The bride is more at ease, the hair is free to do as it pleases. Free-flowing hairstyles that are whimsical, comfortable and more practical are brimming down the aisle.  

Soft waves are the new trend that create this free-flowing look. “A lot of people want to feel more like themselves, having an effortless look — adding soft waves —  is becoming very popular,” said Janelle Traynor, owner of Mindset Beauty Lounge in Bristol, R.I. She captured that this free-flowing hairstyle isn’t limited to one specific season, stating, “Many want to have their hair down all year long.”

This doesn’t mean the bride-to-be is simply letting her hair flow freely down the aisle, without the need for a stylist. A free-flowing look that creates soft waves still requires a hair stylist to create and uphold the look for the entirety of the wedding day. Traynor identified two specific styles that she has seen rise to popularity with her clients in recent years. 

Pamela Paquette opted for a free-flowing style that left most of her hair down in 2022 when she got married. And a soon-to-be-bride, Nikola Francis decided on using both the looks by wearing her hair down and up.

For the ceremony, which takes place in June of 2026, she will wear it in a half-up, half-down style with soft waves and pieces pulled out in the front for a whimsical look. And for the after-dinner party, she has chosen to wear it in an updo, though she said even the half-up, half-down style makes it feel like it is an updo. She shared, “It is like having an updo feel without the updo.”

These two styles that Traynor’s clients are choosing incorporate comfort and a more “natural” look with the soft waves trend making its appearance.

The dress, venue and season make a difference  

The important decision of how a bride will style her hair for her wedding day takes preparation — knowing the venue, weather and style of the wedding dress. “If a client has a dress with a neckline, they might want a style that is up,” explained Traynor. One option she is seeing with a dress like this is to wear a low bun, but with elements that still give it a free-flowing “boho” kind of vibe.  

The location matters, too. Traynor added, “Girls that have a wedding at Mount Hope Farm seem to opt for a very rustic, textured low bun — a beachy waves kind of vibe.” She went on to discuss other locations, such as Blithwold, where brides opt for a more glamorous, structured look.  

Either way, Traynor’s advice is always the same for the girls she has as clients planning their wedding day: “Be true to yourself,” she tells her clients. She said it is important that they feel like themselves and that the look they choose should be similar to what they look like daily — just a more elevated version of it.  

Traynor has each client attend a trial session to explore the different options and talk about all the above. She believes these are essential to ensure clients feel comfortable and confident in their choices, with plenty of time set aside to explore new ideas. She went on to say, “After the experience of a my own wedding in 2023, it’s clear to me how overwhelming the planning process can be, and providing a stress-free experience is a priority.”  

One of her clients, Pamela Paquette who got married in recent years at Holy Trinity church in Tiverton had initially chosen a half-up, half-down look. The trial session proved that this was not the right look for her. She commented, “Both Janelle and I looked at each other, shaking our heads, ‘No!’ ” They went back to the drawing board and chose a more natural, romantic look with long wavy curls — that would be more casual and comfortable.  

Paquette remarked, “I have never felt more beautiful in my life than I did on my wedding day,” citing Traynor’s efforts as the reason. Traynor did both her hair and makeup.  

 The future is hair up-dos  

With 14 weddings already scheduled for 2025, two more for 2026, and additional inquiries coming in, there will be plenty of travel throughout New England for Traynor — to venues like Blithewold, Mount Hope Farm, DeWolf Tavern, Newport, the Cape and Boston. It promises to be an exciting and busy year ahead for Traynor and what’s on the future agenda seems to be up-dos, like French twists and sleek ponytails. Stay tuned…