54 Gorgeous Wedding Hair Styles for Every Bride

Wedding Hairstyles for Long Hair

Wedding Hairstyles for Short Hair

Once upon a time short hair limited your big day hair options significantly, but these days there’s so much more choice for short-haired brides, so whether you have a bob, a pop (that’s a Victoria Beckham short at the back long at the front style), or a pixie cut, there are plenty of ideas for an elegant wedding look.

Clipped to the side – If you have shoulder length hair, very loose curls clipped to one side with a smart accessory looks extremely chic.

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Curly short updo – you don’t have to have waist-length tresses to have an updo. Many stylists can work with short hair to create the illusion of a thicker updo with some backcombing.

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Simple straight bob – channel Irina Shayk and Rosamund Pike with a simple glossy straightened bob with the ends slightly curled under.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwB4FOOAJNP/?igshid=1beu5omwedh48

Old Hollywood curls – before the advent of hair extensions stars of the Silver Screen took to the red carpet with shorter styles that had elegant tight curls.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9UYtYUDb08/?igshid=17akt5kyhu3ws

Low bun – short hair can be styled very easily into a bun using a doughnut to create the illusion of more hair.

Wedding Hairstyles for Thin Hair

Worried your thin hair will lack oomph on your wedding day and not look special enough for such a glam occasion? Fear not, because there are plenty of tricks to make thin hair stand out and gorgeous hairstyles that make your hair look thick and luscious.

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Sleek high ballerina bun – you’ll feel like a real princess with this beautiful bun. It’s a versatile look that can take you from day to evening and is ideal for dance floor-loving brides. Plus your stylist can create more volume and the look of thickness with accessories like a doughnut.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9TajTRI7dH/?igshid=1f5um78wga7at

Retro bun – take inspiration from the swinging sixties with a backcombed loose bun paired with a simple headband.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5gaz3iJyAk/?igshid=1r2z082x5y8t9

Classic curls – a curling tong is your best friend if you’ve got thin hair. Bouncy waves makes thin hair immediately look more voluminous and glamorous. Make sure to have a professional blow dry and use volumizing products to give your hair the best chance of keeping the shape all day.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9XCJpAgVZc/?igshid=1oxkcs2ckurq3

Intricate updo – twist sections of your hair into the nape of your neck to create an elegant updo that looks thicker than it really is thanks to all the sections layering on top of each other.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9A5vwRjGhY/?igshid=o2bof53sples

Braided – plaited sections of hair can really help make thin hair look thicker thanks to the contrast with the remaining loose strands. A crown plait looks particularly luscious and makes for wow-factor wedding hair.

Wedding Hairstyles for Thick Hair

Everyone wants thick hair, but if you’re the proud owner of super thick tresses they can actually be a bit of a problem when it comes to hairstyles as there’s simply too much hair to train into something elegant. If you’ve got natural volume though, there are many ways to tame your mane into something sleek and you’ll find plenty of hairstyles to suit.

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French roll – thick hair rolls up beautifully into this chicest of hairstyles. It’s also a really quick and easy hairstyle for thick hair as all the hair can be swept up in one go. Keep it in place with plenty of hair grips and spray.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B57cezVir45/?igshid=w29lhxed0lw6

Tumbling curls – make the most of your natural asset by blow drying and then curling your hair into classic smooth curls. Make sure they aren’t too tight to keep the look modern.

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Loose fishtail braid – this hairstyle is perfect for thick hair as it doesn’t have to be neat to look good. In fact, messy plaits are really on trend and the thicker the plait the chicer the look.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9EmL27gTKR/?igshid=eas2dgpfd2sx

Messy bun – going for a laid-back boho celebration? Thick hair looks really cool in a messy bun in the centre of your head.

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Curly chignon – a low chignon with your hair piled up in curls always looks lovely.

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Bun half-updo –  make a half up and half down do look a bit different and wedding-ready by fashioning the up part into a chic bun or bow shape if you want to be extra inventive.

Wedding Hairstyles for Curly Hair

Make the most of natural curls on your wedding day with some really stylish hairstyles. Curls translate really well in wedding hairstyles as you’ve got plenty of volume already for your stylist to work with. Whether you’ve got short tight curls or long loose ones, there’s a style that’ll work for you.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9USC5FBa4A/?igshid=a5v8gid213bw

Half-up, half-down curls – you don’t need poker straight hair to work this classic wedding look loved by the likes of the Duchess of Cambridge and countless A-Listers. Curls can add a bit of wow-factor to the look, especially if you add fresh flowers and a few plaited sections.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9V5B6fHJxx/?igshid=k1csjn450pde

Classic up-do – bundle your curls elegantly up at the nape of your neck and keep the top of your head loose and curly too.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6DETCJAeEs/?igshid=krx55fwl9vqi

Curly high pony – keep your curls tamed and out of your perfectly made-up eyes with a high ponytail that lets your tresses tumble beautifully down your back.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7oTOcMAcDg/?igshid=18lc2ogwwmzry

Crown braid – this style works for so many hair types, including curls. You plait a section to make a crown-shape and then pin the longer sections up underneath to create a cool updo.

