24 � SOUTH � FEBRUARY ’ 23
Timeless wedding hairstyles
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M uch goes into being photo-ready on your
wedding day . After months of planning , the wedding day is the couple ’ s time to really shine , and many go to extraordinary lengths to look their best . Gowns and tuxes may garner their fair share of attention , but hairstyles also can help couples look their best .
Photo by Jenny Harnish , www . greenbrierimages . com
Abby ’ s wedding hair in Alderson .
Couples can wear their hair how they see fit , but certain hairstyles have exhibited some serious staying power and can look timeless in photos and videos for years to come .
Classic low bun or chignon : This is one hairstyle that certainly has withstood the test of time . A bun can be as sleek as a bride desires , or tendrils can be pulled out to frame the face , and the bun can be anything from minimal to messy . Pulling hair back may be more comfortable on warm days and there ’ s no frizz to worry about if Mother Nature fails to cooperate .
Vintage curls : Brides whose dresses harken back to a bygone era may want to complement that style with a hairdo that also speaks to that moment in time . For example , the intricate pin curls of the 1920s likely will tie into a gown with an umpire waist .
Fancy ponytail : Like a bun , a ponytail can pull hair away from the face for comfort and style . It ’ s a bit less formal than a bun and can be styled in many different fashions , even incorporating braids .
Side-swept waves : Evoke movie-star drama with a hairstyle that features hair pulled to one side and cascading waves down the length of the face .
Loose waterfall braids : Carefree boho looks run the gamut of styles . One to consider is loosely plaited waterfall braids that add whimsy . Additional braided options also work well for less formal weddings .
Half-up , half-down :
This hairstyle offers the best of both worlds . It enables the hair to be pulled back on top , and then the bottom is left loose , whether straight or in curls or waves .
Ballerina top knot : This is a take on the bun . But rather than pinned at the nape , it is high on the crown of the head .
Short bob or pixie with accents : Shorter hair also can look stunning . A bob or pixie cut can be enhanced with sparkling barrettes or woven-in flowers .
Halo braid : This braid is fashioned so that it goes over the top of the head and mimics the look of a crown or halo . It may negate the need for a tiara .
Men also have plenty of options to get their hair wedding day-ready . Classic shorter cuts feature closecut sides and more length on top , which can be spiked , tousled or even slicked back depending on personal preference . However , any length hair is in fashion , and grooms can don buns , ponytails , natural texture , and much more .
Bridal veil tradition
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Though couples can plan wedding ceremonies and receptions how they see fit , many weddings are steeped in tradition , some of which may be more subtle than others .
One longstanding wedding tradition revolves around a bride ’ s attire .
Historians differ regarding the origins of the bridal veil , but some trace this tradition all the way back to Ancient Greece . Others suggest bridal veils were first popularized within the Roman Empire by people who believed that the veil protected the bride from evil spirits as she walked down the aisle .
Traditions surrounding bridal veils even differ within various faiths , so the veil may signify one thing at a Jewish wedding and something entirely different at a Christian ceremony .
Veils also have long been seen by some as symbolic of purity .
Despite their long-held position in wedding lore and tradition , veils are no longer seen as a must-have .
Nor are brides who choose to wear a veil beholden to having it cover their face as they walk down the aisle . In fact , many modern brides now flip their veils over their head as they walk down the aisle en route to saying , “ I do .”
Regardless of how brides who opt for veils choose to wear them , there ’ s no denying the enduring popularity of this tradition .