How To Choose A Hair Accessory For Your Wedding

There are so many options available when it comes to bridal headpieces and I don’t blame you if you’re feeling a bit confused or unsure about which one to choose. To help you get a better idea of the options that are out there, I’ve put together an overview of the different types of accessories you could buy, along with some things to keep in mind to help you choose your perfect fit.

Tiaras and headbands

Tiaras are a great option for shorter hair as they sit firmly in place and won’t shift around while you’re dancing the night away. These are a great option if you tend to fiddle with your hair (yep, I do it too!) or have very fine hair.

Photographer: Jim Johnson

The only downside to tiaras and headbands is that they can pinch a little behind your ears, which may become uncomfortable after wearing them all day. Thinner bands tend to pinch less, or you could have the detail transferred to a vine with loops to pin it in or finished off with ribbons to tie it in place.

I tend to create asymmetric designs, where the detail sits to one side and the detail can be worn to either side of your head. Look at the details carefully when you order any headpiece though, as you want to make sure it will sit so the detail shows on the side that you want it to.

Hair vines

Hair vines are the most versatile accessory and it’s no wonder why they’re so popular. Firstly, they tend to be fairly lightweight and delicate, and their flexibility allows them to be weaved through hair or placed around complex up dos. They work well on all hair lengths and can either be pinned in place with some hair grips or attached to some pretty ribbon to tie it in place. You could also have it attached to two small combs at either end if you prefer and for my brides that are adding heavier details in their vines, I tend to place a long hair pin behind the heavier detail to help the vine “anchor” in place, making it feel more secure.

Photographer: Jim Johnson

A hair vine can also be transformed in to a necklace or bridal belt with a few fastenings or some ribbon so it’s a great all round accessory!

Hair combs

Hair combs come in different lengths and styles and it’s really down to preference which you prefer. There are two types of comb that you could choose from and I work with both, so you can try both options on and see which feels more comfortable for you. Combs with looped teeth allow you to slip hair grips between the loops while combs with flat teeth can be pinned in place and tend to sit more securely in shorter hair like mine (an outgrown pixie cut). Both will stay in place with the help of some dry shampoo, hair spray and a little bit of back combing. This helps to give your hair a little more texture to hold the comb in place and is really helpful if you have very fine or shiny hair.

If you tend to fiddle with your hair or don’t tend to wear accessories normally and are worried about a comb slipping out, then this may not be your best option (but you can work out what will be here!). You could have the detail recreated on a headband or vine though, so make a note of the details you love and I can help you transform it in to something that feels more comfortable for your hair.

Hair pins

Hair pins on their own can be tricky and are not the best option if you have shorter hair. They have long legs that push in to the hair and they work best in full or half up dos.

You can add a lot of detail to a hair pin, or keep it simple with a few crystals or pearls. You could wear one on its own or spread a few through your hair to give the impression of a longer piece. Pins are a great option for plaits as you can create the look of a vine without getting your hair tangled up with the wire.

The Florence Pins, created to compliment Galina Hnaticova’s beautiful dresses

They are also great for slotting in the loops of hair vines once they’ve been pinned in place with hair grips. A pin with matching details to your vine would add a little more interest to the ends of your vine and you could create something similar for your bridesmaids to tie everything together.

Other things to consider

When choosing your hair accessory, keep in mind what you do with your hair normally. If you’re used to wearing hair accessories, then it will feel more natural for you wearing something in your hair on your wedding day. If not, choose something that feels comfortable and secure as you’ll be less likely to worry about it all day.

You could take inspiration from your dress too. A larger and more decorative accessory will work beautifully with a simple dress or you could incorporate some of the details from a more detailed dress in to your accessory - take lace and beading as examples. I like to look at the patterns on the lace of dresses and the colours of the crystals and pearls used in beaded gowns and add them to accessories for my brides. It’s a good way of tying your look together and makes your hair piece that little bit more unique.

Most accessories work well with veils, so please don’t feel that your options are limited.

If you’d like some help to figure out which accessory is your perfect fit, I’d be happy to help! I’ve created a five day video series that will help you to hone in on your perfect headpiece and start thinking about details you’d like to include or I’m just an email away if you’d like to talk in person first!