Can You Wear Protective Hairstyles To A Wedding

A wedding is a beautiful occasion. The festivity and celebrations for this event are unrivaled. That said, they aren’t the most relaxed ceremonies. There are so many things to panic about during a wedding. A huge concern for a lot of people is what hairstyle to wear. After all, weddings are the best place to show off your inner fashionista.

That brings us to the topic of discussion: Can you wear a braid to a wedding? The short answer is yes, of course. Protective Hairstyles are an easy way to up your fashion game; the case is no different for weddings. They offer numerous benefits and a few specific styles will steal the show.

Today, we are not just going to convince you that Protective Hairstyles are the way to go for weddings but also tell you what makes them so great. Along with that, we’ll go over the 13 most popular styles at weddings and why these styles are so beloved.

Why Protective Hairstyles Make An Excellent Wedding Hairstyle

Why Protective Hairstyles Make An Excellent Wedding Hairstyle

Before we talk about the best styles out there, you need to understand what makes braids the perfect hairdo for a wedding. These 4 benefits are sure to persuade you to try this style at the next wedding you visit, or maybe even your own wedding.

1. Offers Great Protection

Braids have been around for ages and there is a good reason for that. Most other trendy hairstyles such as permed hair or puffy updos went out of fashion eventually but people have been rocking braids for millennia now.

What makes this style such a staple? Its utility. While other styles are focused on the aesthetic aspect of your look, braids focus on both aesthetics and offering maximum protection. Having your hair tied up in this manner ensures that no foreign elements enter your hair and your hair is free from breakage, tangles, and split ends.

If you are going to an outdoor wedding, this look is perhaps the healthiest option for your hair. Especially at beach weddings, sand is not a gentle substance for your hair.

2. Won’t Come Undone

Good food and dancing are the fundamentals of a fun wedding. If you have the urge to bust out some of the best moves of your life, don’t let your hair get in the way. Braids let you dance the night away without worrying about ruining your hair completely.

Trust us, we know how much money goes behind the parlor to look your best at a wedding so having all that ruined at the dance is something a lot of people literally can’t afford. Fortunately, due to how strongly braids hold, you can dance your heart out and still look stunning at the end of the night.

3. So Many Options

A lot of people assume braids are a boring but difficult look but that is blatantly wrong. There is so much variety in this style that you can customize your braids to meet two different ends of the spectrum. Don’t believe us? Here are two exact opposite looks you can achieve with braids.

a. Classy And Timeless

If you are someone who believes in the beauty of simplicity, braids have got you covered with some amazing styles. A floral braid or a braided chignon can make you stand out in any room without trying a risky look. These styles even work for a bride. Paired with the right outfit, they can make you look like a real-life princess.

b. Whimsy And Fun Choices

Braids are anything but boring. They allow room for artistic expression. Bring out your inner Picasso with a faux hawk, styled to your exact preference. Not up your alley? Get all eyes on you with a messy fishtail braid then. There is a unique style for everyone.

4. Low Maintenance

Perhaps the best part about braids is how easy they are to maintain. We are not going to lie, braids are really difficult to make. Some styles will have you glued to the chair for over 8 hours. However, once they are done, you won’t have to worry about your hair for the next 8 weeks.

While other styles need constant retouches and by the end of the night, your hair will be filled with products, braids are finished in one fell swoop and require no additional enhancements.

The only maintenance practice that you need to keep doing is cleaning your hair and even that is super easy. Just apply a mixture of glycerine, water, and a leave-in conditioner every few days. Shampooing and conditioning should be done every 2 weeks.

Best Braid Hairstyles For A Wedding

Now that you know what makes braids such a universally beloved style for weddings, let’s take a look at the creme de la creme when it comes to wedding hairstyles. These 12 types of protective hairstyles are sure to add an element of chicness to your look.

1. Braided Ponytails

Braided Ponytails

If you are looking for a simplistic yet stunning look, this is the perfect option for you. The best thing about braided ponytails is how sturdy they are. Not only are your locs held in place with intricate braids but they are also secured in a ponytail.

The two layers of security mean that you can dance as hard as you want and celebrate like crazy without ever checking your hair. This is the go-to hairstyle for the party animal at every wedding.

2. Floral Braid

Floral Braid

Have you ever wanted to look like a Disney princess? Floral braids are an easy way to do that without looking overly dressed up. That doesn’t mean you don’t have the option of putting out all the stops if you want.

