How to Choose a Headpiece for Your Wedding Dress

The headpiece you choose will depend a great deal on whether your hair will be short or long, up or down. Style your hair in a fashion similar to the way you'll wear it for the wedding, then shop around for the perfect addition to your bridal ensemble.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wedding Veils

1. Slip on a decorated headband, which you can also have designed to closely match the fabric of your dress. Choose a narrow and delicately jeweled band if your hair is short; for long hair, choose from a wider silk or satin band.

2. Adorn your hair with a decorated comb. These are best for shoulder-length or longer hair.

3. Choose a floral wreath if you're wearing a semiformal dress; wear a more elegant wreath of pearls and flowers for a formal dress.

4. Accessorize with a tiara - a fashionable, contemporary choice good for any length hair, worn up or down.

5. Wear a hat if you've got a sassy short haircut - anything from a subtle pillbox to a wide-brimmed Southern-style hat, depending on the style of your dress.

6. Clip long hair back in a satin, beaded or lace barrette. For shorter hair, try a smaller jeweled version to hold back your bangs.

7. Use your face shape as an additional guide: Oval-faced women can generally choose from all styles; those with round faces can charm in tiaras; floral wreaths and headbands flatter women with longer faces.

Tips & Warnings

• Take some time to check out your options. Bridal stores, magazines and beauty supply stores are good places to start.
• Prepare a swatch of your wedding gown and/or a photograph of the entire dress - this will help you look for headpieces that complement the fabric or styling of your wedding gown without competing for attention.
• Wear an additional headpiece with your veil if you plan to remove the veil at the reception. That way you'll be adorned throughout the event.
• Some designer wedding gowns offer matching headpieces for a hefty price - visit shops that specialize in headpieces for large selections at lower prices.

on 11/22/2005 Using the skills we learned making beaded braclets my daughter and I made her head piece with a metal headband the kind with teeth and strung beads and pearls into linear flower design and wired to the headband. It was perfect for her small stature and short haircut.

on 11/22/2005 Many craft supply stores now supply the pieces to create a beautiful veil and headpiece. If you've been shopping for one and have found them to be rather costly, consider making your own for a mere fraction of the cost!