Wedding Guest Hairstyles

Got a wedding in the diary and looking for ways to update your usual daily hair style for the special occasion? As a guest you can go to town with any style you like and that suits your outfit and the season, but it’s important not to upstage the bride, so aim for smart and beautiful but not spotlight-stealing when you’re looking for hairstyles to DIY or show a stylist. Remember to think about durability. If it’s a long day and you don’t have anywhere to go to refresh
a look, consider an updo that won’t move and that will still look great on the dance floor.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9RNAULhFj-/?igshid=1zkxrghg6g02

Curly or super straight down do – even if you’re not very good at hair and don’t consider yourself creative you can easily create a few tumbling curls. Clip a section back at the side of your head if you haven’t quite got the front curls right. If you’re opting to wear your hair straight, give it a really good blow-dry followed by a straighten to make it glossy.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7OvFRUFdu6/?igshid=1bdfuwkq0s6al

Braided updo – a beautiful braided style will take you from ceremony to last dance without any bother. It’s ideal fo summer too to keep you cool at an outdoor ceremony or al fresco drinks reception.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8V0RtxJr2l/?igshid=p5yo8r0ff4va

Wavy ponytail – curl your hair loosely and then tie it at the nape of your neck to create a wavy ponytail. For extra style points, use a section of hair around the tie to create a natural-looking hair band.

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Statement accessories – you can be a bit bold when it comes to clips and accessories, injecting a bit of colour into the hairstyle that a bride probably wouldn’t go for in her own big day look.

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Quiff – give your wedding guest look a quirky edge with a subtle quiff paired with soft curls.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Ug5kMoDJJ/?igshid=12729ucx2i8a0

Buns – low or high buns are a great option for guests who want to keep hair nice and simple but also look very smart. Smooth or curly, these will always work at a wedding.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9O5fvxAWH6/?igshid=18arusblhjhyp

Classic updo – this wedding classic can work well if you’re a bride or a guest, just be careful not to add too much bling or make it too intricate in case you upstage the bride.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8b4gh-h2Lm/?igshid=14tsls880fkaa

Fishtail braid – at a summer wedding with a boho feel to it a fishtail braid is a great guest hairstyle option. Thread daisies or other small meadow flowers through it. If you like the look for a winter wedding how about little berries or crystals weaved throughout.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9USC5FBa4A/?igshid=26ps9c8racvv

Half-up, half down – anyone can achieve this easy hairstyle that makes day-to-day hair slightly more interesting. Accessorise with a beautiful clip to match your guest outfit.

Wedding Hair Accessories

Now you’ve decided on the hairstyle you want to have for your wedding day, it’s time to get creative with the accessories to really showcase the style and add a bridal touch to it. This is the fun part because you can choose everything from veils and tiaras to flowers and vines.

You can find beautiful wedding hair accessories in bridal boutiques alongside dresses and shoes or you can find pieces in high street shops, online shops like Etsy or even one-of-a-kind accessories in vintage and antique shops. Make sure your accessory doesn’t overpower your chosen hairstyle and that the style works well with your dress though and always shop for accessories after you’ve chosen both your dress and hairstyle. Ask your hair stylist (if you have one) to put your accessory in and show your maids how to do it too, incase it comes loose throughout the day.

Top 10 bridal hair accessories

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Veils – The classic bridal hair accessory that instantly tells the world you’re a bride. Veils can be worn in many different ways and styles, from cathedral-length and Mantilla veils to boho Juliet cap style and birdcage veils. You can usually get a veil to match your dress at your bridal boutique or you can ask for help finding a veil that complements your dress from a selection of other designers. If you prefer to look elsewhere for a veil, we suggest looking at Ivory & Co who have lots of different styles to choose from, including this gorgeous embellished full length veil.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0lB9KKCIGK/?igshid=1xrhzivo0mzku

Tiaras – You’ll feel like a princess on your big day so it’s only fitting that you have a crown to match your VIP status. Tiaras looks particularly stylish on top of beautiful bridal hair and work really well when paired with a veil. You can choose all sorts of different style tiaras including unusual tiaras, vintage tiaras and classic tiaras. Take a look at royal brides through history and decide which style you like best as there are many replicas at a fraction of the price of the Crown Jewels! Jon Richard has plenty of royal-worthy tiaras at affordable prices but that still have that extra sparkle you need. We love this Jon Richard pearl and diamanté tiara designed by bridal designer Alan Hannah.

