Wedding updos are always considered to be a classic affair but that doesn’t mean they have to be the same old style. In fact, a wedding updo needs to fulfill an entire roster of criteria such as to be weather-proof, to complete the neckline of the dress and its back details, and to highlight the face in the best way possible, among others.
With all this in mind, we’ve gathered some of the prettiest and most enchanting wedding updos that cover everything from a beach wedding to flower crowns ideas to weddings in every season. Happy scrolling and congratulations!
1. Boho Wedding Updos
The past few years have been witness to the rise of the bohemian wedding style as brides all over the world are ditching the restraining and traditional buns and chignons in favor of much more romantic and casual updos.
2. Side Ponytail with Flowers
This lovely ponytail braid falls under the same category of casual updos we were referencing above. It’s just about as simple and low maintenance as you can hope to get on your wedding day. Plus, it’s a hairstyle you can adjust yourself as the big day unfolds.
3. Spanish Style Bridal Updos
The last seasons have also seen a rise in importing international style influences. One example is this fantastic Spanish design with a curly loose bun and large, blooming peonies in two colors on the side of the head.
4. Updos with Birdcage Veil
This one is for all the brides out there who are still pinning over the long-lost glamour of decades past. The updo includes a birdcage veil that has been stylized into a bandeau with a set of cream-colored flowers on the side.
5. Hairstyles for Weddings with Pearl Tiara
If you find yourself on the more elegant side of things, then pearls are the way to go. But don’t stop at a few bobby pins. This is, after all, your big day and it is by no means a moment when you should feel restricted. Go for the tiara!
6. Tiara Wedding Updos
Speaking of tiaras, here’s a gorgeous example of a classic princess tiara. It has an entire plethora of diamonds and pearls on it. Evidently, if your budget doesn’t allow for a set of diamonds, don’t worry. You can use replacements.
7. Wedding Hairstyles for Long Hair Updo
If you have long hair but are not a fan of traditional wedding hairstyles such as a chignon or French twist, then you can easily opt for a casual set of curls and a theatrical headband. The flowers on it can match your bouquet or the arrangements on the tables.
8. Tropical Wedding Updos
Some brides have their heart set not only on a beach wedding but on a tropical and exotic one as well. That means that you need to mirror that in some of the accessories you plan on wearing. This is a single flower accessory in the form of a large white orchid that accentuates the side-swept, over the shoulder wavy hair style.
9. Beach Wedding Updos
Speaking of beach weddings, here’s a cute idea to try out. This hairstyle involves a messy and loose braid that has been decorated down its length with pearls, starfish, and seaweed. They are all reminiscent of life under the waves.
10. Romantic Wedding Updos
Sometimes, the most romantic styles are the simplest ones as well. And this one seems to be pulled straight out of a Jane Austen novel. The hairstyle is a medium hair one with a cascade of curls and a crown made of field flowers with a long ribbon at the back.
11. Low Ponytail Wedding Hairstyles
If you have a hair embellishment piece that speaks for itself, then it may be best to approach your wedding day with a more demure hairstyle. Try this low ponytail and let the accessories do all the talking for you.
12. Elegant Updos for Wedding
Here is a classic bridal hairstyle that will never go out of fashion. It’s still one of the most beloved styles out there and thousands of brides choose it every single year. The hair accessory is among the most common ones as well, being shaped like a stylized flower branch.
13. Glamorous Wedding Hairstyles
Another timeless example is this luxurious take on bridal hair. The hairstyle in itself is quite simple. If you look closely you will see that it’s just a few classic curls. However, the eye goes immediately to the large, diamond-studded accessory on the side.
14. DIY Wedding Updos
In case you can’t fit a stylist in your budget or you find you don’t have enough time to make it to the salon on the big day, it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan. Start practicing a few months in advance for a hairstyle you know will look good on you that day.
15. Cute and Simple Wedding Updos
This hairstyle works for both the bride and her maid of honor. It’s a glamorous low and twisted ponytail that has been tied halfway with a lovely ribbon. Choose one that has a satin and glossy finish in the color of your own dress.
16. The Classic Chignon
We’ve referenced it a few times before so now it’s time to see it. This is the classic wedding chignon that most brides like to wear. If you want a bonus, you can get it textured a little bit or add a string of pearls to it.
