A Celebrity Hairstylist Shares the Best Wedding Hairstyles for an Effortlessly Chic Bridal Look

With over 15 years of experience styling high-profile brides and glamorous red-carpet looks – and a client list that includes The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise‘s Jade Roper Tolbert and The Bachelorette’s Ashley Hebert, among other celebrities – Paul is known for his polished approach, refined technique, and calm, supportive presence on the wedding day. His goal is always to achieve effortless elegance for every client.

Photo courtesy of FLORE Salon

For Paul, the philosophy is simple: a wedding hairstyle should enhance the bride’s natural beauty and personality while making her feel like the most confident, polished version of herself. Timeless style is a guiding principle in his work. Whether he’s crafting soft Old Hollywood waves, a sleek bun inspired by Hailey Bieber and Sofia Richie Grainge, or a clean chignon that will never go out of style, his focus is on creating looks that feel timeless and true.

“I look at everything – the dress, the venue, even the season and time of day,” Paul explains. “If the gown is dramatic, I’ll suggest a sleek, clean style. If the wedding is outdoors and romantic, softer waves or textured updos bring balance and movement.”

This attention to detail is what sets luxury bridal hairstyling apart from everyday styling, he emphasizes. “On a wedding day, hair has to look flawless, photograph beautifully, withstand different environments, and still feel comfortable. Nothing should look forced,” he confirms. “I have to make sure every hair stays in place and looks picture-perfect at all times. I follow the bride from the first look to her reception… It’s what I’m known for and something that’s fully appreciated.”

Photo courtesy of FLORE Salon

For brides preparing for the big day, Paul recommends scheduling a trial at least four to six months in advance and arriving with inspiration photos, accessories, and extensions if desired. “One of the biggest mistakes I see is choosing a style just because it’s trendy or making drastic changes to color or cut right before the wedding,” he warns. “Keep it timeless, keep it simple.”

As for what’s ahead for bridal hair in 2025 and beyond? According to Paul, modern minimalism. “Think sleek buns, center parts, soft brushed-out waves, and hair with a polished blowout feel. It’s elegant, chic, and the new romantic.” Modern brides are embracing both classic glamour and contemporary trends, with the quiet luxury trend, exemplified by Sofia Richie Grainge’s iconic slicked-back bun, serving as a key inspiration.

Photo courtesy of FLORE Salon

Whether styling high-profile brides in Los Angeles or everyday brides who want to feel their most radiant, Paul Perez has one constant: an unwavering commitment to making each bride feel supported, beautiful, and effortlessly herself on the most important day of her life.

For more advice on wedding style inspiration and the best bridal hairstyles, Paul shares his insights on wedding hairstyle inspiration, timeless bridal looks, and the biggest wedding hair trends for 2025 and beyond in our Q&A below!

Photo by Duke Images

What’s your philosophy when it comes to creating the perfect wedding hairstyle?

“My philosophy is always to make the bride feel like the most confident, polished version of herself. The hairstyle should enhance her natural beauty and personality. I believe in timeless, elegant looks that feel effortless and comfortable, so that when brides look back on their photos years later, the style still feels fresh and true to them.”

How do you help brides choose a bridal look that complements their wedding dress, venue, and aesthetic?

“I look at everything, the dress, the setting of the wedding, and even the time of day and season. If the dress is dramatic, I’ll suggest a sleek, clean look. If the wedding is outdoors and romantic, I might suggest softer waves or an updo with texture and movement.”

Photo by John & Joseph Photography

What sets luxury bridal hairstyling apart?

“Luxury bridal hairstyling is about details. Nothing should look forced. On a wedding day, hair has to look flawless. It has to photograph beautifully, withstand different environments, and still feel comfortable. I have to make sure every hair stays in place and looks picture perfect at all times. I follow the bride from the first look to her reception. It’s what I’m known for and one that’s fully appreciated.”

Which wedding hairstyles are truly timeless?

