In the market for unfussy wedding hair? Right this way: Here are six soft, romantic, wedding-worthy styles—and step-by-step instructions on how to achieve each. All six styles are paired with equally dreamy wedding dresses and accessories from BHLDN.
Unless you’re wildly talented or have a mysterious third arm, you probably won’t be able to pull them off yourself, but you should be able to pass these instructions on to a pro stylist or a nimble-fingered friend and get excellent results.
LOOK 1: TEXTURED TOPKNOT
Juliette Dress in Ivory, $275. Pansy Combs, $325.
STEP 1. Form a loose high ponytail and split the ponytail into two sections. If your hair already has texture, like the model’s, you can forgo heating tools. If added texture is desired, heat both sections of your ponytail with a clip-less curling iron to create sexy waves.
STEP 2. Loosely braid your first ponytail section and pin the hair forward to show off your braid. Spray in place and repeat with the same technique by pinning your second ponytailed section towards the opposite side of where you will be placing your hair accessories. Set in place with a holding spray.
STEP 3. Widen out your braids to create volume and depth with your hands. Create further whimsy by playing up front flyaways with a texturizing spray to create a look that’s both polished and undone.
LOOK 2: MARRIED MERMAID
Sabine Dress, $320. Esther Halo, $280.
STEP 1. Part all of your hair to one side and form three sections. If your hair already has texture, like the model’s, you can forgo heating tools. If added texture is desired, heat hair with a clip-less curling iron to create sexy waves.
STEP 2. You will be creating three 3D braids by braiding French braids in reverse—braiding from underneath versus overtop, like a traditional French braid. Set in place with a holding spray.
STEP 3. Widen out each braided section to create depth and thickness. Pin each section into place to hug your facial features and dramatically envelope one side of your head. You can pull thru your last braided section through your front braids to add further depth and intensity. Tie on a headband to take your braid to the next level.
LOOK 3: TWISTED BANDED BRAID
Juliette Dress in Ivory, $275. Jeweled Tassel Halo, $280.
STEP 1. Place your headband in place and tie securely to make building your braid a snap!
STEP 2. Begin creating looped sections and pinning into place—you’ll be making roughly four to five looped waves to give hair easy, intricate-looking texture, depth and height. Set in place with a holding spray.
STEP 3. Grab all of your hair at the bottom and form a loose French braid. Widen all loops and your bottom braid to create texture and volume. Dress your braid further by working in the tasseled ribbons into your styling.
LOOK 4: FAIRY AND FLOWERS FRENCH BRAID
Georgia Gown, $1,000. Rosa Halo, $160.
STEP 1. Play up your hairs natural texture with beach spray (like I did here), or create organic-looking waves with a one-inch curling iron. Place floral crown in place to benchmark where you’ll be creating your braid and laying front framing pieces.
STEP 2. Start creating your cascading braid by working in a French braid at an angular point. You want your braid to first rest against the backside of your floral crown and then gradually fall downwards, along your back.
STEP 3. Widen out your braid and pin into place to hug your floral crown
LOOK 5: SIDE-GATHERED FISHTAIL BRAID
Sabine Dress, $320. Gallica Ornament, $600.
STEP 1. Set your ornament in place, and gather hair in the opposite direction of your ornament.
STEP 2. Tease in the direction you want your hair to lay. Gather both the left and right sides of your hair—join them by twisting both sides and pinning into place (to form the beginnings of a side-gathered ponytail)..
STEP 3. Part your hair into two sections and tease each section. Begin forming a fishtail braid (working with just two strands at a time). Once your fishtail is complete, pin upwards to form your loose bun. Set with finishing spray.
LOOK 6: TEXTURED TOPSY TAIL BRAID
Georgia Gown, $1,000. Headpiece no longer available. For similar: Margo Headband, $450. Or Lou Clip, $60.
STEP 1. Play up your hairs natural texture with beach spray. Next, create a midrise ponytail. Part that ponytail into three sections—a left, middle and right section. Take the middle section and place a rubber band about a quarter of the way down your ponytail to form a mini hair “bubble.”
STEP 2. Pull the left and right sections thru your mini hair “bubble”.
STEP 3. Now use the topsy tail technique by taking the middle ponytail that has the �� place rubber band and rolling it backwards—creating a twisted V-shape. Repeat these steps once more down the length of your ponytail.
STEP 4. Now make your style an original by teasing and fluffing out sections to create rich, earthy fullness—the messier, the better. This sexy look is similar to a braided style, without any actual braiding. Set style in place with holding spray and a dainty headband.