17. The Messy Bun
If you want bridal buns or a chignon but are a bit opposed to the rigor of the classic ones, you can always ask your stylist to give you a messy bun. In this way, you get the best of both worlds – comfort and elegance at the same time.
18. Wedding Updos with Veil and Flower
The wedding veil is still an option a high percentage of brides go for. Even though it doesn’t have the same meaning as it once did, it’s a beautiful tradition, and its pleasing aesthetics are what matters to the brides.
19. Easy Updos for a Wedding Guest
As a wedding guest, you must look your best, but you must never upstage the bride. Therefore, this lovely long hairstyle with vintage curls pulled back on one side is perfect decorum for a guest.
20. High Wedding Updo Hairstyles
It’s time for another classic on our list. This intricate high bun with curls pinned by a flowery headband is a traditional choice many brides opt for on their big day. The reason is that it elongates your face and neckline and you can easily attach your veil underneath it.
21. Casual Wedding Updo
Some brides prefer to keep it simple and let the dress take center stage as they stroll down the aisle on the most beautiful day of their lives. If that is your case as well and you have a stunning dress – especially one with an open back- it’s best to go for a casual hairstyle.
22. Crown Braid Wedding Updos
This is a more sophisticated and intricate look that may require you to get extensions for the big day in case your hair is not long enough or you do not have the right hair texture to pull off this one. However, anything is worth it as long as you look striking with the brown braided and curly high bun.
23. Spring Wedding Updos
Most weddings take place during the spring and summer seasons, so it’s easy to pick a hairstyle. But how about one that actually celebrates this lovely part of the year? Think about adding cherry blossoms, pink roses, or lilac to a messily braided and twisted style like the one above.
24. Winter Wedding Updos
As opposed to the warm seasons, a winter wedding is not so common. However, you can pull it off and celebrate it with a spectacular flower crown that incorporates white roses symbolizing the snow and fir branches as a symbol of the everlasting Christmas tree.
25. Half Up Half Down Wedding Updos
We’re in love with everything about this look. From the oversized flower crown to the simple yet beautiful braid crown and beach waves, to the powerful winterberry lipstick, this look is sheer perfection.
The mother of the bride must very good too, so check out this article specially dedicated to updos specifically for mother-of-brides!
26. Side Swept Updos for Weddings
When your hair is this beautiful, it would be almost a shame to pull it back and hide it all away in a chignon. Let it cascade down your shoulders and embellish it with a little flower of your choosing.
27. Pretty Wedding Flower Crown Updos
Did you know that brides used to wear flowers in their hair and a bouquet in their hands to perfume themselves naturally on the big day? That’s where the tradition originated, and it has been kept to this day.
28. Frida Khalo Wedding Style
Frida Khalo will never stop being an aesthetic inspiration. Therefore, she can easily become your muse if you’re bold and whimsical enough and if you really want a look that will not be forgotten. Go for orchids, peonies, and tropical flowers.
29. Country-Style Wedding Updos
On the other hand, if you want to celebrate your local environment, you can always choose country or field flowers for your crown and your bouquet. Include anything from poppies to daisies, violets, primroses, and bluebells.
30. Fall Wedding Updos
We’ve seen what a spring and winter wedding should look like, now let’s take a look at a fall one. With an autumn wedding, it’s all about the color gold. Therefore, you should go for an oversized metallic embellishment shaped like the branches of a tree with leaves of gold.
31. Braided Bun with Flower and Braided Crowns
The braided bun is as romantic a bridal hairstyle as you can get. And when you combine it with small flowers such as baby breath, you’ve got yourself a winner. It’s a classic combination to which you can attach any type of veil.
32. Sophisticated Wedding Updos
Luxurious hair accessories guarantee one thing: that you will look just as good from the back as you do from the front. And you know how important that is on the one day when you will be photographed hundreds of times from every side.
33. Bridal Updos for Wavy Hair
Here’s a hairstyle to which you can change as the evening progresses and you will want to be more comfortable, dance more, and generally move about and mingle with your guests. Take down your intricate bun and enjoy your party with these love wavy curls.
34. Mother of the Bride Updos for Weddings
Other members of your wedding party can share the same accessories as you. You can wear the same golden hairpiece as your mother, as a touching tribute and a lovely mother-daughter moment.
35. Summer Wedding Updos
The best way to emphasize that you’re having a summer wedding is by wearing a gorgeous flower crown in the hot season’s best floral picks. You can include anything you want in it and it will make your wedding planning that much easier too!
