Is it better to wear long hair up or down for a wedding?

How you wear your hair is totally up to you. Updos come with lots of functional versatility, such as being extra secure, keeping hair out of your face, or emphasizing a neckline. However, wearing your hair down provides the benefit of really flaunting that length and offers a more romantic and youthful vibe.

How long does hair have to be for an updo?

Hair should be at least shoulder-length to accommodate an updo. The longer the hair, the higher and more voluminous the updo can be.

How can I grow my hair before my wedding?

Hendrickson recommends scheduling regular trims up to the wedding day. While the suggestion may sound counterintuitive, trims are essential to maintaining the health of your hair, and healthy hair grows faster than depleted strands.

40 Wedding Hairstyles for Brides With Long Hair

bride with curly light brown hair posing in a veil while wearing a white bouquet — Photo by Niki Marie Photography

Many brides begin growing out their hair immediately after getting engaged, and it's not hard to understand why. While manes of all lengths are beautiful, there's an allure and versatility that comes with having long locks for the big day, especially if you plan on sporting an intricate 'do. From cascading curls and romantic updos to more polished looks and sleek coifs, the options are truly endless when it comes to long-hair bridal hairstyles.

That being said, if you're thinking about growing out your hair, or already have long locks, it's important to maintain your mane in the months leading up to your wedding. "It's always best with long hair styling to have a haircut that has long layers and face-framing angles," says celebrity hair and makeup artist Mia Hendrickson. "Keeping hair one length is not ideal for most long-haired bridal styling." Once you receive the perfect cut, however, the rest lies in the detail—that is, selecting a flawless coif for when it's time to say "I do."

Meet the Expert

Mia Hendrickson is a celebrity hair and makeup artist with over 15 years of experience in the bridal industry. She is the owner of Mia Farah Beautique.

Here, we rounded up 40 long-hair bridal hairstyles from real weddings. From raving ponytails to Old Hollywood–inspired waves, use these looks to inspire your own beautiful 'do.

01 of 40

Classic Chignon

bride wearing a birdcage veil with a posy of flowers in her hair — Photo by Chi-Chi Ari Love

If you’re searching for a style that’ll never go out of, well, style, this is the ‘do for you. To make it unique and personal, and accessorize it with just a bit of sparkle or a tiny posy, like this bride did here.

02 of 40

Old Hollywood Waves

"The most popular hairstyle for long hair is definitely the Hollywood wave," notes Hendrickson. If you want to conquer this coif yourself, use a 1.5-inch curling iron on small sections of hair, securing each curl to your head as it cools. Once cooled, release the curls and use a wide-toothed comb to gently loosen the spirals.

03 of 40

Loose Waves

Hendrickson considers this relaxed version of Old Hollywood waves to be the trendier counterpart amongst long-haired brides. The romantic waves have a looser composition that errs on softness over definition.

04 of 40

Beautiful Bridal Blowout

woman getting lipstick put on her — Photo by Laura Murray

Show off all that length with a beautiful blowout. Simple enough, right? Best of all, you already know that this tried-and-true style will work for you and your hair texture.

05 of 40

No-Fuss Ponytail

Portrait of Bride in White Gown — Photo by St. Chelle

Who knew the style you wore to keep your long hair out of your face at the gym would be fancy enough for your wedding day? We did! Try using a texturizing powder and teasing the hair at your crown to get the effortless, textured pony this bride is rocking.

06 of 40

Sleek and Straight

Groom kissing bride with straight hair in the middle of a field — Photo by A Sea of Love

No matter your wedding theme, season, or setting, a pin-straight hairstyle is bound to complement it. This no-fuss look is especially perfect for minimalist brides with sleek sartorial choices to match.

07 of 40

Stunning Swirled Updo

Bride in lace dress and swirling updo holding romantic bouquet — Photo by Alexandra Lee Photography

Now this is how you do a formal updo! The swirled shape is an architectural—not to mention stunning—update on the conventional style.

08 of 40

Classic Half-Up, Half-Down

Bride Putting on Earrings and Looking Off to the Side in Floral Wedding Dress — Photo by KT Merry

The half-up, half-down hairstyle is a favorite among brides for a reason: It allows you to show off both your long locks and your beaming face. This 'do is especially versatile in that it looks gorgeous on just about every hair texture and length.

09 of 40

Intertwining Updo

Groom laughing while holding bride's hands during vow ceremony — Photo by Gaby J Photography

Despite the intricate, intertwining locks that make up this updo, it doesn’t look stiff or severe. Keep your look similarly soft by using a flexible hold hairspray and a high-shine mist. We especially love how the bride's highlights add an extra dimension to the 'do.

10 of 40

Top Knot

You already love this easy, breezy hairstyle, so why not rock it at your wedding? It’s a great option if you’re looking for an updo that doesn’t look too done up. We adore how this bride kept the crown voluminous rather than slicking it back for a more approachable style that befits her regal New York nuptials.

