Choosing the Right Wedding Headpiece and Hair Accessories

You want to look like yourself on your wedding day... only more glamorous. When it comes to choosing your headpiece, you should choose something that matches your personal style and plays up your best features and your personality. Don't feel like you have to wear a veil if you don't want to! There are so many options available to you these days, so try on a variety of options to match your wedding dress and your wedding style.

Another important thing to consider is the location of your wedding. You wouldn't necessarily want to walk down the beach with a cathedral length veil. Likewise, a ring of flowers might be a bit out of place at a black tie affair. Be sure to consider location and setting when you start looking at headpieces.

Of course, a wedding veil is the most traditional and by far the most standardly used headpiece. Figuring out all of the different styles of cuts and edges and types of veils can be a bit overwhelming, but there is good news. You can custom order just about anything you want when it comes to a wedding veil. Longer veils are appropriate at formal weddings while shorter, puffier veils might be the best choice for a wedding at city hall or a small affair in your backyard. You can adorn your veil with scattered pearls or add a touch of color with a satin ribbon edge. For a more detailed guide in choosing a wedding veil, check out my other hub dedicated to the subject.

Everyone wants to feel like a princess on their wedding day, and what better way than to adorn yourself with a beautiful tiara? There are many different styles and looks to choose from. Tiaras come in designs from one simple line of jewels to a tall crown of sparkling gems. You can find them with pearl accents, rhinestones, crystals, gold, special colored accents and even real gemstones.

A long veil can often feel hot or tedious, so if you are not excited about having a veil hanging around your shoulders or over your face, you can still add glamour to your look with a beautiful Tiara. If your wedding dress has a touch of red, look for a tiara like the one pictured here that has pearls and red gemstones.

If you are planning to wear your hair up, you can combine a tiara and a veil like the second picture here. The tiara can be put around the updo, while the veil's comb can be attached at the bottom of your hair style to hang around your shoulders and down your back.

A tiara can be worn with your hair up or down, can add color to your look, and can be purchased on any budget with looks from simple to extravagant.

Similar to a tiara, a headband sits farther back on your head and usually sits behind your ears rather than around your head like a crown. You can find headbands in the same styles as a tiara, or you can also find beautiful headbands made of organza or satin ribbon. Headbands keep your hair out of your face and you can wear the rest of your hair down or in an updo.

I love a bride with flowers in her hair! There is just something so feminine and beautiful about it. The first thing that might come into your mind is the natural, hippie style ring of flowers, and while that is a lovely option that is perfect for outdoor and beach weddings, there are lots of other ways to wear flowers in your hair.

Silk flowers provide a ton of beautiful and unique options for today's brides. A single large flower set at the back of an elegant updo is feminine and soft, while a colorful clip of flowers that matches your bouquet can add a touch of whimsy and fun to your look. Dress up silk flowers with pearl beads or scattered rhinestones. Just be sure that you choose a quality clip that is sturdy and will last. These days, you can find silk flowers that look so real, no one will know they aren't real!

If you do choose to use real flowers in your hair, whether in a ring or a beautiful headband, or even a single large flower, be careful in choosing white or delicate flowers. The more you touch and move a white flower, the more likely it is that it will fall apart or become bruised and turn brownish. Plan with your florist or headpiece designer to have your headpiece put together the morning of the wedding and have minimal people touching it. Also check to make sure that the flowers you want to use are in season and will be easily accessible during the time of your wedding.

You can also find beautiful rhinestone and pearl flower designs that can be clipped into your hair for a more formal look.

A comb is an easy way to add just a touch of color or style to your hair without completely covering your head or getting too big. You can use a comb to secure one side of your hair up while leaving the other side down. You can also use a comb to accentuate your french twist. Simply put it in sideways, right into the twisted part for a very elegant look.

Vintage combs are a lovely touch if you are wearing a simple dress or even a vintage dress. You can find them on ebay or in vintage stores, often for a really good price. Combs come in every color and size, often adorned with pearls, beads, rhinestones, or gemstones.

If you want to create a more modern, "Sex and the City" style look, find a comb that has feathers! This can add height and interest to your hair, giving you a sophisticated and modern look.

Just about any headpiece you can imagine can be made to go with your wedding dress and your style. Beaded bobby pins or single jewels attached by velcro or buttons can be scattered throughout your hairstyle to add sparkle and glamour to your look. If you are having a culturally inspired wedding, consider using a headpiece that reflects that with colored beads or traditional fabric.

A recent trend in hair accessories is the hair "vine" which is made of pearls or beads and is attached to your hair with a clip and cascades down your back or hair just as a veil would. If you want something more simple, think about beaded barettes or pearl clips. Use your imagination and create a look that fits both your dress and your personal style.