12 BEAUTIFUL VINTAGE WEDDING HAIRSTYLES
For the past few years, the trends surrounding wedding season have had quite a vintage feel. Bridal gowns have been worn with lace, cap sleeves, open backs and a fitted silhouette. Men wear classic suits and tuxedos with side parts in their hair and shiny black shoes on their feet. Garden roses are displayed on the tables with baby’s breath and ‘first dance’ songs are classic love songs instead of top 40 hits. Vintage weddings have become more popular because they allude the feeling of old school love and glamour.
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles – Get it here!
When it comes to your hairstyle on your wedding day, you don’t necessarily have to have a vintage themed wedding to wear a vintage style. Seen on the red carpet often on stars like Diane Krueger and Gwen Stefani, this particular look can be gorgeous on anyone who wants to achieve an ‘Old Hollywood’ appearance.
The most common component of vintage hairstyles is the finger wave. Hair falls together in very uniform waves that appear shiny and smooth. Hairstyles that incorporate solid, blunt bangs, buns, chignons, and even ponytails can also be considered vintage. You may choose a style for your wedding that has hints of vintage appeal, or you may decide to go all out with a flapper inspired updo.
For those that want to wear their hair down on their wedding day, a polished look, either straight, wavy or curly can incorporate vintage characteristics.
This style takes its inspiration from the 70’s when straight hair and bangs were popular. Although it doesn’t appear to be a formal or bridal look, the addition of large drop earrings and a mod or hippy inspired dress will pull the theme together. Achieving this look can be simple with a flat iron and a product to increase shine and is ideal for a casual wedding or low maintenance bride.
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles – Get it here!
Reminiscent of the 60’s when soft, swingy bobs were in, this style will look beautiful on brides with short hair. The big curls and lift at the root will take your bob from an everyday look to one suitable for your big day, while providing a feeling of mod glam. Using a strong hold hairspray is important with this look, along with teasing at the root to ensure the style holds throughout the day. Add in a rhinestone hair band to play up the feeling of the Mad Men era.
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles – Get it here!
The full, side swept bang and extreme volume of this style offer an effect that is evocative of a vintage era. This popular mid-century style was worn by women through the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s and is referred to as a bouffant or beehive. Ladies with short hair may achieve this style without an actual up-do, while long haired brides may have a French twist incorporated into the back. A hairpiece and veil that fit the theme will look beautiful and suggest glamour and grace.
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles – Get it here!
Having your hair styled into big uniform waves will provide a vintage feel to your wedding look. While remaining modern and flattering, the body and shine of this style offers a hint of the finger wave trend. Moving your part further to the side and pinning your hair behind the ear will offer more of a vintage inspired look. These waves will look great on a bride that wears a strapless gown.
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles – Get it here!
The volume and body of these plush, loose curls epitomize the look of Old Hollywood glam! This style puts an emphasis on the smooth texture of the hair and volume at the root as it sweeps beautifully across and away from the face. Loose curls on the ends offer the look of retro waves and is suitable for thick hair with minimal layers or may be achieved with clip in extensions.
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles – Get it here!
Another long, wavy look, this style is shown on finer hair with minimal layers. The way the waves form together with their uniform directions give this bridal style the vintage inspired flair while also remaining modern. Tucking the hair behind the ear and adding a vintage hair piece will bring this look up a notch in order to achieve a more formal look.
Incorporating the popular finger wave component of vintage hairstyles, this bridal look represents the era to a tee. Waves that flow together frame the face while volume and shine accentuate the fullness and body of the style. Finger waves can be done on almost any hair type and no longer require wet gel, clips and tons of drying time. A tapered curling iron that’s used on each section in the same direction will supply these types of curls.
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles – Get it here!
With short, blunt bangs and voluptuous finger waves, this style allows you to channel your inner pin up on your wedding day. The curve of the face framing curls offer a juxtaposition to the severe bangs while the glossy finish supplies hair with a healthy look. A truly feminine and ultra sexy hairstyle, this Bettie Page inspired look will play up your vintage theme.
When Brides picture themselves on their wedding day, there are many that see their hair in an updo. Factoring in a vintage look is easy to achieve with the right elements.
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles – Get it here!
Vintage updos don’t always have to be precise with every hair in place. This low, side swept up-do uses a lot of volume with a slightly messy finish, and a lifted bang area to achieve a look reminiscent of Brigitte Bardot. With a French elegance, this updo not only provides sexy volume that most women strive for, the looseness and big waves of the style make it appropriate for today’s bride.
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles – Get it here!
A significant style from the 1950s, the era of poodle skirts and sock hops, this voluminous ponytail updo contains adorable vintage elements. For a more casual bride who wants to show off her long hair while still wearing it up, the volume in the front of this style amps up the formal factor. Large curls that cascade from a high ponytail allude a girlish femininity.
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles – Get it here!
Another throwback to the mod era, this hairstyle is from a decade of go-go boots and psychedelic prints. Paired with a beautiful wedding gown and sparkling jewelry, this updo provides the classic chignon look to a bride that has a heavy set of bangs, while remaining sophisticated.
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles – Get it here!
Because of its sleek, shiny and smooth execution, this large bun becomes a Grace Kelly inspired bridal look. The spiral effect of the chignon style bun brings elements of the retro pin curl into the otherwise simple hair do. Adding a vintage lace veil or a birdcage headpiece will further date this updo and add to the vintage feel.
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles – Get it here!
If you’re a free spirit and believe in flower power, consider this half updo as your bridal style which incorporates a small braid down the front. Hippy waves paired with loosely pinned sections allow this style to stay casual while it evokes the power of love and freedom. Perfect for an informal beach wedding and bare feet!
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles
Vintage Wedding Hairstyles – Get it here!
A style made popular in the 50’s by Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor, this very large solid bun is ideal for brides with very long or thick hair. Hairpieces may be added as fillers to achieve the look with thinner hair. The side swept bang softens the severity of the bun while the flower in the hair can be swapped out for one that matches your wedding colors and theme.
Adding a hairpiece or veil to your vintage bridal hairstyle will further create a vintage vibe. Birdcage headpieces are a beautiful accompaniment to both updos and hairstyles left down, and look great with a bold red lipstick. Veils that have a scalloped lace edge allude a royal element, while cap veils impart the feel of the roaring 20’s. If you don’t want anything covering your hair, adding in hair clips or vintage brooches that contain rhinestones in pear and emerald cuts can provide some interest to your style. If you’re placing a flower in your hair, consider roses, hydrangeas, peonies and baby’s breath in order to maintain your vintage style.
Some brides may wish to achieve a complete replica of a vintage style, while others may want their hair to simply suggest an older era. Remember that when it comes to your wedding hair, it’s always a good idea to do a trial with your hairstylist before the big day. This will ensure that you two are on the same page and that you will be able to achieve your desired vintage style. If you have multiple ideas for how to wear your bridal hair, trying out various styles maybe be necessary. Remember that it is a day that you’ve likely dreamt about for years and you should be happy with your hairstyle and overall appearance for your wedding.
Which vintage wedding hair style is your favorite? Leave a comment below!
