Gorgeous Braided Bridal Hair Inspiration

My, Oh My, we are gawking at this GORG braided bridal hair inspiration on our wedding blog today! Modern and romantic,  this shoot is beautiful inspiration for any bride, complete with a full length beaded art-deco gown from BHLDN, fishtail crown braid (done right!) and fine art film portraiture! It’s divine. And guess what?! You can learn how to achieve this full and dramatic hairdo (AKA the French Fishtail) too! Malorie Avaline Hair & makeup tells us how:

Before you start you want to make sure that there are no tangles in the hair. The more brushed out the hair is, the easier it is to keep control of your braid. You can prep the hair by curling it with a curling wand or any sized iron that you prefer on your hair. You can simply add this braid to any natural tousled look or braid the entire head into one big braid.

1. Section the area that you are going to be braiding. For this particular braid I took an exaggerated part on the left side of the fringe area and sectioned off about a 2” wide section that came over the right ear. Leaving a little bit of hair over the ear. After sectioning, secure the additional hair out of your way.

2. Fishtail braids are done with two strands. Take two small strands in the middle of the top of your section. I begin by crossing the left side under the right.

3. After you cross the strands you will then begin to add to the two strands by picking up hair from one side and then the other. (just like in a regular French braid.) Pick up new hair from the right AND take a small piece of hair from the strand in your right hand. (It is very important that you pick up new hair AND hair from the current braid or this braid will not work.) Cross both pieces UNDER and add to your left strand. Pull tight.

4. Repeat step 3. This time  you will be picking up new hair from your left side AND a strand from the left and crossing it UNDER. Pull tight.

5. You will continue this pattern all the way down the braid. I prefer to pick up hair at an angle so that the braid wraps around the head nicely.

6. Once you get to where you would like your braid to end, hold the end of the braid loosely at the bottom or end of the braid.

7. Beginning at the end of the braid you are going to pinch pieces of hair and pull the braid apart. This is going to give the braid a wider deconstructed look. Continue to pull the braid apart to desired look.

8. Secure the braid with a small clear elastic. Place the braid where you would like it to lay and pin with a couple of bobby pins.

9. Finish with shine spray.

Vendors

Photographer:  Amanda Watson Photography
Dress Designer: BHLDN
Event Planner: Emerson Events
Professional: Indie Film Lab
Makeup Artist: Malorie Avaline Hair & makeup
Invitation Designer: Moira Design Studio