Every bride wants to look gorgeous and radiant on her wedding day. There are many factors to consider when deciding on the perfect wedding day hairstyle other than “I Love It!”; we’ve put together a list of tips to help you figure out what will work best with your personal style and wedding theme.

1. Online & Magazine Research: While this can be a lot of fun, it’s easy to become overwhelmed (that’s why we included a little more advice). While you may have something in mind, we advise you to consider several option.  To get you started, one of our favorite photo galleries for bridal hair comes from Bride’s Magazine. For those brides that are looking for something different, try searching ‘across the pond’! We found some great ideas and inspiration in the beauty section of Wedding Magazine UK and on WeddingWire.com.

2. Complement vs. Compete: The level of formality, gown style and wedding theme should factor into your decision, and guide you when trying different hairstyles. Formal updos work best with dramatic satin ball gowns, low-back styles and halter gowns, while long, romantic, curls work best with flowing, empire-waisted dresses made of chiffon or organza, fit for a beachside fete.

3. Know Thyself: You’ve had your hair for a pretty long time, and have probably had some good (and not so good) hairstyles in the past and likely have a pretty good sense of what flatters your face most; remember this when choosing your wedding day hairstyle. Still need a little help? We like this guide from About.com; it covers everything from round to square to heart to long-shaped faces. Always remember, the goal is to look like you, only better.

4. Check the Forecast: Many brides focus on having only one option for their wedding day hair, and this is fine if you live in an area where it’s 70 degrees with 0% humidity every day of the year. I guess the point is, have a back-up plan, especially if your hair is sensitive to weather conditions; I think we’re all familiar with how curly hair can react on a very humid day or how super straight hair can be prone to static during the winter months. So if you have naturally curly hair and had your heart set on making it super-straight and it turns out to be the stickiest day of the year, it might be a wise idea to go with Plan B.

5. Going to Great Lengths: Bridal Guides often like to tease us with models who have fabulous hair that make regular gals like us say “I wish I had hair like that!” Well, now you can! You don’t have to start growing your hair out 8 months before the wedding to achieve those long, luscious, locks. Clip-on hair extensions are available that can be made to match your hair color. Talk to your stylist about incorporating them into your ‘do’ to add the necessary volume and length for your desired hairstyle.

6. Speaking of which…Confirm Your Stylist: The next time you go into your salon for a trim, talk to your stylist about whether they can give you the wedding day look you want; no need to start hunting for a wedding day hairstylist if your regular stylist (who you know and trust) can handle the job. If creating a dazzling updo is beyond his or her capability, then start setting up trials with other stylists who specialize. Since this can get a little pricey (especially if you set up 3 or more trials), start with a referral from your regular stylist or a friend who recently got married whose hair you looked great.

7. The Accessories: In addition to formality, your dress, and your face-shape, your hairstyle must also work well with your veil or headpiece (or both).  If you have your headpiece in hand, bring it with you on your hair trial(s) so your stylist can create something that works with the headpiece, while simultaneously make you look fabulous.  Still shopping for your veil/headpiece? Schedule a hair trial with your stylist on the morning of the day you plan to veil shop, so you can try on different headpieces and see how they work with your hair.

8. Pre-Wedding Hair Maintenance: It’s easy to overlook that last trim and/or color during those last few weeks before the wedding when you’re running around trying to get everything done.  But this is pretty important!  Try to schedule a touch-up about two weeks before the big day (one week at the absolute latest). And remember–just a touch-up! Now is not the time to make a dramatic color change or cut 8 inches off.  Could you imagine looking at the pictures 10 years down the road and thinking “What did I do to myself??” Your wedding day if your time to shine and to just be you, only better!

And while you’re at it, if your salon is full-service, this would be the time to do that pre-wedding facial or skin treatment so you allow your skin enough time to heal from whatever it is you’re subjecting it to.  As with your hair, this is not the time to go wandering into foreign territories and try that chemical peel you’ve been wondering about (do we all remember Samantha forced to wear a black veil after the disastrous chemical peel???) Umm, the veil is supposed to be white!

Happy planning!