• Choose a wedding hairstyle that complements your personal style.young black bride image by Maria Bell from Fotolia.com
  
  Your wedding day is the day when you should look your best and capture everyone's attention. The African American bride has many beautiful hairstyles to choose from that complement her bridal attire. Choose a signature hairstyle that matches your personality. Do you prefer the short, flirty crop or romantic, flowing tresses? Once you select a hairstyle, consider a bridal headpiece to adorn the hair and complete your stunning image.
  
  

Straight Updo

• A straight updo is a very elegant style for the African American bride and looks perfect with a jeweled tiara, veil or simply unadorned. Achieve this hairstyle the morning of the wedding to present a fresh, flawless look. Relax or flat iron African American hair to get straighter tresses. For a fuller effect, add hair extensions to sections of hair. Comb hair upward onto the head, section it and curl or shape it into a design. Allow some hair to form into a bang to frame the face for a graceful appearance.
  
  

Ringlets

• Ringlets are a very feminine hairstyle and look great framing any shape face. Begin the ringlets style with wet hair. Lightly spray the hair with setting lotion to hold the style in place. Once dry, remove the rods and use your fingers to shape the ringlets. You can also use a curling iron to create ringlets with dry hair. Wrap the hair in a spiral down the curling iron barrel, then carefully remove the iron to achieve the curls. The beauty of African American hair is that it will hold this style until you are ready to change it.
  
  

Straight and Sleek

• A simple, yet classic style to achieve is to wear hair loose and let it drape your shoulders. This look is beautiful and requires perfectly trimmed hair. Condition and moisturize hair thoroughly, since African American hair is normally dry. This method will add a healthy sheen. To add an eye-catching touch to the hair, add a few highlights a week before the ceremony. This allows the hair to shimmer when you walk down the aisle. All eyes will be on you.
  
  

Short Crop

• A short crop is a very manageable style, favored by many African American women. Perm hair, if desired, and cut it into this precision style. Moisturize the hair and use a flat iron on sections to completely straighten it. This hairstyle can be worn with a side part and small curls or slicked back into large finger waves. Place jeweled bobby pins or a flower strategically on the side, to give this look a sassy, yet romantic appeal as the bride meets her groom at the altar.
  
  

Braided Updo

• The braided updo allows the African American bride to wear her natural hair beautifully beneath her veil. The braids add texture to the hair and are versatile. Add hair extensions to each braid strand to give the style thickness. The braids are convenient and do not need to be brushed or combed. This hairstyle lasts for approximately four to six weeks.