13 Beautiful Wedding Hair Styles And Accessories For The Bride

Choosing the right wedding hairstyle is a crucial decision for any bride, considering your hair is the best accessory you can have. The hairstyle you select can significantly impact your overall look, tying together your dress, makeup, and the entire wedding theme. A well-chosen hairstyle complements your gown and enhances your natural beauty, ensuring you feel confident and radiant on your special day. This guide is designed to help brides explore a variety of hairstyle options, offering inspiration and practical advice!

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Identifying Hair Type

Before choosing a wedding hairstyle, it’s essential to understand your hair type. Hair types generally fall into four categories: straight, wavy, curly, and coily (type 4). Each type has unique characteristics that affect how different hairstyles will look and hold up throughout the day.

Straight Hair:

Naturally smooth and sleek, straight hair can easily achieve polished looks like sleek ponytails or elegant chignons. However, it may require additional styling products to hold curls or waves.

Wavy Hair:

Wavy hair has a natural bend or wave, making it versatile for styles that need a bit of texture. Loose waves, beachy curls, and half-up styles work particularly well with this hair type.

Curly Hair:

Curly hair, with its natural volume and texture, can be styled into stunning updos or left down for a romantic, cascading look. It’s important to choose styles that enhance and define the curls rather than flattening them.

Coily Hair:

Coily hair is tightly curled and full of texture, making it ideal for intricate styles like braids, twists, or voluminous updos. It can also be gorgeous left down. This hair type often requires specific products to maintain moisture and definition, ensuring the style stays fresh throughout the event.

Popular Wedding Hairstyles

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When it comes to choosing the perfect wedding hairstyle, the options are vast, ranging from timeless classics to modern, trendy looks. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular styles, each offering its unique appeal for different bridal aesthetics.

Classic Updos

Updos are a perennial favorite for brides, offering a combination of elegance and practicality. They keep hair off the face, allowing the bride’s features and dress to take center stage.

Chignon:

The chignon is a classic, elegant style where the hair is pinned into a low, smooth bun at the nape of the neck. It’s a timeless choice that works well with a variety of wedding dress styles, from ballgowns to sleek sheaths. The chignon can be kept simple or adorned with accessories like pins, combs, or flowers for added sophistication.

This great tutorial by brooksandbrookshairsalon shows how to create the perfect chignon bun.

Bun:

Buns offer a range of possibilities, from high buns that elongate the neck and add a touch of drama, to low buns that are more understated and romantic. A messy bun gives a relaxed, yet chic vibe, perfect for boho or rustic weddings, while a sleek bun is ideal for more formal or minimalist settings.

This tutorial by reanin.glah shows how to create a romantic messy bun.

French Twist:

The French twist is a sophisticated, vintage-inspired updo where the hair is twisted up and secured vertically along the back of the head. It’s a polished look that pairs beautifully with both modern and traditional bridal gowns, giving off an aura of old-Hollywood glamour.

This beautiful tutorial by alexgaboury shows you how to create a French twist in 30 seconds.

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Hair Down Hairstyles

For brides who prefer to wear their hair down, there are several styles that maintain elegance while showcasing the hair’s natural beauty.

Loose Waves:

Soft, romantic waves are a favorite for brides who want a natural, yet polished look. This style works particularly well for beach, garden, or rustic weddings, where a more relaxed vibe is desired. Loose waves can be enhanced with subtle highlights or a delicate hairpiece.

This tutorial by cynthiadhimdis shows how to get the perfect everyday loose waves!

Sleek and Straight:

A sleek, straight hairstyle is a modern, minimalist choice that exudes confidence and sophistication. This style is perfect for brides who favor clean lines and a no-fuss look, often complementing contemporary or avant-garde wedding gowns.

This tutorial by breakfastatbetsys shows you how to get a sleek and gorgeous wedding hair style if you’re a bride!

Half-Up, Half-Down:

The half-up, half-down style strikes a balance between the formality of an updo and the free-flowing nature of wearing hair down. It’s versatile and can be customized with braids, twists, or accessories, making it a popular choice for a wide range of wedding themes.

This absolutely stunning half up half down tutorial by linndolly_ will make you feel like a princess on your wedding day.

Braided Styles

Braids add texture and intricacy to wedding hairstyles, offering both a romantic and bohemian feel.

