The bride’s wedding look is about more than just her dress—you also have to consider all of the accessories, including the wedding hair accessories. So from classic veils to statement headpieces, here are 17 beautiful bridal headwear ideas.
Featured above: Victoria Tiara by Stephanie Browne
17 Beautiful Wedding Hair Accessories
1) Veils
The obvious first choice (and still a firm favourite out of all the wedding hair accessories) is wedding veils! Brides tend to be divided on a traditional veil, as some feel like a ‘real bride’ in them while others think they’re too old fashioned. But whatever your initial thought is, always try one on as you may be surprised at your reaction! Try it with your dress to make sure it’s the right length and colour and that any embellishments on it works with your style of dress.
Veils come in all manner of styles (e.g mantilla veils and birdcage veils) and lengths (e.g. cathedral length and elbow length) too, so you might be a bit spoilt for choice. You could go classic with floaty silk tulle, or you could add a dose of wow factor with embellished lace floral appliques or sparkling crystals.
Featured above: Dress style “Ofelia” by Pronovias with V_2877 veil
2) Tiaras, Crowns and Diadems
Wedding tiaras, crowns and diadems are something of the go-to bridal accessory for anyone wishing for a fairytale wedding. Such a pretty, romantic, regal accessory, we predict they’ll remain a favourite among brides for many, many years to come. Whether you want something small and delicate or big and blingy, there are designs to suit all dresses. Tiaras suit most hair dos, however they look best with a bouffant style as they balance out and frame taller tiaras. Perhaps you could complete your look with a traditional veil too?
Featured above: Dress style “Sinclaire” from Maggie Sottero’s Cordelia collection
Featured above: Baroque Halo Crown from Mordekai Luxury Hair Accessories shown with dress style 9872 from Justin Alexander’s Autumn/Winter 2017 Signature collection
Featured above: 3D Jewellery
3) Headbands
Headbands can go with any wedding theme and complement any bridal look. But you should definitely try before you buy as the last thing you want is it digging into your head on your wedding day. They come in many styles and can be thick or thin, simple or ornate. Choose a classic Alice band for a cute and feminine look, or if vintage is the style for you you can opt for side pieces or 1920s style headbands. Whichever hairstyle you opt for, there is a headband out there that will work with it.
Featured above: Kate Edmondson 2015-2016 Couture Bridal Collection
Featured above: Dress style “Angelica” by Pronovias with “Grosella” headband-style tiara
Featured above: Dress styles 9897 and 9895 from Justin Alexander’s 2018 Signature collection
Featured above: Dress style 9899 from Justin Alexander’s 2018 Signature collection
4) Hats and Fascinators
Hats and fascinators aren’t something you see the vast majority of brides wear for their wedding, and when they do they’re often small accessories paired with a birdcage veil. Still, they look gorgeous and can be the perfect opportunity to show off your taste and style. You could even opt for a smaller, more classic accessory like an oversized bow.
Featured above: Gold Glitter Fabric Hair Bow by LovelyLittlesandCo on Etsy
Featured above: Style 25861 by John Charles
Featured above: “Padua”, from the Headpiece Cocktail Collection by Pronovias
5) Combs
Available in large and small sizes and all manner of styles, bridal hair combs remain a popular bridalwear choice and are particularly common with brides who wear their hair in a pretty ‘swept to the side’ style or up-do on the big day. They look stunning and can come with all kinds of embellishments to suit your style—some are even finished off with a chain of crystals or pearls. However, bear in mind that, unlike a tiara or headband, a hair comb will not be seen in photos from certain angles. Even so, they’re some of the most stunning wedding hair accessories.
Featured above: Comb styles “Pedrera Peineta”, “Monumental Peineta”, and “Lis Peineta” from the Pronovias Headpiece collection
Featured above: Styles AR517 and AR512 from The Wedding Veil Shop‘s Arianna collection
6) Hair Vines
Hair vines are often quite delicate pieces of jewellery that fall beautifully with your hair or can even be fully incorported into your chosen hairstyle (such as twisted/tied into a braid). These wedding hair accessories are especially pretty for a nature-inspired, bohemian wedding.
Featured above: Styles AR503, AR507, and AR518 from The Wedding Veil Shop‘s Arianna collection
Featured above: Style AR514 from The Wedding Veil Shop‘s Arianna collection
7) Circlets and Halos
More delicate than a tiara or a headband, and often overlooked, is a circlet. Usually worn across the forehead, these are elegant and beautiful bridal headwear pieces that make gorgeous jewellery alternatives.
Featured above: Styles AR521 and AR448 from The Wedding Veil Shop‘s Arianna collection
8) Statement Headpieces
Headpieces come in such a huge array of styles, and some brides enjoy going a little off the beaten track by using statement hairpieces like unique, elaborate headdresses, fascinators, and brooches. Others play it a bit safer with ornate pieces of jewellery. Don’t be afraid of making a statement with your own wedding hair accessories.
Featured above: Dress style 9907 from Justin Alexander’s 2018 Signature collection
Featured above: Dress style 9903 from Justin Alexander’s 2018 Signature collection
Featured above: Dress style 9878 from Justin Alexander’s Autumn/Winter 2017 Signature collection
9) Flowers
Especially for a spring or summer wedding, floral accents add a beautiful natural touch to your wedding hair. With options of large or small arrangements and a choice between fresh flowers and artificial flowers, this bridal hair accessory is a popular choice for modern brides for how wonderfully versatile it is.
