DIY Wedding Hair: 5 Braided Looks We Love

Braids dominated the bridal runways this season — from Monique Lhuillier to Alita Graham to Winnie Couture. We love how the versatile technique can be used in a free-flowing, wavy 'do or as a finishing touch on a sleek topknot. Think you don't have the skills to do your own wedding-day hair? Think again. After scouring YouTube for the best tutorials, we found five easy-to-follow videos featuring gorgeous styles that are all wedding-appropriate. The best part: Each of these videos is under five minutes. So part your hair in three, and let's begin!

Bohemian Braids

A low-laying braid looks gorgeous over wavy hair. No French-braiding required!

Braided Bun

The secret to this perfect bun, topped off with a wraparound braid? A hair doughnut.

Mermaid Side Braid

This mermaid style is suprisingly easy to achieve. If you have shorter or thinner locks, consider investing in a set of natural-looking extensions to add length and volume.

Braided Updo

Dress up the look by adding a flower or a sparkly hairpiece.

Knotted Braid Updo

Sleek and sophisticated, this knotted braid will keep your hair in place for a long night of dancing.

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25+ Fun Bridal Party Photos

Classic bridal party portraits are necessary, but after what feels like hours of standing perfectly composed, smiling just enough, we think you deserve some fun. Throw in a few of these creative wild cards to add variety to your photo album.

By: Stefania Sainato

Enter Slideshow
  • 1. Wake Up, It

    1. Wake Up, It's Your Wedding Day

    Getting married doesn't mean you can't still enjoy the silly, childhood pleasures in life. Chief among them: Jumping on the bed with your best friend.

    Photo Credit: Brad Ross Photography

  • 2. The Fairest of Them All

    2. The Fairest of Them All

    One of the best parts of being a bridesmaid is watching a woman you love—your friend, sister, coworker, cousin—transform into her most beautiful self as The Bride. Emin Photography captured that fleeting feeling with this reaction shot.

    Photo Credit: Emin Photography

  • 3. Flip The Script

    3. Flip The Script

    Your ladies deserve a special display of affection on your wedding day, so why not get creative and show them how much they mean to you? This photo reminds us of that iconic scene from the '80s film Say Anything, where John Cusack professes his love by blasting music from his boombox, outside his crush's window!

    Photo Credit: Jeff Kolodny Photography

  • 4. Head Over Heels

    4. Head Over Heels

    At first, this photo looks spur-of-the-moment, but on second glance, notice the carefully-intertwined arms, clutching bouquets, and how their heels are neatly lined up. Well played—we can't wait to copy this gorgeous shoe shot.

    Photo Credit: Amanda Marie Photography

  • 5. Say a Little Prayer for You

    5. Say a Little Prayer for You

    This moving, pre-ceremony prayer is a reminder of what the day is truly about. With the women's open palms, you can almost feel the joy and well wishes they're passing on to the bride, here.

    Photo Credit: Amber Davis Photography

  • 6. The Umbrella Effect

    6. The Umbrella Effect

    Whimsical props help your bridal party relax and loosen up for photos—forced smiles begone. Dainty parasols make every photo look prettier, no storm clouds necessary.

    Photo Credit: Azzura Photography

  • 7. Get in Line

    7. Get in Line

    Proof that being playful with your bridesmaids can make for a stunning shot.

    Photo Credit: Valory Jean Photography

  • 8. Wedding Party Pyramid

    8. Wedding Party Pyramid

    This dramatic, effortless photo showcases your amazing gown, venue, and bridesmaids, all at once.

    Photo Credit: Marianne Wilson Photography

  • 9. Band Together, Stand Apart

    9. Band Together, Stand Apart

    With their confident stance, these groomsmen look as if they're invincible, ready to take on the world together. Distance and white space elevates a standard portrait to superhero status.

    Photo Credit: Hailey Erickson Photography

  • 10. Fly, With a Little Help from Your Friends

    10. Fly, With a Little Help from Your Friends

    How much does he trust his groomsmen? This high-flying shot is the real test!

    Photo Credit: Hoffer Photography

  • 11. A Leap of Faith

    11. A Leap of Faith

    The bride's expression in this snapshot says it all.

    Photo Credit: Alex M. Photography

  • 12. Vow to Be True

    12. Vow to Be True

    An interesting way to get the entire bridal party's reaction, not just the groom's, as he recites his vows.

