Lights, camera, action! From the outrageously extravagant to the elegant and understated, cinema is the ultimate source of inspiration when it comes to planning our ‘dream’ wedding, particularly when you find yourself falling in love with fairytale dresses and ethereal hairstyles. For this blog, we’ll be taking you behind the scenes of 10 of the most iconic hairstyles from bride films over the past century.
Top 10 Bridal Hairstyles in Film
Kiera Knightley, Love Actually, 2003
It may not be Christmas (yet), but it’s never too early to watch this classic 2000s flick for some y2k wedding inspiration. Kiera wears her hair up in a feathered bun with wavy, face-framing hair strands. Feminine and graceful, this understated look goes perfectly with natural, soft makeup and subtle pink blush. Blushing brides are always beautiful!
Amanda Seyfried, Mamma Mia, 2008
Amanda flaunts the perfect beach wedding hair style, with gorgeous golden waves that tumble down her lacy tiered dress. A delicate, golden floral tiara sits on her head allowing her veil to fall perfectly around her beachy locks. If you’re lucky enough to be getting married somewhere warm, try our Seamless Hair Extensions in a variety of over 40 shades to recreate this sun-kissed look.
Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, 1953
We’re seeing double… Marilyn and Jane look like a dream in short pin curls paired with a lace netting headband. This classic 50s wedding hairstyle is perfect inspo for a vintage wedding. Pair with cat-like, wide-eyed liner and a bold lip to seal the deal for an old-school Hollywood glam. In this case, two brides are better than one!
Sonoya Mizuno, Crazy Rich Asians, 2018
Depicted as ‘the Royal Wedding of Asia’, Sonoya Mizuno made her silver screen debut as Araminta Lee in the box office smash hit Crazy Rich Asians. Sonoya wears a traditional updo with a braid around the front of her head, complimented by an elaborate, golden head-dress connected to a dramatic, trailing veil. Taking place in the middle of a Gothic-style chapel in Singapore’s business district, there’s certainly a level of theatre with this look that costume designer Mary Vogt couldn’t hold back on!
Jennifer Garner, 13 Going on 30, 2004
In this sweet 2000s rom com, Jennifer highlights her natural beauty by showing off her luscious brunette locks. Spilling past her shoulders, her mid-length hair is pin-straight and sealed into place on top with a neat, y2k-style side fringe. Sometimes, less is more!
Sarah Jessica Parker, Sex and the City, 2008
Despite being left at the altar by Big, Sarah still stuns as Carrie Bradshaw in her iconic corset wedding dress, designed by none other than the late Vivienne Westwood. Sarah pairs it beautifully with an eccentric blue feathered headpiece and traditional white veil. Her distinctive red lip and daring splash of blue in her hair makes this a statement look for the big screen, and one that stands out amongst other unforgettable bridal hairstyles.
Anya Taylor-Joy, EMMA., 2020
The 2020 film EMMA. is based on the world-famous romance novel by Jane Austen and stars the stunning Anya Taylor-Joy. Boasting the wardrobe of any young woman’s dreams, she struts around in elaborate fairycore corsets, the most lavish of ballgowns and the finest of silks. Emma represents everything it truly means to be a Queen Bee. For her wedding hair, tight, romantic ringlets fall gracefully around her face, leading into an ornate updo concealed by a floral style veil and period piece hat. For those of you looking for your George Knightley or Mr. Darcy, pretty, youthful curls might just do the trick.
Samara Weaving, Ready or Not, 2019
Not your typical wedding day, Samara Weaving’s character ‘Grace’ is a young bride hunted by her spouse’s family on their sprawling estate. She sports a braided updo and plaited low bun with some lose pieces of hair delicately falling around the front of her face, slaying both in her looks, and in her fight scenes in this black comedy horror.
Vasundhara Das, Monsoon Wedding, 2001
Vasundhara pulls off this breathtaking Indian wedding look with her bridal hair plaited into a feminine updo and adorned with vibrant jewels to accompany the dozens of gold embellishments on her body and saree alike. One example of this is the beautiful Maang Tikka – a piece of pendant jewellery typically worn by Indian brides on their forehead. They are said to give the bride power, will and wisdom for her new chapter in life.
Kate Hudson, Bride Wars, 2009
In this classic tongue and cheek bride film, Kate coordinates a striking purple eyeshadow with her bridal bouquet. Her hair is a warm, honey blonde, with her forehead framed with thick French bangs and the odd loose curl. Pair with a long traditional veil and sultry smoky eye to complete this effortlessly cool look.
Tips for Choosing a Movie-inspired Hairstyle
Now that you’re ready to take centre-stage, here are some tips to follow when choosing a movie-inspired hairstyle so you feel not only beautiful, but comfortable on the big day!
Face shape
Firstly, face-shape! It might seem irrelevant, but the fact is, your face shape can often determine which hairstyle is best for you. For a rounder face shape, you might want to consider an elegant, understated hairstyle. A round face often means soft features with equal dimensions. Think Gigi Hadid, Selena Gomez, and Priyanka Chopra. Round faces often look best with soft layering just below the jawline, or in some cases, harsher, edgier cuts can bring out the right angles in a round face to give you more of a snatched, contoured look. For a squarer face shape, you might want to accentuate your cheeks and consider curtain bangs or a fringe. To find out all the best hairstyles according to your face shape, take a look at our Hairstyle Guide.
Up or Down
Up, down, or half-up, half-down? I hope you’re not feeling dizzy just yet! A crucial part of finding the right bridal hairstyle for you is deciding on a base and building it from there. Whether you go for a sophisticated updo or decide to be wild and unruly and let your hair down long before the reception, you can still have ultra voluminous hair, even if yours is slightly on the shorter side. For those wanting to add length, you can achieve a dramatic transformation with our Ultra Volume Clip Ins. If you want your hair up, but want to have movement and flexibility with your locks, try our Clip-In Wraparound Ponytail, available in 14, 20 and 24 inches.
Classic VS Modern
Not everyone is a fan of the vintage look, especially if your style is centred around what’s currently trending on TikTok or Instagram. Although some of us love a good throwback, ultra voluminous hair wasn’t necessarily popular in the 40s, 50s or even the 60s. Shorter hair was in, and mermaid waves were nowhere to be seen. You’ll need to decide what era, theme, or style you want to rock first before you make the leap!
Accessories
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Say ‘I do’ to hair pins, ribbons, pearls, flowers, and everything your heart desires. Whether you want to accessorise or not, there’s plenty of fashionable and affordable options to choose from. Depending on whether you’ve chosen to let your hair down or not, you can curate your accessories, makeup and much more around it. Check out our designated Bridal Accessories Blog to find your perfect match!
Haircare
Romantic storytelling, both in real life and on screen, just wouldn’t be as possible without a sprinkling of glitz and glamour. For most stars, it’s all about giving your hair that VIP treatment. Silver screen-worthy hair requires moisture, shine, and regular TLC. Cliphair’s Quench the Thirst collection is ideal for a leading lady. Become the main character and leave your wedding guests starry-eyed with our hydrating Shampoo, Conditioner, Hair Mask and Detangling Hairbrush.
Conclusion:
Whatever style you decide, love is certainly in the hair. For more celebrity hairstyle tips, you can browse our celebrity and lifestyle articles in our hair blog.
