How to style your dreads on your wedding day
Can you steer me in the direction of wedding hair for chicks with dreads? My mom is fucking tripping (which is so completely weak considering that I'm 32 and paying for the shindig) so I thought I'd get her to chillax with some dready wedding goddess hair pix. Thanks so much... I must say Mama~ Andreas SCORED! (Will you thank him for sharing you with us?!) — Reba
Aww, *blush*. Thanks, Reba! I'll remind Andreas of that next time he's irked at me for leaving a trail of girlwind detritus behind me all over the house.
Ok, now to answer your question about wedding dreads! Hoo-boy. This is a beloved topic of mine, since back in the day (creak creak creak) I used to have some wild dreads myself. There's so much great inspiration for you out there!
Let's start with what not to do. I was a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding back in 2000, and we went to a traditional hair salon to get our make-up and up-dos. Here's how I ended up. The look was sorta psychedelic Marge Simpson, and while it was relatively tidy, I'm not sure I'd recommend the look to anyone else. (And don't even get me started on the heavy make-up. Dre could hardly look at me all day!)
Anyway, for lots of inspiration for how you could style your dreads, keep on reading...
First, some more conservative ideas to make your mom happy:
Obviously, hair wraps are an easy way to keep your dreads back and your face tidy:

Here's a page with lots of wrapping styles — this would be extra awesome with fabric from your dress!
Then of course you could always cover them with a hat:

But personally, I'd say play with 'em and have fun with it! There's so much to be done with feathers and flowers and ribbons and synthetic dread extensions. Granted, none of these wild styles are going to reassure your mother, but most could be toned down with natural colors:
What if you twist and tuck them all away? For more tips to achieve this look head over to Knotty Boy.

How about a simple twisted side pony, like dreadmama's?

I like the idea of ornate lovely things hanging from your dreads, stuff like this:
Clip in fake butterflies or hell, birds!

If you want to go really fun, it would be awesome to incorporate synthetic dread falls like this:

For a fall wedding, add in some falls colors, maybe a few flowers or leaves.

Then there are bantu knots. Love 'em!

(Photo courtesy of dreadmama.net)
Twist your dreads into a halo around your face:

Granted, this one is a nod to Corpse Bride, but I love the flower wreath and veil:

I also checked in with the fabulous Siouxzi — you may remember her for her Steampunk wedding, but she also does synthetic dreads! She had all sorts of great advice...
Possibilities are braids, buns, tying them up, messy updo's are pretty easy to get away with. Just because you have dreads doesn't eliminate the use of hair pins, flowers, even veils. A great site, not mine sadly, for beautiful ideas is plastikhaar.ch or check out community.livejournal.com/fakehair/. Sadly the lj community is pretty miss for hits these days, but check back in the archives, you might find some great ideas.
If your current dreads don't really go with your wedding, sew a cover for them. A cover is long and tubular and say about a foot long or so. Maybe make it out of material that matches your gown or instead of a regular veil, concoct a way to wrap your hair in veil leaving only the hair at your roots and the very end visible.
Just be sure to practice before the big day. And remember not to fight what your hair wants to do, work with your dreads not against them.
Coming in Part II: Siouxzi gives her advice for brides thinking of doing dreadlock extensions
![]()
About Ariel Meadow Stallings
Author of Offbeat Bride: Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides, Ariel acts as the publisher of all the Offbeat Empire websites. She lives, loves, and dorks out hard in Seattle, WA.









