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BEAUTY & HEALTH
64 | FALL & WINTER 2018
CHICAGO WEDDING & PARTY RESOURCE
CHICAGOWEDDINGRESOURCE.COMBraids Worthy
of a Bride
Whether you’re rocking short or long locks,
braids are the perfect way to top off your wedding look
By Kristen Fischer, CTW Features
While braids are traditionally associated with
slumber parties and school girls, the hairstyle
is becoming increasingly popular among
brides. And for good reason – braids come in
many shapes and sizes, and can complement
a range of wedding looks.
Bridal hair has truly become so versatile and
diverse. Looks that may have once not been
considered formal or glamorous enough in
a traditional sense have become popular for
modern brides.
Brides should look at the location, dress and
overall style of the wedding when choosing
their hairstyle. While elegant looks go best
with ballroom weddings, the general hairstyle
doesn’t have to be structured and stiff — a
polished-looking braid can still be added
while keeping an updo glamourous.
Braids can work for any bridal style as long as
the style itself is cohesive and makes sense
with the brides own personal style and taste.
Plaited ‘dos can also pair well with more
rustic affairs. Farm weddings, for example,
are an ideal setting to go for something like
a side-swept bun with a braided headband.
Or, a bride with a dress that’s low-cut in the
back may opt for a soft loose
braid down her back. Flowers
or ribbons are another popular
addition to braids and can create
an ethereal or fairy-tale look.
There is an increase in requests
for boho-esque braids from
brides. “A lot of bridal styles
have really veered away from
the perfectly curled and sprayed
loopy styles of the early 2000s and into
more relaxed, romantic styles.
In addition to looking great, braids are also
a very practical hairstyle. If you’re planning
to really get down on the dance floor or are
getting married outside, braids are more likely
to hold up to heat, humidity and activity.
Even the most laidback affair may not be
ideal for braided hair, though. If you have a
very detailed dress, a braided hairstyle may
overwhelm the look. Additionally, if you don’t
have thick hair, a braid may not be your best
bet.
The following are braided bridal styles:
• Halo frame. An effortless crown braid sits
like a halo around your head and is ideal for
formal affairs. It also helps focus attention
to your neckline, ears and face, allowing
accessories and makeup to be on full display.
• Classic ‘do. A royal French braid is the
perfect unfussy formal look that exudes
elegance. To make the look appear more
romantic or casual, add a decorative tie or
silk ribbon.
• Half up, half down. The waterfall braid
integrates a plaited element into another style
without braiding all of the hair. The ladder
look enables brides to keep some hair down.
The nice feature of this braid is it can be a
little messy and still look great, making it the
perfect casual look for both short and
long manes.
© CTW Features