DREAMY WEDDING HAIRSTYLES IDEAS TO DAZZLE ON THE BIG DAY

With wedding season just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about your wedding hairstyle. We know how overwhelming planning can be, especially with decisions around the dress, makeup, venue, guest list, seating arrangements, and more. To help make things easier, we’ve put together a guide filled with hairstyle inspiration to reduce stress and spark ideas. Inside, you’ll find options for every hair texture, type, length, and face shape. Simply take a moment to explore and choose the style that resonates with you most.

Oval Head Shape

If you have an oval face, consider yourself lucky—you can truly rock almost any hairstyle! From elegant buns and chic fringes to romantic half-up, half-down wedding updos for long hair, the options are endless. Let your imagination run free and choose the style that feels most “you.”

A Sleek Bun

To highlight your facial features, décolletage, or showcase statement jewelry, a slicked-back bun is an excellent choice. Pulling your hair into a sleek chignon creates a look that is both modern and timeless, effortlessly complementing any wedding style or venue.

Square Head Shape

Women with square faces often have beautifully defined jawlines, so there’s no need to emphasize it further. Instead, choose wedding hairstyles that add length to your face, like soft curls or a low bun. If you prefer to wear your hair down, go for it—just add a middle part to create balance, and you’re all set for a stunning look.

Rectangle Head Shape

Women with rectangular face shapes often have beautifully wide jaws, but the natural length of the face keeps it balanced and refined. This means most wedding hairstyles will suit you well, from top knots to swept-back looks. If you’re leaning toward an updo, a high top bun is a flattering choice. Prefer something soft and romantic? Side-swept curls add a chic touch and beautifully highlight your cheekbones.

Mermaid Waves

For coastal celebrations or countryside ceremonies, embrace the relaxed vibe of your surroundings with romantic mermaid waves. Perfect for brides with long hair, loose, crimped waves cascading over your shoulders create an effortlessly enchanting look. A center part will beautifully showcase your hair’s length and natural charm.

A One-of-a-Kind Combination

Looking to try a unique and romantic wedding hairstyle? Take inspiration from this bride’s innovative look by Reina Gomez for her garden-themed wedding weekend in Rome. She transformed a sleek, simple ponytail by adding a twisted shaft and leaving the ends in natural curls, creating a captivating contrast of textures that feels both modern and timeless.

An Elegant Twist

Seeking a romantic wedding hairstyle with understated elegance? Take inspiration from this refined bun by Sarah and Co. Designs, worn by a bride at her airy Maine wedding in a beautifully restored barn. The updo featured a polished gather of hair with softly twisted pieces for added texture, perfectly complementing the lace detailing on her dress.

A Slicked-Back Ponytail

A sleek ponytail can bring a touch of romance to your wedding look. Secure your hair tightly at the crown, allowing a few soft, wavy strands to frame your face—creating the ideal mix of sophistication and glamour.

Silky and Straight Wedding Hair

Silky straight wedding hair beautifully reflects light without detracting from your features. Just look at how elegant this bridal party appears with their coordinated straight hairstyles!

Ample Shine

Wedding hairstyles with a glass-like gloss exude luxury. While pin-straight strands are a stunning option, you can also achieve a beautiful look by blow-drying your hair and adding depth with soft, loose waves, as showcased by this bride.

A Statement Headpiece

Want to add extra romance to your look? Choose a dreamy hairstyle adorned with stunning accessories. You’ll be sure to impress with a style like this bride’s oversized sock bun, beautifully topped with a thick, floral-embellished headband.

Barely-There Waves

Romantic wedding hairstyles often have an effortless charm—there’s something especially captivating about a natural look that enhances your features without losing your identity. This bride’s easy-breezy waves, styled by [ IGK Salon], perfectly embody this philosophy.

A Beachy Look

A low, textured bun with wispy flyaways framing the face beautifully complements a beachfront gathering. Unlike the tidy shapes of traditional updos, this chignon features a fuller design with overlapping strands and loose roots, making it the perfect choice for relaxed nuptials and bohemian-inspired outfits.

