Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life. Everyone wants to look their best, and your hair is a big part of that. Finding the right wedding hairstyles can be hard with so many choices. This guide will help you pick the perfect hairstyle for your big day based on your hair type, dress style, and what makes you feel most beautiful.
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Wedding Hairstyles That Make Every Bride Shine
When picking wedding hairstyles, think about what makes you feel good. You want to feel like yourself, just a bit more fancy. Some brides want their hair up, some want it down, and others like it half up. There is no wrong choice. What matters is that you feel beautiful and comfortable all day long. Your wedding day is busy, with lots of hugging, dancing, and pictures. A good wedding hairstyle should last from the morning till the last dance. Talk to your hair person about how much time you have for getting ready and how you want to look in your wedding pictures. They can help you pick wedding hairstyles that will look good all day and night. Remember that your hair is part of your whole wedding look, so it should match your dress, your face shape, and the feel of your wedding.
Wedding Hairstyles for Long Hair
Long hair gives you so many wedding hairstyle choices. You can wear it down in soft waves, put it half up to show your face, or put it all up in a fancy bun. If you want to wear your long hair down, big soft curls are always pretty for a wedding. Ask your hair person to make the curls bigger at the bottom and softer at the top for a look that will last all day. For a half-up long wedding hairstyle, pulling back just the sides can frame your face and keep hair out of your eyes for the ceremony. This style works with or without a veil. For hot weather weddings, putting long hair up is smart. A low bun at the back of your neck is always pretty and will stay neat during a whole day of wedding fun. You can make it more special with little braids or twists worked into the bun. Long wedding hairstyles can also include braids – from a simple braid down your back to fancy braided crowns around your head. These look amazing in wedding pictures and help keep your hair neat in windy places like beach weddings.
Short Wedding Hairstyles
Short hair can be just as fancy as long hair for wedding. A short bob can be curled for more body, or kept straight for a modern look. Even pixie cuts can be dressed up with pretty clips or a small tiara to make them special for your wedding day. Short hairstyles are often easier to take care of on a busy day. They usually need less fixing during the party, giving you more time to have fun. For brides with short hair, adding some waves can make your style look more fancy without needing much extra work. Small clips with pearls or flowers can turn a simple short cut into a perfect wedding hairstyle. If your hair is too short for a veil to stay in place, talk to your hair person about other pretty things you can wear, like a headband with crystals or flowers. Short hairstyles are great for showing off pretty earrings or a special necklace. They also work well for brides who want their dress to be the star of the show, since short hair keeps the focus on your face and dress.
medium length hairstyles
Medium length hair might be the most easy to style for weddings. It’s long enough to put up if you want, but not so long that it’s hard to work with. For medium wedding hairstyles, loose waves look very pretty and natural. You can pin back one side with a pretty clip for extra style. A half-up, half-down style works very well on medium hair, giving you the best of both worlds. You get the pretty look of some hair down, but with the neat feeling of having it out of your face. Medium hairstyles also work well with braids worked in. A small braid around the crown of your head can look like a headband made of hair. Medium hair can also be put up in a full updo if you want. Since it’s not too heavy, these styles often stay in place better than they do with very long hair. If you’re growing your hair out for your wedding, medium length gives you more choices than very short hair, but is often easier to manage than very long hair.
Wedding Hairstyles for Curly Hair
Curly hair is so pretty for wedding. Natural curls add body and life to any style. For curly hairstyles, you can wear your curls down and full, half up, or in a loose updo that shows off your curl pattern. If you normally straighten your hair but have natural curls, your wedding might be a nice time to show them off. Curly hairstyles often need less work to look fancy, since curls already have body and style. Talk to a hair person who knows how to work with curly hair. They might suggest wearing your curls in their natural pattern but with some pinning to shape them around your face. For curly brides who want an updo, a loose bun with curly pieces left out around the face can be very pretty. This kind of wedding hairstyle looks fancy but not too stiff. Curly hairstyles also work well with flowers or small clips placed in the curls. These little touches add wedding style without changing the pretty natural look of your curls.
updo hairstyles for weddings
Updo wedding hairstyles are always popular because they stay neat during a long day and show off your face and dress. A classic low bun is always in style and works with any dress shape. For more modern updo wedding hairstyles, try a looser style with some pieces pulled out around your face to make it softer. High updo wedding hairstyles can be very fancy, pulling all your hair up to the crown of your head. These work well with very fancy dresses and formal weddings. They also help make short brides look taller. Braided updo wedding hairstyles add extra detail to your look. A french braid that leads into a bun, or small braids worked into a bigger updo can make your hair look very special. Updo wedding hairstyles work with any hair type but might need more pins and spray to stay in place if your hair is very straight or fine. Talk to your hair person about how much dancing you plan to do, so they can make sure your updo will last through the whole party.
