Wedding hair styling: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What wedding hair styling is

A wedding hair stylist designs and sets updos, curls, braids or loose styles for a bride, the wedding party and family. The style is planned around the dress, the veil or headpiece, the venue and the timeline, and it has to hold through the whole day.

Signs you need it

  • Your wedding date is set and you want a bridal style that lasts through the ceremony and reception
  • You have a veil, headpiece or hair accessory that needs to be placed correctly
  • You want a style that fits your dress neckline and the look of your venue
  • Your bridesmaids or family want matching or coordinated hair for the wedding day
  • You need hair that holds through outdoor heat, wind, rain or long hours of photos

What the pro does

  • Holds a trial to test the style, the hold and the placement of any accessories
  • Looks at your dress, veil, headpiece, venue and photos to plan the shape
  • Preps the hair with products for hold and volume, and protects it from heat
  • Sets the style with pins, rollers, braids or a curling tool so it holds for many hours
  • Places veils, combs, flowers or other pieces so they stay secure
  • Plans touch-ups for the photos, the ceremony and the reception

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The number of people getting hair styled, including the bridal party
  • The complexity of the style, such as a full updo with braids and pins
  • How many trials you want and whether a trial is charged on its own
  • Hair length, thickness and whether extensions are used
  • Whether the stylist travels to a hotel, a home or the venue
  • The length of the day and how many touch-ups are planned

What a written quote should spell out

  • The number of people and the style for each person
  • The trial date, what it includes and whether it is part of the total
  • Travel details, the location and any travel fee
  • Whether accessory placement, touch-ups and extensions are included
  • The deposit amount, the balance due date and the cancellation terms

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Can I see photos of bridal styles you have done on hair like mine, outdoors and in the evening?
  • Do you do a trial, and can we adjust the style after it?
  • How will you secure a veil or headpiece so it does not slip during the day?
  • How do you keep the style from falling out in heat, wind or humidity?
  • What is your timeline for getting ready, photos and the ceremony?
  • Can you style my bridesmaids, and how long will each style take?
  • What is your backup plan if the style starts to fall during the day?

Red flags

  • Only shows indoor studio photos with no outdoor or long-wear examples
  • Will not discuss how a veil or headpiece will be attached
  • Cannot give a clear timeline for the whole morning
  • Pressure to book a large party package before the trial
  • No written terms for travel, touch-ups or changes to the date

What you can do yourself

You can keep your hair healthy in the months before the wedding and practice a simple style at home. Bring a few spare pins and a light hold spray to the wedding for minor fixes. Hire a wedding hair stylist for the day itself, because a bridal style with pins, accessories and long-lasting hold needs a trained stylist and a planned timeline.

Licenses and permits

Wedding hair styling is commonly covered by state cosmetology rules, and most states require a cosmetology license for paid hair work. Check with your state's cosmetology or licensing board, and ask the stylist how they are licensed for event and mobile work.

Wedding hair styling questions

When should I schedule the bridal trial?

Book the trial several weeks before the wedding, so there is time to change the style. Bring your veil or headpiece and wear the neckline you will wear on the day, if you can.

Should I wash my hair the day before the wedding?

Ask your stylist. Some want clean, dry hair with no heavy products, and others prefer hair washed a day or two before. Follow their instructions so the style sets well.

Can the stylist also do my bridesmaids?

Many stylists offer bridal party styling. Ask how many people they can cover in your time, whether they will do a trial for each person, and how they plan the timeline.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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