How to choose your bridal hair accessories? The complete guide

Choosing your bridal hairstyle is a key step in your preparations. But one question often remains: which head piece will show your hair at its best? Between vintage combs, bendable vines and delicate mother of pearl pins, it is easy to lose your bearings.

In this article I take you through 5 essential types of hair accessory. Discover what each one has going for it, what makes it particular and, above all, how to match it to your bridal hairstyle so that everything falls into place.

— The hair comb: the versatile classic —

Inherited from our grandmothers' elegance, the comb is still the star of the ceremony. Its metal frame with closely set teeth guarantees a faultless hold, even on the finest hair.

• For which hairstyle? Large combs look majestic at the back of a low chignon. Medium and small designs slip gracefully into the side of a bridal hairstyle, or hold a strand of hair behind the ear.
• The plus: it goes in instantly and is completely comfortable.
• The minus: watch the weight of heavily trimmed designs, which need a solid base of hair if they are not to slip.

— Hair pins and chignon pins: for the boho bride —

Recognisable by their U shape, hair pins offer endless creative freedom. They let you scatter touches of light (mother of pearl flowers or pearls, for instance) at random or in a cluster.

• For which hairstyle? They are the natural companions of soft, undone chignons, boho braids and twisted half-up styles.
• The plus: how light they are. Once in place, you forget them completely!
• The minus: on very short or fine hair, the metal stem can sometimes show if it is not well hidden. Hair pins are not suited to a short bridal hairstyle, as they will not stay in place.

— Headbands, hair bands and tiaras: every inch a princess —

These accessories frame the face and give the whole look an instant structure.

• The hair band (rigid and open) and the tiara (taller and more imposing) bring a couture or regal feel.
• The headband (soft, fastened with a ribbon) is ideal for a more relaxed style.
• For which hairstyle? Hair worn down, a short bob or a high chignon. A headband also lets you create the famous roll, where the hair is wound around the band.
• The plus: very easy to put on by yourself, with no need for a hairdresser.
• The minus: the pressure behind the ears can become uncomfortable after several hours of celebrating.

— The hair vine: poetic and endlessly bendable —

The vine (or hair branch) is the chameleon of hair accessories. Made from twisted metal wire, it bends and reshapes exactly as you please.

• For which hairstyle? Absolutely all of them! It can be woven through a long braid, wrapped around a chignon, or worn at the front of the head like a delicate crown.
• The plus: it is completely flexible, so it follows the curves of your bridal hairstyle. It is simply held in place with fine hair grips.

— The hair slide: ideal for a short bridal hairstyle —

Long thought of as an everyday piece, the wedding hair slide is making a real comeback. It brings a refined touch effortlessly, and comes with either a clip or a snap fastening.

• For which hairstyle? Perfect for sweeping one side of the face clear when your hair is down, or for holding a half-up style at the back. It is the hair accessory of choice for short hair, as a slide fixes easily into hair worn loose.
• The plus: it is a piece of jewellery you can easily wear again after the wedding, for an evening out or a special occasion.
• The minus: it holds less hair than a comb, so its role is decorative rather than structural.

✨ Princesse d'un Jour's advice

When the time comes to choose, think about how your accessory will sit with your wedding jewellery. If you are wearing a necklace trimmed with mother of pearl flowers, choosing floral hair pins trimmed with the same materials as the rest of your jewellery is a guarantee of harmony.

Would you like personal advice on matching your jewellery to your hairstyle? Get in touch, or come and discover my romantic bridal jewellery sets in the shop!