44 Chic Wedding Hairstyles for Medium-Length Hair

Bride With Medium-Length Wedding Hairstyle and Pearl Drop Earrings and Groom in Green Tuxedo Laughing — Photo by Sasithon Photography

With so much attention given to your dress, shoes, and accessories during the wedding-planning process, it can be easy to forget about a crucial aspect when it comes to your overall look: your hair. However, if you identify as a "Goldilocks" with strands that are neither long nor short, it can be tricky to find a wedding hairstyle for your medium-length hair. You may feel the need to suddenly get a chop to be able to achieve a sophisticated bob or attempt to grow out your hair for a towering updo. And while we love both of those looks, there are also plenty of styles that are just right for medium-length hair.

Whether or not you turn to a professional to achieve your dream bridal hair is completely up to you. While some brides opt to hire a seasoned stylist, others take the lead themselves. When weighing your options, consider how difficult your desired style is, how much time you have for styling on your big day, and how comfortable you feel doing your hair on a day-to-day basis. For example, if you're filled with anxiety every time you pick up a hot tool but really want your bridal look to have bouncy curls, it may be best to ask a hairstylist to assist you. If you do opt for the self-led approach, make sure to practice as much as possible before the big day. And regardless of which route you take, it's critical to leave enough time for the creation of your desired look. Experts recommend reserving between 60 to 90 minutes to devout to your hair during the getting-ready process.

But before your big day even arrives, you'll need to decide on your dream look. Luckily, we've rounded up 44 wedding hairstyles for medium-length hair to give you some much-needed inspiration. Whether you're dreaming of beach-inspired waves or a chic headband, we've got a look for you ahead.

01 of 44

Simple, Sophisticated Waves

Bride With Curled Medium-Length Hairstyle in Strapless Dress With Beading Holds Hands With Groom in White Tuxedo — Photo by Ruby Olivia Photography

This bride proved that, sometimes, keeping it simple is key. Her soft waves—with added extensions courtesy of Tommy Buckett—gave sleekness and volume to her wedding-day look. We love how her classic waves poked through under her custom pearl and crystal veil.

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A Look Like Mom's

Bride With Slicked-Back French Twist Hairstyle and High-Neck Wedding Dress Touches Groom's Face — Photo by The Lockharts

This bride's pinned-back look by Oak n Mane was inspired by her mother, who loved to wear her hair in a French roll. For this Texas-based bride, the style perfectly complemented the elegant sophistication of her regal, Chantilly lace wedding dress.

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Polished Low Bun

Bride With Low Bun Wedding Hairstyle Wearing Sari and Tikka — Photo by Les Loups

Allowing her tikka to be the star of the show, this New York bride asked White Rose Collective to pull her hair back into a sleek, polished updo. We love how her chandelier earrings—with a matching choker—truly brought the stunning look together.

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Rustic Chic Updo

Photo by Marcela Pulido

Wanting to accentuate the back of her dress, this bride enlisted a friend to put her hair in a simple updo for her Oregon wedding. The laid-back—yet stunning—style perfectly matched the aesthetic of her flower farm venue.

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Flower Crown Upgrade

Bride With Updo With Flower Crown Wearing a Bateau Neck Wedding Dress and Holding a Rose Bouquet — Photo by Kate Headley

As a nod to the headband her mother wore on her own wedding day, this Virginia bride added a similar accessory to her updo by Karma Beauty Lounge. Putting a bit of a twist on family tradition, she also decorated the band with fresh flowers, bringing an artful element to a timeless design.

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Curly Low Bun

Bride Wearing Curly Messy Low Bun and Lace Wedding Dress With Long Sleeves Looking at Groom in Black Tuxedo While Posing on Balcony — Photo by Lance Nicoll Photography

This bride embraced a classic low bun—with a unique touch—for her city wedding. Integrating face-framing curls, glamorous pins, and a middle part into the timeless look by Tinika Sadiku created a photo-worthy vision for her big day.

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Perfectly Slicked

Back View of Bride's Twisted Low Bun Paired With Drop Pearl Earrings — Photo by Jenn Emerling

To keep the emphasis on her fashion, including a pair of drop pearl earrings and her mother's 1989 wedding dress, this bride decided to pull her hair into a slicked-back low bun. We love how the look by Sherrie Long gave an elegant touch to her desired simplicity.

