I always feel a bit like I've cheated myself when I attend a wedding with 'normal' hair. It's one of the only occasions that actually - really loudly - sings out for a little playfulness and romance. Yes, hair can be playful. And romantic. I'm not kidding. Sienna Miller is reliable living proof of this. As are the Olsen twins. 

The holy union of man and wife is as old as traditions get and it gives us all the chance to scrub up well, weave our hair into all manner of twists and braids and then flirt outrageously over 29 coupes of champagne. 

But there are pitfalls. And plenty of them. Anything that looks like you've spent more than fifteen minutes assembling immediately looks stiff and dated. Which can make you look stiff and dated or worse, like a bridesmaid. Ditto any style that has clearly emptied an entire can of Elnett. The one unifying attribute of good wedding-guest hair is the obligatory notion of effortlessness, of having not really bothered. So after you've got your chosen style perfect, de-perfect by pulling some random strands loose or shaking it around a bit (also a good pre-dancing security measure).

Remember, the only undeniable rule of good hair, is nonchalance. You might even want to deploy the phrase, 'oh, I just shoved a few pins in it,' when the wave of compliments comes rolling in. 

Click the gallery for a collection of beautiful red carpet up-do's that equally belong in a big white marquee.