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Blooming Beauties

Spring Weddings

Blooming Beauties

Washington, DC hairstylist Latrice Strader dishes on the freshest floral hairstyles for spring

Make an Entrance

Why We Love It: If you think you need to spend big bucks to make a big impression, think again. This bride bought these exotic flowers at a roadside stand for just one dollar.

Get The Look: First, set hair on electric rollers to add body and curl. Tease the hair just below the crown. Continue to tease until you reach the back of the ear and then lightly pin the hair into position towards the side of the head near the ear. Once the hairstyle is in place, apply a medium to firm holding spray for a finished look.

Petal Pick: Top off your tresses with an amaryllis (or any big, multihued blossom) accented with smaller white flowers. —Kathryn Papanek

Latrice Strader is the owner of the Destiny De’ve Hair Salon & Spa in Washington, DC. For more on Latrice Strader, visit destinydeve.com.

Classic Coif

Why We Love It: Flaunting a timeless look, a simple bun gets a stylish update with a large white bloom.

Get the Look: Straighten your hair with a flatiron. Pull the hair back to form a ponytail at the center of the head. Separate the hair evenly and create a large pin curl at the center of the head. Form the second large pin curl slightly to the right of the center below the first one to create a “number eight” shape. Use strong holding spray to smooth and keep the pin curls in place.

Petal Pick: A fresh gardenia pinned at the base of this hairstyle adds a whimsical touch—and a sweet floral aroma.

Long and Loose

Why We Love It: Your groom wouldn’t be able to resist running his hairs through this soft, tousled style.

Get the Look: Begin by using a flatiron to create loose curls. Once the curls are locked into position, apply a medium holding spray. Gently pull hair back off of your face, and secure with bobby pins just below the crown. Finger comb the loose curls for a textured look that’s stylish and sweet.

Petal Pick: Place orchids throughout your hair to complete this lavish look.

Rose Parade

Why We Love It: A curly updo accented with brilliant flowers is sophisticated and feminine. Plus, these bright red flowers pop against a white or ivory gown.

Get The Look: Curl hair using a flatiron or a large barrel curling iron. Once the hair has been curled all over, section two panels on the left and right quadrant of the hairline. Pull the remaining back section of the hair into a ponytail. Take a small section of the ponytail and pin each curl into position to reinforce the style. Separate the two frontal quadrants with a diagonal part, then twist the hair and pin into position.

Petal Pick: This bride adorned her updo with three red roses, but this classic style will look just as sweet with any bright, colorful blossom.

Loosen Up

Why We Love It: This unstructured, simple style shows how less can be more—the wavy locks create an easygoing glamour that’s undeniably sexy.

Get the Look: To enhance natural body and to create volume, round brush the hair. Leaving the bangs wispy, loosely pin the back hair into position.

Petal Pick: For the final flourish, add small white flowers clustered in a bunch.

Island Style

Why We Love It: This fresh, pretty look matches the sunny mood of a colorful bridesmaid dress.

Get Look: Achieving this island-inspired style is a breeze. Just prep hair with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Apply a curling mousse and let hair dry naturally. Once hair is dry, pin up with clips.

Petal Pick: Top off your bridesmaids' tresses with bright, tropical blossoms.

Do It Up

Why We Love It: For the bride who wants an updo with a twist, this unique yet simple style embraces a mixture of classic romance with modern, airy style.

Get the Look: Blow hair dry using a large paddle brush. Let it set in large hot rollers for ten to fifteen minutes. Remove hot rollers and twist and pin the hair into place. Use medium holding spray and secure the updo with bobby pins for a carefree look that will last all night.

Petal Pick: A white orchid brings this elegantly relaxed style together.

Grecian Goddess

Why We Love It: A floral wreath stands in for a traditional headpiece atop wavy, bouncing tresses, creating a chic, free-spirited look that’s perfect for an outdoor wedding.

Get the Look: Brush hair with a round brush to create movement and body. Then, use a large barrel curling iron to curl. After the entire head has been curled, spray with a medium hold hairspray. Let the hair set in for ten to fifteen minutes to lock in curls. Remove pins and let the hair naturally fall into place.