Wedding Hairstyles for Thin Hair
If you have thin or fine hair, wedding hairstyles that add body can help you feel your best. Shorter cuts often make fine hair look thicker, so a chin-length bob with some waves could be perfect. If you want longer wedding hairstyles with thin hair, ask your hair person about adding some fake hair pieces. These can be put in to add body without looking fake. Updo wedding hairstyles often work well for thin hair because they can be padded out underneath to look fuller. A low, loose bun with the hair around it teased a bit can look much fuller than wearing thin hair down. Half-up wedding hairstyles for thin hair can also work well. By pulling back just the top layer, you keep some length but also add height at the crown of your head, which makes all your hair look thicker. Talk to your hair person about products that add body to thin hair without making it stiff. They can help you find the right wedding hairstyles and products to make your hair look its fullest on your big day.
Wedding Hairstyles with Veil Placement Tips
If you’re wearing a veil, your wedding hairstyles need to work with it. Where you put the veil depends on your hairstyle and the kind of veil. For updo wedding hairstyles, the veil usually goes under the bun to stay in place better. For hair worn down, the veil can be pinned at the crown of your head, often under a small poof of teased hair that helps hide the comb. Think about when you’ll take the veil off. Some brides wear it just for the ceremony, others keep it on for pictures but take it off for dancing. Make sure your wedding hairstyles will still look good after the veil comes off. If you’re wearing a very long or heavy veil, your hair may need extra pins or spray to hold it. Talk to your hair person about this. For brides with short hair, veils can be harder to keep in place. A good hair person can help find wedding hairstyles and special combs that will hold your veil securely even with short hair. Remember to practice putting the veil in and taking it out before your wedding day, so you know exactly how it works with your chosen style.
Wedding Hairstyles for natural Black Hair
Natural black hair has so much beauty and can be styled in many ways for weddings. From natural afros to braided styles, twists, or straightened looks, black wedding hairstyles can be both traditional and modern. If you normally wear your hair natural, wedding hairstyles that celebrate your natural texture can be stunning. An afro puff with a pretty clip or flowers, or a full afro with a small tiara can look amazing. For black brides who prefer braids, wedding hairstyles can include fancy updos made with braids, or long braids decorated with beads or wrapped with ribbons that match your wedding colors. Protective styles like box braids or twists can be put up in fancy buns or left long with decorative elements added. If you prefer straightened hair, black wedding hairstyles can include all the same options as any other hair type – from sleek updos to flowing waves. Talk to a hair person who has experience with black hair textures to make sure they understand how to work with your hair. The right person can create wedding hairstyles that keep your hair healthy while making you look amazing on your special day.
Hairstyles for the Mother of the Bride or Groom
Mothers at weddings want to look special too, but most mother wedding hairstyles are a bit more simple than the bride’s hair. For older women, wedding hairstyles that frame the face softly are usually most flattering. Medium length hair cut in layers and styled in soft waves works well for many mothers. If the mother has short hair, wedding hairstyles might include adding a bit more body with light curling, and perhaps a pretty clip if the wedding is very fancy. For mothers with long hair, low buns or half-up styles tend to look best for weddings. These wedding hairstyles are fancy enough for the special day but not so young-looking that they seem out of place. The mother’s wedding hairstyles should make her feel beautiful but should never try to match or outshine the bride’s hair. Simple, neat, and flattering is the goal. If the mother’s hair is gray or white, wedding hairstyles should celebrate this beautiful color. Fresh flowers or simple pins can add a special touch to the mother’s hair without going overboard.
wedding guest hairstyles
When you’re a wedding guest, your hairstyle should be pretty but not too fancy. Guest wedding hairstyles should never try to look more special than the bride’s hair. For women guests with long hair, loose waves or a simple low bun are good choices. Medium hair can be worn down with the front pinned back, or in a half-up style. Short-haired guests might just add a pretty clip or headband to their normal style to make it more fancy for the wedding. Think about the wedding place when picking guest wedding hairstyles. For outdoor or beach weddings, styles that won’t blow in your face are smart. For very fancy church weddings, neater styles show respect. Your wedding guest hairstyle should match how fancy your outfit is. If you’re wearing a simple dress, keep your hair simple too. Remember that guest wedding hairstyles should be comfortable for a long day of sitting, eating, and maybe dancing. Don’t pick something so fancy that you can’t move your head normally or that will fall apart halfway through the day.