Bringing the hair upward, rather than adding a part, pulls the eyes up, highlighting the face and elongating the neck.

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Vintage Moment

Bride Wearing Medium-Length Hair in Updo With Hat and Bird Cage Veil Walking Down Aisle With Groom in White Tuxedo Jacket — Photo by Anne Rhett Photography

The timeless updo (by Patrick Navarro) this bride chose for her Southern Carolina wedding was the perfect look to pair with an artful accessory: a birdcage veil from East Village Hats. With its pop of white, the vintage-inspired piece made for a unforgettable bridal style.

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Nod to Natural

Bride With Medium-Length Hair Wearing Drop-Pearl Earrings and Holding Cala Lilly Bouquet — Photo by Sasithon Photography

At this bride's California farmhouse wedding, Katie Nash kept her hair simple, giving her subtle waves with a side part. The down-to-earth sentiment allowed for the bride's elegant pearl drop earrings and posy bouquet to truly shine.

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Center-Parted Curls

Bride with natural curls holding hands with groom — Photo by A Heart String Co.

This bride's voluminous natural curls were the only accessory she needed on her big day. We love how her symmetrical center part framed her face and paired perfectly with the square neckline of her dress.

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Old-World Glam

Woman Stands as Her Friend Helps Her Get Ready for Her Wedding Day — Photo by Valeria Bross Photo

Inspired by her Carnival-themed Mexico wedding, this bride opted for a Reem Acra headpiece with tiny pearl embellishments. The accessory, paired with a sophisticated and sleek low bun, echoed the old-world aesthetic of the big day.

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Windswept Waves

Regardless of whether you're having a oceanfront wedding or not, you can't go wrong with a windswept, beach-inspired look. This bride's hair, styled by Jennifer Hargrove, looked right at home at her alfresco reception—and paired perfectly with her natural, glowy makeup by Kristen Ruggiero and Angela-Lynn Ware.

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Glossy Waves With Slicked-Back Bangs

Newlyweds and vintage car — Photo by Gianny Campos

Glamorous, shiny waves are an excellent choice for hair of any length. For this bride's wedding-day look, Lacy Redway at The Wall Group tucked her bangs back and let her waves cascade over them for an elegant and polished approach.

14 of 44

Big Volume

Bride with curly hair and embellished dress — Photo by Amy Anaiz

We love how this bride embraced her natural curls on her big day. Styled by Modimel, her playful—yet voluminous—hairstyle perfectly complemented her embellished dress (by Vainglorious Brides) and her illuminating makeup, done by Daniel Henry.

15 of 44

Dimensional Texture

Bridal portrait with tousled lob of bright highlights — Photo by Whiskers and Willow Photography

Sunny highlights and beachy waves can add dimension to your hair—without requiring you to chop off your ends. This bride's two-toned lob, styled with a side part, added effortless movement to her wedding-day look.

16 of 44

Glam Waves With Delicate Details

Smiling brunette bride with mid-length curls and rhinestone-studded double headband — Photo by Larisa Shorina

It’s hard not to get lost within this Brooklyn bride's beautiful arrangement of glam waves topped with a dainty crystal headband. "I love that headband so much I’ve reworn it countless times, because it adds that little extra to any outfit," the bride said.

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Floral Updo

Bridal portrait with flower tucked into bun — Photo by Olivia Rae James

With a bit of smoothing serum and a few bobby pins, medium-length hair can thrive in an updo, as Katie Brignolo of The Spa at Litchfield Hills proved with this bride's wedding-day look. And sometimes all mid-length strands need are a sprig of greenery or a touch of florals to truly wow. We love how her rustic-inspired hair paired perfectly with her natural makeup, done by Lindsey Birkins.

18 of 44

Old Hollywood Waves

Bride with blunt lob and brushed out waves — Photo by Chi-Chi Ari

Embrace old-Hollywood glamour vibes with brushed-out finger waves and a blunt cut. This style, done by Hair by Fran, evokes strength and femininity all in one look.

19 of 44

Glam Crinkle

Newlyweds in black tie attire — Photo by Mecca Gamble

This middle-part, beach-wave look is equal parts sexy and sophisticated. We love how the bride's hair grazes her shoulders and draws attention to the sweetheart neckline of her dress.