A Pop of Pink

Is colorful, vibrant hair your style? Embrace a bold pop of color as you get ready for your nuptials! This bride’s rosy strands for her Monet-inspired garden wedding exuded pure romance (after all, pink is a classic symbol of love!). The hues perfectly complemented her multi-colored gown adorned with lively flower-and-butterfly appliqués.

A Beaded Braid

A whimsical braid is a perfect choice for long hair. To enhance the romantic vibe, consider embellishing the braid with beaded pins that mimic floral buds. This ultra-organic touch creates a dreamy look that’s ideal for any outdoor celebration.

A Glitzy Hairpiece

A loosely styled chignon with flowing strands is simply enchanting. The soft, slightly undone appearance, along with face-framing pieces, adds beautiful movement to your hairstyle. To elevate your romantic wedding look—especially if your gown features beadwork—secure a sparkling barrette in your bun for that perfect finishing touch.

An Ethereal Mane

True romance is found in a center part paired with soft, gentle waves. We adore how these effortless, luminous strands beautifully complement the movement of this flowy floral dress with off-the-shoulder bell sleeves—a stunning choice for spring garden weddings.

Flirty Finger Waves

Styling your hair in crimped waves and gathering it over one shoulder is a beautiful way to achieve bridal romance. A cascade of curls is an exquisite option for brides with thick, luscious locks, creating a stunning and enchanting look.

Shiny Tresses

Soft, shiny curls paired with a chic center part beautifully blend glamour with modernity. This bride’s floral-embroidered wedding dress and statement pearl earrings add a touch of elegance, ensuring her beauty look remains polished and sophisticated.

A Bridal Blowout

With a smooth, bouncy blowout showcasing gently sculpted waves and plenty of volume, this bride’s bright blonde hair embodies the essence of romance. Whether you enlist a professional or choose to style it yourself, blow-drying your hair will give you added bounce and shine for a stunning wedding look.

CONCLUSION

As you step into your happily ever after, let your dream wedding hairstyle be the crowning glory of your special day. With these stunning inspirations, you’re sure to find the perfect look to complement your unique style and make you feel absolutely radiant.


GUIDE TO JAPANESE SUBSTYLES

This is a list of various substyles within fashion, along with their definitions. Keep in mind that styles often overlap and mix, so don’t worry too much about labeling your outfit under one specific substyle. In the end, it’s all still girly kei!

Core Styles

CASUAL GIRLY

As the name implies, this substyle is casual girly kei. The clothing is often oversized and made from comfortable materials, promoting a relaxed vibe. Hairstyles, makeup, and accessories tend to be simple, with braids and twintails commonly seen. This versatile substyle can range from modest to flashy, depending on how you choose to coordinate your outfit.

SWEET GIRLY

The most popular substyle is known for its playful, over-the-top details like lace, ribbons, and plenty of cute prints. Pastel shades dominate, though darker colors can also be found. Decorative elements are more extravagant compared to other styles, and hair accessories like headbands and ribbons woven into ornate hairstyles are common. Accessories and even main pieces often feature bijou detailing, adding a touch of sparkle. When it comes to footwear, platforms are the most popular choice, though tea party shoes and Mary Janes are also frequently seen. During winter, ankle boots become a stylish and practical option.

FRENCH GIRLY

French girly is a substyle that embodies the romanticized image of a young French woman, similar to the popular “French model aesthetic” seen on TikTok. Outfits typically feature lower platforms and a monochromatic palette of black, white, and gray, often mixed with creams and off-whites. Key elements include hairbands, pearl and gold accents, curled hair, berets, tweed, and ruffled sleeves. Many wearers incorporate high-end European fashion designers into their looks through accessories or cosmetics. While French text is common on accessories, it’s rarely found on clothing.

NATURAL GIRLY

At first glance, natural girly may resemble mori fashion, sharing a vintage-inspired aesthetic. It features a soft silhouette with longer skirts and delicate embroidery. Earth tones are popular, along with square-toed shoes, loafers, canvas bags, and minimal or no-makeup looks. Thrifting is a common practice among natural girly wearers, who often prefer pieces made from all-natural fabrics.

