While the summer is the ideal season for weddings, it does make for some obstacles for keeping your nuptial hairstyle on point. That’s why we’ve put together this short list of style tips and product recommendations to keep your wedding photos looking whimsical rather than windblown.

1. Keep it Short. 

The two main elements you're up against when saying “I do” at many summer locales, are wind and sun. What’s the easiest way to deal with them? Keep your hair short. 

Now, keeping it short doesn’t mean you have to be boring! Add some interest by fading the sides. A classic fade like the one pictured is timeless. Imagine your grandfather’s most handsome military photo. 

Keep the top short and define a sharp parting. Style your do with a light hold matte pomade like the one from Malin and Goetz and don’t forget to protect your newly exposed scalp with sunscreen! 

When dealing with the short hair below your parting you might find it won't lie down. Try this tip: hold down the long side of your parting by laying brush or your hand parallel to the parting. Then take a hair dryer and with the air blowing down, heat up those shorter hairs as hot as you can stand. Next, immediately hold down the hair that you just heated up flat against your head with your hand in the direction you want them to lay until they cool down. 

Repeat those steps until those little suckers lay down and finish with a humidity resistant hairspray like Redken Triple Take 32. Make sure the hairspray is humidity resistant because as soon as that hair gets wet, the heat styling will wear off.

2. Slick it Back. 

Beachy, windblown hair is perfect for an Instagram pic in your favorite bathing suit, but not for having your photo taken in a tux. If your hair has any length to it, you're going to want some high-hold, humidity-resistant products to keep your style slick and aerodynamic.  

We recommend Reuzal Grease Medium or High Hold Pomade and Redken Triple Take 32 Hairspray.  Style with the pomade and a comb. Finish with the hairspray and hit it lightly with a hairdryer for a few seconds and your style won't budge.

3. Half Up/Half Down. 

If your hair is long enough to tie back, you may want to let it blow in the wind but you don't want it blocking your eyes while you're trying to pledge your love. Bumble and Bumble has a great Surf Spray (sea salt spray)/Grooming Cream combo. 

Work the Surf Spray though damp hair starting at the root, scrunch the ends and let dry about 75% (touch the hair as little as possible while its drying to prevent excess frizziness). Take about a dime-size of grooming cream and emulsify it (water it down) in your hands until it is nice and thin. Very lightly work that though the top half of your hair while you're pulling it back to give it a little bit more finish and definition. Then take one piece from each side and rather than using a hair tie, tie a simple square knot to secure it. Finish with a little hairspray and you're done!  The perfect compromise between tame and tousled. 

4. Beachy Bro-layage.

Nothing says summer quite like some beachy blonde highlights.  If you want to brighten up your face and make it look like you've been out in the sun, ask your stylist to paint on some blonde highlights like the ones pictured.  These were achieved with a few back-to-back foils at the hairline followed by some freehand balayage. Be sure to ask for super fine weaves so you don't end up with zebra stripes, and get it done a few weeks in advance for a more grown out, natural look.

No matter your summer look, you only get married once so… treat yourself and hire a stylist to make your avoid tress stress. You already have enough to worry about on your wedding day, hiring a professional to style your hair will relieve some of the pressure and allow you a moment of pampering amongst the mayhem.

After only 10 short months, Justin Harding Hair has become the premier destination for precision cutting, men's grooming and hair color in LA. With a strong clientele and a rapidly growing wait list, the salon is thriving inside the West Hollywood Salon Republic at 8000 Sunset.  An intimate atmosphere, reasonable pricing and professional expertise are what keep clients coming back.

Stay in touch with them by visiting their website or following Justin @justinhardinghair and Adam @adamzelasko on Instagram. 

More From the July - Celebration Edition of MEN'S VOWS

BOWTIE IT UP

HONEYMOON FOR GOOD

IN THE NEWS: CELEBRATING ONE YEAR OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY

A YEAR OF WEDDING WISDOM: ADVICE FROM MEN WHO'VE MARRIED

I (HAIR) DO: SUMMER HAIRSTYLING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM JUSTIN HARDING HAIR

4 RESOURCES FOR DESIGNING A FANTASTIC (AND AFFORDABLE) INVITATION