11 of 40

Woven and Wrapped Updo

bride in lace-back dress with a wrapped Updo embellished with baby's breath — Photo by Aaron & Jillian Photography

Formal and elegant, this intricate updo will have all eyes on you as you walk down the aisle. Plus, it’s a striking way to show off the back of your wedding dress. Just imagine how tragic it would be if this bride’s floral lace back was hiding behind a curtain of hair.

12 of 40

Undone Boho Braid

Boho brides, this one’s for you! Beachy waves meet an undone braid in this half-up, half-down hairstyle. To get a similar effect, be sure to gently pull apart your braid to add volume and get that perfectly imperfect look.

13 of 40

Haute Headbands

bride in Marchesa wedding gown — Photo by Hana Gonzalez Photography

Headbands aren’t just for the Gossip Girl set, you know. Take an embellished headband and pair it with glossy locks and you’ve got a look chic enough for the aisle. We find the look to be positively regal and not the least bit twee.

14 of 40

Full French Braid

A side-swept French braid is a great choice for free spirits, and for those who don’t want to keep wiping sweaty strands off their faces while on the dance floor. Hendrickson recommends adding hair extensions (even if you have long hair) for coifs like this, as they will create more volume and a longer-lasting hairstyle.

15 of 40

Plaited Updo

Bride in strapless dress with fishtail chignon and sparkly clips — Photo by Etcetera Photography

According to Hendrickson, soft and romantic updos, with the option to be let down into a half-up, half-down style, are gaining huge popularity; this woven chignon is a stunning poster child for the 'do.

16 of 40

Voluminous Bridal Bun

Put your locks’ thickness and length to good use with a voluminous bridal bun. "Use a volumizing mousse at the root of the hair and keep the hair in a high ponytail the night before," advises Hendrickson. The technique will seal in a lot of that coveted volume at the crown, so you wake up with half of the work done for you.

17 of 40

Face-Framing Tendrils

smiling bride putting on earrings while wear a white robe — Photo by Elizabeth Austin Photography

If you want to wear an updo but still let a few pieces of your long locks shine, consider adding face-framing tendrils to your 'do. We particularly love this style when paired with a high ponytail or bun.

18 of 40

Pinned-Back Bangs

Portrait of Bride Holding Bouquet — Photo by Gipe Photography

If you have bangs or shorter layers in front, pin them back and under the longer lengths in this easy ‘do. It’s a great way to change up your look after the ceremony and leaves you ready to bust some moves on the dance floor. Don't forget to add a bit of hairspray to keep any stray hairs in place.

19 of 40

Embellished Undone Braid

Isn’t this embellished braid enchanting? The intentional messiness of it makes for an ethereal look that has us swooning. The delicate pearlized hair accessories are the perfect finishing touch, adding just a glimmer of glitz to the overall vibe.

20 of 40

Glamorous Cascading Curls

bride looking over her shoulder in an empty grassy field — Photo by SYDNEY NOELLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Wearing a strapless wedding dress? Complement the neckline by having your glamorous curls cascade down your shoulders. Unlike the bouncy curls of more traditional looks, we find this bride's natural hair to be the perfect finishing touch to her ethereal look.

21 of 40

Loose Chignon

the back of a bride wearing a lace wedding dress and loose low bun — PHOTO BY NANCY EBERT

Untucking a few strands from a chignon is an easy way to soften the look and amp up the romance instantly. Remember, beauty is in the imperfections. So ease up on any overly polished expectations and let things get a bit undone.

22 of 40

Wrapped Topknot

We love a look with dimension, and this modern topknot delivers in spades. This bride had her long box braids carefully wrapped into a beautiful bun for a contemporary spin on a formal updo. Styles that pile the hair high on top of the head, like this, are stunning options for elongating the neck on higher necklines.

23 of 40

Dutch Side Braid

With flirty waves and a playful Dutch side braid, this look is ready for a destination wedding. It captures all those festive, free-spirited vibes of chasing the sun. Hendrickson suggests using minimal conditioner, and mostly applying it towards the ends, to ensure your strands hold the curl and won't fall limp under the weight of the volume.

24 of 40

Full and Fluffy Pony

Bride with curly ponytail and birdcage veil — Photo by Kelly Giarrocco

Why not go big with all that length—really big? This bride looks like she took our advice, and we love her voluminous ponytail full of the prettiest curls for her Mexico City wedding.

25 of 40

Floral-Studded Rope Braid

The combination of floral hair accessories and long hair is giving us major Rapunzel vibes. If you’re after a similar style, we suggest incorporating the blooms that you plan to have in your bouquet to tie the whole ensemble together.

Give your florist a heads-up so they can bring along the extra flowers on the big day.

26 of 40

Gorgeous Hair Accessories

back of a bride's head to showcase her low loose bun with a crystal hair accessory — Photo by Anya Kernes

Take a cue from this bride, who accessorized her glossy updo with a bejeweled barrette. You can instantly elevate a look with a sparkling hair accessory; it can take the style from "just a night out" to bridal vibes in an instant.

27 of 40

Natural, Free-Flowing Curls

Let your curls flow freely by playing with your natural texture, which works for any wedding style—especially beach weddings. Textured tresses blowing in the sea breeze are just so effortlessly sexy.

