I’m Randy. I run my own salon in South Florida, and after years of doing bridal hair, here’s the one thing I know for certain: a photo you save on Pinterest and the actual hairstyle sitting on your head are two very different things. What looks flawless on someone else’s hair, in someone else’s lighting, doesn’t always translate the way brides expect.
Every bride gets my full attention from start to finish. That’s probably why I have picked up 5 international colour & styling awards along the way. Though truthfully, the compliment I remember most is not from a judge. It’s from a bride, three glasses of champagne in at her reception, telling me her hair still looked exactly as she pictured it.
Anyway, let’s talk about trends. Here’s what I’m actually seeing brides ask for in 2026, and then I’ll get into why a trial run matters more than people think.
1. Soft & Undone Waves
This one’s not going anywhere, and I say that as someone who books it more than almost anything else. What’s changed is the finish. A few years ago brides wanted tight, uniform curls. Now they want waves that look like they just… happened. Which sounds simple, but getting hair to look effortless is honestly some of the hardest work I do.
I like this style a lot for weddings here in Fort Lauderdale specifically. It handles our humidity well, it works whether or not you’re wearing a veil, and it photographs great on the beach or in a ballroom.
2. Sleek Low Buns
If I had to name the style that jumped the most this year, it’s this one. A polished, almost glass-like bun set low, usually with a clean middle part. Modern, a little editorial, and very “I know exactly what I want,” which, honestly, describes a lot of the brides asking for it.
I’ll be honest, it’s unforgiving. There’s nowhere for a flyaway or an uneven section to hide. That’s part of why I push brides toward a trial before committing to one — they want to see it fully done, not just imagine it.
3. Textured Half-Up Styles
I’ve done half-up styles for years, but I’m not building them the way I used to. Instead of flat, smooth sections, I’m working in more volume, some soft braiding, and a bit of movement. It sits right in the middle for brides who don’t want a full updo but also don’t want their hair hanging loose for ten straight hours.
There’s a practical side too. It keeps hair off your face during the ceremony, which matters more than people think when you’re standing outside in July.
4. Vintage-Inspired Waves
Old Hollywood glamour came back, and I’m glad it did. Finger waves, a deep side part, soft pin curls — brides asking for this want something that won’t look dated in ten years, not something pulled straight off this month’s trending page.
This is one of my favourites to actually create, if I’m being honest. It’s a technique a lot of newer stylists were never really trained in properly. I usually pair it with a statement veil or pearl hairpiece, and it just feels romantic in a way that’s hard to fake with anything trendier.
5. Braided Updos with Modern Details
Braids never really disappeared; they just got an upgrade. I’m tucking in delicate hair jewellery and fresh flowers, sometimes swapping the traditional high bun for a low-braided knot instead. It’s intricate-looking without being fussy to actually wear, and it holds up through an entire reception – dancing included.
Out of every style on this list, this is the one that gets the most “Wait, how did you DO that?” from guests.
Why a hair trial matters more than people realise
Here’s what I tell every bride at her first consultation: a photo shows you a hairstyle. A trial shows you your hairstyle – on your hair, your face shape, and in the actual lighting of wherever you’re getting ready.
During a trial, this is what I’m actually figuring out with you, not for you:
Does it even work with your hair type? I can usually tell within the first few minutes of touching it.
Will it survive the day? The Florida heat is no joke. I want it looking as good at 10pm as it did that morning, not wilting halfway through dinner.
How does it sit with your veil or headpiece? Almost every time, something needs a small adjustment once accessories come into the picture.
Is it actually comfortable? A style that looks incredible but feels like a vice grip isn’t one I’ll send you down the aisle in.
Does it match your dress? Hair and dress should feel like one decision, not two separate ones made months apart.
You don’t need to know the answers to any of this walking in. That’s what the trial is for.
Why Book Your Trial With Me, Specifically, in Fort Lauderdale
I’ve built my whole career in South Florida, so I know what our weddings actually deal with – beachfront humidity, ceremonies under direct afternoon sun, and venues where your hair needs to survive dancing until midnight. That’s not something you pick up overnight, and it shapes every recommendation I make in the chair.
When you book a trial with me at Randy Schull Salon, you’re not getting a quick run-through. Here’s what you actually get:
- Real testing, under real Fort Lauderdale conditions, not a guess
- One-on-one time with the same person doing your hair on the wedding day — me, not a stand-in
- Honest feedback about what will hold up and what won’t, even if it’s not what you wanted to hear
- Enough runway to make changes weeks out, instead of panicking at 7am on your wedding morning
I’ve sat through enough wedding mornings to know that calm brides have better days. A trial is a big part of how we get you there.
Ready for a Change? Let’s Do It!
2026’s bridal hair is shaping up nicely — soft waves, sleek buns, a little vintage glamour, braids with modern details worked in. Whichever direction pulls you, the real trick to loving your photos later is testing the look now, not discovering it doesn’t work on your actual wedding morning.
If you’re getting married anywhere in South Florida, I’d genuinely love to sit down with you for a trial. Reach out to me at Randy Schull Salon in Fort Lauderdale – let’s figure out your look together, well before the big day arrives.
