I told you before that I do everything I can to avoid having to do bridal hair. I was kind of being dramatic. I will do bridal parties if

A. I know and love the bride.

B. They seem incredibly low drama/ low maintenance and pay well.

C. The inevitable bridal photos are worth the job. The wedding concept inspires me. I am a sucker for any opportunity to take pictures of pretty hair.

This summer, I did a couple bridal parties. One was for a dear friend. She was a beautiful, simple, low drama bride and I styled her hair and her daughters hair in soft curled up-dos with accent braids.

The other bridal party was for a dear friend of a dear friend. It was a bride and her 3 beautiful thick haired and hilarious sisters. I am a sucker for sister hair. I gave them each a unique style……The bride got elaborate pulled apart braids and a low bun. One sister got a soft braid. One got a french twist. The pregnant one got a bump to match her bump. Flower girl got a flowery french braid. Here are my Summer HTHG Bride photos……..Lots of soft braids, loose curls, natural height, volume, and texture, and muchas flowers because you can’t be a bride without flowers!

Which one do you like best?

Here are a couple of tips for brides and hairstylists of bridal parties.

Do’s

• Show your stylist photos of your wedding dress and maybe a wedding pinterest board that you have created so they have a feel for your wedding esthetic.
• Give concise and simple directions to your stylist so that she can be there on time.
• Make sure there is coffee brewed for styling time.
• Always bring more bobby pins than you think. And ALWAYS have big bobbies on hand.
• Have a great playlist with lots of Ginuwine, Salt ‘n peppa, TLC and R. Kelly because they are everyone’s jam!
• Second day hair is best for styling!
• Have snacks on hand.
• Tell the bride she looks beautiful. Perfect. Whatever. Make her stop obsessing.
• Tell jokes, recount the bachlorette party…..Anything to keep things light.
• Have someone mixing light cocktails, but make sure the bride eats a snack.
• If there is a pregnant member of the wedding party, give her extra height and volume. This will make her feel more proportionate.
• Here is a list of pre-wedding hair tips to remember if you are a bride!

Dont’s

• Don’t think for a minute that you can get away with bridal hair without hairspray. I don’t care how big of a hippie you are.
• Don’t make the bride cry.
• Don’t bring young kids unless they are a part of the ceremony.
• Don’t sit down in the stylists chair with wet hair.
• Don’t play any soft romantic or folk-y music. Keep it upbeat.
• Don’t load your hair with products pre-style.
• Don’t cut or color your hair the day before the wedding.

Do you have any to add to the list? Please shout em my way.

Here is a bonus tutorial for you of my favorite Summer Bridal hairstyle of the year……….

Summer Bride Braids, 2013

This hairstyle is the one in the center of the collage…..It is a very bold and intricate looking braided up-do.

It is quite simple to achieve. If you can do a dutch braid, you can do this hairstyle.

Here are the steps…..Begin by splitting the head into 3 offset vertical sections. The partings should go slightly diagonal so that the bun is offset.

Do a dutch braid down each section. Secure each end with a clear elastic. Now work your way carefully up each braid starting at the ends, pulling the braid apart to widen and flatten it. Do this 2-3 times on each braid until they are quite flat and short.

Now starting on one side, wrap the ends of the braid into a low side bun. Pin it to secure it. Take the ends of the middle braid and wrap it around the bun. Pin it discreetly. Now take the end of the last braid and wrap, tuck and pin it under the bun. It should look like all 3 braids are becoming one spiral bun on the side.

Add flowers, pin, tuck, and spray!

Want to see last years Summer bride braid?

XOXO, HTHG