28 of 40

Posh and Polished

Bride with long hair in traditional length during ceremony — Photo by Flora & Fauna

Modern elegance is the name of the game when it comes to this long hairstyle. Featuring an ever-so-slight wave and smooth, shiny strands, it’s an undeniably polished style. We love how the generally straight locks still flaunt a bit of bounce and shape at the ends.

29 of 40

Messy Updo

Bride in White Gown — Photo by Benjamin Smith

Meghan Markle, eat your heart out. With loosely pinned tresses, this spin on the messy updo is particularly sweet in a very sexy and mischievous way.

30 of 40

Bold Hue

Bride with purple dress and hair kissing groom in canyon — Photo by Amy Bluestar Photography

Long hair in bold hues always gives us serious mermaid vibes. If you’re known for experimenting with crazy colors on your down-to-there locks, don’t let tradition stop you from rocking a bright shade on your wedding day.

Avoid making any drastic color changes right before the big day. Give yourself ample time (at least six months) to experiment with shades.

31 of 40

Loosely Braided Locks

Bride with waterfall braid embracing groom — Photo by Kaity Brawley

This bride wore her locks loosely braided away from her face for a simple half-up, half-down hairstyle. We love how the soft braid mimics the shape of her loose curls.

32 of 40

Rosy, Rolled Updo

Bride with a rolled updo with white flowers and greenery — Photo by The Rowlands

Who needs a bouquet when your hair is blooming with florals like these? Complete with a bundle of white roses, this bride’s rolled updo is absolutely enviable. If pretty posies aren't your vibe, try boho hair chains or old-world hairpins.

33 of 40

Glossy Ponytail

bride posing in a white robe with large chandelier earrings — Photo by Amy Anaiz

Most bridal ponytails are ever so demurely gathered at the nape of the neck, but this glam bride chose to wear hers high and proud. The sky-high ponytail of bountiful, glossy locks provided all the benefits of an updo while still cascading around her gorgeous face.

34 of 40

Loose Side Bun

Newlywed portrait with bride in lace dress, back tattoo, and side bun — Photo by Jenny Quicksall Photography

Oh, what a difference sweeping a traditional style to the side can make. This playful bun is flirty as can be, especially with the asymmetric placement of the pearly hair accessory. "Some brides don't select the best hair accessories to complement a long hairstyle," notes Hendrickson. "It's important to select a medium to larger size hairpiece to pair with the longer hair—more hair means more hairpiece."

35 of 40

Wrapped Bubble Pony

This unique spin on a classic ponytail boasts plenty of fairy-tale vibes. If you opt for a more streamlined pony, we still recommend hiding the hair elastic, as this bride did here. It’s an easy way to dress up the ‘do and couldn't be simpler: Just leave out a small section from the bottom of the ponytail before securing it. Fasten the ends into the base with a bobby pin, and you’re good to go.

Use a bit of smoothing serum to keep the strands looking polished and frizz-free.

36 of 40

Softly Structured

bride holding the back of her head to show off her soft bun — Photo by KVC Photography

With layers of locks pinned here and there, this softly structured updo totes an easy-going elegance. Just be sure to tuck a few extra bobby pins in your clutch in case your loose look gets a little too loose as the night wears on.

37 of 40

Minimalist Accessory

Bride Getting Makeup Done — Photo by Gina Almonte

Searching for a hair accessory that's unique but still pared back? Take a cue from this bride who sported a gold knot in her updo, creating the ultimate cool-girl, minimalist vibe.

38 of 40

French Roll

Bride and Bridesmaids — Photo by The Lockharts

Though the French roll hairstyle isn't as popular today as it once was, there's still something elegant about the 'do, especially if you're hosting a black-tie wedding. Need proof? Just look at this bride's gorgeous coif, which she sported for her French-inspired wedding.

39 of 40

Beachy, Mermaid Waves

bride and groom holding hands on the beach — Photo by Photo by Julieta

Hosting a beach wedding? Lean into the laid-back vibes and consider wearing beachy, mermaid waves on your big day. This style is at once effortless and classic and will be a coif you look back on fondly for years to come.

40 of 40

Deep Side Part

Bridal portrait with cascading veil — Photo by Lisa Poggi

You can never go wrong with sporting a deep side part for your wedding. Case in point: This beautiful bride's 'do is taken to new heights thanks to her side part and gorgeous veil.

FAQ

Is it better to wear long hair up or down for a wedding?

How you wear your hair is totally up to you. Updos come with lots of functional versatility, such as being extra secure, keeping hair out of your face, or emphasizing a neckline. However, wearing your hair down provides the benefit of really flaunting that length and offers a more romantic and youthful vibe.
How long does hair have to be for an updo?

Hair should be at least shoulder-length to accommodate an updo. The longer the hair, the higher and more voluminous the updo can be.
How can I grow my hair before my wedding?

Hendrickson recommends scheduling regular trims up to the wedding day. While the suggestion may sound counterintuitive, trims are essential to maintaining the health of your hair, and healthy hair grows faster than depleted strands.

35 Ways to Wear Your Hair Down for Your Wedding