How to Design the Perfect Bridal Hairstyle for your Destination Wedding in France | by Paris Makeup + Hair Artist, Onorina Jomir
There’s nothing better than getting pampered by a beauty professional on one of the most important days in your life - your wedding day!
But having a smooth and seamless experience involves a bit of planning and a lot of communication with your makeup and hair artist, so that you can sit back and relax when the big day arrives.
For every bride I style, I keep an open line of communication from the day she books me, to her wedding day and beyond. I beautify brides from all around the world and help them find their perfect bridal hair and makeup look for their dreamy wedding in Paris, France, and beyond.
First look between bride and groom, featuring a Hollywood waves bridal down-do for Paris Elopement, styled by Onorina Jomir
Photo courtesy of Claire Morris Photography
Pinning the veil into a classic bridal updo for a destination Paris France wedding
Photo courtesy of Gloria Villa Photography
My years of experience as a bridal beauty professional for real brides and styled shoots have taught me wedding fashion, bridal accessories, personal style, and how to marry these elements together when designing a bridal hairstyle and makeup that doesn’t just feel great and wears well, but conveys a message and harmonizes with the entire feel of my client’s wedding.
So, what does a Makeup and Hair Stylist do with this wealth of information? Put together a handy guide for all brides looking to find their perfect Wedding Hair look! Read on, to learn how to take into consideration your dress, venue, wedding style, and personal features to design the perfect bridal hairstyle for your destination wedding in France, or elsewhere!
1. Consider your venue & ceremony space
The first thing I recommend brides do before they buy a dress or decide on a bridal look is to consider the space where they are getting married. Your bridal look has to harmonize with the ceremony and reception space - otherwise you could appear under or over-dressed for your own wedding! In this step, I will give examples of styles to consider for each type of wedding venue commonly found in France.
A. Classic & POlished Chateau or Cathedral Wedding HairStyles
Are you getting married in a cathedral, or chateau with vaulted ceilings and staircases? Use your bridal style to fill the space - think dress and veil with a long train and full ballgown skirt paired with a classic updo. Consider the addition of a jeweled hair comb or tiara to complement this dramatic interior and elevate your look, giving you royal bride vibes!
French wedding venues with dramatic ceremony spaces such as cathedrals and chateaus call for wedding dresses with full skirts, trains and long veils — keeping the hair up in an updo will draw the eyes up to the bride’s face and finishing it with a jeweled tiara or comb will tie the look together.
Bridal Hairstyle Tip: Backless dress? Leave the hair long or leave loose pieces to guide the eye to the bustle of the wedding dress.
B. Romantic French Country or Garden Setting Hairstyles
Whether your wedding is held at a winery, French garden, abbey, or castle ruins, look for loose waves and hairstyles with textures and pieces to frame your face. Accessories with organic shapes, vine motifs, or classic filigree patterns work really well for this setting!
Since romantic and undone bridal hair looks are often piecey and textured, it’s important to factor in hair color and what kind of texture works best. Medium hair colors with highlights can handle texture, braids, and more detailed looks, while dark hair, like Mallory’s hair for her destination France wedding needs shine and definition to show off the form of loose curls and twists. Both dark and light hair work well with hair accessories, but on dark hair in particular, accessories provide beautiful contrast and can tie the whole look together!
Bridal Hairstyle Tip: Getting married outside? Down-do’s are not recommended if you are doing a wedding in hot, humid, windy, or rainy weather, so keep an eye on the weather and if it looks too damp or windy, switch to a full updo. You’ll be happy that you did!
C. Sophisticated Parisian Hotel or Cocktail Party Reception HairStyles
Rooftop ceremony in view of the Eiffel Tower? Cocktail reception at the Shangri-La? Keep your bridal hair look glossy, secure, and sophisticated, with lush curls or modern chignons and statement accessories. Cocktail and hotel reception bridal looks are all about the grandeur and silhouette of your hair, beautiful jewels, and of course, glamorous bridal makeup!
