Outfits usually get all the planning attention before a pre-wedding shoot, but hair quietly frames every close-up. A style that suits your outfit, stays comfortable through a long day and holds up in wind may change how your whole look reads on camera. This guide walks through simple hairstyles that tend to photograph well, for both of you.
Let Your Outfit and Location Lead
The most reliable starting point is what you are wearing and where you are shooting. A high neckline or statement earrings often pair well with hair pinned up, while a flowy gown in an open field can carry open, moving hair beautifully. Windy spots like hilltops and lakesides usually favour styles that are pinned or braided, simply because they stay in place. If you are still deciding what to wear, our guide on choosing pre-wedding shoot outfits pairs well with this one.
Open Hair and Soft Waves
Open hair with soft waves is a favourite for a reason: it looks natural, moves well in walking shots and suits almost every face. It tends to work best for relaxed, romantic frames and golden-hour light. Do keep in mind that curls may loosen over a few hours, and frizz can show up in humidity, so a small touch-up kit nearby helps. Your photographer can also plan poses that use the movement of open hair instead of fighting it.
Braids and Half-Up Styles
Braids and half-up styles keep hair off your face, which matters more than people expect in profile shots and candid laughter. They hold their shape well outdoors and sit comfortably with both traditional and fusion outfits. A side braid with small flowers or a simple accessory can quietly echo your shoot theme without looking costume-like. These styles are also forgiving: even if a few strands escape, the overall shape usually survives.
Buns and Updos
A bun or an updo gives a clean, elegant frame for your face and shows off earrings and necklines fully. Updos tend to stay intact through outfit changes, hugs and wind, which makes them a practical pick for long shoots. A softer, slightly messy bun reads relaxed and modern, while a sleek bun leans formal. If your shoot includes an evening setup with lights, an updo often photographs with a lovely defined silhouette.
A Quick Note for Him
For men, the safest approach is a familiar haircut taken about a week before the shoot, not the day before. A fresh barber cut can look too sharp at the edges for a few days. A light styling product keeps shape in wind without looking wet, and a beard trim a few days ahead usually settles into a natural look by shoot day. Simple and well-kept almost always beats experimental.
Trials, Weather and Touch-Ups
If your budget allows, a hair trial along with your makeup trial shows you how a style holds over a few hours and how it looks in photos. Share reference pictures with your stylist and photographer so everyone plans the same look. Weather matters too: humidity, heat and wind may each change how hair behaves, and your week-before checklist is a good place to note pins, a comb and a small spray for the shoot bag.
In the end, the best hairstyle is the one that still feels like you at the end of a long day. Pick a look you can forget about while you enjoy the shoot together. If you are planning your pre-wedding shoot and would like guidance on styling, locations or timing, feel free to reach out to us through the contact page.