6.18.2012

Wedding Hair: Up vs. Down

Images 1/2/3/4/5/6

I've been researching wedding hair for a while now. 
I want an effortless and elegant look, but I am stuck between
wearing my hair up or down. 
I love the look of long flowing hair and the youthfulness it gives, but wearing 
my hair up makes me feel more sophisticated and timeless.
I still have some time to decide, but in the end I want to choose
whichever hairstyle I feel most comfortable and "me" in.

Images 1/2/3/4/5/6


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66 comments:

sip-n-wear said...

I always thought dresses - up do, but i like the loose waves too... You'd look great in either

DOLLFACE BLOG said...

I honestly don't like updos! But you will look great with any hairstyle!


herdollface.blogspot.com

kraguzz said...

I have the same dilemma (up or down) every time I get ready.

Love your blog & style!

http://iskimthere.blogspot.com/

Amanda Lalique said...

you have such amazing hair and it looks sooo pretty how you style it with loose waves (which is timeless, classic, and sexy all in one)
I did mine half up half down with loose waves for my wedding 5 years ago and I have no regrets =)
Good luck! =)

Raiana S @ lifeSTYLE said...

Do what i did! I loved the idea of an updo, and how elegant they can look - but I don't feel like it flatters me in photos so I was worried if i did it up i would hate the photos of myself later. So I did both! For the ceremony and my photo's I left my hair down and loose curls, and then just before the reception I pinned it up. I wish I would have done a sock bun style updo - LOVE the look. You are obviously great with hair, so doing it yourself should be easy, or have a friend/bridesmaid put it up for you before the reception starts. Best of both worlds!

Raiana
lifeSTYLE

jenn~the stylish housewife said...

i am not a huge fan of up-do's unless they are super loose. but then again all the way down can seem a little too casual. i guess it also depends on the dress & venue too! how about a half up-do? whatever you choose, you are going to be a gorgeous bride!

xoxo, jenn
the stylish housewife

Prints And Roses said...

I wouldn't know what to choose either, both styles are so elegant and perfect for the occasion. I love all the hairstyles you picked here!

http://i-shopped-till-i-dropped.blogspot.com/

Sophie Collins said...

I always think about this as well. I think wearing it down in loose curls for the ceremony and then getting it pinned up for dinner/dancing is the best of both worlds, and then you won't worry about it flying everywhere when you're running around!

So gorgeous!

Kori said...

I love both looks, it really depends upon the dress. Kori xoxo

www.blondeepisodes.com

Mari-Liis Suvi-Otstak said...

I love hair down, mu boyfriend likes it too! x)

suvimariliis.blogspot.com

sarah said...

I wore mine up for my wedding because everyone said it would be gross by the end of the day (I got married in August in Texas) but I actually hated it, I rarely wear it up and it just wasn't me. I did wear it down for my bridals though, so that is always an option. I would suggest just wearing your hair how you feel is most "you" but I definitely am partial to it down! My favorite is the first of your pictures!

Kathleen said...

I am not a fan of updos. I feel like it's too stuffy and serious . I think down is more youthful and girly, prettier. I think mostly down with some pieces pinned up so it doesn't feel like it's in your face is best!

Amy said...

I wore my hair up on our wedding day, because of the style of my dress. However, typically I choose to wear my hair down. Whatever you decide, I"m sure it will be beautiful!

xx Amy

www.LeopardandLillies.com

Marisa said...

I think you'd look most like "you" with your hair down and it would also show off your gorgeous hair colour best. You could do a half-up half-down style that would be a great in-between compromise. Either way, you will look stunning in whatever hairstyle you choose!

Marisa
http://style-rhapsody.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I choose down for you, just because u have such beautiful hair

www.pinklovelaugh.blogspot.com

Lady-Pa said...

i prefer down


Lady-Pa

xoxo

Natalie said...

I think it depends on the dress & what will look better with it :) x

Kimberly said...

I wore mine up and I'm so glad I did because it turned out to be one of the hottest days in July and it would have looked awful by the end of the day if I'd left it down!

www.pennypincherfashion.com

Caitlin said...

Although I'm not even engaged, I'm always thinking about wedding hair! Updos are the more traditional choice, but I feel like if you're young, and you have beautiful, long hair, you should wear it down!

XO,
Caitlin
www.douxrousse.com

TaraMixandMatch said...

I did half up half down and loved it!

naghmeh said...

