Long hair, Down & Loose

If you really want to be YOU on your wedding day, and “you” includes glorious, cascading curls, than you should definitely consider wearing your hair down. The key to getting this look right is achieving maximum fullness and luxuriously soft, super glossy curls.

The best way to do this, according to ModelBride, is the following way:

• If you have wavy or curly hair you may consider having your hair washed and straightened the day before your wedding.
• Avoid washing your hair the next morning and your hair should take, and hold the curls beautifully.
• ModelBride stylists gathered medium sized sections of hair and sprayed them with setting lotion. Each section was then curled with a curling iron and pinned. Each curl was then unpinned and sprayed with hair spray to give each curl a polished look.
• Either a dainty barrette or a couple of hair clips are nice complements for this dramatic style.
• Even if your hair is thin, you can wear this style with the help of hair extensions.

Long Hair, Half-up

Here’s another look that works with curly, wavy, or straight hair. The curls are more relaxed, but the look is still elegant and beautiful.

• If desired, use a large barrel curling iron all over her head to form ringlets. For the look below, stylists then went back through the hair with a crimping iron here and there.
• Next, the hair was teased at the crown for some height and fullness then the top layer of hair was smoothed over the teased portion. Use a light hand here to maintain some texture.
• The top and sides were then gently pulled back, twisted and loosely fastened with bobby pins.
• For a chic finishing touch, the ModelBride stylists chose a crystal comb, placed in the hair at an angle in keeping with the relaxed style.

Curly Up-do

I love the look of a soft, romantic up-do, where the curls are just barely contained. These two styles, from ModelBride, are a classic look for any bride.

• using both a medium and large barrel curling iron, the stylist formed soft ringlets in various sizes all around.
• Next, the stylist ran her fingers through the hair to separate the strands into more delicate curls.
• Then, the hair was pinned high on the head, leaving the curls loose at the top. Those loose ends were secured with more bobby pins to form a cascading up-do. Pearl hairpins were placed throughout, and bits of hair can also left out to frame the face, which is especially nice if you have bangs.

Short Hair, Worn in Curls

This look was created by a ModelBride stylist, for the bride with shorter hair, who wants to wear it loose and curly, but in a style that’s definitely “special occasion.” Your hair should be at least chin length for this style.

• Section the hair into small strands and used a curling iron to create ringlets all over the head. Each curl was immediately sprayed with a setting lotion to keep it defined and to give shine to the hair.
• Random sections were then pinned over and under each other to create depth and texture.
• The bangs were gently combed off to the side and to balance the fullness, stylists arranged a three piece comb set behind her right ear.

More Curly Bridal Hair Ideas:

The following lovely hairdo’s are from The Knot:

Rustic homespun details

Outdoor weddings — on a farm, in a vineyard, or even in the backyard — are huge right now, and t’s really no wonder: An outdoor setting makes for a fun, laid-back vibe and the decor options are limitless. So what kinds of details are in store? Vintage vases filled with fresh-from-the-garden flowers, mismatched china in bright colors, and homemade wooden signs to direct guests. Even catering is in on the action with in-season ingredients paired with local wine.

• See photos from at-home real weddings
• Get hundreds of reception ideas

Jewel tones

Say good-bye to pale pastels and bright poppies. Rich gem colors like navy, plum, and amber are going to be hot. And instead of chocolate brown, look to a soft creme brulee hue, bronzes, coppers, and black. Yes, that’s right — black is back too. Yay!

• See hot color combos
• Search reception details by color

Patterns that pop

Gingham, checkered, polka-dotted, paisley, toile, damask — you name it, colorful patterns are in and in a big way. Add patterned overlays to your tables to instantly perk up the room… find an off-the-rack patterned dress for your bridesmaids… have your invitations and envelopes lined with colorful designs. The best part about this trend is that it lets you throw around a lot of different hues and still keep a cohesive look and feel.

• Get more decor ideas from our wedding style blog!

Ball gowns are back

The full A-line silhouette will make a huge resurgence down ceremony aisles this year. And you don’t have to have a ballroom wedding to pull it off either — the key is in the fabric. Find one with layers of airy tulle or even cotton for an outdoor spring or summer wedding; get a silk satin ball gown for a more formal wedding; or go for ultra-soft suede for a wintertime wedding.

• See hundreds of ball gowns
• Search 1,000+ dresses

Two-tiered wedding cakes

While cupcakes and dessert bars have been popular for the past few years, wedding cakes are making a comeback — but not in tall towers anymore. Now just two tiers is enough to make a statement! Order several small cakes and put them on each table as a centerpiece, or set up a table of tiny wedding cakes mixed with desserts, cookies, pies, and more. And vintage cake toppers are in too. Find one online at a site like Etsy.com, commission one from a local artist, or borrow your parents’ or grandparents’ to make your cake extra-memorable. And of course, you can always make your own!

• Search 1,500+ wedding cakes
• See 60+ dessert display photos

New centerpiece vessels

The classic floral vase has given way to mix-and-matched clusters of vintage pitchers, vases, jars, and galvanized buckets. Other ideas: apothecary jars with colorful rocks, sand, or even candy; uniquely shaped glass vases featuring fresh fruits like raspberries and blueberries; and mason jars loaded with fresh flowers like daisies and dahlias. To throw extra color or texture into the mix, line your flower-filled vases with patterned paper or even fabric. For a wintertime fete, get knit and sweater-like coverings to line your vases and complement a cozy decor.

