Types of Bridal Hair Accessories – A Quick Guide

Finding the perfect hair accessory to match your wedding attire can be a difficult task. With so many choices available to you, it’s important to find the right piece that makes you look and feel fabulous as well as fits in beautifully with your personal style and the theme of your wedding.

After all, the difference between something good and something great is in the attention to details. But we’ve got you covered.

In this article, we’ll go over the different types and styles of bridal hair accessories and how you can pick the right one to elevate your look.

Do I Need a Hair Accessory?

The answer to this question depends entirely on you. Do you normally like to wear jewelry? What is your personal style? Do you want a super minimalist look with nothing to distract from your hair? Will you wear a veil? These are all questions that can help you answer whether you want an accessory for your hair or not.

Now, while there are no rules about wearing hair accessories, it goes without saying that a well-chosen piece for your hair can truly elevate your look and tie it all up.

Types of Hair Accessories

If you do decide to embellish your hairdo with a carefully picked accessory, here are the top options on the market right now.

1. Bridal Tiara

wishbone tiara
Wishbone tiara with pearls. See it on Etsy.

When we say wedding tiara, we tend to think of the regal tiaras we see on royal heads. But there are many other tiara styles available such as the headband, double band, wreath and wishbone tiaras. This hair accessory is also very versatile and in general work with any type of hairstyle.

Depending on the style you choose, a tiara can be minimalist or dramatic. If you like something understated, pick out a delicate one like a headband or double band tiara. For a statement look, go for a regal tiara or an elaborate wishbone tiara.

A tiara is the perfect way to feel like a princess on your wedding day, the ideal occasion to justify wearing one.

2. Bridal Hair Combs

floral pearl bridal comb on a woman's head
Floral hair comb. See it here.

Hair combs are very popular and very versatile for brides. While most people opt for a comb to embellish a fancy bun or updo, you can also wear a bridal comb with your hair down. They help to hold your hair in place and are generally very secure. You can find bridal combs in vintage, classic, modern and floral designs to name a few.

3. Bridal Hair Pins

pearl bridal wedding hair pins
Crystal and pearl hairpins. See them here.

Hair pins are an excellent way to achieve an understated, classy and elegant look. They are perfect when pinned alongside a beautiful updo. If you’re after a minimalist look, you can’t go wrong with a couple of bridal hairpins to add just the right amount of sparkle to your appearance.

4. Hair Vines

bridal pearl vine headpiece on the bride's head
Hair vines are the latest bridal hair trend. See this on Etsy.

Hair vines have become very popular of late and an increasing number of brides are sporting this trend. It’s easy to love the look. Hair vines blend in beautifully with any hairstyle and look very delicate and feminine. There are many ways to style a hair vine but they best suit braids and updos.

5. Bridal Hair Flowers

boho flower wreath
Bridal hair flowers for a natural look. See this on Etsy. 

Wearing bridal flowers in your hair is a popular route to take. It’s romantic, feminine and has a natural woodsy look. You may opt for a complete floral crown for your head or choose to add just a couple of flowers to complement a tousled bun. There are many ways to style flowers into your hair be it subtle or dramatic.

Consider Your Personal Style

The bridal hair accessories you pick out should match your personal style. Consider the clothes and jewelry you normally gravitate towards. What inspires you? What fashion icons do you admire?

It’s also important to match your hair accessories with the overall theme of the wedding. For example, if you decide to wear colorful flowers in your hair while your venue and the rest of your attire follows a classic style, you might hit a mismatched note. Unless you’re deliberately going for a mismatched style (in itself a style), try to ensure that your hair accessories complement the theme of the wedding.

Here are the top types of bridal styles that we see all the time. Is your style on the list?

1. Classic Bride

swarovski bridal tiara on a bride's head
Classic bridal tiara. See it here.

You gravitate towards the traditional. Try classic head accessories like a tiara or vintage combs.

2. Bohemian Bride

whimsical forest herbs flower crown on a woman's head
Simple flower crown. See it on Etsy.

You’re a free spirit. Think flower crowns or wreath tiaras featuring motifs from nature, such as leaves, birds, flowers and vines.

