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An up-do offers a classic, neat, and elegant hairstyle, and it's nice to have your hair pulled away from your face so that it's out of the way. Think of how the wind can whip near the water—a hair styled by wind doesn't make for beautiful wedding photos. An up-do looks great with a strapless, one-shoulder, or high-neck dress.
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Wearing your hair down, however, gives you the trendy option of having it straightened, for a dramatic look, or curling it, for a softer, sexy, beach-waves style. Dresses with sweetheart necklines are complimented nicely with a down-style hairdo.
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Professional stylists are seeing a lot of beach-style up-dos this season. Many brides are choosing a low, messy bun (especially those who have a waterfront wedding), complete with a big flower. Braids are a trendy look, whether it's a singular braid that frames the face with the rest of your hair down in loose curls or braids on each side of the head, leading back to a low up-do.
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For hair accessories, flowers are still peaking in popularity for both ides and idesmaids. Some ides choose fresh flowers, but a silk floral clip-on is guaranteed to last throughout the entire day—plus, you can wear them over and over after the wedding! Choose a flower color that complements your bouquet, but stands out next to your hair color. Blondes should choose a ight, jewel-toned flower, while unettes can stick to white, ivory, or another color.
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Of course, veils are always in style, as they complete the idal ensemble. Birdcage veils, which reached the height of their popularity in the past year, are starting to die down in trendiness, while blusher and elbow-length veils are still going strong. Some ultra-traditional ides might still select a cathedral-length veil, but it's really only appropriate with a larger, dramatic gown and a church or very formal wedding ceremony setting.
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Select your hair accessories before you go meet with your stylist for a hair trial. She can figure out how to incorporate the accessories into the style you have chosen. If you're thinking about skipping the hair trial—don't. You might have selected a gorgeous look, but everyone's hair is different. Therefore, the style you chose might not work as well on your hair as you would think. Schedule your trial for an afternoon before you go out on the town, because then you can see how the style holds up to the weather, sweat, wind, and any other elements that might cause it to self-destruct.
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Healthy Hair
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Keep your hair trimmed and healthy, using hair-care products that don't damage your luscious locks. Look at sulfate-free options for shampoo and conditioner. “Sulfate-free” means that the product doesn't contain the widely-used Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), which can damage the hair with its acid-like components, causing irritation and possibly even leading to hair-loss. Try to choose all-natural and organic products that will keep your hair healthy with volume and shine. These products may be more expensive than your average grocery-store and shampoo and conditioner, but keeping your hair beautiful for longer is worth the extra money.
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It might seem impossible to combine all aspects of idal beauty preparation and come out looking and feeling great without completely losing your mind from trying to keep it all together. But remember that the more effort you put into staying healthy, the happier you will feel, and the more motivation there will be to prepare for the big day!
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Special thanks to Angie Monzeglio at Tangles Hair Studio and Day Spa in Stevensville for hairstyle advice and makeup artist Stephanie Nault for the latest looks in idal beauty.
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-- Ellie Storck and Kelsey Casselbury
