From picking the right hairstyle to figuring out when to touch-up your roots, I asked one of my Lefkas Weddings hair stylists, Effie Katsabiri, for the best bridal prep advice to give your hair some extra love in the months leading up to your Greek island wedding.
Here are Effie’s 5 Top Tips for gorgeous destination wedding hair:
1. It’s all in the Prep
Around 3 months before, start with hair masks to get your hair in great condition for your big day. “From experience, I can say that hairstyles hold longer in hot and humid weather when hair is healthier. A hair mask will deeply hydrate your hair, making it look healthy and feel silky”
2. Highlights and Colour
Finalise your hair colour goals at least 6-weeks prior to your departure. “This allows time for things to settle in and makes sure this is the hair colour you truly want for your wedding day. It will also give you time to try on your dress or suit with that hair colour to make sure it’s right.”
3. Cut and Trim
If you have been growing your hair or need a trim, book this is for around one month before the wedding. “This gives your haircut a chance to settle down and enough room to grow a tiny bit if you aren’t totally happy with the cut… and don’t do any drastic changes!
4. Curl Control
“I would recommend that brides or grooms with curly and textured hair should prep their hair with leave-in conditioners, and products that aid against frizz and humidity.”
4. On The Beach
When you arrive in Greece for your wedding you’ll be enjoying lazy beach days and fun in the pool which means washing all the sand and seawater out of your hair. For this reason, it’s tempting to shampoo daily on holiday however Effie recommends “Try to simply rinse chlorine or salt water out of your hair with water and try not to shampoo more than 3 times a week because washing your hair every day, if it is not used to it, will strip your hair of its natural oils and leave it feeling dry, brittle and damaged.”
What About Choosing The Perfect Wedding Hairstyle?
Effie advises “First you want to think about the neckline of the dress to make sure your hairstyle compliments it. I like to know what time of day and where the wedding will be; maybe you are travelling on a boat, you will be in the sun or the shade? These details can be important because I want you to have a style that will last all day.
For the trial, if you are wearing one, you should bring your veil or headpiece so we can try it in the hair. And the last thing I find very helpful is to have some inspiration pictures to show me what is in your mind. I work with Claire’s brides from many countries and languages so a picture can say many words!”
As a destination wedding planner, I almost always suggest a trial for hair and makeup so there aren’t any surprises and miscommunications the day. This is your opportunity to express exactly what you want and receive their expert opinion, so you can relax and focus on other things the morning of your wedding.
… and Effie’s top wedding day tip?
Put a few hairpins, mini hairspray and mini brush in your bride or bridesmaid bag for touch-ups!
BIO: Effie has been a freelance hairstylist for over ten years and styles both local and destination brides. She speaks both Greek and English and has been part of my Lefkas Weddings team for over four years styling my beautiful brides and bridesmaids on Lefkas and Meganisi.
IG: @effiekatsabiri
For more wedding inspiration from destination weddings in Lefkada and Meganisi browse my Galleries pages.