36. Nontraditional Wedding Hair Color
If you’re a daring bride who wants to step outside of the box and make a splash on her wedding day, you can always choose a nonconventional hair color. This is cobalt blue with a few ice blue highlights. It has been braided and baby breath flowers inserted into the braid.
37. Braided Ponytail with Flower Crown
Roses are the without a doubt the kings of weddings, flower-wise. How about taking the rose trend a step further and sporting the color in your hair? You can even go for rose-ception and wear a rose crown as well.
38. Magenta Wedding Updos
This color and bridal hairstyle are perfect if you have a simple dress that can act as a canvas to what’s going on above the shoulder level. Embellish your head full of curls with a few strings of beads and a set of roses or pink orchids.
39. Pastel Hair Colors
The pastel trend is still going very strong so there is no reason why you shouldn’t rock it for your wedding too. This is a light shade of lilac mixed with a bit of purple that has been twisted in a classic textured bridal knot. Be sure to leave a few face-framing strands for fabulous effects.
40. Purple Wedding Hairstyles
However, if pastel is not your thing and you want to make a big splash, you can opt for full-on purple. It will look amazing against a cream-colored wedding dress as opposed to a more traditional white one.
41. Famous Brides – Audrey Hepburn
The final part of our article brings you a set of ten of the most famous brides in pop culture. They will inspire you with their personal choices in wedding updos and give you a chance to see an alternative to the ever classics chignons and buns. The first one on the list is the very stylish and classically beautiful Audrey Hepburn
42. The Victoria Beckham
Back when they got married, David and Victoria Beckham were considered true British royalty. That’s why she chose to wear an actual golden crown on top of her spiky 2000s pixie cut complete with wispy bangs and a Vera Wang dress.
43. The Priscilla Presley
Priscilla is undoubtedly one of the most famous brides in history as there are very few people who haven’t seen her wedding pictures to Elvis or who can’t recognize her iconic 60s puffed and long hairstyle as well as the theatrical makeup she was wearing.
44. The Anne Hathaway
This actress surprised everyone when she got married because of her very vintage choice of headgear. Anne Hathaway wore a very thick lacey bandeau over her short-cropped hair from which a dramatically long white veil hung meters behind her to the ground.
45. The Kate Winslet
This was Kate’s first marriage in 1998 and she looked spectacular in a vintage dress and headband. The capped sleeves of her dress, as well as the sides of her temples, dripped with diamonds and sparkles.
46. The Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton’s wedding to Prince William broke the world record for being the most-watched live moment. Millions of people from all over the world tuned in to see the beautiful ‘common’ girl marry the handsome prince. Her hair was simply made half up half down as she wore a long veil and a real-life princess tiara with diamonds.
47. The Princess Diana
It would have been impossible to mention royal weddings or celebrity brides for that matter and not talk about the most famous one of all, Princess Diana. On her wedding day, her blonde hair was cut to a long pixie with medium bangs and she wore an even bigger diamond tiara than Kate.
48. The Jessica Chastain
Even though she got married in secret, actress Jessica Chastain looked simply stunning. She chose a very traditional and classic style with a high bun and a veil falling over her shoulders and her sweetheart neckline.
49. The Geri Halliwell
British singer Geri Halliwell went completely casual as far as wedding updos are concerned. Her medium length hair was parted down the middle and she only had a few curls set in as she let the lacey dress be the center of attention.
50. The Beyonce
The same goes for Beyonce. Even though we have seen her in outrageous outfits, ballgowns, and even wedding dresses in her videos, her actual wedding dress was extremely demure. And so was her hairstyle. She slicked back her hair in a high bun and draped the white veil over it.
Conclusion
Wedding updos are slowly receiving a much-needed update. Although the traditional low and high chignons and buns are still everyone’s favorites, the bridal hairstyle lookbook now has a lot more options to choose from, which includes nontraditional colors, flower crowns, international inspiration, braids, and much more.
Brides are now freer than ever to express themselves. Let us know in the comment section below which one was your favorite!
Thelma Ewart
Thelma Ewart started painting and drawing as a hobby when she was young. She pursued arts which eventually lead her to the fashion industry. She is now a hairstyle artist that considers all of her projects as a work of art. Pursuing creativity is what drives her to become the best in what she does.
