10 New Ways to Wear Flowers and Braids in Your Hair For 2017 Weddings

POPSUGAR Photography | Benjamin Stone
POPSUGAR Photography | Benjamin Stone
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I am a bride to be, and I don't use Pinterest. There, I said it. While I love Pinterest, I find the amount of wedding photos to be intimidating. And honestly, I'd rather wear something original than a look that has been pinned 1,000 times.

So, to get some fresh inspiration for myself and you other engaged ladies out there, I tapped two of the most create hair geniuses in the beauty biz — celebrity stylist and Beachwaver brand owner Sarah Potempa and Crowns by Christy founder Christy Doramus. The former is known for her outstanding braiding and beach-wave making skills, while the latter is responsible for many of the flower crowns you see go viral on Instagram.

Together, they made over three models — Olivia Anton, Kate Sands of I Am Honestly Kate, and Francis Klein — to look like whimsical, edgy, and romantic brides. The looks incorporated everything from pearl accents to deconstructed flower crowns and messy-chic fishtail plaits.

Keep reading to discover 10 fresh ways to wear flowers in your hair and unique hairstyles that perfectly complement them. Christy and Sarah also offered tips and pointers throughout, so you know exactly what to ask for when talking to your florist and hairstylist. Or, you can even DIY these looks yourself!

Makeup by Tedrick Lamar and Sophia Jose of Butterfly Studio Salon.

The Flower Piece: Half Moon Flower Crown With Pearl Headband
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Flower Piece: Half Moon Flower Crown With Pearl Headband

"This headpiece is great for brides who want to wear a flower crown on their wedding day, but don't necessarily want flowers dominating their photos," Christy said. "The pearl headband creates a classic look in the front, while the pretty green and white flowers provide a surprise element in the back. This look can be paired with an amazing braid (as shown), but can also be worn over a clip-in veil."

The Hairstyle: A Pancaked Fishtail Braid With Loose Beach Wabes
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Hairstyle: A Pancaked Fishtail Braid With Loose Beach Wabes

"To make a fishtail, you start by separating the hair into two and then taking a small piece from the left, going over, and adding it to the right," Sarah explained. "Then take a small piece from the right, go over, and add it to the left. Repeat this as you add hair from the root. To pancake the braid, you gently tug on the edges to loosen it."

Dress: Fame and Parners Vienna Dress ($249)

Why It Works
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Why It Works

"Having an accent flower hair piece in the back of the head draws attention to the braid, and the soft waves in front complement the delicate pearls to make the whole look cohesive," Sarah said.

The Flower Piece: Delicate Flower Crown
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Flower Piece: Delicate Flower Crown

"This boho crown is a sweet accessory for a bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, or casual ceremony," said Christy. "Made of fresh baby's breath and seeded eucalyptus, this delicate headpiece will last a couple of days before drying out so it can also be a great option for a destination wedding."

The Hairstyle: Double Fishtail Braid and Textured Beach Waves
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Hairstyle: Double Fishtail Braid and Textured Beach Waves

"Curl your hair with the Beachwaver S1," Sarah advised. "In order to get this soft texture, allow the curls to cool before adding a texture spray or breaking them up with your fingers!"

Why It Works
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Why It Works

"Wrapping the two little fishtail braids around the flower crown adds gorgeous detail without being overpowering," Sarah noted. "It makes the whole look feel very ethereal and boho!"

Dress: Frida Dress ($800)

The Flower Piece: Large Fresh Floral Comb
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Flower Piece: Large Fresh Floral Comb

"The cluster of romantic pink and white spray roses in this fresh flower comb creates a chic and sophisticated bridal look that can go from ceremony to reception," Christy said. "The comb is easy to insert into curly or teased hair, allowing a bride to wear flowers in her hair without too much fuss."

The Hairstyle: Textured Chignon Bun
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Hairstyle: Textured Chignon Bun

"If you have naturally curly hair, work with your natural volume," said Sara. "Pick the right size curling iron for the type of waves you want. The Beachwaver S.75 was perfect to prep this look and enhance her natural texture!"

Why It Works
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Why It Works

"This comb highlights the beautiful shape of the chignon because it's giving definition to the place where you would typically gather and pin the hair," Sarah said. "It's such an elegant, sophisticated look!"

Dress: Reagan Gown ($975)

The Flower Piece: Small Fresh Floral Comb
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Flower Piece: Small Fresh Floral Comb

"The deep purple and red ranunculus in this piece are excellent flower options for a Fall or Winter wedding," Christy noted. "I love this look for bridesmaids as the comb can be customized using flowers in your wedding palette while being an easy accessory for your bridal party to wear, no matter their hairstyle."

Dress: Sequined Alana Dress in Rose Gold ($290)

The Hairstyle: Side-Swept Waves With an Accent Braid
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Hairstyle: Side-Swept Waves With an Accent Braid

"Doing a drastic side part will automatically give you more volume; but to really lift the hair, add a little bit of flexible mousse at the root, and then blow dry it," Sarah explained. "When you curl with the Beachwaver, make sure to have the waves go away from the face to really open up the face and highlight your beautiful features!"

Why It Works
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Why It Works

"It's the perfect placement for a braid because it holds the hair down to highlight the hairpiece and balances out the big, loose waves on the other side," Sarah said.