Whether you’re going for a half up style like Dana’s Bombshell bridal hairstyle or a sophisticated and secure full updo like the look I created for Claire Morris Photography’s styled shoot featured on Wed Luxe, at Hotel Plaza Athenee, big waves are perfect for down-do’s and updos alike for hotel cocktail wedding receptions. They add sophistication and glamour while keeping a smooth texture, which allows jewels and glamorous makeup to stand out for your France destination wedding.
Bridal Hairstyle Tip: Don’t be afraid of a little extra oomph — whether its a tiara, statement earrings or even just adding volume with extensions or teasing, these little accents can really elevate the look for a hotel or cocktail wedding reception in France!
D. OUTDOOR Paris Elopement Ceremony Bridal Hairstyles
While elopement hair doesn’t need to withstand hours of picture-taking with family and friends, a reception, and everything in-between, brides typically want something that can take them from their vows to a fancy dinner at a 5-star Michelin restaurant, or a quaint Parisian cafe - it IS Paris after all! Depending on the weather, you can wear both down do’s and updos, which is why for this section I focused on beautifully clean and simple hairstyles that will harmonize against the Parisian backdrop.
Consider your wedding photoshoot locations — wind is to be expected at higher points of the city, such as the Trocadero Eiffel Tower viewing area, or by the water on Pont Alexander III. If you’re wearing your hair down, plan to do these photo locations last so the wind doesn’t undo your beautiful curls.
Bridal Hairstyling Tip: Packing a silk pillowcase will allow you to extend your curled hairstyle by a day or two. Silk pillowcases prevent creasing and keep hair nice and smooth, making it a great way to extend your Paris elopement hairstyle for an extra day.
2. Factor in your hair color, length & cut
A. Hair Color
Blonde and lighter hair colors show up differently in photos than darker hair colors. Keep this in mind if you are using a blonde hair updo for inspiration, but have darker hair. Finding inspiration images of women with the same hair properties as you (color, texture, length) will help you better envision how it would look on you.
Blonde/Medium-Toned Hair or Highlights:
Explore textured updos, beach waves, soft curls, braided styles, and looks that focus on showcasing texture.
Bridal Hairstyle Tip: If you plan on wearing an accessory, focus on pieces with pearls, large crystals, or defined floral ornaments. Fresh flowers also look lovely on blonde hair, and you can match the colors to your bouquet.
Dark, One-Toned hair with no highlights:
Look for polished hairstyles featuring anything from thick braids, full curls, and soft waves. Opt for smooth textures that highlight clean edges and hair shine, and focus on the shape and overall impression of your hairstyle.
Bridal Hairstyle Tip: Add crystal, pearl, or floral accessories to darker hair in order to add contrast and make a stronger statement with your hairstyle. Small stones and veil details will contrast beautifully against your deep-toned, rich locks!
B. Hair Length + cut
Remember that your hair length and cut will impact what you can achieve with your hairstyle. If you have bangs but want your hair swept back, you will need to start grow them out months before the big day. If you have long, one-length hair but want shorter pieces framing your face, you’ll need to get some layers cut prior to the big day.
Layered hair
Show off your layers - for example, layers framing the face, loose pieces for a softer updo, etc.
One length hair
Opt for polished half-up or full updos, as well as glamour Hollywood-style, brushed-through curls.
Short Hair
Wear it in soft waves, bouncy curls, sleek & modern, or in a textured updo (discuss this with your stylist to see what your options are).
Bridal Hairstyle Tip: Remember, there are always hair extensions if you want more length of thickness when it comes to your hair! You can opt for day-of clip-ins, or get bond or tape-in extensions put in by your stylist prior to the wedding day. Note that these need to be the same color as your hair, and adjusted to your hair length, especially if wearing your hair partially or fully down.
