Our Top Picks for Clip-in Hair Extensions on Wedding Day

You’ve found the dress, booked your glam team—but what about your hair? Many of the polished, voluminous bridal hairstyles you see online share one secret ingredient: clip-in extensions.

In this guide, Beauty Asylum shares everything you need to know before purchasing your own extensions—what’s worth the investment, how to choose the right set, and the brands we actually use on our brides.

IN THIS ARTICLE 

So, What Are Clip-In Hair Extensions?

Clip-in hair extensions are made from high-quality human hair collected from a donor and sewn onto 1–5 inch wide strips called wefts. Each weft lies flat against your head and clips securely into the base of your hair—similar to a barrette—instantly adding volume and length.

You can use as many wefts as you’d like to achieve your desired fullness. Most clip-in sets come with 4–8 wefts in varying widths, allowing you to customize placement for a seamless, natural look. This design mimics the results of semi-permanent extensions, but without the maintenance, time, or long-term commitment.

  • 1. Does your hair hold a curl?
    If your curls tend to fall flat within an hour or less, extensions are an excellent way to ensure your style lasts. When wearing your hair down for any special event, clip-in extensions are a must. Even the best wedding hairstylist can only control so much—factors like your hair’s natural texture, humidity, and rain all play a role. Hair extensions, however, hold curl beautifully and add durability in less-than-ideal weather.

    2. How do the ends of your hair look?
    If the ends of your hair are separated, sparse, or thin—and you can see your shirt through your hair—extensions are the perfect way to add fullness. They create a thicker, healthier appearance that instantly elevates your style.

    3. How long is your hair compared to your inspiration photo?
    Length makes a bigger difference than most people realize. If your hair is significantly shorter than the style you love, extensions can help you achieve both the length and the shape needed for that look. They’re not just for volume—extensions can also add length to complete your vision.

  • Description textThe two main types of hair extensions to know are human hair and synthetic hair.
    Human hair extensions, made from real human hair, are the best option for styling with heat and using products. Remy human hair is the closest match to natural hair, blending seamlessly in both look and texture.

    On the other hand, synthetic hair extensions are made from artificial fibers (such as plastics), and while they can mimic the look of real hair initially, they don’t hold up to heat styling, washing, or daily wear the same way.

    A high-quality set of human hair extensions can last 9–12 months with gentle, everyday use. We dive deeper into hair extension quality—what to look for when buying, and how to tell if you’re truly getting the best—[here]. goes here

  • Weft: a weft is one long track of hair 1-6 inches in width. Attached to the weft are small bendable clips, and they snap like a barrette at the base of your root to hold the additional hair in place. The number of clips will range from 1-4 based on the width of the individual weft.

    Gram: refers to the amount of hair & thickness in the total set of hair extensions. This can include multiple wefts.

    Full Set: refers to a set of extensions that vary with 4-12 wefts to snap in your hair. 

    Classic Set: the top of the weft is sewn/stitched together with thick thread and mesh cloth. These tend to be bulkier when placed against the head.

    Seamless: the top of the weft is bonded together and laid flat like a tape-in extension. These extensions are super thin and lay flat to head to create a seamless look. 

    Density: refers to the number of strands on your head or used to make extensions and wigs. Density determines how thick or thin hair is.

extensions-before-after

Left image - before extensions | Right image: clip-in extensions

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4. Buying Guide

  1. RULE: Extensions must be 100% Remy human hair in order to use heat tools and styling products safely.

  2. GOAL: Add volume, length, or both.

  3. LENGTH:  for brides, 18–22 inches is the standard length to achieve those romantic, cascading curls without overwhelming your natural hair.

  4. THICKNESS: the gram weight of your extensions determines how full and natural they’ll look once installed:

  • 90 g (Extra Light): For very fine hair

  • 100–110 g (Light): For fine hair that mimics natural texture

  • 120–130 g (Medium): For natural, medium-density hair

  • 150 g (Full): For natural hair with added fullness

  • 180 g (Heavy): For a full, voluminous look

  • 200 g (Extra Heavy): For glamorous, celebrity-style volume

💡 Tip: If you have fine hair, a lighter gram weight will add volume without feeling heavy. Naturally thick hair should go for a higher gram weight to blend seamlessly with your natural density. Hair that’s too light compared to your natural thickness can appear stringy or uneven—think “rat tail” rather than full blend. For most brides, 150 g or 180 g offers the perfect balance of body and comfort.

6. Install

INSTALL: Each weft uses small barrette-style clips that snap securely into your hair. Start at the nape of your neck and work upward in one-inch sections, layering each weft parallel to the previous one.

PREP: Before installation, number each weft so you can remember the placement order and achieve the same perfect blend every time.

CUT: Take your extensions to your stylist for a dry cut (after installing) so the layers blend seamlessly with your natural hair. Keeping your wefts numbered allows you to replicate that placement and shape for future use.

clip-in-hair-extension-tips

6. Extension Brands

If you’ve ever searched online for hair extensions, you know there are endless options—and it can quickly become overwhelming. To make things easier, Beauty Asylum has put together a curated list of brands we know and trust, based on both quality and years of personal experience.

Bridal hairstyling requires a certain level of durability, blendability, and quality, especially when it comes to clip-in extensions. Below are some of the most reputable brands we regularly work with and confidently recommend to our brides and clients.

Don’t see a particular brand listed? It may simply be one our team hasn’t worked with yet, or we’ve chosen to highlight our select favorites that consistently deliver reliable results.