“A clean chignon, soft Old Hollywood waves, and a sleek low bun are always timeless. They are timeless, chic, and elegant. They photograph beautifully.”

Which celebrity looks inspire bridal style most right now?

“Yes – many brides are inspired by red carpet glamour. Sleek buns like Sofia Richie Grainge and Hailey Bieber’s wedding look are the most popular, but brushed-out waves similar to Margot Robbie’s are very popular too. These styles feel both modern and classic at the same time.”

Photo by Duke Images

When should brides book their hair trial, and what should they bring?

“I always like to suggest four to six months before the wedding. I always suggest a trial to narrow down the exact look. She should bring inspiration photos, hair accessories, and hair extensions.”

What’s the best way for brides to prepare their bridal hair for the big day?

“Yes – keep it simple. Wash the hair the day before, not the day of, unless the bride insists otherwise. Avoid anything that weighs down the hair, such as oils, conditioners, or hair masks. On the wedding morning, just come with clean, dry hair and let me handle the rest. But of course every bride is different. So it’s whatever you are comfortable with.”

What are the most common mistakes brides make with wedding hairstyles?

“One mistake is choosing a style just because it’s trendy. Another is making big changes to their hair color or cut right before the wedding. Keep it simple. To avoid this, stick with timeless looks and schedule any hair updates at least a month in advance.”

Photo by Hannah Rosser Photography

What are the best wedding hairstyles for fine hair vs. thick hair?

“For fine hair, I love creating airy texture, soft waves, or adding extensions for fullness. For thick hair, structured styles like sleek buns or sculpted waves help manage volume while staying polished.”

How do you adapt wedding hairstyles for outdoor vs. indoor weddings?

“For outdoor weddings, I make sure the hair is secure and weather-proof, often suggesting updos or half-up styles that won’t collapse in humidity, wind, or heat. Make sure you use products that can handle humidity. Two of my favorites are Milbon Anti-Frizz Humidity Blocking Oil or Color WOW Dreamcoat. For indoor weddings, we have more flexibility to go softer and looser. To be honest I use both these products all the time to avoid any type of situation.”

Do you recommend a second “reception look” bridal hairstyle?

“Keep it simple and seamless. A chic ponytail or an updo to waves works beautifully. I love styles that shift effortlessly so the bride feels refreshed and can feel comfortable to enjoy the rest of their beautiful day.”

Photo by John & Joseph Photography

What have you learned from working with high-profile brides?

“That discretion, calm energy, and adaptability are important. The relationship has been created so it’s important to maintain that feeling on the day of the wedding: A bride – whether high-profile or not – needs to feel cared for, supported, and confident. I love being that steady, calm presence for my brides, it’s my priority.”

How do you balance bridal hairstyles that photograph well but also last all night?

“I always build styles with structure, maybe setting hair with Velcro rollers and layering of products so they hold while still looking soft. I test movement as I work, and always have an iron hot and ready to go, making sure the hair has both beauty for the camera and strength for the dance floor.”

What’s the one product or tool you never work without?

“A strong but flexible hairspray, Milbon Creative Style Finish Strong Hold 7 – it keeps everything in place without making the hair look stiff. And, of course, a great set of professional irons for both sleek finishes and polished curls.”

What are the top wedding hair trends for 2025 and beyond?

“I’m seeing a lot of modern minimalism – sleek buns, center parts, as well as soft romantic waves that still feel effortless. Hair that has a polished blowout feel. It’s elegant, chic and the new romantic. Brides want timeless but unique to their own individual style.”

Photos courtesy of FLORE Salon

Whether it’s a timeless chignon, Hollywood waves, or a modern sleek bun, Paul Perez believes the best wedding hairstyle is one that feels true to the bride. With his encouragement, choose a bridal look that makes you feel like the most beautiful version of you on your wedding day!

Connect with FLORE Salon on Instagram and visit in person at 8373 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069!