    Photo Credit: Margie Lou Photography

  • 13. The Ring Reveal

    13. The Ring Reveal

    When you first showed your friends your engagement ring, they likely started shrieking and hugging you immediately. Behold, the married man's version of this rite of passage.

    Photo Credit: Plum Tree Studios

  • 14. The Brady Bunch

    14. The Brady Bunch

    After months of nodding, smiling, and holding your hand through various wedding crises, here's how they really feel. But on a serious note, we think it would be compelling to give each person in your bridal party some one-on-one time with the camera and see what they come up with!

    Photo Credit: Kristen Weaver

  • 15. A High-Five Surprise

    15. A High-Five Surprise

    Wonder if the bride and bridesmaids had any clue what was going on behind them in this photo...

    Photo Credit: Meg Baisden Photography

  • 16. Circle of Friends

    16. Circle of Friends

    A fun throwback to those photos you used to take back in college. We love how the bride and groom are upside-down instead of being front-and-center.

    Photo Credit: Photography by Monique

  • 17. He Can See Right Through You

    17. He Can See Right Through You

    The amateur photographer in us would like to point out the clever use of composition. The bride in us would like to point out how fabulous her pose is.

    Photo Credit: Ron Storer Photography

  • 18. A Frozen Moment in Time

    18. A Frozen Moment in Time

    It's no secret that after months of planning, 24 incredible hours passes by in a blur. This photo embraces the frenetic pace of a wedding day, yet we love how this couple still looks like they're in their own little world.

    Photo Credit: Just Married Photography

  • 19. Vantage Point

    19. Vantage Point

    Instead of standing in a straight line, these bridal party members broke up into pairs and stood on different levels of the staircase, creating a compelling backdrop. The pop of red is a nice touch.

    Photo Credit: Table4 Weddings

  • 20. Love from Above

    20. Love from Above

    Mix up a traditional, romantic couple's shot by having your bridal party look down on you.

    Photo Credit: Kirsten Lewis

  • 21. Bird

    21. Bird's Eye View

    As if you didn't love your dress enough already, now you get to see it from another angle. Even though you don't see the bridesmaids' faces here, the body language reveals how tight-knit they are.

    Photo Credit: Fritz Photography

  • 22. Best Man Sandwich

    22. Best Man Sandwich

    Your fiancé's best friend adores you for numerous reasons: You laugh at all his jokes, you set him up with your cute coworker after a dating dry spell, you don't interrupt their marathon XBox or fantasy sports sessions (except you know, if it's been 12 hours and you want to make sure they still have a pulse). But most importantly, you've made his pal the luckiest guy in the entire world by agreeing to marry him. So come here for a hug, already.

    Photo Credit: Julie Harris Photography

  • 23. The Kiss They

    23. The Kiss They've All Been Waiting For

    A sweet kiss between newlyweds becomes even more adorable when you've got some admiring onlookers.

    Photo Credit: Ashfall Mixed Media

  • 24. Don

    24. Don't Look Now

    Here's a cheeky way to include both your flower girl and ring bearer. No peeking allowed!

    Photo Credit: Modern Photographics

  • 25. Don

    25. Don't Corrupt the Flower Girl

    This viral sensation, dubbed "Don't Corrupt the Flower Girl," is a clever take on classic bridesmaid hijinks. Now you don't have to feel quite so guilty for adjusting that pesky, strapless bra or swigging champagne in front of the little angel— it's all for a photo op.

    Photo Credit: Maria Vicencio

  • 26. A Pillow Boy

    26. A Pillow Boy's Perspective

    Reward your ring bearer for walking down the aisle like a gentleman with his own special moment in front of the camera. How can you not smile when you see this little guy's grin?

    Photo Credit: Abby Rose Photo

  • 27. An Over-the-Shoulder Glance

    27. An Over-the-Shoulder Glance

    This cutie can not only hang with the big guys, he steals the entire show in this photo.

    Photo Credit: Mark Kopko Photography

  • 28. Frame Within a Frame

    28. Frame Within a Frame

    The frame-within-a-frame trend is a great way to incorporate special guests in your wedding portraits, like your child attendants or your moms. Just have your chosen pair hold up a decorative frame, have your photographer position you so that you're within the frame, and snap away!

    Photo Credit: Michelle Zahn Photography

  • 29. Spell It Out

    29. Spell It Out

    Each member of your bridal party can hold up a letter or even a banner of your choosing to spell out a message as a group.