Featured above: Hair and Makeup by Steph
10) Hair Chains
Hair chains aren’t too dissimilar to hair vines and are just as beautiful. Their signature look is mostly comprised of small, delicate chains that drape elegantly down your hair, and you’ll find styles perfect for long or short hair, and styles that are casual (just a few chains embellished with gems or a brooch) or more elaborate (with chains crossing in diamond shapes all down your hair) .
Featured above: Silver Bridal Hair Chain by Rose Red Accessories on Not On The Highstreet
11) Flower Crowns and Wreaths
A growing favourite, especially for outdoor weddings full of colour, is flower crowns or wreaths. They’re stunning headwear alternatives, and nowadays many brides are veering away from using just flowers too in order to create more seasonal looks. For example, pinecones and berries create a beautiful autumn/winter look.
Browse our retro range in our shop!
Featured above: Dress styles “Verity” and “Talin” from Maggie Sottero’s Cordelia collection
12) Lace Caps
Bridal hair caps (especially those made from beautiful fabrics like lace) are lovely hair accessory alternatives that are especially fitting for brides who love more vintage looks like the Edwardian era or Roaring Twenties flapper styles.
Featured above: Lace bridal cap via “A Vintage Romance – 2013 Collection” by Melinda Rose
13) Hair Pins
Hair pins are some of the more subtle wedding hair accessories and are easily incorporated into most hairstyles. Think little pins (whether they’re good old bobby pins or more modern spiral “twisties” pins) scattered in your hair or used to pin something like a hair buckle in place, or a few bigger-sized pins just to add a bit of something special.
Hint: for many pins you’ll need at least some of your hair pinned up for them to stay in, and if you’re wearing a veil you should consider where you want to place them so that they aren’t covered by it.
Featured above: Raw and Natural Wedding Hair Try-Out by Emma Elwin on Bloglovin’
Featured above: Maple Leaf Rhinestone Hair Pins by Melinda Rose Design on Etsy – Photo by Erich McVey Photography
Featured above: Six Flower Pins from the 2017 Bridal Accessories Collection by Olivia Headpieces
14) Hair Sticks
Hair sticks, coming in all manner of styles and price ranges, are popular hair accessories for buns or other up-dos (and modern hair sticks have been heavily influenced by Japanese Kanzashi). It’s also become a popular DIY trend for people to make their own hair sticks at home.
Featured above: Vintage Style Butterfly Hair Sticks by muylinda on Aliexpress
15) Head Wraps, Bandanas, and Sashes
Like bridal hair caps, many bridal head wraps, bandanas, and sashes can be perfect for a vintage-inspired wedding look (such as the vintage-glam of the below-featured Berta Bridal 2015 collection). However head wraps are such a versatile wedding hair accessory that they can work for almost any theme and, furthermore, you should bear in mind that different styles of head wraps can come with their own cultural significance.
Featured above: Style 15-15 from the Spring/Summer 2015 Collection by Berta Bridal
16) Bridal Headscarves
Headscarves are most notably worn by Muslim brides, and these hijabes are made from some of the most beautiful fabrics and materials. Other headscarf ideas include very retro, vintage, or Hollywood-glamour styles too.
Featured above: Une Américaine à Paris – L’officiel France (1989)
Featured above: Said Mhamad Photography
17) Clips
Hair clips can be used for a broad range of things as they come in such a wide variety of shapes and styles—you’re certain to find something to match your personal style, hairstyle, and theme. Types of clips don’t just include bendy clips and alligator clips though: this term can cover clasps, clamps, and barrettes too.
Featured above: Dress style “Alexia” by Pronovias with V_2007 veil
Featured above: Gold Flower Clip by GildedShadows on Etsy
Mix and Match
Don’t feel like you have to choose one thing or another for your bridal hair accessories. As long as you don’t try and cram too many accessories onto your head you can mix and match different hairpieces for a unique and beautiful look. For example, it’s quite popular to wear a piece of jewellery, like a hair comb or tiara, with a veil, and it’s not uncommon to see a flower crown paired with a veil too.
Featured above: Dress styles 9909 and 9900 from Justin Alexander’s 2018 Signature collection
Featured above: Dress style “Olbia” by Pronovias with V_5214 veil
Tips – Which Style Should I Choose?
It’s almost impossible to choose the right hair accessories for your wedding day when you’re in your everyday casual getup. If possible, book a hair trial followed by an appointment to try on your wedding dress so that you can experiment with hair accessories and see the complete look. This ensures you choose hair accessories that will work with both your hairstyle and dress.
Alternatively, shows and events like The National Wedding Show are packed full of suppliers that will inspire you, (including wedding dress and wedding accessories suppliers) and are the perfect opportunity to go and see your options (and even try them on!) before you make a final decision. The National Wedding Show is one of the most anticipated bridal shows in the UK and is renowned for it’s impressive catwalk. It exhibits the most current, on-trend bridalwear styles for the season and includes outfits for the bride, groom, bridesmaids, and mother-of-the-bride/groom. It’s an ideal starting point for any fashion-conscious bride and her wedding party.
For more wedding hair accessories ideas and inspiration, check out our article on Medieval Maid Marian Style Wedding Hair Accessories!