Fishtail Braid:

The fishtail braid is an intricate, detailed style that’s perfect for brides looking for something a bit different. It’s a great option for long hair and can be worn to the side or down the back, creating a striking, yet delicate look.

This stunning fishtail braid tutorial by annacwoodring will have you mastering this hairstyle in no time!

Box Braids:

Box braids are a stunning and versatile choice for brides looking to showcase their natural beauty and personal style on their wedding day. These intricate braids offer a unique blend of elegance and cultural significance, making them an excellent option for a variety of wedding themes, from traditional to modern. They also offer the practical benefit of being long-lasting and low-maintenance, ensuring your hairstyle remains flawless from the ceremony to the last dance.

This beautiful tutorial by ravelyce will show you the easiest way to get DIY knotless box braids!

Crown Braid:

The crown braid wraps around the head like a halo, giving off a regal, whimsical vibe. This style is particularly well-suited for outdoor or fairytale-themed weddings, often paired with flowers or a veil for added effect.

This tutorial by auroralovestrand will show you how to create a beautiful braided crown for your wedding.

Side Braid:

A side braid is a casual yet elegant option that drapes over one shoulder. It’s ideal for brides who want a more relaxed, effortless look, while still keeping their hair styled and out of the way.

This pretty side braid tutorial by itshollylc is perfect for an outdoor summer wedding!

Ponytails

Ponytails are no longer just for casual days—they can be dressed up for a chic, modern bridal look.

High Ponytail:

The high ponytail is a bold, stylish choice that adds height and drama. It’s perfect for brides who want to make a statement, often paired with voluminous waves or sleek, straight hair.

This tutorial by alexandralharaldsson will show you how to create the high volume ponytail of your dreams!

Low Ponytail:

The low ponytail is an understated, elegant option that’s both practical and chic. It can be styled with soft waves or kept straight for a minimalist look, making it a great match for modern or classic wedding gowns.

This ponytail hack by sierra.honeycutt will help you create a no fuss bridal hairstyle in no time!

Accessorizing Your Hairstyle

Accessorizing your wedding hairstyle is the perfect way to add a personal touch, elevate your look, and tie your entire bridal ensemble together. Whether you’re going for a classic, bohemian, or modern vibe, the right accessories can make your hairstyle truly shine. Here’s how to incorporate various accessories into your wedding day look.

Veils

The veil is one of the most iconic bridal accessories, and how you incorporate it into your hairstyle can significantly impact your overall look. Veils can be attached to updos, half-up styles, or even loose waves. For updos, the veil can be secured just above or below the bun or chignon. If you’re wearing your hair down, consider placing the veil at the crown of your head or just behind it for a soft, cascading effect. Longer veils tend to work best with simpler hairstyles, allowing the veil to be the focal point, while shorter veils can add a touch of vintage charm to more detailed hairstyles.

Hairpieces

Hairpieces like combs, pins, and tiaras add a touch of elegance and can help to secure your hairstyle in place.

Hair Combs:

Hair combs are versatile and can be used to anchor a veil, secure an updo, or add a decorative element to a half-up style.

Pins:

Hairpins are a delicate and subtle way to add sparkle or interest to your hairstyle. They can be scattered throughout a braid, placed around a bun, or used to secure small sections of hair. Pins often feature pearls, rhinestones, or floral designs, adding a touch of romance to your look.

Tiaras:

For brides looking to make a royal statement, a tiara is a perfect choice. Tiaras can be worn with both updos and down styles, adding height and drama to your hairstyle. Whether you choose a full tiara or a more understated crown, this accessory is ideal for formal, fairytale, or vintage-themed weddings.

Flowers

Incorporating flowers into your hairstyle adds a fresh, natural element that’s perfect for outdoor, bohemian, or garden weddings.

Jewelry

Adding jewelry to your hairstyle can elevate your look with a touch of sparkle and sophistication.

Concluding Thoughts: Choosing the perfect wedding hairstyle is an essential part of creating your dream bridal look. From classic updos to romantic braids and modern down styles, the options are as diverse as the brides who wear them. By understanding your hair type and texture, selecting accessories that complement your style, and considering how your hairstyle fits within the broader context of your wedding theme, you can find a look that not only makes you feel beautiful but also reflects your unique personality.