The Flower Piece: Freestyle Fresh Flower Hair Accents
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Flower Piece: Freestyle Fresh Flower Hair Accents

"This look proves that wearing flowers in your hair is easy and fun, no matter what the occasion," Christy said. "To finish off this gorgeous updo, we pinned single fresh flower stems sporadically into the hair to create a custom look. Spray roses and small daisies or mums are great options for small hair accents like these."

Outfit: Fame and Partners Estelle Two Piece, similar style ($349)

The Hairstyle: Braided Topknot
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Hairstyle: Braided Topknot

"Use the Wrap Up to add volume and create a perfect bun," Sarah explained. "You just open it, pull the braid through, pinch it closed, roll it up, and shape it into a bun. Pancake to make the braid bigger before you roll, to give it more volume and texture."

Why It Works
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Why It Works

"The flowers highlight the shape of the bun," Sarah said. "It's such a fun, playful hairstyle to wear on your big day!"

The Flower Piece: Wax Flower Hair Accents
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Flower Piece: Wax Flower Hair Accents

I love this carefree hairstyle as it evokes the mood of rolling through a field of wildflowers," Christy said. "To accent the braid, we inserted fresh wax flowers in white and light purple randomly into the hair to create a whimsical look."

The Hairstyle: A Twist Into a Three-Strand Braid
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Hairstyle: A Twist Into a Three-Strand Braid

"Before you braid, prep the hair with the Beachwaver S.75 and fluff it with a texture spray to make the braid extra voluminous," Sarah noted.

Why It Works
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Why It Works

"This combination is very whimsical!" Sarah enthused. "You can be creative with the placement of the flowers and even mix and match different flowers throughout the braid to give it a free-spirited feel."

Dress: Jenny Dress ($340)

The Flower Piece: Baby's Breath Hair Pins
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Flower Piece: Baby's Breath Hair Pins

"As an alternative to a flower crown, Olivia is wearing a crown braid, accented with fresh baby's breath hair pins that have been randomly inserted into the finished undo," Christy explained. "These fresh baby's breath hair pins are an easy and affordable way to accent any bridal hairstyle to create an ethereal look."

Top: Havana Corset ($450)

The Hairstyle: Crown Braid
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Hairstyle: Crown Braid

According to Sarah, "Try wearing this look on a night out before your actual wedding to test it out! You never want to try a hairstyle for the first time on your wedding day, and wearing all of your hair up can be a big decision!"

The Flower Piece: Fresh Flower Headband
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Flower Piece: Fresh Flower Headband

"This flower headband is slightly asymmetrical and includes fresh eucalyptus with a cluster of small white blooms such as ranunculus," said Christy. "This pretty take on the traditional flower crown is easy to wear and allows you to style hair in the back without covering it up with a halo-style crown."

Dress: Fame & Partners Lenah Dress ($329)

The Hairstyle: Half-Up Twist With Waves
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Hairstyle: Half-Up Twist With Waves

"Use the Half Up for an added bump of volume," Sarah said. "Create a small ponytail at the crown of the head then open the Half Up, pull the ponytail through, pinch it closed, roll it up, and bend it halfway into a C shape. Gently tease the rest of the hair and brush it over the shape, then add a twist and pin it into place."

Why It Works:
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Why It Works:

"Since this is a larger piece, you need a soft style to complement it," Sarah explained. "The Half Up pulls the hair back so it doesn't take away from the flower crown in the front but creates an unexpected style in the back!"

The Flower Piece: Fresh Flower Headband
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Flower Piece: Fresh Flower Headband

"The deep, bold colors in this crown make it an excellent accessory for a Fall or Winter wedding while the greenery adds a grecian effect," Christy said. "Red spray roses and deep purple ranunculus are placed asymmetrically on this traditional halo-style flower crown which looks amazing paired with an updo (or folded into the hair as Sarah shows here!)."

The Hairstyle: The Wrap and Roll
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Hairstyle: The Wrap and Roll

"All you have to do is Beachwave the hair, wrap around the crown, and roll it into the headband!" Sarah said. "Curl with the Beachwaver S1.25 to get big, loose waves and leave some of the strands out around the face for this tousled look."

Why It Works:
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Why It Works:

"It really makes the crown pop in the front but adds some excitement to the back," Sarah explained. "This hair and crown combination looks gorgeous from all angles, and is sure to look perfect in every photograph! You won't have to worry about your hair falling flat throughout the night."

Dress: Fame and Parners Matteah Dress ($329)

The Flower Piece: Pearl Hair Pins With Wax Flower Accents
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Flower Piece: Pearl Hair Pins With Wax Flower Accents

Christy said, "This edgy braid is accented with individual pearls and wax flower pieces that are inserted randomly into the hair with florist wire and bobby pins, adding both flowers and jewelry to the hairstyle. To create the pearl 'pins,' just feed florist wire through the hole of the pearl and twist the ends together before inserting each piece into a tight braid."

The Hairstyle: Textured Ponytail With Accent Braid
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The Hairstyle: Textured Ponytail With Accent Braid

"To make the perfect high ponytail, follow the angle of your jawline up to determine where to place the ponytail on your head," Sarah noted.

Dress: Fame and Partners Palais Dress ($319)

Why It Works:
POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Why It Works:

"The placement of the flowers and pearls accents this cool braid and calls attention to the unique texture of the ponytail," Sarah said. "This is a great look if you're usually girlie, but want to incorporate a little edge on your special day!"