• Get 800+ centerpiece ideas
• See our guide to wedding flowers

Chandeliers and creative lighting

Lighting designers are turning out impressive designs, projecting chandeliers, large trees, flowers, and even city skylines right onto the walls. When it comes to your space, hang chandeliers in different sizes, add colorful lamps and shades to the tables, line the room with strands of twinkling lights, and don’t skimp on the candles.

• Get lighting ideas from real weddings

The updated photo booth

Renting a photo booth has been growing in popularity over the past few years. The updated version? Entire photo sets with fabric backdrops and props. Set up a photo area at the reception that’s big enough for a group shot. Drape the background with fabric and add couches, chairs, and plenty of props (think easy-to-throw-on hats and scarves). You may be able to have your photographer or an assistant man the station, or ask a trusty friend to be on hand with a digital camera.

• See photo and video basics

US honeymoons

This year, newlyweds will prove that you don’t have to travel halfway around the world to find an amazing honeymoon spot. Many will be looking to book a honeymoon right here in the US. And there’s no shortage of domestic honeymoon-worthy options — from a romantic winery in Sonoma County, California, to a hot hotel in Miami, Florida, to a cozy lodge with a stunning view in Juneau, Alaska.

• See our top US honeymoon picks

Themed rehearsal dinners

Couples are getting more creative with their rehearsal dinners and making them extra-meaningful. Invite your guests to the local pizza and beer joint down the street where you shared your first date and rent out the back room. If he proposed over champagne and strawberries, serve them for dessert. Going to Mexico for your honeymoon? Have fajitas for dinner.

• Get rehearsal dinner basics

Tousled up-dos

Hairstyles will get a lift this year in the form of sweeping undone updos. Get a modern twist on a beehive hairstyle with a tousled look and added barrettes, or ask your hairstylist to give you a slightly undone, pulled-back chignon.

• See 150+ hairstyle photos

Navy is the new “something blue”

Light blue is cute, but the new sophisticated version of “something blue” is navy. Wear a pair of navy shoes for the reception, don a navy necklace or earrings, or wrap your bouquet in navy lace.

• See our navy accessories slideshow

Going-away dresses

The grand exit at the end of the night is coming back in style; more and more couples are skipping the post-wedding brunch and leaving straight for the honeymoon. An exit like this calls for a going-away outfit, like a blue dress and flats or another white dress with a higher hemline.

• See dramatic exit photos from real weddings

Bright eyes

Makeup artists say that more and more brides are asking to emphasize the eyes, keeping the look natural, dewy, and glowing. Try sheer pale eye shadows in peaches and gold, adding a few lash extensions to the middle of your lash line and using a little eyeliner in violet or dark gray.

• Get our top makeup tips

At-home workouts

Beyond the gym, brides are enhancing their workouts at home with yoga moves and virtual personal trainers, like Wii Fit and The 30-Day Shred by Jillian Michaels.

Sleek and Sculpted

The ultimate in sophistication is beautiful, sleek, shining hair, pulled back into a coiled bun or teased into a modern beehive. These timeless styles will have you ready to walk down the isle… or the red carpet… in no time!

Loose and Lovely

This look of effortless elegance will do for the most casual of beach weddings or the most extravagant event of the year.  Starting with an extreme side part, sweep your hair back in sections and pin the ends under. Anchor straggling ends with jeweled hair combs. Or try a low ponytail that’s teased before being styled into a loose chignon.

Romantic

If you’ve spent a lifetime dreaming of your prince, a loose up-do with soft, wispy tendrils or sensual, sweeping curls would suit your fairy tale style.Two long plaits are wrapped around the head for an earthy-but-angelic look. A classic French twist is just right for starry-eyed brides seeking a sweet yet simple up-do.

Glamorous

Want to achieve the dramatic look of a silver screen star, like this Audrey Hepburn coiffure? Pile your hair up… It’s all about height and sculpted curls… and don’t forget the red lipstick!

Hair Accents and Accessories

Put the finishing touch on your up-do with earls and rhinestones, ribbons and feathers…A tiara is always classic, or a crown of crystal flowers. Not a tiara type of girl? Try feathers, sparkling clips or a headband. You can achieve the glamor of an up-do even if your hair barely grazes your earlobes. Here, curls are caught up in a headband by Jennifer Behr, jenniferbehr.com.

Flower Power

For just a few dollars, you can purchase nature’s perfect adornment, and they come in every size, shape, and color. A couple fresh blooms tucked among your curls, a big, exotic blossom, or an entire crown of mulit-color flowers will transform you into a fairy princess or the Queen of May.

“And, it cannot be done without the bobby pin,” says Jessica Churchill, educator and up-do specialist at the Salon Professional Academy in Appleton. “They are nice because you don’t see them and it looks like the hair is just magically up.”

Far from being boring or predictable, the full-fledged up-do is all about creativity. Hair extensions and clip-in hair provide more options, and many brides also incorporate jewelry or flowers, as well as headpieces, into their up-dos. And of course, lots and lots of bobby pins!

Read more style points here!