Forget the constraints of tradition, today's brides can be colourful, bright and fun with whatever look they want.

Bridal hair specialist Suzy Stockwin has been in the hairstyling business since leaving school at 16, but the skill was in her blood.

Having watched mum Sue Pordage in the business from an early age, Suzy always knew what she was going to do, and even though she may not specialise in traditional looks, the grounding in those traditional hairdressing techniques which working with her mum gave her were invaluable, she says.

"I learnt all the classics, like putting hair in rollers, when others who learnt at college, maybe didn't get that. But that's all come back now. So I think that gave me a really good grounding to work on."

Suzy, who is now married and a mum of two daughters, has been working in her mum's salon, One 4 Hairdressing in Herne Bay, since leaving school, and started doing bridal hair once she qualified in hairdressing at 18.

Six months ago, she decided she wanted a fresh start after having her girls and rebranded as Bridal Hair by Suzy, running a specialist business around her freelance hairdressing work.

She regularly posts on the go-to place for inspiration for brides, Instagram, and her looks are becoming in demand.

Though anything goes these days, there are trends to watch out for.

"It has been boho and a very soft look for a long time," she says.

"I feel this is still sticking around but we will see a more polished wave and lots more hair down. I think we will see a big change with bridesmaids wearing bolder looks with pins showing on the sides. I think you can be a little braver with the bridesmaids and push the boundaries a little."

There's normally one trial before the big day, but plenty of messaging inbetween. On the day, Suzy arrives 15 minutes early to set up either at the family home or the wedding venue.

"I will always be there once the bride is in the dress making those final adjustments and attaching the veil is she has one."

But she says: "The best bit for me is you get to see the father's reaction. It is the best. I sit there and cry with them. It is quite an emotional day.

The bride often goes quite quiet while everyone else is faffing around and getting ready. It is quite nice to be part of their quiet reflection."

And of her own wedding day?

"I knew exactly what I wanted," recalls Suzy.

"My hair was half up half down with a tiara and veil. In the evening I had it all pinned up and a change of dress so I could dance the night away. My mum did my hair and I was very happy with it. If I got married today it would be totally different though! I would love a flower crown."

Suzy uses a mix of traditional and modern techniques - mixing rollers with show-stopping floral creations, and extensions to give brides the flowing hair they've always dreamed of.

"It's nice to feel like me again and be able to use my creativity. When you are creative you can turn your hand to these things," she says. "The flowers have come in more recently. I love working with flowers. Using extensions on your wedding day too is quite common now."

"When we sit down for a consultation, I don't want to deviate much from what they want. When I meet a bride it's always exciting finding out what styles they love and what they want to create. Most brides have a Pinterest board with a few looks but some will have seen my previous work and want me to recreate the look on them.

"We have a look at the dress - I love this part as I get to see the brides dress before most people; I feel honoured, it's so special. Once we have narrowed down a style we trial it. I sometimes then do a second style to give a slightly different look. I do get inspired by the dress as you can tell the style of the wedding from the dress."

Find out more about Bridal Hair by Suzy:

Instagram: @bridalhair_by_suzy

Facebook: @bridal hair by suzy

Call Suzy on 07873579563

For her day job, Suzy works at One4 Hairdressing in Herne Bay. Visit: one4hairdressing.com

For her photo shoot:

Florist: Orchard Blooms orchardblooms.co.uk

Dresses: Chilham Bridal chilhambridal.co.uk

Make-up: Kelli Waldock kelliwaldock.co.uk

Photography: Dream Photography dreamphotography2012.co.uk

Venue: Marine Hotel in Tankerton marinewhitstable.co.uk

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