Wedding day hair matters: 7 in 10 UK men prioritise grooming for the big day

Summer is the perfect time of year for a wedding, with its longer days and beautiful weather, which provides the perfect time for a celebration. In England and Wales, August was the most popular month for marriage in 2023, with 32,121 ceremonies taking place.*

A wedding day is one of life’s most meaningful milestones, and couples are placing greater emphasis than ever on looking and feeling their best. Increasingly, this focus extends to grooms, who are embracing grooming and personal style as part of their preparations. In 2025, searches for “groom makeup” rose by 42%, alongside a notable increase in social media content highlighting male beauty and appearance.**

A recent study of 2,000 men in the UK by Elithair examined how hair can impact a man’s confidence, and the most important occasions for a ‘good hair day’. 

According to the survey, a full head of hair makes men feel happy (38%), attractive (37%), stylish (29%), and sexy (19%).

The survey found that first dates ranked as the most important occasion for men to have a good hair day. More than seven in ten men (71%) said it mattered to them, followed closely by wedding days (70%) and job interviews (68%).

Younger men placed even greater importance on looking their best for romantic milestones. Among Gen Z respondents, 79% said having good hair was important for a first date, 78% for a wedding day and 73% for a proposal.

Wedding season locks: The importance of good hair on your wedding day 
Your wedding day is one of life’s most significant milestones for both partners, and looking your best plays a key role. In fact, 70% of men in the UK say it’s important to have a good hair day on their wedding day.

This sentiment is particularly strong among younger age groups, with 83% of men aged 25–34 and 79% of those aged 35–44 highlighting its importance. Attitudes are similarly consistent across relationship statuses, with 78% of married men saying a good hair day matters, along with 72% of men who are currently in a relationship.

In 2026, grooms want to feel confident on their wedding day. They are moving towards styles that feel both authentic and elevated, combining natural texture, soft movement, and personalised styling with the timeless expectation of looking polished for the occasion.***

How does hair loss influence men’s confidence in romantic moments?
Nearly half of UK men (48%) reported that concerns about their hairline have a significant impact on their self-confidence. 

In addition, almost one in ten men (9%) said they have been asked to change their hairstyle by a romantic partner, while 6% admitted they would actively avoid pursuing a romantic connection due to worries about their hairline or hair thickness. This figure rises among younger men, with 11% of those aged 18 to 24 saying hair concerns have stopped them from dating.

More than a quarter of men (27%) said hair loss makes them feel unattractive, while 34% said it makes them feel older. For single men, this can weigh particularly heavily, with a third of single men (34%) saying their looks negatively affect their mental health.

Compliments on men’s hair are rare, with just 16% of men with thinning hair reporting they have ever received one.

Dr. Abdulaziz Balwi, leading hair surgeon at Elithair, discusses the effects of hair loss on mental well-being and shares advice for those experiencing a loss of confidence: “Hair changes can deeply influence how a person feels, often leading to feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, or even depression. Because hair is so closely linked to identity and personal appearance, thinning or loss can make individuals feel less confident or attractive and may cause them to withdraw from social or romantic situations. Despite how common it is, there is still a great deal of stigma surrounding hair loss, which can make individuals hesitant to speak openly about their experiences.”

Find out more elithair.co.uk/blog/hair-loss-report-uk-2026