Romantic Wedding Hairstyles ♥

Today's expert styling advice comes to you from lovely Anastasiya, the creative force behind the Romantic Art Life line of handmade and oh-so-dreamy bridal accessories. Her collection is delicate and yes, romantic! Inspired by her love of nature, the collection refelcts gentle beauty of flowers, and Anastasiya's passion for feminine beauty.

"The Romantic ART Life collection is inspired by love," shares Anastasiya. "Romantic and charming, the collection features delicate fabrics, soft laces, charming beads and crystals. Every piece was handcrafted and carefully put together to create an elegant accessory that will enrich bride's feminine side and add a unique personal finishing touch. Every piece was made with love & passion! "

We asked Anastasiya for some expert advice on how to go about selecting the perfect bridal accessory. She gave us so many great tips about dress, hairstyle and colour considerations that I think we'll start off with some swooning over her fabulous collection and then get straight into her excellent advice. Thanks so much, Anastasiya!

Romantic Art Life Collection 2015

HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT BRIDAL HEADPIECE

1. FIND YOUR GOWN FIRST:

There are so many beautiful hair accessories and sashes to choose from and it can be easy to fall in love with an accessory before your find your perfect wedding dress. But choosing accessories after you've found your dress is much easier than the reverse!

It's not essential for your hair piece or your dress sash to match your dress perfectly but it should look balanced and work in harmony with the details and accents on your gown which makes it important to have the final gown in mind beforehand.

2. WORK WITH YOUR PERSONAL STYLE:

Your personal style will determine your overall look and feel therefore it's very important that it reflect who you and your fiancé are. It can be romantic, elegant, classic, vintage, rustic or modern - anything really! Considering your wedding style beforehand will also help you to decide on an appropriately styled venue, decor, and, of course, your bridal accessories.

Romantic Bridal Accessories: If you are a romantic bride who loves blooms, a delicate flower clip or small flower pins will add a perfect touch of elegance to your soft look.

Fashionista Bridal Accessories: A sparkling headband styled along the hairline is the perfect alternative piece for the modern bride.

Bohemian Bridal Accessories: For a bohemian bride, or a one who dreams about beach wedding, a flower crown style headband with flower one side, or a beaded lace headpiece, will be the perfect finishing touch.

Vintage Bridal Accessories: For those who love vintage styling, a hair comb is a fabulous option. A comb is very versatile and can be decorated with flowers, lace & leaves, or even styled as a sparkling lace piece with beading and crystals for an extra glamorous look.

Traditional Bridal Accessories: If your style tends toward the classic, you may like to have a tiara or crown accessory. You can wear these alone or with a veil, and it will also work beautifully with both up-dos and long, loose curls.

3. DECIDE ON YOUR BRIDAL HAIRSTYLE:

Choose your hairstyle before you pick your accessory, since some types will look better with up-dos than others. A flower crown, for example, is best with loose locks. You should also consider your hair type:

• Soft and delicate accessories may be perfect for fine hair, but won't be as noticeable with thick waves.
• If you are lucky and mother nature gave you thick, strong hair, you may need a bigger piece to make the right statement.
• If you have a short hair you can wear headband or a flower clip to add some feminine and intricate detailing

When it comes to styling your wedding look your bridal accessories can help you feel so much more like yourself. But choosing the right piece can be challenging sometimes. It is very helpful if you schedule an appointment with your hairstylist to talk about the type of headpiece that will look the best with your hair, head size, and face shape.

• A bridal headband can look completely different on if you place it flat against your head or lift it up at the crown. The higher you place your accessory, the more dramatic the look.
• Apply it closer to the face if you want your piece to stand out more.
• A hair comb can look very pretty if you wear it one a side or can add a special touch above the bun from behind.

Many bridal accessories perfectly adorn a range of bridal hairstyles but make sure whatever you pick feels secure while you're moving around.

4. CONSIDER COLOR:

Though having your accessories match the exact color of your dress is good, it is not essential. However, you should keep in mind that there are many different variations of white and ivory, some working better together than others.

• Ivory is beautiful when paired with gold since it highlights the creamy tint of the fabric.
• For a pure white dress, add some silver beading or pearl detailing - gold may clash with brighter white hues.
• Soft, off-white colors look amazing with yellow gold, rose gold, silver or pearls.
• If the dress is already embellished with beadwork, let that dictate the colors and detailing of your accessories.

You can also incorporate some other colors into your wedding headpiece or dress sash. This will add an interesting and elegant touch to your bridal look:

• Soft blush tones or champagne hues look gorgeous with ivory.
• Delicate silver or gray shades will look beautifully with white or off-white gown.

5. HARMONIZE ALL YOUR ACCESSORIES: 6. HAVE SOMETHING CUSTOM MADE:

All of your accessories should work together in total harmony. Your jewelry, headpiece and bridal sash should enhance your look, not distract from it. You don't need to have everything look so eye catchingly gorgeous that they all compete for attention. Accessories are just a unique touch to your look, but too many can take away from your stunning gown. Remember, less is more!

When a designer such as myself hand makes each piece to order, the options are endless. As a designer, I want to make sure my brides are happy with their accessories and that they receive pieces which complement their gowns, which suit their personalities and work with their hairstyles.

7. CONSIDER PRODUCTION TIMELINES & HAIR TRIALS:

When deciding on your final piece, it is always good to see fabric samples first. And never be afraid to ask a question about any item - a good designer of bespoke items is always happy to help!

Every handmade accessory takes time make and forms part of a long creative process. To avoid any stress make sure to order your pieces well in advance. Ideally you need your headpiece and accessories to be ready in time for your hair trials and final dress fittings. It is so nice to try everything on together before the big day!

6. ADD A BRIDAL SASH:

I recommend placing your order at least four months before your wedding date. If you are planning to have a custom made piece then start discussing all the details 5 month before your wedding.

7. STILL NEED IDEAS? LOOK FOR INSPIRATION FROM TRENDS:

If you feel like your wedding gown needs something extra to personalize your wedding look, than adding a bridal sash will be a right choice for you. A wedding dress sash will add a unique delicate touch and help to show off your feminine side. Just remember to pair it with your other accessories.

Many brides have dreamed of their wedding day since girlhood and probably have a very specific picture in mind. Despite this, it's a great idea to start looking for inspiration based on current wedding trends and ideas before you begin planning. You might fall in love with something beautiful which you had never imagined or seen before.

Many beautiful wedding blogs have lots of gorgeous ideas. You can also search Pinterest too - one of my favorite places to find breathtaking ideas.

8. HAVE FUN! Don't forget to have fun! This is your most memorable & happy life event, so enjoy every part of it!

Make sure you visit the Romantic Art Life line on Etsy here to swoon over each and every delicate design!

♥♥♥ CREDITS ♥♥♥

Bridal Flower Accessories Romantic ART Life // Photography JoPhoto // Hair & Makeup: Tony Williams