BRIDES may be lucky enough to have a hairstylist who they trust completely, who knows their hair better than anyone else and can create their dream hairdo on their wedding day.

If they don't, they will simply need to do some research by asking other brides whose hairstyles they have admired or checking with their bridal salon.

Once the bride has gathered a list of options, it's time to set up consultations which is the only way to determine if a stylist is right for them. Skip this step and the wedding look may be more hair-raising than head-turning.

When meeting with a stylist for the first time, keep in mind that since he or she doesn't know personal tastes, the bride will need to show as well as tell.

The best way is to gather photographs from magazines that feature hairstyles they like. They can even take pictures of themselves that show the way they want their locks to look, or photographs from a friend's wedding - anything that will give the hairdresser a hint over the kind of style the bride is seeking.

Wear white to the consultation - even a white T-shirt - so that the hair colour will be showcased atop the right hue. Brides should also choose a shirt with a neckline similar to their gown because different hairstyles lend themselves to particular necklines.

Once your headpiece is in place, it will make the hairstyle look different, so it's important to bring it along for the consultations. If it hasn't arrived yet, ask the bridal salon to loan you a sample or bring along a photograph so at least the stylist knows what to expect.

Brides can't wear their gown to their hair trial, so they should do the next best thing and choose a white or light-coloured shirt with a similar neckline.

Brides will also want to take a camera along. Ask the stylist to photograph each finished look from four different angles - front, back, and both sides. That way, brides will be able to see how they look from all views, and will get an idea of how the stylist's work translates to photographs.

If there's one particular style the bride likes, ask the stylist to write down exactly which products and techniques were used. Since a wedding consultation can take place months before the actual wedding, it's important to keep notes and take pictures so both bride and stylist remember what worked.

Before hiring a stylist, a few decisions have to be made. Does the bride want her to come to her on the wedding day or would she rather go to the salon? Will she only do the bride's hair or the bridal party's as well? Does the bride want the stylist to stay with her throughout the day to do touch-ups before the photography session and the ceremony? Discuss these options with your stylist.

Of course, how long the bride books a professional to stay with her depends on her budget and the stylist's time limitations.

Once the bride has chosen a stylist, hand over a deposit to save the date, and request a receipt.