I think a half up half down would look pretty gorgeous too :) but you're right you should try both and you'll just know which one is right once you see both. :)
xx

Lace And Tulle said...

I would be so undecided!!! I love the low chignon though, the messy but polish look! :)

The Sweetest Thing said...

I faced the same question - it's a tought one. I have always been "known" for my hair so I decided to wear it down. What scares me is that I will look just like I do every other day - and I don't want that. Anyway, I'm doing a mostly down w/a little bit pinned up - and at the reception I had a bohemian headpiece customer made that I will be wearing to for some extra flavor!

LEIGH said...

I have been researching the same thing and yesterday I read a great blog post listing the pro and cons of each one... Now I really wish I would have bookmarked it so that I could show it to you! I've decided to go with up. It's timeless, beautiful, and doesn't have to be touched up throughout the day.

Britt { Magpie Collective } said...

I went with my hair down for my wedding because a. I did it myself and b. I think that it does reflect a more youthful look. Granted, I wanted to find the perfect updo that said sophisticated and young, but loose waves down my back with the sides pulled back just worked.

You have to remember your day, your vision and most importantly, your dress. If the event is elegant, timeless, classic, go for the updo. If it has more modern, fun touches, go for the loose style.

You know yourself best :)

Britt
The Secondhand Magpie

Cassandra Too said...

I prefer the hair up! :)

backtofive.blogspot.com

ACT said...

Love the loose waves but you'll look great either way. Maybe you can start with it down and put it up for the reception?

xo Ashley
http://www.ashnfashn.com

Amy Shaughnessy said...

I love that top middle picture. Her waves are so smooth and shiny!

Amy

fashionandbeautyfinds.blogspot.com

amanda said...

I am currently having the same exact dilemma! I'm getting married in 3 1/2 months so I still have some time. I'm thinking about doing trial runs with certain 'dos.

xo.
Amanda

Leigh said...

I wore mine down & then tied it up for the dancing, etc. It was fun because I was able to have pictures of both & have my hair out of my way when I was dancing.
Anything will be gorgeous!
xoxo,
Leigh

Dee Paulino said...

I think it depends on the dress, if the dress is very simple -down, if the dress is super elaborated, and elegant -up!

what ever you do will look great on you!

sL said...

I'm still a number of years from making that decision but it's definitely a challenge. I know that I have a habit of putting my hair up whereas people usually like it when my hair is down. Post pictures when you do decide! Your blog is so lovely.

Altas Grace said...

I like it down with the glossy finger waves. It would look stunning on you!

xx Atlas Grace

Anonymous said...

Muito lindo...
Visite o meu blog www.tucafashion.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I see you with your hair down in beautiful waves! I say however you feel most comfortable is the way to go.

Lindsay @
LiindsayJEveryday.blogspot.com

Shannon said...

Julia, this is a tough call - OBVI. I think a lot of it depends on your dress, but dude - i wore my hair down and wavy for my wedding and i have NEVER regretted it. i loved it because i feel like it looked like ME... not some stiff, fancy up-do that i would never do again except for on my wedding. ya know? plus, i think that look (down and curled and loose and pretty) is more attractive a lot of the time. BUT - bottom line: do whatever is going to make YOU feel the prettiest, cuz that's all you really want on that day... to feel like YOU think you look pretty. You're GORGE! whatever you do will be stunning. xoxoxo

-Shannon
http://gbofashion.com

Unknown said...

I saw up. Your hair will be out of your way, styled and looking beautiful. Also, it just feels more elegant when it's up ;) YOu look so much like Emma!

-Nurse Frugal
http://ladiesgofirst.wordpress.com

Lexi Kay said...

I love when hair is down for weddings! At least like a half up half down kind of deal so you get the best of both worlds :)

foreverindenim.blogspot.com

Stephanie said...

You actually look quite a bit like Emma Watson. Maybe you should look to her for inspiration? Your hair is gorgeous, but I agree that wearing it up is sophisticated and timeless.

Bfoxx12 said...

When you picture yourself walking downt he isle, in your venue, in your dress, with your vail, all of it- what do you see? When I did that I knew I had to wear it down. Also helps to schedule a dress fitting after your hair trial so you can see it :) Good luck! Whatever you decide you will be so happy it won't matter :)

kasey said...

I wore mine down for the wedding ceremony then up for the reception. Mine was outdoors and in the summer, so glad I wore my hair up when we were outside!