Hazard said
Beautiful pics.
LOL @ "psychedelic Marge Simpson." There was an episode where there was "acid rain" in the water supply. Marge drank some and said, "Ooh, the curtains are melting again…"
caribquuen said
I am a black woman with locs and unfortunately my hair does not look like many of the options posted. I have found some loc'ed styles for my hair texture that are absolutely beautiful but I am definitely seeking more. I am not sure the hair texture of the person who sent in the question but there are many beautiful options particularly if you want to wear your hair up.
Ariel said
Caribqueen, Reba has fine light brown hair, so I tended towards models with similar hair … I would LOVE to see the styles that you've found! Care to share some links?
nena said
this almost makes me wish I was getting my dreads done before the wedding instead of right after. But seriously, my mom would lose her shit. So Im not going to be a brat about it… but Daym. Those are all sexy dreads
Reba said
Ariel~ Thanks so much! I can't tell you how much I apreciate your answering my question, and with pictures taboot! I love the whimsical nature of the colorful dread extensions, as well as the myriad of photo examples!!!! Thank You Thank You Thank You!
Sarah said
These are awesome! I even like your trippy Marge Simpson updo. XD
Lily said
I also love the way they did Tilda Swinton hair in the "The Chronicles of Narnia" movie in keeping with a half up/half down natural look.
http://images.salon.com/ent/mo…/story.jpg
There is also her full up do:
http://us.movies1.yimg.com/mov…arnia1.jpg
The crown is over the top, but I love that she looks amazing regal, and the dreads are just a totally natural part of her look.
Alie K said
Yummy! I am renewed in my desire for *blue* heidi braid dreads.
Felicity said
Funny thing. I used to have dreads, but now I don't. And I'm considering putting dreads back in my hair for my wedding… and thereafter. I miss them!! Thanks for the GREAT ideas. Now maybe my mom will chill too….
Samantha said
I love the Halo style with the blue dreads, looks really pretty!
Jennifer said
ooh, I'm really digging Lily's suggestion of the Tilda Swinton copy. That's how I always imagined dreads would look in my hair, but my mum scared me off when I was 15 saying I'd have to shave my head when I didn't want them anymore! Funny how that stuck with me! Make sure you send in pictures of your hair trials Reba!
Another JG said
OMG! It's Reba from AK! Get it girl. xoxo Another JamGirl
Reba said
Who's that JG!?! Identify yourself girl! Drp me a note
ONE LOVE PHOTO said
I think the bantu knots Rock! I also think you look pretty cute as a bridesmaid Ariel! This post makes me want to get some dreads going on!
Alan said
I love this entry! My partner and I both have dreadlocks, so it's great to see more ideas…
Bossladie said
I would like to say thank you. I was actually looking for a style for a dinner I have to attend. Thanks to this site I also found styles that I can use for my wedding next year. I was really worried bout styling my hair for my wedding. This will give my mother-in-law and myself something to talk about. THANKS AGAIN.
Ashley said
ihave dreads so thank you for helping me
empressennie said
Hey. A friend forwarded me your site & I find it way interesting & helpful. I too love the Tilda locks, all up, but have trouble managing my 3feet+ locks. They're almost down to my knees & the styling is generally a pony tail or bun. How should I spunk it up for my fall wedding? xoxox
Jennifer said
my lil sis (one of my 'maids) just got dreads… i think shes more freaked out about being in the wedding with them than i am. i'm jealous! with i could dread – but not sure how that would go over at the office (i'm a tax accountant). anywho – lots of ideas here for dreaded brides, but anyone have ideas for my 'maid?
X said
http://offbeatbride.com/2008/1…#more-1347
Caribqueen,
I found this link here on Offbeat Bride in the Wedding Porn section. Simply gorgeous.
yalice bowe said
i need some help with my hair please help me i have locs but i dont no what to do with it right now
Fabiland said
Hi how are you? I got married the last month, and I was worn little flowers in my dreadlocks, maybe this idea could help you, you can see the pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fabiland/3810021317/…
blessings
dread head baby said
i wish i could style my dreads but i cant cuz they to long n thick. i cant even do a ponytail without havin to get another rubber band cuz they kept poppin.
Julie B said
i have dreads and just got married
what i did was a few braids to keep my hair to one side then i pinned it and stuffed some babies breath in those bitches and BOOM
i had some classy knots
heres some photos
http://totally420chronfused.tu…ly-to-fill