Whether you’re doing your wedding hair yourself or having it done by a professional, you might ask yourself “do I need a wedding hair trial?” With so many appointments and decisions to fit in before the big day, (not to mention expenses!), it can be tempting to skip the hair trial and hope for the best on the day. But we’re here to tell you a wedding hair trial is a very good idea! As is having a trial of your makeup.
It’s no secret that all eyes are on the bride on a wedding day. So when you’re standing next to your significant other, you want everything to be perfect. Including your hair.
Advantages of a wedding hair trial.
A wedding hair trial gives you the opportunity to see if the style you’re envisaging works with your makeup, whether it’s comfy to wear, if it lasts (make sure to have it done on a day whether you’re out and about to give it a real trial!)
Wedding hair trials also mean you (and your stylist) can determine whether your hair’s length, texture and natural tendencies work with the look you’re dreaming of. Trying out your style will ensure you’re confident in and comfortable with the wedding hairstyle you’ve picked. It will also give you a chance to get to know your stylist, and vice versa.
Meeting your stylist before your wedding day ensures you have the opportunity to communicate about the logistics. Will you be expected to go to her salon, or will she come to you? If they’re also styling the bridal party’s hair, what order will everyone’s hair be done? Does your stylist know your makeup artist, and will they work together, or do you need to organise both people’s schedules separately?
When to have a wedding hair trial?
There are a few factors to consider when deciding when to have a wedding hair trial:
- Do you need to grow your hair in order for the style you’ve chosen to work? Or will you use hair extensions?
- Are you sure of the style you’ve picked, or do you want to allow time to try different ones?
- Have you settled on the stylist you’d like to use, or do you want to try out different hairdressers before making a decision?
- Have you already got your dress? Your hair should compliment your dress, so you should know what your dress looks like before committing to your hairstyle.
Hania suggests booking a trial 1-4 months before your wedding day. This gives you time to change your mind, grow your hair (or order extensions), change the colour, and find the right accessories.
Do I need a wedding hair trial if I am styling my hair myself?
If you’re not using a stylist for your wedding hairstyle, we believe having a trial run (or 5) is even more important.
Make sure to practice any ideas you’re considering with plenty of time before the big day. This means you can work out whether you actually have the skills and patience to recreate that look you found on Pinterest, or whether you might need to think again.
Just like with a professional hair trial, practising the style beforehand gives you an idea of whether it will work with your natural hair, your dress, accessories, make up, and aesthetic. You’ll also have time to get better at the style, so that on the day you can nail it in terms of look and timings!
How to make the most of your wedding hair trial.
- Take photos of any wedding hair ideas you’ve shortlisted with you. See our post on wedding hair ideas here.
- Go with clean, unstyled hair with no products.
- Take photos of your dress, veil, accessories, and any key elements from your outfit and the day. This enables your stylist to get a feel for the aesthetic you’re going for.
- Write down the products your stylist uses, and purchase mini ones for touch ups on the day.
- Take lots of photos of the style, so you can see it from all angles once you’ve taken it out.
- Set aside a couple of hours so you’re not rushed.
- Try to organise your makeup trial for the same day.
- Treat yourself to a night out (you don’t want the hair trial to go to waste!)
Downsides of a wedding hair trial.
One problem with hair trials is that if you’re using a professional on your wedding day, having them do a wedding hair trial can be expensive. Make sure you ask beforehand, as some professionals will include the cost of a trial in their overall price.
However, if you have trials at several stylists, you will likely have to pay for them.
Some stylists will require you to have a wedding hair trial, others will let you decide. Make sure to ask before you confirm the booking.
So, do I need a wedding hair trial?
While we think the answer is yes, that’s not to say it’s a must. If you decide you don’t want to go ahead with a trial, there are a few ways to make sure things go smoothly on your wedding day anyway:
- Communicate with your stylist and share lots of pictures.
- Talk about timing, so you and your stylist can work out the schedule for your wedding day.
- Be open to the idea that your hair might not look exactly how you’re hoping it will; you may need to be flexible on the day.
We’d love to hear about your wedding hair trial experiences – did you have one or did you go for it on the day? How did your hair turn out? Let us know in the comments!