 
  • PRO

    • range of color, length, & gram options

    • length range from 14”- 22”inch 

    • individual wefts available for purchase

    CON

    • Expensive

    • Seamless/Invisi weft (80g)

    • poor website navigation 

    • Seamless/Invisi line

    • clip-in pony tail options

    Beauty Works has become one of the most recognized names in the hair extension world—thanks in part to celebrity endorsements from the Kardashians, which helped skyrocket the brand’s popularity. In addition to their clip-in extensions, Beauty Works also offers professional application methods such as pre-bonded and tape-in extensions, giving clients more long-term options.

    Within their clip-in collection, Beauty Works uses clear labeling to differentiate gram weight (thickness), color range, and length. You’ll find sets like the Double Hair Set (180g), Celebrity Set (120g), and Double Gold Set (150g–210g)—all part of their traditional mesh weft collection.

    They also offer Seamless (Invisi) Wefts, which sit flatter against the scalp for a more natural blend. However, these come in at only 80g, which—in my opinion—is quite minimal compared to Milk & Blush’s seamless sets, especially if you’re aiming for fuller coverage or thicker hair.

  • PRO

    • free color swatches (up to 5 shades)

    • all sets are seamless

    • bridal examples

    • clip-in pony tail options

    • interest free payments

    • thick Seamless/Invsi Line (160g)

    CON

    • set length 21”

    • set thickness of 160g

    • not many color options

    • front pieces sold separately

      • full set $355

    The marketing for BFB Hair is excellent—and we love that the brand is specifically geared toward brides. Their visuals and messaging really speak to wedding-day beauty. I ordered the blonde swatch set, and the colors are absolutely beautiful.

    That said, be aware that their darker shade range is limited, so if you have medium to deep hair tones, options may feel a bit sparse.

    At a price point of $215 for the Classic Set, you’ll receive 10 wefts at 160g, which adds a nice touch of fullness (based on our density guide above). While they currently offer only one length and thickness option, I love that they’re able to provide this much volume in a Seamless line—a great feature for brides who want lightweight extensions with natural-looking coverage.

  • Item description
  • PRO

    • cheaper option

    • easy in-store buy 

    • seamless/Invisi weft

    CON

    • not many color options

    • one option: 18” length/ 80g

    • might be out of stock

    For ladies on a budget—or if wearing added hair isn’t usually your thing—Sally Beauty Supply offers a great entry-level option. Their clip-in extensions aren’t as thick as professional-grade sets, but they do provide a nice boost of fullness and length for those with fine to medium-density hair.

    Sally’s is also a convenient go-to if you need a new set quickly or last-minute, and the price point is much more budget-friendly. Their Euronext Ultra Seamless line features invisible wefts that lay flatter against the scalp for a more natural look.

  • PRO

    • mid-priced line of clip-in extensions

    • range of color including ombre options

    • length range from 14”- 26”inch 

    • gram options: 100, 120, 160, 180, 220, 280 

    • individual wefts available for purchase

    • Seamless/Invisi line (160g)

    • easy website navigation

    • excellent color matching guide

    CON

    • pricey for a one time user

    • shipping from UK (slower)

    • once open, no returns

    We love that Milk & Blush offers the option to purchase individual wefts instead of an entire set—at a very reasonable price. This makes it an excellent choice for creating the perfect updo or replacing a missing piece (we’ve all been there!).

    Their Instagram, @milkandblush, features real people wearing their extensions, so you can see how the hair looks in everyday life. They also provide video footage and side-by-side comparison photos to help you browse their color selection with confidence.

    If you’re still unsure about your shade, you can send them a photo, and their online color experts will help match you to the right tone—super helpful if you’re ordering for the first time.

7. Real Brides

See how real brides have incorporated clip-in extensions into their wedding-day looks—proof that a flawless bridal hairstyle is within reach for everyone!

Don’t have a style in mind yet? Explore our Hair Lookbook HERE , where you can browse images similar to your hair color and skin tone to get an accurate idea of how your style will look.

Why We Recommend Extensions

If you’re planning to wear your hair down or half up, we recommend extensions 90% of the time. Their ability to withstand humidity, wind, and long event days is unmatched—and the finished result truly delivers your dream bridal hair.

Extensions aren’t just for fine or thin hair—they’re also a game-changer for brides with medium to thick hair who want added fullness, balanced shape, or extra hold throughout the day.

What to Avoid

Skip halo extensions.
While they’re great for everyday wear, we don’t recommend them for bridal styling. The thin, transparent “fishing line” used to hold the hair in place is difficult to conceal and can leave a visible indentation along the hairline.

The Beauty Asylum Difference

We know that flat hair on your wedding day is about as welcome as a surprise blemish. You might be wondering, “Can my hair really look like that?” — and our answer is yes!

Many of the bridal hairstyles you see on Pinterest and Instagram (and in our own portfolio) include clip-in extensions and filler pieces carefully added to enhance volume and shape. With proper preparation and the right stylist, your dream wedding hair is absolutely achievable.

At the end of the day, bridal hair is about feeling like the best version of yourself. With the right extensions, you can add volume, length, and a seamless finish that will photograph beautifully and last all day long.

 
Jessica Lyness Kendall
Stylist and business owner of Beauty Asylum Hair & Makeup in Charlotte, NC & Atlanta, GA.
www.beautyintervention.com
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