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Real brides, real hair ideas you’ll love!

Need hairspiration for your big-day ’do? Here are some GLAMOUR DOs from real brides, just like you! Plus: expert beauty tips from GLAMOUR’s deputy editor and beauty director. Read on!

Add a touch of glitz

Fitting for her elegant affair, real bride Lauren Brownlee, 32, gave her updo a hint of sparkle via a diamanté hairpiece, placed to one side of her tousled chignon. “I wanted something that would complement the classic, elegant vibe of my dress,” explains Lauren. “The sparkly hairpiece did just that, adding a feminine feel to my overall look.”

Beauty ed’s tip: “Can’t find a hairpiece?” asks GLAMOUR’s deputy editor and beauty director Michelle Brownlee Smith. “Secure a brooch with bobby pins for the same beautiful effect.”

Rock a retro fascinator

Karen, who wed her man in Cape Town’s Knorhoek, matched her vintage-inspired lace gown to a delicate, retro fascinator. Subtle but effective, we love how the thin veil of netting adds a touch of mystery without obstructing her face.

Beauty ed’s tip: “Pull your hair off your face so that the fascinator takes centre stage,” advises Michelle.

Embrace your natural texture

When Kylie Grigg, 27, married the man of her dreams, Denver, in the Western Cape’s Elgin, she showed off her natural texture, complementing her bouncy curls with a simple but striking stem of gypsophila. “I wanted to look like myself on my wedding day,” explains Kylie. “So since I always rock my natural curls, that’s exactly what I wanted to do with my hair. The sprig of gyps added a whimsical feel to my look, and by keeping things simple I was able to relax and focus on the celebration, without worrying about whether my hair or makeup needed touch-ups.”

Beauty ed’s tip: “You still want to look like you on your wedding day,” says Michelle. “So stick close to your everyday look. If you don’t usually wear a lot of makeup or an updo, don’t start on your wedding day.”

Try fabric flowers

For 30-year-old Shelley Burt’s nuptials to Garith in Franschhoek, she needed something a little unusual to match her cropped gown. So instead of fresh flowers, Shelley accented her hair with embroidered, fabric versions. For her walk down the aisle, she added soft netting, but once the party was in full swing, she unclipped the netting and kept the pretty fabric flowers in place.

“My hair tends to frizz easily, so an updo was a romantic option that would keep any frizz at bay,” explains Shelley. “The fabric flowers matched my style – a little vintage, a little eclectic – and the netting was the perfect alternative to a veil, which felt too princess-y for my style.”

Beauty ed’s tip: “Like Shelley, use your hairpiece to play up the colours of your wedding,” suggests Michelle. “And if you’re feeling creative, you can make up your own hairpiece using spare lace or fabric from your dress.”

Wear a striking hat

If a veil feels too traditional, take your cue from beautiful bride Zuzara Margaretha Evenwel, 26. She opted for a bold, eclectic hat with a layer of netting as a veil when she married her man Wolhuter in Grabouw. “I’m half Italian, so making a statement is in my nature,” laughs Zuzara. “After seeing Audrey Hepburn at the races in My Fair Lady, I knew I had to ditch my veil and don a hat. Once I tried on this one, I was sold – it was so perfect with my short hair, and so me!”

Beauty ed’s tip: “Keep your makeup neutral and soft, so that all the details don’t fight with each other,” recommends Michelle.

Share your wedding hairstyle with us by tweeting a pic to @GLAMOUR_sa with  #GLAMWedding to share!

Sarah Browning, 24, is the managing editor of GLAMOUR. She moved to SA from London three years ago and lives in Cape Town. In this  #GLAMWedding Wedding Blog, Sarah’s sharing her wedding-planning journey with you.  Join the conversation! Tweet your thoughts to Sarah via  @GLAMOUR_sa using  #GLAMWedding.

Follow Sarah on Twitter:  @sarahmbrowning

For more real weddings, click here!

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