When to Wear Your Hair Up or Down – Cheers and Confetti Blog by Eventective (2024)

It’s the age-old dilemma: Do I wear my hair up or down for the Big Day?It might not seem important to anyone else, but it’s the one question every bride asks herself almost immediately (sometimes even before picking a dress!). How you wear your hair is an important decision that you shouldn’t take lightly.

Of course, the most important thing is for you to feel comfortable. If you’re most confident when you wear your hair a certain way, by all means—rock that hair! But if you’re at all on the fence about which style to choose, consider some practical scenarios before making your decision.

Wear your hair up if…

The forecast says wind or rain

Wind and humidity will fight against any styling product that’s been used on your hairdo, no matter how much you use. The last thing you want to worry about on your wedding day is keeping your hair in tact—you should be focusing on getting married, not how you wear your hair! Remove the stress by considering the time of year and location and choose accordingly.

When to Wear Your Hair Up or Down – Cheers and Confetti Blog by Eventective (1)

Your dress has a high neckline

While your dress doesn’t have to dictate how you wear your hair, it’s still a good check point if you’re on the fence. Dresses with high necklines tend to be more formal, so an up-do would be the most appropriate. Plus, an up-do will prevent any hair from getting caught on the dress—a double win!

You’re wearing a crown or other accessory

Practically, any hair piece is going to stay in place best with an up-do: Hair in an up-do doesn’t move around a whole lot, so the accessory won’t, either. Your hair stylist will be sure to give you tons of extra bobby pins, so you’ll have those on hand for extra protection, should you need it.

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You have bangs

An up-do looks especially nice when you leave a little hair down, and bangs are perfect for that. Let your bangs showcase how magnificent your hair is, and put the rest up. Consider styling your bangs differently from how you typically wear your hair—so it feels unique to you.

Wear your hair down if…

Your wedding is at the beach

Chances are, if you’re getting married on the beach, your overall wedding vibe is casual—and how you wear your hair should reflect that! Long, beach waves will represent the carefree nature of the celebration.

Bonus Tip: Half-up, half-down ‘dos are perfect for beach nuptials!

Your dress has thin or no straps

We can’t stress this enough—your dress doesn’t have to determine how you wear your hair. But wearing your hair down does certainly complement a dress with little-to-no straps. Usually worn for summer weddings, thinly strapped dresses tend to have less structure, so your hair should, too.

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Your bouquet is small

If you have a large bouquet, long hair, and a veil or jewelry—that’s a lot going on. How you wear your hair should complement your entire walk down the aisle, not add to it. If you’re carrying a single flower, or a few small ones, let your hair down!

Don’t forget…

You can throw your hair up or take it down before lighting up the dance floor—once the photos are taken, your hair is fair game! You don’t have to worry about how it looks, because your priority is having fun and celebrating.

When to Wear Your Hair Up or Down – Cheers and Confetti Blog by Eventective (2024)

FAQs

Should I wear my hair up or down for a formal event? ›

Dresses with high necklines tend to be more formal, so an up-do would be the most appropriate. Plus, an up-do will prevent any hair from getting caught on the dress—a double win!

How do I know if I should wear my hair up or down? ›

The simple answer here is whatever makes you feel like you. If it's a jeans and tshirt day, do what makes you feel comfy. Wear your hair up in a clip if you're out running errands, and let it flow if you're relaxing at home.

Should I wear my hair up or down for a wedding guest? ›

When deciding on your perfect hairstyle, keep in mind the dress code and style of the wedding you're attending. For a casual daytime celebration, you may want to opt for soft waves, whereas an elegant evening affair might call for an extravagant updo. Keep in mind your wedding guest dress or outfit, too!

How to decide wedding hair up or down? ›

Consider Your Wedding Dress Neckline

"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.

Is it more professional to have hair up or down? ›

Keep it simple with a ponytail

Instead of wearing your hair down, wear a classy bun or ponytail, or twist your hair into a smooth, long braid to keep your hair away from your face. Classy buns, ponytails or a long braid can give a professional look to your style while keeping you comfortable.

Should you do hair or makeup first for an event? ›

To put your mind at ease, opt to apply makeup before styling your strands, so you don't have to worry about your hair getting in the way.

How do you style your hair for a formal dress? ›

A side-swept updo aligns seamlessly with this dress to create a sophisticated look. Other hairstyles that complement a strapless gown include a half up and half down, with your hair pulled to the back. These hairstyles not only soften your shoulders, but they also highlight the strapless style of your gown.

Should I wear my hair up or down for prom? ›

"If it's off the shoulder, a sweetheart cut or strapless, wearing your hair down would look the best," said Lathan. "For those that have a lot going on along the neckline or have a lot of jewelry, try an updo. When you spend $300 on a dress, you want to be able to see the details."

Should I get my hair or makeup done first for formal? ›

Hair should be styled first when you have oily skin, it's hot out, using hot tools, your hairstyle needs time to set, or you're heading to a formal event. This will help keep your makeup fresh and photo-ready for longer and less likely to be ruined by sweat or humidity.

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