3. Modern Bride

bridal crystal hair pins on the bride's head
Keep it simple with hair pins. See them on Etsy.
geometric modern hair accessory
Make a modern statement with an avant-garde design. See this on Etsy.

You lean towards a minimalist aesthetic while still keeping it stylish. Think geometric designs and sleek metal styles.

4. Beach Bride

Rhinestone Starfish and Pearl Hair Comb on a woman's head
Beach wedding hair clip. See it on Etsy.

You love sea, sand and sun. Why not opt for flowers, pearls and shells as an overall accessory theme? You can even add in a pop of color to emphasise your theme.

5. Edgy Bride

black flower gothic comb on a woman's head
Silver unique bridal headpiece. See it on Etsy

You like to be in the spotlight and showcase your style and personality through specific fashion choices. You’re confident and want to get off the unbeaten path. Think unique colors, elaborate metal designs and different materials like leather, feathers and alternative metals for your headpiece.

5. Romantic Bride

butterfly floral tiara on the woman's head
Cute and romantic bridal hair piece. See this here.

You love rom-coms, fairy tales, love stories, and meet cutes. You gravitate towards positive things – butterflies, hearts, and milkweed seeds. If this is you, think feminine soft colors, floral and nature-inspired motifs, and textured designs.

Factor in Your Hairstyle

You can’t choose your hair accessory without factoring in your wedding hairstyle. Decide what hairstyle will go best with your dress, theme and style and then look for hair accessories that will accentuate that look.

The type of hair you have will also affect the hair pieces you choose. If you’ve got thick, tumbling tresses, then chances are delicate, thin hair accessories may get lost in there and not really be seen. In this case, it’s best to go a bit bolder and choose a larger hair accessory.

If, on the other hand, you have really fine hair, then a simple, minimalist piece may suit much better.

Try on a few different hair accessories to see which suits your hair and hairstyle before you make your choice.

Consider Your Jewelry

Bride with hair accessory

Your wedding jewelry and your hair accessories should complement each other rather than compete against each other. Try to find a common thread between these two elements of your look to ensure that the overall look is cohesive.

The general recommendation is to opt for the same color metal for both the jewelry and the hair piece. Silver tiara and gold jewelry for example, could have a jarring effect unless that’s the look you’re going for.

Another important point is to try to match the materials. If you’re wearing pearl earrings, then pearls in your hair would complement them beautifully.

One thing to take care about is not to overwhelm the look with large statement jewelry and hair accessories. Less is more and it’s best to balance the look than to overkill. For example, if you’re wearing a tiara, then minimize the jewelry and opt for simple studs or delicate drop earrings.

If you’re hair accessories are at the back and not as visible from the front, opt for more visible jewelry. The point is to find a happy balance without taking attention away from your face.

When Should I Start Looking for Hair Accessories?

It’s best to begin your bridal hair accessories and jewelry shopping in earnest after you’ve nailed the dress. Check out what styles, colors and themes you like in the meantime. Knowing this will guide you on your dress quest too.

Where to Buy Wedding Hair Accessories?

You can opt to pick out your perfect hair accessory at your local store or online. Shopping in store gives you the benefit of trying on different styles and seeing if they work for you. On the other hand, the choices may be limited and prices could be high.

If you decide to purchase online, you’ll have endless options to choose from and compare. You can spend time browsing through the large collections on platforms, like Etsy or Nordstrom which have an excellent range of bridal head jewelry.

You’ll probably be able to find more competitively priced bridal hair accessories online while still enjoying good customer service.

Wrapping Up

Adding the right hair accessories will complement your look and create a cohesive style, tying together the entire ensemble. Hopefully, this article provides useful tips as you search for the right hair accessories for your wedding. Happy shopping!

Dani Rhys

Dani Rhys has worked as a writer and editor for over 15 years in the jewelry niche. She holds a Masters degree in Linguistics and Education. She has always been interested in expression through fashion and accessories, and her extensive experience in the field has made her a respected voice in jewelry trends and education. As the chief editor of Jewelry Shopping Guide, she not only leads the content strategy but also shares her insights through engaging articles. Her passion for storytelling is reflected in every piece she curates, exploring the intricate relationship between jewelry and personal identity.

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