Amy Burrous - TheKnot.com
A headpiece that works well with your wedding outfit can be the icing on the
cake. But choosing a headpiece to match your gown and your hair and your wedding
itself can be a daunting experience.
Below, four steps to headpiece success:
SEEK EXPERT ADVICE
Before you set out on a headpiece shopping excursion, schedule an appointment
with your hairstylist. "It's important to go for a consultation with your
hairstylist first," says New York City stylist Erika Kaczmarek. "That
way, you can talk about the type of headpiece you may want: tiara, headband,
wreath, bun wrap, or crown." And you can ask your stylist which type is
right for your hair, head size, and face shape.
CONSIDER YOUR OPTIONS
"Some brides buy the first headpiece that the salesperson puts on their
head," says Erika. "And though it may go beautifully with the dress
you have chosen, it might not be right for you or for the hairstyle you want."
Instead, look around at different shops, trying on several different styles
at each place. When you find the right one, you'll know it -- it's the one that
makes you smile as soon as you pin it in place.
KNOW YOUR HAIR
Consider your hair texture and thickness: If you go for a bun wrap, will you
have enough hair to fill it out? If the answer is no, and you have your heart
set on a bun wrap, don't worry: "sewn-in extensions and hairpieces can
fill out buns and updos beautifully and give thinner hair the extra volume and
texture you need to pull off a more serious style," explains Erika. "And
extra hair can have slight color variations to achieve highlight or lowlight
effects without actually having your hair colored."
If the idea of sporting fake hair on your wedding day makes you want to call
the whole thing off, find a way to work with what you've got. In other words,
if you have really thick hair and a lot of it, make sure you get a headpiece
that balances it in size and weight. You won't want to go with a really light,
delicate wreath or it will end up looking like it's floating on your hair, not
sitting on your head. Try a heavier crown or bun wrap. Likewise, if you have
thin or short hair, go with something that can be easily secured. "A horseshoe-shaped
headband or a tiara are best for short or thin hair," suggests Erika.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Once you think you've got the right headpiece and a hairstyle in mind, make
a return visit to your stylist, even if you want to do your hair yourself, and
tinker a bit. "Sometimes there are different angles and placements of the
headpiece that work better on someone's head. And you can experiment with up
or down styles, depending upon the length of your hair," says Erika. Bring
along your veil, as well -- it can be attached to almost any headpiece, then
detached later, if you'd rather not wear it for the reception.
One bride -- who has asked to remain nameless but shared her story in the name
of brides everywhere -- didn't try on her veil with a stylist until the day
of her wedding, only to discover the manufacturer of the veil sewed the clip
on upside down. After a minor (read: major) panic, the stylist had to literally
sew the veil into the bride's hair to keep it in place.
Copyright TheKnot.com
2003