Petal Pick: Creating a floral headband is easier than you think. Just use a hot glue gun to attach flowers—this bride used daisies—to a soft white headband.

Perfect in Pink

Why We Love It: A polished updo gets extra oomph when set off by two delicate blooms in a vivid hue.

Get the Look: Cleanse the hair with a smoothing shampoo and conditioner. Next, blow dry tresses and curl from mid-length to the ends with a large curling iron. Bring hair into a low ponytail, pinning the length of the ponytail into a bun.

Petal Pick: Add a jolt of color with pink orchid blossoms positioned on the side of your bun.

Sylvan Style

Why We Love It: This loose, bohemian style is perfect for the bride who wants to look natural on her wedding day.

Get the Look: Set the hair with a large barrel curling iron to add texture to the tresses. Apply a light holding spray to help maintain the look for the big day. Next, lightly finger comb the hair into a loose pony towards the crown of the head. This modern, unfussy look isn’t about achieving perfection, so don’t worry about loose strands.

Petal Pick: A lavender or baby’s breath wreath gives this do a warm, rustic touch.

Short Cuts

Why We Love It: Got short hair? This artfully messy style is just the look to showcase your abbreviated locks.

Get the Look: Separate the hair into sections and curl with a flat iron or a medium barrel curling iron. In order for the curl to last long after you say “I do”, use a holding spray to keep locks in place. Gently finger comb the tresses to loosen the curl and pin the sides into position with bobby pins.

Petal Pick: A white rose or gardenia makes this playful style big-day worthy.

Let Down Your Hair

Why We Love It: This graceful cascade of golden hair is topped with a cluster of sweet blossoms.

Get the Look: For weightless, shiny locks, use a clarifying shampoo and light conditioner. Then, dry the hair with a medium round brush. After each section has been dried and curled, spray it with a light hold aerosol spray and pin the hair into curls. Next, remove the pins and finger comb the tresses. Take a panel or hair from the left and right quadrant and gently twist the hair to be pinned in the center of the head.

Petal Pick: These yellow mini-roses don’t just set off these lovely locks—they also hide the pins used to create the stunning do.

Princess Bride

Why We Love It: The bun—one of the most timeless styles for a fairytale wedding—gets an extra dose of magic with delicate white blossoms scattered in the locks.

Get the Look: Pull hair into a high ponytail. Take sections of the hair and curl with large barrel curlers. Once the ends have been curled, separate the hair into three sections. Twist each section and wrap the hair around the base of the ponytail, using hairpins to help lock the style into place.

Petal Pick: For the final touch, place cymbidium orchids randomly throughout the bun.

Veiled Effect

Why We Love It: Can’t decide between flowers or a veil? This creative hairstyle marries the best of both options.

Get the Look: Blow dry hair using a large paddle brush. This look is all about finished, shiny locks, so add a smoothing serum before brushing hair into a low ponytail. Use a flat iron to smooth and curl the hair, then pin tresses up to create the bun.

Petal Pick: Choose blossoms in contrasting hues (like these orange and green flowers) for a look that stands out under your veil.

Path of the Petals

Why We Love It: A trail of soft white flowers tucked into an artfully arranged bun says old-fashioned elegance. Pair it with a lacy gown for a vintage-inspired look.

Get the Look: Volume is the key to this style, so begin by drying the hair with a round brush to create additional height and body. Then, backcomb the hair at the crown area of the head. Comb the hair over the backcombed area and pin it down with extra hold hair spray. Braid the hair loosely around the back of the head and pin it in a bun. Spread the hair covering the braid to add more dimension and diversity.

Petal Pick: To take this style to new heights, place a trail of dogwood blossoms over the bun and secure the flowers with hairpins.

Photography throughout by Andrea Taylor Studio, Genevieve Nisly Photography, Union Photography and Vallentyne Photography.

For more hair ideas, visit our Hairstyles Gallery.

Union Photography

Genevieve Nisly Photography

Vallentyne Photography

Union Photography

Vallentyne Photography

Union Photography

Andrea Taylor Studio

Vallentyne Photography

Union Photography