3. Consider your wedding dress, veil, hair accessories & jewelry
Choosing a hairstyle that compliments your outfit can be require a bit of time and research, but proper execution will elevate any look and result in a successful and memorable bridal style for your special day. Below are some things to take into consideration when designing your look in its entirety:
Strapless or off-the-shoulder gowns
Bring focus to your décolletage by wearing your hair partially up, or pinning back one side with a sparkling hair piece.
Dresses with heavy textures OR patterns
Keep the hairstyle minimal and polished, whether wearing it fully down, in a sleek ponytail, or a polished, full updo. High buns will appear more regal, while lower buns will look classic, and ponytails will appear more modern.
Smooth fabric OR structured silhouette
Focus on form and shine such as a chignon, soft buttery waves, or glossy curls.
Open-Back Wedding Gown
Wear your hair down, or wear it up with pieces cascading down to draw the eye to the bustle of your dress. Hair updos are also lovely for a back-less dress, as are mermaid and braided styles (for longer hair).
wearing a veil
Veils need to be attached to bobby pins or back-combed hair, and they look best when placed into a half-updo or full updo. Consider your veil placement when designing your hair, and take into account that if your veil covers your hairstyle, this may result in frizziness or a less polished look if/once you remove it. If you need assistance with your veil removal or a look change, hire your beauty artist to stand by for hair and makeup touch-ups.
Large Earrings or necklace
Opt for hairstyles that are pulled back to show off your statement jewelry.
Bridal Hairstyle Tip: If you are planning to wear hair accessories or a veil, send a picture of it to your stylist in case so she/he can make sure it will work with your style. Be sure to communicate the type of attachment the accessory comes with, and see if your hair stylist needs you to make any adjustments for a better fit.
4. Prepare for a rainy day
Pick an alternative hairstyle that can withstand humidity, rain, or wind. Understanding how heat, humidity, and rain affects hair will allow you to keep a positive attitude and to be prepared to adjust without compromising your desired bridal look.
If you are getting married in Paris, wind is to be expected at higher points of the city, such as the Trocadero/Eiffel Tower viewing area, or by the water on Pont Alexander III, but the right products can keep the frizz at bay.
Down-dos are not recommended if you are doing a wedding in hot, humid, windy, or rainy weather, so keep an eye on the weather and if it looks too damp or windy, switch to a full updo. You’ll be happy that you did!
Last Tips for Choosing + Designing your Bridal Hairstyle
Save hair inspiration images to an album on your phone, or make a Pinterest Board
When you are ready to discuss your looks with your artist, send these within one message (it helps your artist stay organized), and have them handy on the day of your appointment.
Find elements you like in different styles to convey your dream look, and be clear in your requests
Do you want a lot of volume at the crown? Do you want some hair pieces framing your face? Do you like when the curls are more loose and soft, or bouncy and voluminous? Your artist may make some suggestions as well, so be open to other ideas, even if they may not have been your first thought. Remember, her/his goal is to help you look and feel comfortable and confident on your wedding day, both in person and in front of the camera.
Consider Your personal Preference & Style, not what you think you ‘should’ look like as a bride
If you never wear your hair up but feel pressured to do so on your wedding day, perhaps a half-updo will be the winning style for you. Or, if you want your hair up but don’t like the look of low updos, consider a pony-tail style that will keep your hair off your face but still look polished or romantic.
Onorina Jomir applying makeup to a bride after styling her half-up wedding hairstyle for her Destination Wedding in France
Photo Courtesy of Lapkovsky Photography
Congratulations!
You’ve learned how to design the Perfect Bridal Hairstyle for your Destination Wedding in France!
Now you are ready to show your hair stylist exactly how you want your hair to be for your luxury French destination wedding! It takes a bit of time to make sure the pieces align, but pin-pointing your overall vision, considering your wardrobe, and selecting a hairstyle that harmonizes with your features and hair will ensure that your wedding look is MEMORABLE and STRIKING, so it’s definitely worth the research and planning involved!
For more look inspiration and ideas, check my PINTEREST profile, or click below and start pinning photos directly to your Pinterest board - it’s so much fun!
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