Should You Wear Your Hair Up or Down on the Wedding Day? Here's How to Decide (2024)

• Weddings
• Wedding Beauty & Wellness
• Bridal Hairstyles

There are so many decisions to be made about your wedding day—you have to think about everything from the dress you'll wear and the flowers you'll carry to the food you'll serve and the music that will play during the reception. Whatever you do, don't get carried away by only the larger details and forget to think about the smaller ones, such as your wedding-day hairstyle. Are you wondering if you should wear your hair up or down on the big day? We spoke with the Mar R, creative director at TEAM Hair and Makeup, for her top tips.

Consider Your Wedding Dress Neckline

One of the most important factors in deciding whether your hair should be up or down lies with the neckline of your wedding dress. "If you are wearing a strapless dress, either hair down or half up, half down will look pretty and feminine while still showing off the neckline," advises Mar. Loose waves and a soft, flowing style is key.

If your dress has a higher neckline, our pro says to consider an updo. "With high necklines, hair usually looks best tousled up," says Mar. "That doesn't mean you have to wear a traditional updo, but hair swept away from your neckline will look best." Earrings would also be the perfect touch for a high neckline, as a necklace would just get in the way.

Think About Your Usual Hairstyle

How do you usually like to wear your hair? If a high ponytail is your signature look, you might want to do that on the big day, just with a wedding-ready twist. Discuss options with your hairstylist, which might include adding an accessory, more volume, or a curl. On the other hand, if you want to do something that feels more special and different than your go-to hairstyle, consider options that you'd only wear for a very special occasion.

You'll also want to consider how your hair typically responds to styling. If you have super-straight, fine hair that never wants to hold a curl, even a professional will struggle to make that happen on the big day.

Go with Your Gut

At the end of the day, it really is all about what you want, so trust your instincts and choose the hairstyle you love, regardless of your gown's neckline or what you usually do with your hair. If you've always envisioned yourself with long, flowing waves on your wedding day, go for it. "As bridal stylists our job to be sure your hair flows and goes with the dress and tells a story," says Mar. "These days, anything goes! Just be sure you feel like a more polished version of yourself."