How To Choose A Wig for Your Wedding

When it comes to curating your dream bridal hairstyle, choosing the right hair piece for your wedding can be a difficult decision to make. With over 30 years of experience, SHEVY’s Founder, Shevy Emanuel, walks us through the ins and outs of choosing, buying and styling a wig (or a topper) for your big day.

WIGS OR TOPPERS, WHICH ARE BEST SUITED FOR WEDDING HAIR?

The question is, what is bride looking to achieve? It really depends on and the kind of hairstyle she is hoping to achieve. We need to first understand these in order to find the best fit for her.

For example, if she’s looking to put hair into a ponytail or updo, then we would recommend a topper that's very lightweight and thin, so everything stays put throughout the event. But, if she’s looking to wear her hair down and have a lot of volume, then we’ll go with a three-quarter or full wig that has more hair and is longer. Typically, unless someone has alopecia, most brides don’t usually wear a full wig; opting instead for a topper, extensions, or maybe a ¾ piece to get that extra volume for an added touch of glamor.

WHAT DOES THE BRIDAL WIG STYLING PROCESS ENCOMPASS AT SHEVY?

Most brides tend to come in with inspiration on the kind of style they would like to wear, but if not, we suggest and advise them as to what could work for them. They usually try on several different types of wigs or toppers as we help them find the perfect piece that will help them achieve the look they are going for.

Once that’s decided, we cut, color and blow-dry the wig for them so that its ready for use on their big day. Brides can come choose to get their hair done here with one of our expert wig stylists on the day of their wedding, or they can have their preferred hairstylist do it for them wherever they are, and we make sure it gets delivered to them as and when needed.

AND HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD A BRIDE-TO-BE LOOK INTO PURCHASING HER PIECE?

I would recommend 8-10 weeks before the wedding.

SHOULD A BRIDE LOOK FOR A SPECIALIZED STYLIST IF SHE IS CHOOSING TO WEAR A PIECE?

Most reputed hairstylists would have experience working with wigs and toppers, especially if they specialize in doing celebrity and bridal hair, but regardless, it is something worth discussing upfront to make sure they are comfortable working with them. It's very common to work with attachments and pieces, so most hairdressers and stylists should be able to work with wigs as well.

ARE THERE ANY STYLING LIMITATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO WIGS IN COMPARISON TO NATURAL HAIR?

No, there are no limitations. You can curl it, you can put it up, you can straighten it, you can create volume…you can do anything that you want with our wigs because they are made of real human hair! Some people don't have enough volume or the right texture to get their dream wedding hairstyle, which is why a lot of women, whether they have alopecia or not, opt to wear some kind of a piece on their wedding day. Wigs can really let you have your dream hair, exactly as you would want it, on your wedding, without you having to worry about how your hair is going to look or behave that day.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE MOST REQUESTED HAIR PIECE AMONGST BRIDES?

It really varies from bride to bride as it all depends on how much hair they have to begin with, and what they are hoping to achieve. So, for any kind of style where they will be wearing their hair down, they usually need a fuller, bigger piece that will give them length, volume and movement. For those looking to wear their hair up in a ponytail or updo, then a lightweight, handmade piece that doesn’t add too much volume around the hairline is a better fit.

WHAT SHOULD BRIDES BEAR IN MIND WHEN CHOOSING A WIG FOR THEIR WEDDING DAY?

One of the key things is that it has to sit well and be comfortable. It's long day, and they should never have to worry about their wig falling off. So, it should be well-fitted and secure. We don't want it to move.

WHAT PRECAUTIONS DURING THE STYLING PROCESS ARE RECOMMENDED TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE WIG?

All our wigs are made from the highest quality European human hair, so in terms of the hair itself, it can handle anything that natural hair can. The only real concern you need to worry about is the potential damage to the lace cap. It’s made out of a very delicate material, so it needs to be handled with care, especially when putting in bobby pins which are commonly used to hold up hair, especially in bridal hairstyles. But other than that, you can blow dry it, you can spray it, you can tease it, you can create volume, you can use a curling iron, you can use wands…really the sky’s the limit!

DO YOU HAVE ANY WIG AFTERCARE TIPS ONCE THE BIG DAY IS OVER?

It’s important to take the wig to a professional who knows how to care for it because it would likely need several washings to get the hairspray out. Sometimes we use baking soda and solution with water if it gets very sticky. But don’t do it yourself. Take it out, bring it in, get it washed. It's probably going to be in a bit of a tangle, and will need a little bit more care.

WHAT WEDDING HAIR TRENDS DO YOU THINK WE MIGHT SEE IN THE NEW SEASON?

We’re seeing a lot more low-key weddings post-Covid, so I think more effortless styles like loose, face-framing ponytails and beachy boho waves will continue to be quite popular this season.