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Headbands – this accessory is having a bit of a moment in 2020 with style seekers sporting retro velvet headbands on a daily basis. For a bridal twist opt for a headband with classic pearls on or a touch of diamanté. This pearl headband from accessory designer Alice & Blair will look chic on your big day.

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Comb – If you’re opting for an elegant updo and don’t want anything too overpowering when it comes to your accessory then a comb is for you. Embellished combs sit really nicely in the join of a half-up, half-down style too and gives your hairstyle that extra boost. Liberty In Love have a really varied selection of combs to choose from, including this floral and diamanté piece.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0ohZn6hQ-F/?igshid=5lc2o8274gd9

Hair vine – Lovers all of things boho and delicate should consider a hair vine for their big day. These effortlessly elegant hair accessories look particularly good on relaxed updos, with tumbling curls or wound throughout a fishtail braid. Hair vines are really easy to attach too and aren’t heavy or likely to cause any discomfort. This crystal hair vine from By Jodie Bijoux can be worn so many ways.

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Hair pins – Intricate hairstyles can be difficult to attach an accessory to without messing them up or covering all the pretty details of the style, so decorated hair pins are a really good option. You can dot as many or as little as you like throughout your style and they are a really versatile accessory. These pretty pins from Glitzy Secrets are the perfect addition to any style.

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Clips – Clips are having a moment in the fashion spotlight and you’ve probably seen a lot of people sporting them recently, including those beautiful pearl-covered ones. That means you can find them in lots of high street shops and they’re very affordable. Keep things simple and clip up a section of beautifully blowdried hair with a bridal hair clip, like these ones from New Look.

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Flower crown – Ask your florist to make you a floral crown if you’re after a more natural look when it comes to your hair accessories. Flower crowns can match your bouquet and wedding colours and look really lovely at boho and summer weddings.

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Loose flowers – If you don’t want the full crown, you can always get some individual blooms and ask your stylist to weave them through your hair.

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Bows – Bows are back in a big way and look oh-so pretty atop some elegantly styled bridal hair. Bows can be used instead of a veil if you choose a style with long uncut ribbons. Needle & Thread do a particularly wedding-worthy collection of bows that work well with half-up, half down styles.

Putting your bridal look together

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Wedding Hairstyles with Veil – A veil is a classic wedding look and suits pretty much any hairstyle. When buying a veil you need to think about how you want your hair however, as some veils sit very differently on the head. If you’re going for a low bun, fasten your veil underneath it, if you’re having an updo, you’ll probably want a veil that sits perfectly within the do. A romantic choice is a cathedral length veil placed over the head with loose tumbling curls. Any hairstyle can work with a veil, but you need to think about placement.

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Wedding Hairstyles with Tiara – This regal accessory works best with an updo or half up, half down styles. Look to recent royal weddings for inspiration. Having your hair fully down means a tiara might get a bit lost, so it’s good to have some sort of styling going on to give the tiara the spotlight it deserves.

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Wedding Hairstyles with Flowers – Flowers give your look a laid-back, natural vibe, so the best bridal hairstyles to pair with flowers are loose, boho curls, messy fishtail braids and slightly less formal updos. Chic chignons and sleek ponytails don’t often work as the flowers stick out too much.

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Wedding Hairstyles with Fascinator – Fascinators are a good option for wedding guests who want to look their best but aren’t keen on wearing a hat. Low updos at the nape of the neck and half up, half down styles work best with fascinators as does short hair. Set the fascinator to one side of your head for an elegant look.

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Wedding Hairstyles with Clips – Clips look best when they are helping to sweep part of your hair away from your face, so if you’re wearing your hair down, but want a pretty detail in the look too, use an embellished clip along one side of your head.

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Wedding Hairstyles with Headbands – headbands work really nicely with lots of bridal hairstyles. You’ll want to make sure you’ve got a bit of volume though to stop the band sticking out from the shape of your head, so consider loose curls or an updo that has been backcombed first to give it some lift. If you’ve got a fringe a thin headband can give the impression of wearing a tiara, but in a more subtle way.

For more great hairstyling tips, visit our Pinterest or view our fantastic hair and beauty suppliers today.