choose a hairstyle can result in the decision feeling rushed without much thought being given, which could increase your chances of regretting the chosen style. Although choosing too early can also be stressful, as you have more time to overthink it and change your mind. It’s all about finding the right balance.
Jenny shares her advice on when to choose your wedding hair: “I actually don’t recommend choosing your final hairstyle too far in advance, as it’s quite common for brides to overthink or change their mind if there’s too much time in between. This can sometimes lead to multiple trials, which isn’t always necessary.
“I usually recommend having your trial around 1–2 months before the wedding. That way, everything is still fresh in your mind and feels relevant to your overall look.”
Not Matching Your Hairstyle to Your Dress
When deciding on a hairstyle, many brides might not consider how the hair will work with their dress and accessories, which might be a reason they regret their hair in pictures later on. Cohesiveness is important, but choosing your hairstyle in isolation is easily done during trials. For example, if a dress has a higher, more detailed neckline, having long hair that's worn down could look too busy, or it could potentially cover details on the back of the dress.
Jenny commented: “I always ask to see the dress and venue at the trial as they play a big part too. A more boho dress or setting often suits softer, textured styles, whereas a grand venue or more glamorous dress works beautifully with a more polished finish.”
Accessories such as jewellery and veils should also be taken into account. The hair must allow the veil or other headpieces to sit comfortably and securely. It’s also easy for jewellery to get lost, depending on the hair.
To keep this in mind, bring photos of your dress to your trial to allow your stylist to ensure the hairstyle works with the dress and looks cohesive. Also, be sure to let them know if you plan on wearing a veil or any other accessories.
Go-to Wedding Hairstyles
Although every hairstyle is personal to the bride, there are a few go-to hairstyles that suit most people and will never go out of style!
Jenny explained: “Classic go-to styles are always strong, things like half-up styles, low buns, and high updos, but each year there’s a new, modern spin on them, which I love. It creates the perfect balance between timeless and current.”
Below are some popular wedding hairstyles and expert tips for making the most of your wedding hair.
Elegant Updos
Updos, whether it's a low ponytail, a classic chignon, or a textured bun, are classic and reliable. They can look extremely elegant, which is likely why they’re such a popular choice for wedding hair. They’re also versatile; they can be sleek, textured, or a bit of both!
Jenny added: “Updos are generally the most reliable style for longevity. When done properly by a professional, they’re designed to stay secure all day. They’re also out of the way, so you’re less likely to touch or disrupt them, and they’re less affected by things like wind or even lots of hugs from guests.”
To take an updo to the next level, you could add accessories, such as flowers or decorative pins and clips.
Soft, Romantic Waves
For brides who prefer their hair down, soft waves and curls are a timeless style. This style creates a romantic look, adding volume and movement to the hair whilst still feeling comfortable and natural throughout the day. Hollywood waves have also been a go-to wedding style for many years. However, Jenny advises that this has shifted to these softer styles.
“I’d say this year I’m seeing a shift towards softer, more relaxed styles that still feel polished and timeless. For example, last year Hollywood waves were huge, whereas now it’s more about softer, glam waves.”
Again, this style can be elevated with hair accessories such as headbands and decorative barrettes.
Boho Braids
Braids are a great boho style, whether it's one braid pulled to the side, a loose fishtail, or a combination of soft curls with braids incorporated in; they can look mystical and extremely graceful, and are perfect for both relaxed and outdoor weddings.
This style is likely better suited to brides with longer hair, although hair extensions can be added to get the long, loose braid look.
Strategically placing flowers, pearl pins, or embellishments throughout can add beautiful finishing touches to this style, enhancing the whimsical, boho aesthetic with a bridal feel. Soft braids also work perfectly under veils.
Half Up, Half Down
A half-up, half-down style truly offers the best of both. This style allows you to have your hair down, achieving a romantic, soft look, whilst still retaining some of the updo's reliability and keeping your hair off your face. It’s a balanced style that suits a range of hair types and wedding themes.
This style is extremely versatile, too. You could simply twist sections from each side to the back of the head using an embellished hair clip to keep in place, put half the hair into a sleek ponytail and leave the rest down, or braid the top half and have loose waves for the hair that is down. The possibilities are endless with this style!
Ultimately, opt for whatever style feels most like you and that you feel best in, regardless of trends, celebrities, or other people's opinions.
Jenny commented: “I think brides now are choosing what they genuinely love, rather than what they feel they ‘should’ have. Some brides are opting for something like a bouncy blow-dry, which looks gorgeous, and the moment you put a wedding dress on, you’ll always look like a bride. It doesn’t always have to be a traditional ‘bridal updo.’”
Expert Tips for Avoiding Wedding Hair Regret
Below are some top tips for making the most of your wedding hair to help it look its best and ensure it lasts.
Use Hair Extensions for Volume, Length, and Longevity
Many hairstyle pictures we see on social media look beautifully full and polished, but when trying this style ourselves, we may not get the same results. This is probably because many styles we see in inspiration pictures have extensions to add volume and length.
Hair extensions are a great way to elevate wedding hair; they can add volume to loose waves, help make updos look more structured due to an increased volume of hair, and also increase a style's longevity. Extensions can help your hair stay in place for longer, due to having more hold and grip, especially for curls, helping keep your hair look wedding ready all day and night.
Clip-in hair extensions are a great option for a one-off wedding hairstyle. For an updo, invisible tape-in hair extensions are a great option as the hair seamlessly blends without having to worry about clips or nano-tips showing through. Clip-in ponytails can also be great for a fuller, loose braid style or simple updo.
Plan Your Hair Wash Ahead of the Big Day
Many of us know the dilemma of freshly washed hair feeling too soft and being more difficult to style, but also leaving our hair too long can result in it appearing greasy and heavy. Finding the balance is hard!
Ideally, it’s best to wash your hair the day before styling, as this will ensure the hair has a little more grip and texture for curly or pinned styles. However, when you wash your hair could also depend on the style you’ve opted for. If you’re opting for a sleeker style, such as a slicked-back low bun or ponytail, having a bit more natural oil will actually help this style have a smoother finish and prevent flyaways.
Ultimately, the perfect time to wash your hair will depend on the style you’ve chosen and your hair type. Be sure to speak to your stylist about this before the big day so you can plan around it.
Focus On Your Hair Health Routine Ahead of Time
We all want luscious, nourished hair for our wedding day. Regardless of style, having healthy hair will make any style look ten times better! Unfortunately, this isn't something that can be achieved overnight. There are products out there that can help hair appear healthier in the short term, such as leave-in conditioners and anti-frizz creams, but ultimately, truly healthy hair takes time.
Ideally, brides should start considering and working on their hair health six to twelve months before their wedding. The earlier you start, the more flexibility you have. Whether your goal is thicker, longer hair or improving hair health, achieving this takes time, so it’s best to start well in advance. Some ways to help hair health include having regular trims, reducing heat damage, and using nourishing, hydrating treatments.
Exactly what is needed will depend on the hair type and goals. For further tips on how to achieve your hair goals, speak to a stylist ahead of time.
Although trends and celebrity hairstyles can give us some great inspiration, wedding hair is a personal choice. Your final look shouldn’t be defined by popular styles on Pinterest, but instead, by what makes you feel your best. Focusing on a style that suits your hair type, features and personal style, alongside your wedding dress and theme, can help you feel more confident on the day and avoid potential hair regrets!
If you want to add some volume or length to make your hair look the best it can on your wedding day, check out our full range of award-winning hair extensions!
