I’ve been getting braids my entire life. I got my first set of box braids when I was two years old, and it’s the look I feel most myself in today. But when it came to planning a beauty look for my wedding day, I didn’t even consider them.
I could argue that, since I wear braids all the time, I wanted something different for the momentous occasion. But the truth is that I, like many Black women, had the preconceived notion that braids (and other protective styles like locs and twists) aren’t fit for special occasions. “As a community, we view these styles as more casual,” says Ariana Greene, a New York City-based hairstylist, adding that many people book protective styles for vacations, to accommodate gym routines, or to ultimately promote hair growth.
Many attribute the stigma that these styles aren’t formal enough for elevated occasions to Eurocentric beauty standards. “It has nothing to do with elegance,” says Kay Jones, owner of the bridal glam company Beyond the Knot Co. “These protective styles are rich with history—often worn by African royalty for momentous ceremonies—but were historically deemed ‘unprofessional’ or ‘unpolished’ to reinforce racial bias.” This outdated perspective completely ignores the sophistication and versatility of these styles.
Thankfully, the narrative is changing. In recent years, stars like Tyla, Lupita Nyong’o, and Zendaya have worn braids on red carpets. Luxury brands like Dior and Kenzo have sent models down the runway wearing intricate cornrows. Seeing these styles in these spaces signals to the masses that braids are much more than just a tool to make life easier.
Braided bridal hairstyles are still fairly new territory for many and can be tricky for brides to navigate. The struggle is not due to a lack of options, though: Boho braids wrapped into an elegant bun; cornrows neatly plaited into a bow; and small, knotless braids with wavy ends are just a few ways to wear braids down the aisle.
Any details you might be apprehensive about can be managed by chatting with your stylist, who will likely tell you that having a trial period after your braids are installed (ideally, a week before your big day) can be beneficial. If the braider you work with will also style your braids on your wedding day, you can use the install appointment as a test run and have your braider fashion different looks to get a feel for what you want.