20 of 44

A Floral Topper

Since every piece of hair might not be long enough for a polished bun, a messy updo is a perfect choice for brides with medium-length hair. Add a floral topper, and you've got a whimsical bridal look that's always in style.

21 of 44

Pinned Curls

Bridal hair accessorized with shimmery hair pins — Photo by KT Merry

Styled by the team at Process, a South Carolina-based salon, this bride pinned back a curtain of curls with sparkly, bejeweled hair accessories. Her added pins integrated an additional touch of shine into her already-sophisticated look.

22 of 44

A Plaited Crown

Bride with braided hairdo standing with groom — Photo by Jillian Mitchell

A crowning braid is the finishing touch any boho-inspired look needs. We love how the style adds a bit of height while still maintaining a soft aesthetic.

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Soft Waves

Bride with medium length hair showcasing her open back gown — Photo by Erich McVey

Subtle waves make for a soft and feminine wedding day hairstyle, like Claudia Mejerle did for this bride's chic look. It's the perfect balance between polished and effortless.

24 of 44

Low Chignon With Regal Headband

Bride with low chignon and padded headband holding bouquets and laughing with bridesmaids — Photo by Hana Gonzalez Photography

The ultimate bridal accessory you can rewear well after your ceremony? A headband. “For all of my dress fittings I wore a padded pearl headband, and after a while I just couldn’t picture wearing my dress without one," shared this bride who celebrated her nuptials with a tropical wedding.

25 of 44

Overflowing Updo

Candiace Dillard bridal portrait with undone chignon and tendrils spilling out around face — Photo by Abby Jiu

Mid-length hair looks amazing loosely tucked back into an informal knot, like in this look done by Stephanie Harris. We love how the shorter lengths spill out, alluringly framing this bride's face—and highlighting her makeup, done by Melissa Mangrum.

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Straight Strands

Bride with straight hair posing in her lace gown — Photo by Joey Willis

Give straight strands a little extra oomph by curling the ends inward, like Lindsey Neavitt did for this bride. The key is to inject a little volume throughout the entire hair shaft so that the style doesn't look too sleek.

27 of 44

Romantic Waves

Brunette bride with mid-length tousled hair standing in front of groom in tux — Photo by Kelly Brown

A center part with gentle waves, like Sabrina Rana did for this stunning bride, is about as romantic as you can get. We love how the loose curls perfectly paired with her white floral arrangement, designed by Of The Flowers.

28 of 44

Brushed-Out Curls

Bride holds a bouquet as she embraces the groom — Photo by Valorie Darling

Brushed-out curls are both soft and fuss-free. We love how the alluring texture of the hairstyle matches this bride's lace dress and whimsical bouquet, designed by Gavita Flora.

29 of 44

Beach Waves With a Birdcage Veil

Blonde Bride wearing a birdcage veil over mid-length lob with beach waves — Photo by Ryan Ray

This bride's subtle birdcage veil from Bridal Reflections complemented her beach-wave lob, done by The Salon & Spa at Vision of Tomorrow. A subtle off-center part lent a touch of intrigue to the classic style.

30 of 44

Ribboned Bun

Blonde bride with mid-length hair in bun with black ribbon kissing groom — Photo by James Autery

This bride tied a sheer, black ribbon around her bun to elevate the minimalist hairstyle. The contrasting addition, styled by Ashley Rubell, was the perfect complement to her low-back, beaded gown and imparted a decidedly French-girl flair to the ensemble.

31 of 44

Low Ponytail

Who said you can't have mid-length hair and sport a ponytail? This bride's low pony of wavy strands—wrapped in a bow, no less—by Brittain Monge is proof that you can have it all.

32 of 44

A Bouncy Blowout

Brunette bride with bouncy blowout in red lehenga smiling with groom — Photo by Whitney & Aga for Our Labor of Love

No need to overthink things. As Susmita Patel of StylebySusmita proves with this stunning bride, a bouncy blowout is all you need to create a stunning wedding style for medium-length hair.

