Look, I've been to enough weddings to know that a slipping headpiece is basically every bride's nightmare. You're trying to enjoy your day, and suddenly you're reaching up every five minutes to adjust your tiara or re-pin your comb. Not exactly the carefree vibe you were going for, right?
After talking to dozens of brides (and a few very honest hairstylists), I've learned that keeping your headpiece in place isn't rocket science—but it does require a little planning. Here's what actually works.
Start with the Right Foundation
Here's the thing nobody tells you: your hairstyle matters just as much as the headpiece itself. Smooth, freshly washed hair is slippery—headpieces slide right off. You want a little texture and grip. Most hairstylists recommend washing your hair the day before your wedding, not the morning of. Use a texturizing spray or dry shampoo at the roots to create some hold. If you're wearing your hair down, consider adding a few hidden bobby pins in a crisscross pattern where the headpiece will sit. It gives the clips or comb something to actually grip onto.
Match Your Headpiece to Your Hairstyle
Not all headpieces work with all hairstyles, and that's okay. Tiaras and headbands need a little height or volume to sit properly—they don't work well with super flat, sleek styles. Hair combs are great for updos but can feel unstable in loose waves unless you really secure them. If you're set on a particular headpiece, build your hairstyle around it. Bring it to your hair trial. Seriously. Your stylist needs to see how it sits and moves with your hair.
Use the Right Tools (Bobby Pins Are Your Best Friend)
Don't rely solely on the clips that come with your headpiece. Even the fanciest tiara needs backup. Keep a stash of bobby pins in your hair color—not black unless your hair is actually black—and use them strategically. For combs, slide them in at a slight downward angle, then add a bobby pin on each side going in the opposite direction. It creates a lock that's way more secure. For headbands and tiaras, pin them at the sides and back, hiding the pins under your hair.
Do a Real-World Test
During your hair trial, don't just sit there looking pretty. Move around. Tilt your head. Dance a little. Hug someone. If your headpiece shifts during the trial, it'll definitely shift during your reception when you're actually having fun. This is your chance to troubleshoot. Maybe you need more pins, or a different placement, or honestly, a different headpiece altogether. Better to figure it out now than on the big day.
Have a Backup Plan
Pack a small emergency kit with extra bobby pins, a travel-size hairspray, and a small mirror. Designate your maid of honor or a bridesmaid as your headpiece guardian—someone who'll tell you if it's sliding before you walk down the aisle or hit the dance floor. And here's some real talk: if your headpiece is driving you crazy after dinner, it's totally fine to take it off. You're not a failure. You're a bride who wants to enjoy her reception without constantly worrying about her hair accessories. Your photographer already got the important shots anyway.
The goal isn't perfection—it's feeling comfortable and confident enough to forget about your headpiece entirely. When it's secured properly, you won't even remember you're wearing it. And that's exactly how it should be.