If the wedding calls for a formal look, then we suggest opting for a few lightly colored flowers. Feel free to go for a brightly colored array of flowers if you are to a more casual event. Just make sure you don’t overshadow the bride. If you are the bride, go all out. 

3. Bohemian Braids

Bohemian Braids

Boho style is catching speed nowadays as the perfect blend of artistic freedom, creativity, and cultural expression. The embodiment of this fashion statement in the form of hair would be bohemian braids.

This beautiful style is also one of the most versatile looks in your arsenal. You can decide just how undone you want your hair to determine the level of volume and fullness in your braids.

4. Goddess Braids

Goddess Braids

As the name suggests, this is a divine hairstyle. This is a protective hairstyle that is exclusive to brides as you are at risk of overstepping the bride by doing this hairstyle. Look like a queen on your wedding day with this fabulous. There is no better way to elevate your ensemble than this nifty hairstyle.

5. Topknots

Topknots

While this is a really difficult look to achieve, a braided topknot is certainly one of the most unique protective hairstyles out there. You can rest assured that you won’t be twinning with any of the other guests as only the brave go for this look. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try it as the risk is definitely worth the reward.

6. Faux Hawk

Faux Hawk

If traditional looks are not what you seek, then this edgy protective hairstyle is what you’ve been looking for your entire life. A braided faux hawk is a hairstyle unlike any other. The only issue with this look is the time that it takes to get it right. Expect to be at the stylist for a long long time.

7. Cornrows

Cornrows

Cornrows are basically the polar opposite of the faux hawk. This is the look for those of you who value culture over all else. This protective hairstyle symbolizes heritage and community. If you are looking to represent your roots, there is no better look to rock.

8. Butterfly Locs

Butterfly Locs

Want all eyes on you? Butterfly locs are sure to achieve that. This hairstyle was basically made to test the limits of human hair and it shows. The shapes and patterns your hair takes in this look are mesmerizing.

9. Messy Fishtail Braid

Messy Fishtail Braid

There is a recent wave in fashion where accessories are made to look messy on purpose: take the Parish sneaker from Balenciaga for example. This art was actually perfect when it came to hair a long time ago. Whether you talk about messy rockstar hair or fun messy braids such as the messy fishtail braids, these styles break the norm.

Messy fishtail braids are perfect for coastal weddings too as they fit the oceanic theme to perfection.

10. Bohemian Braided Updo

Bohemian Braided Updo

Another protective hairstyle you can opt for if you are going to a coastal wedding is the bohemian braided updo. It is a revamp of the aforementioned bohemian braids where the braids are worn a lot higher.

The reason why it makes such a good option for outdoor weddings is that it provides extra protection against the elements. 

11. Braided Crown

Braided Crown

Tiaras are flashy and tacky. Use your hair to create your own crown with a braided crown. This look may seem familiar as you can find it worn by both Anna and Elsa in Frozen. If it’s good enough for Arendelle’s royalty, we assume it’s good enough for a wedding, don’t you?

Also, this makes it another look that would go well with a coastal theme, Arendelle is surrounded by seas after all.

12. Braided Chignon

Braided Chignon

Last but not least, we have one of the most classy looks you can go for in the braided chignon. This is a style that has been the choice for real-life royalty for ages now and it was recently popularized by Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence.

This is a style that has stood the test of time for a good reason as it is a safe look that still has an air of elegance and suaveness to it. Due to its rigidity, we would also rank this hairstyle highly for outdoor weddings. 

Let’s Wrap It Up

There you have it. You can now confidently answer the question: can you wear a Protective Hairstyle to a wedding? While there are other great hairstyles to try out, few can offer the same selection of perks for your hair.

Whether you are a bride or a guest, this is a style that is sure to turn some heads. Just remember that not every style is fit for every individual. Your friend may be able to pull off goddess braids but they may look too pretentious on you. The good news is you can always opt for a different style such as cornrows or a braided crown.

Braid your way to a dreamy wedding with the styles we suggested. You can even try out other types of braids if you are feeling adventurous. That’s the beauty of braids, they are never boring.

By Cindy Mahlangu

Hey there! I'm Cindy Mahlangu, a pro hairstylist with a serious passion for natural hair care. My mission? To inspire and educate others on the beauty and benefits of protective hairstyles. Through my creative writing, aim to empower individuals to embrace their unique hair texture and confidently care for their locks. So, whether you're rocking locs, braids, or twists, join me on this hair journey and let's achieve healthy, fabulous tresses together!

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