So, you’ve found your dream wedding dress, and you can’t wait to show it off on the aisle — and the dancefloor! Hold up. While a casual ponytail is perfect for the atelier fitting room, you’re going to want to put a little more thought into which hairstyle will best complement the neckline of your wedding dress.
In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the most popular, on-trend wedding dress necklines, as well as the ideal hairstyles to pair them with. You’ll find some necklines are incredibly versatile, giving you the freedom to choose from a range of options, while others are a little trickier. Use these tips to make sure your wedding day look is as cohesive as it is show-stopping.
Strapless
Strapless gowns have long been a popular choice for brides wanting to highlight their neck and décolletage. Thankfully, in terms of hairstyles, a strapless neckline is one of the most versatile. Erin of Erin Shanley Hair explains, “I would suggest going for a strapless number, you should have your hair out and straight. Now, hear me out! So many people think you need to have your hair curled to look like a bride, but that’s really not true. A nice blow-dry can be just as flattering as Hollywood waves, if not more because it looks very natural. If having your hair out isn’t an option for you, there are always the classic low buns or midi buns.”
Kristie Bradbury of The Home Salon Sydney suggests a bun also, “A long shear veil looks gorgeous paired with a sleek low bun, a voluminous low bun, or chignon for a more romantic aesthetic.” Other up-dos work beautifully with strapless necklines also, including a voluminous high ponytail. “The bigger, the better!” says Kristie.
High-neck
High necklines are synonymous with refined elegance. Often these dresses will also have intricate features like delicate lace sleeves à la Grace Kelly. High-neck dresses will often balance the look with an open or sheer back.
Most hairstylists will agree that an up-do is advisable for brides with a high neckline. Loose hair can hide the details of the fabric and distract from the lines of the dress. Adrienne of Adrienne Makeup Artist & Hairstylist explains, “I’d look at doing either a top knot or chignon, but definitely not out with a high neckline.”
Other options for high necklines include textured braided boho up-dos or even a sleek ponytail. A good rule of thumb is to balance how much detailing your dress has. If there is a lot of intricate beadwork, lace, or patterning on the neck, try to keep your hair simple and understated.
The one exception to this rule is the high-necked, sleeveless halter-neck dress in a simple fabric like silk or satin. This option can work well with a flowing hairstyle, especially for brides with short to mid-length tresses.
V-neck or scoop neck
Another versatile neckline is the v-neck. This style of dress is sought after for its ability to flatter virtually all body types. The symmetry of a v-neck design gives you the perfect opportunity to try an asymmetrical hairstyle. Braids and buns gently gathered on one side can add intrigue to this neckline. With limited detailing or fabric near the neck, v-necks will also be complemented by a half-up half-down look.
Off the shoulder
We love a dramatic off-the-shoulder moment here at Easy Weddings. This style of dress can be as simple as an elegant sheath or as elaborate as a full ballgown silhouette. The inherent romance of the off-the-shoulder wedding gown is perfectly paired with soft, undone hairstyles. The bare shoulders and décolletage, as with a strapless dress, will look beautiful with loose hairstyles such as glamour waves or even an old Hollywood finger wave.
Boat neck
Boat necklines have made a comeback in recent years since a certain royal wedding put them well and truly back on the world stage. Boat neck designs are sought after for their subtle display of skin along the shoulder blades coupled with full chest coverage.
Similar to a high neck design, this elegant and retro silhouette is well suited to up-dos. Boat neck dresses are a perfect match for a bob or faux-bob hairstyles due to their retro appeal. The simple, clean lines of a boat neck dress make it an ideal contrast to romantic, “piecey” hairstyles with added accessories such as veils, floral accents, and (of course) tiaras.
“Help! What if I have short hair?”
Rocking a pixie cut, bob or pompadour? Brides with shorter hair can have the best of both worlds by wearing their hair out. Short hair leaves the shoulder area on show and won’t compete for attention with a high or structured neckline.
Still seeking long locks for your wedding day? Talk to your hairdresser about opting for extensions. There are plenty of options perfect for enhancing your mane. Clip-in extensions will give you the long hair of your dreams for the day, while semi-permanent extensions are ideal for giving you Disney princess hair for your honeymoon and beyond!
Some more advice…
- Fashion is, and will always be, incredibly subjective. If you think your high-neck, embroidered gown goes perfectly with loose, flocking locks, and you wear it with confidence, chances are you will look breathtaking. As always, wear what makes you happy.
- Seek guidance from your experts. Your hairstylist and dress designer will likely have the benefit of contributing their creative skills to many weddings. While personal taste is a factor, they’ll be able to offer an expert opinion on how to best ensure harmony between your hairstyle and wedding dress.
- Be open to new things, but make sure you still feel like yourself. You’ve no doubt heard it a million times in the context of finding a wedding gown, but don’t be afraid to venture outside of your comfort zone. Real bride Lucy weighs in, “It took a while to decide what I wanted, as I thought I wanted to have my hair up, which is not something I would normally do. After speaking with my hair stylist, she made me realise that I wanted to look and feel like myself on the day. I loved my hair and am so glad we decided to leave it down.”