Simple Wedding Hairstyles
Not every bride wants very fancy hair. Simple wedding hairstyles can be just as beautiful and often feel more comfortable for brides who don’t normally wear their hair up. For long hair, loose waves worn down with just the front pinned back can be a perfect simple wedding hairstyle. Medium length hair looks pretty with soft curls and maybe a small braid on one side. Short simple wedding hairstyles might just be your normal cut with a bit more styling and a pretty clip or flower. The best simple wedding hairstyles don’t look too different from how you normally wear your hair – just a bit more special. This helps you feel like yourself on your big day. Simple doesn’t mean plain – adding one special touch like a fresh flower, a small sparkly clip, or a thin headband can make even the most simple wedding hairstyles feel bridal without being over the top. Talk to your hair person about how to make your everyday style a bit more special for your wedding without changing it completely.
Hairstyles for Different Face Shapes
Your face shape can help you pick the most flattering wedding hairstyles. For round faces, styles with height at the top and layers around the face make your face look longer. Wedding hairstyles for heart-shaped faces look good with fullness at the jaw level to balance a wider forehead. If your face is square, soft waves around your face can soften the angles of your jaw. Oval faces can wear almost any wedding hairstyles, so you have the most choices. For long faces, wedding hairstyles with some width at the sides help balance your face shape. When you try on wedding hairstyles, take pictures from the front and sides to see how they look with your face shape. Remember that most faces aren’t perfectly one shape or another, so use these tips as a starting point but pick wedding hairstyles that make you feel beautiful, no matter what “rules” say. Your hair person can help suggest wedding hairstyles that flatter your unique face shape while matching the style of your dress and wedding.
Beach Wedding Hairstyles
Beach weddings can be beautiful, but they come with challenges for your hair. Wind, humidity, and sometimes even water can mess up fancy styles. Beach hairstyles should be pretty but also practical. For long hair at beach weddings, braided styles often stay neater in the wind. A french braid or fishtail braid can be dressed up with small flowers or pins to make it wedding-worthy. Medium length beach hairstyle might include a half-up style with the top secured very well and the bottom left in natural-looking waves. For short-haired brides having beach weddings, extra hold products can keep your style in place despite the elements. If you’re set on an updo for your beach wedding, choose styles that are meant to look a bit messy. A loose, low bun with pieces pulled out can still look good even if the wind moves it around a bit. Talk to your hair person about beach hairstyles that will work with the weather at your location. They might suggest a practice style that you can wear on a windy day to see how it holds up before your actual wedding day.
Wedding Hairstyles That Work with Your Dress Style
Your wedding dress and your hair should complement each other. High-neck or detailed wedding dresses often look best with updo wedding hairstyles that show off the dress details. Strapless wedding dresses can work with hair up or down, but many brides choose to show off their shoulders and neck with an updo. For backless dresses, hairstyles that put your hair up show off the back detail. If your dress has a low back, a side bun or all your hair swept to one side can look very pretty. Simple, sleek wedding dresses often pair well with simple, sleek hairstyles. More romantic, flowing dresses match well with softer, more natural-looking hair. When you try on wedding dresses, take pictures and show them to your hair person. They can help suggest hairstyles that will work well with your dress style. Remember that your dress and hair will be together in every picture, so they should look like they belong together.
Modern Hairstyles for Today’s Bride
Wedding styles change over time, and today’s brides often want modern wedding hairstyles that don’t look too stiff or old-fashioned. Current trends include looser updos with pieces left out around the face, half-up styles with lots of texture, and even simple, natural looks for more casual weddings. Modern hairstyles often use braids in new ways, like a loose braid down the back with pieces pulled out to make it fuller, or small braids worked into a larger style. Fresh flowers in the hair have replaced some of the crystal tiaras that were popular in past years. Many modern brides choose hairstyle that don’t require tons of spray and pins. They want to look like themselves, just a bit more fancy. If you’re looking for modern hairstyle, search online for pictures from real weddings in the past year, not just model photos. This will give you a better idea of what real brides are choosing now. The most modern approach is to pick hairstyles that make you feel beautiful and comfortable, not just what’s in style this year.
Romantic Hairstyles for Fairy Tale Day
Many brides want romantic, soft wedding hairstyles that make them feel like they’re in a fairy tale. Loose, flowing waves are always romantic for longer hair. Half-up romantic hairstyles with soft curls falling down your back have a princess feel. For updos with a romantic touch, loose buns with curly pieces left out around your face and neck feel less stiff than very neat styles. Braids can be very romantic in hairstyles too – a loose braid with flowers woven in has a fairy tale quality. Adding a flower crown or a vine of tiny flowers through your hair can make any style more romantic. For the most romantic hairstyles, think about old movies or story books – soft, pretty, with movement rather than stiff, sprayed styles. Your romantic wedding hairstyle should make you feel magical when you look in the mirror, like the best version of yourself on the most special day.