33 of 44

Curly Chignon With Pearl-Embellished Crown

Bride with curly bun and pearl-studded hair kissing groom on boat overlooking lake — Photo by Alexandra & Vladimir Nadtochiy

Forgo the veil and opt for a striking scattering of pearls instead. “To give my hair an edge I went for a pearl-embellished sleek center part with an interlocked bun,” this bride said. We love how she embraced whimsical elegance.

34 of 44

Cool-Girl Texture

Bride with textured lob in red dress on beach with groom — Photo by KT Merry

Curl only the bottom portions of your strands and give them a good tousle for an effortless feel, like The Style Bungalow's Stephanie Hill did for this beach bride. To give it more of a laid-back vibe, leave the last inch or so of the ends straight.

35 of 44

Luscious Curls

Smiling brunette Bride with mid-length curls in a lace gown — Photo by Erich McVey

As Carlos Torres Salon shows with this bride's wedding-day look, sultry side part with big, voluminous curls is picture-perfect hair goals, no matter your length. In fact, with medium-length hair, you may even get a bouncier curl than you would with longer strands.

36 of 44

Bejeweled Updo

Bride in beaded dress with crystal hairpin — Photo by Treebird Photography

We love how Candice Cuardos tucked this bride's natural waves into a romantic gather at the base of her head and accented the style with a sparkly accessory. With the added pop of a bright lip and subtle drama of a winged liner, done by Lauren Leitzke, it's a dramatic—yet elegant—look.

37 of 44

Slicked-Back Chignon

Bridal portrait with slicked-back mid-length hair — Photo by Jenny Naima Photography

This bride's slicked-back chignon, done by Allure Traveling Beauty, radiates a timeless elegance that befits her classic wedding. We love how her colorful bouquet, designed by Brambles and Bittersweet, perfectly complements the sophisticated look.

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Romantic Low Bun

Smiling bridal close up with embellished dress and romantic chignon — Photo by Lacie Hansen Photography

Sleek and slick isn't the only option for pulled-back hair, as Team Hair and Makeup shows with this glowy bride. Add some volume and softly rake back hair for a more romantic spin on the classic bun.

39 of 44

Half-Up Bun

This bride put a fresh twist on the conventional half-up, half-down style by spinning the ends into a fun bun instead of letting them hang down in a ponytail-like fashion. The romantic styling pairs perfectly with her subtly-pink bouquet, designed by La Fabrique d’Etoiles Filantes.

40 of 44

French-Braided Updo

A French-braided tuck is an ideal option for keeping your hair out of your face and withstanding the test of an all-night dance party, as Kacee Geoffroy Hair & Makeup proves with this bride's look. Bonus: The style looks fabulous with a statement earring.

When selecting a bridal hairstyle, don't forget to take into consideration the style of your dress and any accessories that you plan on wearing down the aisle. If you choose to wear a veil, make sure that it complements your hair.

41 of 44

A Lustrous Lob

Smiling bride with glossy lob in blue lehenga — Photo by Flora & Flauna

This bride made a major move by asking Seven Salon to chop off her lengthy locks into this chic lob between wedding events. The style was kept fresh and modern with a side part and ends curling inward.

42 of 44

Stacked Buns

Bride in traditional red outfit with double chignon hairstyle — Photo by Bo Shim

These glossy buns make sculptural updos feel more approachable. The bride balanced the curves with a sizable, multi-colored hairpin for her sky-inspired wedding in New York City.

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Side-Parted Spirals

Smiling brunette Bride with side-parted mid-length spirals — Photo by Franklyn K Photography

A deep side part and curled ends are guaranteed to produce a glamorous style. “On my wedding day, I desired a more polished and intentional look, but didn’t want to compromise on my staple curls," said this bride. "So my hairstylist refined my natural curls—creating the perfect shape—and accented them with Swarovski crystal clips to secure them away from my face.”

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Textured Low Bun

Brunette bride with curly chignon and drop earring smiling and holding hands with mom with pixie cut — Photo by Ledia Tashi

When it comes to bridal buns, the more texture the better. “I chose to do a loose low bun because I love that look with the neckline of my dress," the bride said. "I wanted my curls to still show, but I knew if I wore my hair down that I'd constantly be pulling it away from my face. I liked the beauty of a swept back bun that still showed my hair texture.”

50 Romantic Wedding Hairstyles to Wear on Your Big Day