Bun, braid or open hair: choosing a bridal hairstyle

Most brides arrive at their trial with a photo of a hairstyle they love. It is a good starting point, but the right style depends on four practical things: your saree and jewellery, your hair length and thickness, the length of the day, and the weather.

For a traditional South Indian bride in a Kanchipuram silk with a full set of temple jewellery, the jadai, a long braid covered with jasmine and a jadai billai, is still the most popular choice. It needs hair of at least shoulder length; for shorter or thinner hair, we add a matched extension that is braided in and does not show. A braid also holds well through a long morning of rituals, because it puts no weight on one point of the head.

A low bun, decorated with a ring of jasmine or a flower net, suits brides who will wear a heavy maang tikka or a nethi chutti, since it keeps the forehead and neck clear for the jewellery. It is also cooler in an April wedding. Open hair with soft waves photographs beautifully at a reception, but it frizzes in humid halls and needs touch-ups every two hours, so we rarely suggest it for the muhurtham itself.

At your trial, bring your jewellery and, if possible, the flowers you plan to wear. We try two styles, take photos from every side and write down the pins, extensions and products used, so the look on the day is exactly what you approved.