Unknown said...

Hi! Just started following your blog :) I am a hairstylist and always tell my brides to keep in mind the neckline/style of their dress when choosing to wear their hair up or down. If your dress shows off your neck and colar bone area sometimes its nice to accentuate that. Also deciding if you will wear your veil all night or remove it is something to think about. I really like the retro glam looks you chose (ie sienna miller). I have done that look on a bride before but we pinned up one side so that you could really see the neck/collar bone from one side, and then the other side was a dramatic swoop kinda Veronica lake style. I find that most brides end up putting their hair up, all down tends to be less common :) but I love it when people think outside the box :) good luck!

Lindsay said...

You have gorgeous hair and it seems that most of the time (on the blog) it's down..To me, that seems more "you". But love all of your photo inspirations! **You can always throw it up for the reception!

Megan, TfDiaries.com said...

love down!

Xo Megan

AubreyOhDang! said...

wear whichever goes w/the statement of your dress & the vibe of your wedding. Is your dress flowy or elegant? is your wedding daytime or nighttime? is it formal or oranic? are u wearing veil or no veil or birdcage? the recommendation is hard to make. ONe can feel like themselves no matter if their hair is up or down, esp for you since you wear your hair both ways on a regular basis so i think it's important to consider the other factors.

Tari said...

I can't help but love all the up do's!
xo,
http://peppermintandivy.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

To my wedding I would wear it up, but it's yours, your decission! I really love vintage waves too

Moda Descomprimida

Lindsay Rondo said...

Love all your choices. I couldn't decide either so I wore my hair down for my bridals photoshoot on the beach and then I wore it up for the actual day since it was a little fancier. I loved my choice. best of both worlds. :)

Karen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Karen said...

I had mine down with big curls for the ceremony and had them do a side pony tail with messy curls & a vintage flower with rhinestones for the reception. I just couldn't decide on those two hair styles so i had to have them both.

Unknown said...

I like the idea of having it down for ceremony and up for the reception.

Unknown said...

Great styles, all wedding appropo!

http://www.designers-artists.com

Ella said...

i love them both! i think down is very pretty, the old hollywood glamour style waves are gorgeous!

mollyluc said...

Emma Watson's hairstyle in the botton left corner would look stunning on you! It looks like an effortless up-do, yet sophisticated and pulled together!

Rachel said...

It really depends on what your dress looks like. If the top is fairly simple or strapless, wear your hair down. Otherwise, up looks really elegant.

Anonymous said...

They're all gorgeous. And I totally agree, I love leaving my hair down, but I feel more dressed-up with an undo. What does your dress neckline look like? What jewelry will you wear? AHH so exciting!

xo,
Courtney
http://girlavantgarde.wordpress.com/

2 Girls in 2 Cities said...

As everyone said, it depends what your dress looks like and if you're showing off your back or not. But, I can see half up, half down with lots of waves! - J

The Waspy Redhead said...

You can't go wrong. You have lovely locks, so down works and updos are timeless. I would let the line of your dress guide your decision.

Kimberly Chrisya said...

love ur blog♥

Xxo,
http://kimberlychris.blogspot.com/

Pao said...

In my own experience, I have to say Up! I felt prettier and better on my wedding day! With my hair down I felt that I would just be touching it and be uncomfortable. So basically try to go for the up-do!

http://hippiechicpao.blogspot.com

Cara said...

so much inspiration...can't wait to see what you do!
xo Cara
http://www.afashionloveaffair.com

Ania said...

I love when hair is up for weddings!:)

Niki said...

Choose whatever looks best with your dress!! If it has a gorgeous back detail you would probably want to wear it up! That's how I made my decision!

Chelsea Mac said...

Sounds like a familiar issue I had just a few short years ago. Ultimately hair up won mostly because my hair is unruly and I was getting married outside...in June...in the South. I'm sure whatever your decision, it'll be gorgeous. Your taste is impeccable!

Chelsea
www.hautechildinthecity.com

Anonymous said...

i follow you on instagram and im a big fan i think ur gorgeous! i think you should wear it down for the ceremony and then pull it up for the reception. i really like how hilary duff had her hair for her wedding. just a thought. ur beautiful Xo

chic Saturday by Kelly said...

Julia...
Can't wait to see which style you chose! I'm sure it was beautiful....congrats to you and your new husband!

XO,
Kelly { chicsaturday.com }

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