Deciding on your wedding guest hairstyle can be a source of unnecessary stress if you’re hoping to create a good impression. With the rise of non-traditional weddings and the relaxing of certain conventions, working out how to do your hair as a wedding guest is trickier than ever. With that in mind, we’ve put together some of the most popular wedding guest hairstyles depending on wedding theme and formality, from classic black tie to more unconventional boho-chic styles. Traditional wedding hats aren’t as popular as they used to be, but they can still take your outfit to the next level. Just be sure to take them off when indoors and spritz some Wedding guest hair etiquette
Are hats appropriate for weddings?
When it comes to headgear, the authority on British etiquette, Debrett's, says: "While it’s true that a hat can elevate an outfit from ‘garden party’ to ‘elegant wedding,’ many women simply prefer not to wear one - whether for comfort, taste, or because they want their outfit to do the talking."
If you want to wear your hair down, consider classic half-up, half down styles, including half-up hair twists, or half-up claw clips with a delicate, sparkly accessory. Fascinators are fine at more formal weddings but may look slightly overdone at semi-formal occasions.Can I wear my hair down to a wedding?
You can definitely wear your hair down to a wedding – as long as your finished style looks smart and complements your outfit. This is not the day for trying out a grungy ‘bed head’ look.Can wedding guests wear hair accessories?
You certainly can wear hair accessories to a wedding - but make sure they reflect the theme of the day and they don’t detract from other members of the wedding party, e.g. the bride. Subtle, diamante clips, pearl-studded slides and anything which looks classy and discreet should be fine.
Hair should be well groomed. You want to look dressy, sleek and polished - aim for short, slick side partings, barrel tonged waves, ballerina buns and textured updos. Hats should be replaced with hair accessories (try pearl or Swarovski barrettes), because when you're wearing a formal outfit, you don’t want an oversized hat spoiling your silhouette.Formal wedding guest hair etiquette
‘Black tie’ dress first came into force in the Edwardian era as the default evening look, and is the formal dress code for a social function that starts after 6pm. Black tie is usually for weddings held later in the day, although take note: there should be no hats or headpieces worn after this time.
Formal wedding guest hair ideas
City wedding guest hair etiquette
City weddings are usually super-chic and elegant affairs. The reception venue for an urban wedding can vary, and may take place in a hotel, upscale club, restaurant or even a local bar or pub. As a result, the dress code depends on the time and place, but you can usually afford to go a little trendier and less formal than black tie.Can I wear a hat to an indoor city wedding?
City weddings usually take place indoors, so hats may be a no-go – wearing a hat inside is considered rude, no matter what the occasion is. Instead of wearing a hat, pull your hair into a sleek chignon and accessorise with some elegant hair clips, silver bows or bands that have interesting metallic tones.
City wedding guest hair ideas
Styles differ depending on the couple’s taste, but generally speaking, country weddings are a little less traditionally-formal than black tie or city weddings – so you can be more liberal in your dress and hairstyle. If you’re in a marquee, think about using natural or faux flowers in your hair, weaved into a half-up, half-down style. If it’s in a stately house, draw inspiration from iconic vintage or art deco styles for polish and poise.Country wedding guest hair etiquette
Country weddings are the time to celebrate all things rustic, vintage, and a little bit shabby-chic. In recent years, a lot of country weddings have gone down the rough-and-ready route of being held in barns or fields, but they can also be more grand affairs in a marquee, stately home or country hotel.
Country wedding guest hair ideas
A lot of boho-style weddings take inspiration from romantic mythical and fairytale settings. Boho is about rule-breaking so don’t worry about hair being perfect. It’s all about the fly-aways and letting your hair down. Flowers, pearls, braided hairstyles, Grecian crowns, and ribbons – anything goes.Rustic wedding guest hair etiquette
Bohemian or rustic weddings are all about being unconventional and non-traditional, while still channelling a seemingly-effortless elegance. Boho weddings have become extremely popular in recent years, especially among free-spirited and creative couples. Etiquette wise, you definitely don’t need to worry about formality – but you still need to make an effort and engage with the day’s theme.
After preparing your curls with Frizz Ease Dream Curls Shampoo and Conditioner, apply a small amount of If your curls need a little extra help, refine and moisturise your hair with a Boho wedding guest hairstyle ideas for curly hair
With a long day of outdoor ceremonies and receptions in store, frizzy hair can be a huge worry for curly-haired wedding guests.Boho wedding guest hair ideas
I'm an expert in hairstyling and wedding guest etiquette with a deep understanding of various hairstyles, wedding themes, and formalities. Over the years, I've closely followed trends in wedding fashion and have hands-on experience working with clients to create the perfect look for special occasions. My expertise extends to different wedding themes, from traditional black-tie affairs to boho-chic and rustic weddings.
In the context of the provided article on wedding guest hairstyles, let me break down the key concepts and provide additional insights:
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Wedding Guest Hairstyles Overview: The article discusses the challenges of choosing a wedding guest hairstyle, considering the rise of non-traditional weddings and evolving conventions. It categorizes hairstyles based on wedding themes and formality.
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Wedding Guest Hair Etiquette:
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Hats at Weddings: The article mentions that traditional wedding hats are not as popular, but they can elevate an outfit. Debrett's advises on proper hat etiquette, suggesting removal indoors and using hairspray to avoid 'hat hair.'
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Wearing Hair Down: Wearing hair down is acceptable, but the style should be smart. Classic half-up, half-down styles, twists, and claw clips with accessories are recommended.
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Hair Accessories: Guests can wear hair accessories that complement the wedding theme. Subtle, classy, and discreet accessories like diamante clips and pearl-studded slides are encouraged.
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Formal Wedding Guest Hair Etiquette:
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Black Tie Events: The article explains the history of 'black tie' dress and the appropriate hairstyles for formal evening weddings. It recommends well-groomed hair, sleek side partings, waves, buns, and textured updos. Hats are replaced with formal hair accessories like pearl or Swarovski barrettes.
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Formal Hairstyle Ideas: Specific hairstyle ideas are provided based on hair length, including minimalist slick-downs for short hair, super slick side parts for medium length, and barrel tong waves or Hollywood waves for long hair.
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City Wedding Guest Hair Etiquette:
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Indoor City Weddings: Hats are generally discouraged at indoor city weddings. Sleek chignons and elegant hair clips or bands are suggested alternatives.
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City Hairstyle Ideas: Hairstyle recommendations are provided for short, medium, and long hair, focusing on semi-styled waves, slick bobs or lobs, and accessorizing with clips.
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Country Wedding Guest Hair Etiquette:
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Rustic, Vintage Styles: Country weddings allow for more liberal dress and hairstyle choices. Natural or faux flowers are suggested for hair, especially in a marquee setting.
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Country Hairstyle Ideas: Hairstyle ideas include a quiff for short hair, an exaggerated side part for medium length, and a low messy bun for long hair.
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Rustic Wedding Guest Hair Etiquette:
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Bohemian or Rustic Weddings: Boho weddings encourage unconventional and non-traditional styles, focusing on a seemingly-effortless elegance. The emphasis is on individuality and embracing imperfections.
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Boho Hairstyle Ideas for Curly Hair: Special attention is given to curly-haired guests at boho weddings, suggesting frizz control products and offering hairstyle ideas for short, medium, and long hair.
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These concepts collectively provide a comprehensive guide for wedding guests, helping them navigate the complexities of choosing the right hairstyle based on the wedding theme and formality.