OTONA GIRLY

This substyle caters to those looking for a more mature look. Outfits typically feature longer skirts and a toned-down aesthetic with fewer details. While not always the case, colors tend to be muted, creating a more understated appearance compared to other styles. Solid colors, simple floral patterns, and polka dots are common, along with designer handbags and high heels. Newcomers may find it challenging to distinguish otona from general feminine fashion, as the style emphasizes subtle cute details, even in its simplicity!

RETRO GIRLY

This substyle draws inspiration from retro fashions, making you look as though you’ve stepped right out of the past! It often includes outfits resembling old-fashioned school uniforms, with browns, creams, and lots of plaid being key elements. Folded socks, tights, Mary Janes, and hats are also common accessories. Despite the vintage feel, the clothes in this style aren’t actually vintage but are designed to have a retro aesthetic. It’s all about capturing the charm of old-school fashion while keeping it fresh and modern!

DARK GIRLY

Despite its name, this substyle isn’t just girly kei in dark colors—it has a distinctly edgy vibe. Unlike sweet girly, which focuses on cuteness, dark girly embraces a bolder, more rebellious atmosphere. Key elements include heavy makeup, bondage-inspired accessories, and dramatic platform shoes. Religious iconography, like crosses, hexagrams, and rosaries, is commonly featured. Lace socks and fishnet stockings are popular in this style, with ripped fishnets being a common touch to add to the edgy aesthetic. This substyle blends a sense of mystery with a tough, fashion-forward attitude.

Related Styles

HIMEKAJI

Contrary to what some in the West may believe, himekaji is not solely a gyaru substyle! This fashion is defined by floral prints and abundant lace. While short skirts were prevalent during the gyaru boom, longer garments are now popular and can also be styled for girly kei. Pearl details and accessories are just as common as bijou elements, with an emphasis on keeping accessories elegant and cute.

MENHERA

If you’re not familiar with the menhera subculture, it’s a good idea to start with articles by Menheratic. The style often features vent art prints, with a variety of clothing options, including girly pieces. Outfits typically consist of an oversized top worn as a dress, minimal accessories, platform shoes, simple hairstyles, and byojaku makeup. However, it’s important to remember that menhera primarily focuses on mental health awareness, and the true essence of a coord lies in the meaning assigned to it by the wearer!

JERSEY MAID

Since around 2020, Japanese alternative fashion enthusiasts have embraced (often kawaii-fied) tracksuits and a general gopnik attitude, which has influenced various styles, including girly kei. Although the term suggests a maid-like appearance, it applies to all sorts of frilly tracksuit-inspired outfits, regardless of whether they feature an apron. It’s worth noting that searching for “tracksuit” won’t yield the desired results; they’re referred to as “jersey” in this context. This trend is closely tied to the mizuiro aesthetic, popularized by Tenshi Zyoshi.

CHINA KEI

This style has been around for some time but is often unfamiliar by name. China kei is a kawaii-inspired take on traditional Chinese clothing, including tangzhuang, qipao, and hanfu. Accessories like bun covers, hair sticks, and Chinese knots are common. While Japanese brands may occasionally release similar items, it’s much more prevalent among Chinese indie brands on platforms like Taobao.

OtherJAPANESE TRADITIONAL

JAPANESE TRADITIONAL

Many reinterpretations of traditional Japanese clothing exist across various styles, and girly kei is no exception. This aesthetic includes numerous kimono and yukata designs, as well as girly kei brand releases that incorporate iconic collars and sleeves while maintaining the fashion’s essence. Wearers often pair these outfits with girly kei accessories, intricate hair ribbons, and decorative nails to complete the look. Some may even choose non-traditional platform shoes instead of tabi and geta!

GIRLY-INSPIRED COSTUMES

Given the fashion’s popularity, it’s no surprise that there are costumes inspired by the girly kei style. Themes like jiangshi, nurses, maids, and nuns often receive a girly kei twist, especially in Halloween specials of Larme magazine. Essentially, if you can imagine it, you can make it girly! While not always shown, it’s also common to see idol costumes infused with girly elements.

conclusion

While this may not be an exhaustive list, I hope you found it informative! If there’s a specific substyle you feel is missing and deserves attention, don’t hesitate to reach out to me in my inbox!