Which hair extensions are best for a wedding hairstyle?

Hair extensions are very popular in the world of wedding day hair. They can help enhance and extend natural hair, allowing brides to achieve the bridal hairstyle of their dreams.

Thinking of wearing hair extensions for your wedding day? On your wedding day, you want to feel like the most beautiful woman in the room, but if thin or short hair leaves you feeling insecure, you should embrace the world of hair extensions. But where do you start? We'll provide honest and unbiased advice when choosing the best hair extensions for your wedding day. 

• Which hair extensions are best for a wedding hairstyle?
• Do I need hair extensions for my wedding day?
• Hair extension types for wedding hairstyles
• How much do wedding hair extensions cost?
• How long will my hair extensions last after my wedding day?
• What wedding hairstyles can be achieved with hair extensions?
• Helpful advice for brides

Which hair extensions are best for a wedding hairstyle?

Hair extensions are popular in the world of wedding hair. They can help enhance and extend natural hair, allowing brides to achieve the wedding hairstyle of their dreams. There is a huge range of bridal extensions available from; up-do hair pieces, and clip-in ponytails to long voluminous hair extensions, the choice for brides is vast, and you're sure to find something that will help you perfect your wedding hair.

Image credit @suzannemcmahonhairstylist using a Stranded synthetic One Piece

Hair extension virgins often turn to hair extensions in preparation for their wedding day to help them feel beautiful, but the choice of fitting, shades, lengths, materials, and styles can be overwhelming, even seasoned hair extension wearers often need guidance to ensure they get their wedding hair goals met. If you're looking for a balanced evaluation of hair extension types to suit you on your wedding day, this is the blog for you.

Do I need hair extensions for my wedding day?

If you are unhappy with your natural hair and want longer thicker hair then hair extensions could be the answer to your prayers, hair extensions will help you perfect your wedding hair game. However, before embarking on a quick fix of length and thickness with the first hair extension type you find, you should research the different hair extensions available to ensure you choose the right option for you. Factors such as budget, commitment, longevity and in particular the hairstyle you want on your wedding day can affect what the right option for you is. 

Hair extension types for wedding hairstyles

There are three types of hair extensions; synthetic hair extensions, human hair extensions and semi-permanent hair extensions. Each of these has individual pros and cons, and it is impossible to claim that one of these types is best for wedding hair extensions, as every bride has different desires, budgets, hair types and an individual vision of how they want their wedding hairstyle to look. What might be a good type of hair extension for one bride might not be the best option for another bride. 

Image Credit @weddinghairbykirsty using Stranded Human Hair

How much do wedding hair extensions cost?

If you are a bride on a budget, then synthetic hair pieces are the perfect option for you. The average cost is around £15 for a synthetic bridal hair bun. The synthetic hair colour range is particularly accurate from professional brands and can provide an excellent match for an undetectable blend with your natural hair.

Image credit @cameobridalstyling using a Stranded Synthetic Curly Messy Bun

You can also achieve many different wedding hairstyles with synthetic clip-in extensions, the price of these starts from around £30. They are perfect for adding length and extra volume to finer hair while sticking to a budget. Synthetic clip-in extensions are available in many popular styles such as bouncy curls, loose curls, and straight hair which can blend seamlessly with your natural locks.

Human hair extensions are more expensive than synthetic hair extensions. The prices range between £70 to £200 for real hair, but the style options are limitless as heated tools can be used on them to create salon-worthy bridal hair. Human hair extensions are more cost-effective than semi-permanent hair extensions.

Semi-permanent extensions such as tape hair extensions, range in price from £150 to £500, depending on how many grams of hair you'd need to achieve your perfect wedding hairstyle, they also require a professional application fee, maintenance fee and require salon professional products when washing and styling to maintain the quality. All these added extras should be considered before you commit to semi-permanent hair extensions. 

Image credit @hair_by_charlotte using semi-permanent tape hair extensions

Many brides are happy to invest in semi-permanent hair extensions for their wedding day, especially if they don't want to remove the extensions for some time after the wedding day.  

How long will my hair extensions last after my wedding day?

Synthetic hair extensions can be worn more than once but if you'd like to wear them multiple times a week then they will need renewing every one to three months depending on how often you wear them.

Good quality human hair will last longer than synthetic hair extensions, they can be worn repeatably between three to six months months depending on which quality of human hair you choose. 

Permanent options can last up to twelve months but you will need maintenance appointments. Semi-permanent hair extensions like tapes/bonds/micro rings and wefts will last the longest amount of time, but you should consider the long-term commitment to caring for the real hair, attending refit appointments and the financial cost of maintaining your semi-permanent extensions.

What wedding hairstyles can be achieved with hair extensions?

Many professional wedding hair experts choose to work with synthetic hair extensions as they are quick and easy and the pre-styled element means they can be used in many different hairstyles. Synthetic hair can be used with a variety of bridal hairstyles from elegant buns and sleek ponytails, to picture-perfect bridal hair.

Image credit @elyasianmakeupstore using a Stranded synthetic Medium Flicky Ponytail

Because they are pre-styled they can be particularly helpful if you are doing your wedding hair yourself, without the help of a hairstylist. They can be clipped in quickly and easily with no styling to the extensions needed. 

Human hair extensions and semi-permanent hair extensions are a little more flexible for use on wedding day hairstyles. Human hair and semi-permanent hair extensions can be styled with heated tools, such as curlers, straighteners, wavers and hair dryers which may be needed to create your desired wedding hairstyle. 

Helpful advice for brides

Here are our top ten tips to help you find the best extensions for your wedding. 

• If you're looking for long-term use of hair extensions that can be worn for months after your wedding day, opt for human hair or semi-permanent hair extensions.
• If you want a flexible short-term option with a wide variety of pre-styled pieces opt for synthetic clip-in hair extensions.
• Speak to your wedding hair stylist during your hair trials about your desire for hair extensions and if they are compatible with the result you want. 
• Always book a hair trail with the chosen extension method in your hair to ensure your chosen hairstyle is achievable. 
• Get a professional colour match from your hair stylist or use the colour match advice available from clip-in synthetic hair companies.
• If you decide to invest in semi-permanent hair extensions research the different methods to ensure you have the time, budget and patience to care for them correctly. 
• Book your semi-permanent fitting for 1-2 weeks before the big day, this will allow you some time to get used to the look and feel of the hair. 
• Check you are completely happy with the colour match of your synthetic or human hair clip-in extensions before the wedding day. 
• Avoid hair damage by carefully reading the aftercare advice on your wedding hair extensions. 
• Wear your clip-in extensions for one full day before your wedding day to ensure they feel comfortable. 

Now that you've read the basic differences between these three extension types you can make an informed decision on which type of hair extensions are best for your special day. If you're looking for wedding hairstyle inspiration, visit our blog on 10 Timeless Bridal Hair Trends for the Modern Bride.

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