    Photo Credit: Brookelyn Photography

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ALL PHOTOS

25+ Fun Bridal Party Photos

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Inside the New Issue

I’m so excited; our new issue is out, and it’s super-packed with tons of great info!

bridal guide september octover 2012

Not only is it filled with all the fashion, beauty and planning tips you need, but on the flip side of the magazine, you’ll find a special “Your Home” section:

bridal guide september octover 2012

Inside, you’ll discover what other couples are registering for:

bridal guide september octover 2012

And you’ll find a complete Registry Checklist to help you put together your own wish list. You even have a chance to win everything shown on the “Your Home” cover, along with other prizes and a honeymoon in Mexico. It doesn’t get any sweeter than that!

But wait, there’s more: Packaged with this issue is a fantastic Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Guide!

Five Wedding Compromises Worth Considering

Many brides dream about even the smallest details of their wedding far in advance of getting a ring. Fast-forward to the planning process, after you've actually received a proposal, and it can be tough to relinquish some of that control to someone else. My fiancé Corey and I are extremely lucky that both of our parents have been very supportive of our wedding and receptive to our ideas. We've made it our goal to try and make everyone (especially our parents), happy with most of the choices we've made. Here are some compromises we've had to make and why.

bride and groom hold hands

Photo Credit: Hoffer Photography

1. Guest count. I always envisioned a very personal, intimate wedding day, around 100 guests or so. However, we had to invite almost double that amount in order to include extended family, coworkers and family friends. I wouldn't change our guest list, since each person we invited is important to us and our families, but it has required me to adjust my original vision. 

2. The budget. Compromising with dollar signs makes my head spin… but we’ve done it. We have upped the budget twice since we started planning our wedding. No one's excited about spending more, but I am very thankful that my parents have been open to doing whatever it takes to make the day wonderful. In fact, I've been the one who's most concerned about the budget, even though my parents are paying for the majority of the wedding. 

Music Monday: Get Everyone Singing

scratch weddingsEach week, we feature music recommendations from Scratch Weddings, the nation's leader with the best wedding DJs at affordable prices.

This week, enjoy nine songs that'll have all your guests singing along!

Nothing beats dancing to a song you know all the words to. Songs like these create indelible memories — those moments that you will live and relive as all of your guests are dancing, singing along, and celebrating your wedding together. Hit up a few of these classic jams to create a joyful moment that will last a lifetime. 
singing at wedding
 
Photo Credit: Leigh Skaggs Photography
 
►"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" — Cyndi Lauper

The ladies cannot resist dancing and singing along to this '80s classic.

►"Livin' on a Prayer" — Bon Jovi
Everyone — and we mean everyone — will belt out this Bon Jovi hit, New Jersey-style.

►"Don’t Stop Believin’" — Journey
No matter when your guests were born, they will know the chorus to this ever-popular anthem.

My "Say Yes to the Dress" Experience: Part 1

Shopping for my wedding dress was exhilarating, confusing, and addictive (my heart sank when the two-hour appointment was over). Even after over a year of working at your favorite bridal magazine —scouring our entire gown gallery —I was still surprised by the range of emotions that overtook me. I haven’t said yes to the dress (yet!), but would love to share my experience at Kleinfeld with you, in the hopes that someone out there can relate.

First, here was my inspiration, courtesy of my personal Pinterest board:

oscar de la renta wedding gown

Dress by Oscar de la Renta. Photo credits: Erin Hearts Court Photography.

wedding gowns

Dress at left by Romona Keveza, shot by Kate Stoops Photography; dress at right is "Scarlet" by Monique Lhullier, shot by Paul Johnson Photography. 

wedidng gowns

Say "Yes" to Kleinfeld's New Online Gift Shop

To celebrate the eighth season of TLC's hit show, Say Yes to the Dress, Kleinfeld launched an online gift shop featuring fun t-shirts, hoodies, bags, and more. Check out some of our favorites!

Just for BG readers: Get 10% off, plus free shipping, with the coupon code YESBG

For the morning of the wedding:
This cozy zip-up hoodie is perfect to wear while you're getting ready on the big day. Plus, you won't have to worry about messing up your hair and makeup when it's time to change into your gown ($40, available in black and white). 

kleinfeld off the market hoodie

For the bachelorette party:
For a casual night on the town, this cute t-shirt sends the message loud and clear: You're taken! ($19, available in black, white, and pink).

kleinfeld off the market tshirt

For an engagement gift:
How cute are these "his and her" mugs? Gift these to your favorite newly-engaged friends ($15 each).

kleinfeld off the market mugs

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