wedding: HEADS UP

While veils are still in vogue and ever traditional, the new head options are definately worth checking out. Some brides bypassing the veil are going for wide brimmed hats, fresh flowers or jewels in their hair. The idea is, if you’d rather wear a feathered toque down the aisle and it works with your gown, go for it.

Did our grandmothers have choices like this. No way. There were tight restrictions on what sort of headpiece was appropriate with the length veil she had to wear with her dress. Luckily times have changed. Wearing a veil with a headpiece is an option, not requirement anymore.

pickle and macaroni

Nigel Rayment
The Picture Hat-Starting with hats, I have to say picture hats are the most dramatic. Just look at some of these. Don't they all belong at one of Jay Gatsby's lawn parties? Also, the picture hat is the most classic for daytime formals. Wide-brimmed and typically constructed out of straw or horsehair, they are sometimes swathed in netting and organza.
Whatever look you want to create with this style, here are some tips to consider. Go ahead and put on your picture hat for the ceremony. Just do yourself a favor at the reception and take it off when you're receiving guests. Unless your hat's constructed of that bendy sort of horsehair with lots of give, when you reach out to hug and kiss people, your hat will fall off or bump someone. Picture hats go great with most silhouettes, especially ball gowns. The wide brim balances the volume in the skirt.

Amy-Jo Tatum
Horsehair hat wrapped in ivory tulle

Amy-Jo TatumStraw hat with hand-rolled silk dupion cabbage roses

Oni Onik
I think the fascinator trend helped usher in our current love affair with the hat. Even if you're wearing a veil, consider putting your bridesmaids in hats. From 1920-1950 it was a popular option to dress them in picture hats, especially for garden weddings. Think of it as just one of your many choices . . .

philiptreacy.co.uk.

The Cloche — Pictured above and below, this close fitting helmet-like hat worn low on the forehead, with or without a brim, was all the rage in the 1920s. Today's versions are mostly felt, and complement vintage dresses and suits. The Cloche looks best over a bob or other short, spunky hairstyles.

Oni Onik
The Pillbox Hat — Round and brimless, this hat's worn either centered or back on the head. Though the style was first launched in the 1930s, Jackie Kennedy revived the look. And guess what? Martha Stewart wore a pillbox when she got married in the early sixties. Generally this hat looks best with suits and fitted sheath designs, but it's super with most other silhouettes.

Hat by Amy-Jo Tatum

Photo by Henley Photography

Stephanie Williams Photography/Hat by Batcakes

The Cocktail Hat — This broad category includes toques, pancakes and beanies, to name just a few. Usually small and brimless, they sit tilted or perched atop the head, accented with flowers or a spray of long feathers. A cover of net or nose veil sometimes wraps all or part of the face. To add a touch of fun to simple gown, cover a cocktail hat fully in marabou or ostrich feathers. All cocktail hats look great with upswept hair and complement most silhouettes. They're also ideal as a headpiece attached to any length veil.

Nigel Rayment

Amy-Jo Tatum
The Turban — Adapted from Eastern headdress, the classic turban is a piece of fabric that wraps around the head. Trendy in the late 30s, the 40s ushered in some interesting variations, mixing functionality with chic. Their fame began with women workers who kept their hair safely out of the machinery with scarves tied up turban-style. Taking a cue from the street, designers hyped up the glamour, reinventing turbans in satin and velvet so they also complemented suits and evening wear. Tulle and netted turban head wraps topped off with bows or florals became the quickly-assembled head adornments of choice for wartime brides.

The Pagoda — Triangular-shaped and based on China's distinctive Cooley hat, this high-fashion version was popularized by Dior in the 1950s. Great with A-line and sheath styles.

Suzanne Couture Millinery

Wreath-Very romantic option. Pictured below, a wreath circles the head and is interwoven with flowers, foliage and in some cases, ribbons. Florists can put these together either with fresh, artificial or dried flowers. Some variations would be those made exclusively of English Ivy or dried roses and baby’s breath.

Pickle and Macaroni
HEADBAND -- typically attached to a gathered pouf veil, you can wear the headband individually without the veiling. Headband brides have that fresh, Estee Lauder look. Bands range in style from simple, narrow satin ones to those covered in pearls and crystals. A great option for hair worn down, not quite shoulder length like a bob.

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Hair Florals- They compliment simple evening gown silhouettes with a tropical feel, A-lines and ball gowns with a touch of the romantic. There are three kinds of florals: Fresh, artificial and hand-rolled fabric flowers. All are beautiful choices. Fresh can be ordered through your florist possibly echoing some of those in your bouquet.

Henley Photography
Artificial flowers are typically silk, some so well made they look like they were just picked out of the garden. Hand-rolled flowers are made out of fabric like dupioni, organza or shantung, sometimes in the same fabric as your gown. These have a real haute couture look and are usually attached to a barrette or spongy wire-wrap. You’ll need the help of a hairdresser incorporating fresh flowers into your hair. Artificial ones sometimes come with an attached comb—sometimes not. If not, you’ll need help anchoring these in. Some hairstylists will even weave poufs of netting through the flowers, creating a real high-fashion look.

Henley Photography

TIARA -- Just the tiara — no veil. This is a classic look. Most tiaras are made out of crystal and rhinestone. Best when the tiara sits upon a well-coiffed up-do.

the knot

Alice Hart

The Fascinator-These fascinating fascinators of plumes and feathers by Alice Hart are the cross between headpiece and hat many brides are looking for to expresss themselves on their wedding day.

Tigerlilly

HAIR JEWELERY -- These can range from Mother of Pearl hairpins to crystal adorned hair-sticks and clips. You can wear one or many sprinkled though a beautifully coiffed head. Top notch hair styling is a must to wear these properly.