25 Easy Wedding Hairstyles for Brides

Back of Brunette Bride With Low Bun Hairstyle, Low Back Dress, and Pearl Earrings — Photo by Jenn Emerling

Your bridal hairstyle is a pivotal finishing touch that can elevate your overall look and make you feel confident on your wedding day—plus, your selected hairdo will live on in your wedding photos, so it’s important to choose wisely. When making your decision, you’ll probably factor in your wedding dress style, the climate of your locale, the aesthetic of your venue, and your personal taste, but one of the first steps involves figuring out who will be responsible for creating your ‘do of choice. While many brides enlist a professional hairstylist to turn their vision into a reality, others decide to take on the task themselves.

If you style your hair on a daily basis—and nail it every time—you might be interested in tackling your own wedding-day hairstyle. Besides knowing your mane better than anyone else, opting for a DIY look will save you hundreds of dollars, which is money that you can put toward other splurge-worthy elements, such as your venue, food, and décor, or even future expenses like your honeymoon or newlywed home.

Meet the Expert

Shani Gailbreath is a celebrity and destination wedding hair and makeup artist and the founder of Canvas and Coif, a luxury hair and makeup company in Nashville.

While it might be a bit nerve-wracking to take charge of your bridal hairstyle, practicing a few times before you walk down the aisle will help you feel more comfortable and will make the day-of styling process more seamless. Prepping your hair is another pivotal step that will give you salon-worthy results. Shani Gailbreath, a celebrity and destination wedding hairstylist, recommends starting with second-day hair, which “holds style better” than squeaky-clean locks. She also advises using a hair balm or mouse to give your tresses a better grip and locking in your final style with anti-humidity and smoothing products, especially in muggy climates. Throughout the celebration, have a travel-sized bottle of hairspray on hand for touch-ups, Gailbreath suggests.

For those who are still unsure about taking this beauty route, we put together a list of hairdos that you can effortlessly pull off yourself. Read on for 25 easy wedding hairstyles for your big day.

01 of 25

Loose Waves

Black bride on her wedding day wearing a blush-hued, ruffled strapless wedding gown — Photo by Abby Jiu Photography

A Parisian-inspired coif works on any hair texture, from straight and smooth to thick and curly. To recreate this luxe, loose look, part your hair down the middle. Then, curl your locks with a wide-barrel curling iron or hot rollers. Once curled, brush out your tresses to create a wavy texture, sparingly using hairspray for some hold.

02 of 25

A Playful Ponytail

Black Bride in Strapless White Dress With High Ponytail Looking Over Shoulder — Photo by St. Chelle

If you're looking for an easy wedding hairstyle that requires minimal effort to manage and maintain, consider a high, slicked-back ponytail. First, use hair wax on the strands near your roots to achieve a sleek look. Then, gather your locks at the crown of your head before securing it with a hair tie. You can also add a few waves to the shaft of your ponytail with a curling iron.

03 of 25

A Textured Half-Style

Bride Holding Wedding Dress on Hanger in Feather Robe and Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle — Photo by By Julieta

Want to rock a playful, romantic bridal hairstyle that doesn’t require hiring a professional? At the bare minimum, a half-up, half-down style simply entails tying back the top half of your mane. For an extra bit of personality and flair, consider positioning the ponytail at the crown of your head and injecting mermaid-style waves throughout. The bouncy, trendy style is perfect for boho bashes or beachside nuptials.

04 of 25

A Pin-Straight Mane

beauty shot of bride with blunt bob and three-row tiara headband — Photo by Lynn Duston

A sleek, pin-straight hairstyle with even edges is bold and beautiful—it's particularly striking with a clean, minimalist ensemble. To achieve this look on your own, apply a smoothing cream and heat protectant to damp hair before drying your tresses with a blow dryer. Then, section your tendrils into horizontal layers and glide over each one, from root to end, with a straightener. For added shine, massage a little hair oil into your hands and run it through your mane.

05 of 25

A Slicked-Back Knot

For an easy wedding hairstyle that radiates sophistication and highlights your facial features, try a slicked-back low bun. After applying hairspray, use a bristle brush to slick back your strands. Gather your hair into a ponytail at the nape of your neck and secure it with an elastic. Then, twist the shaft in a clockwise motion and hold it in place with pins to create a low chignon.

06 of 25

Tucked Strands

Portrait of Blonde Bride in White Dress With Sheer Sleeves Holding Bouquet — Photo by Gipe Photography

If you’re thinking about wearing your hair down on your wedding day, pinning back the front strands will give your ‘do a retro-inspired edge while framing your face. For this hairdo, after blowing your hair dry, part your mane down the middle before taking two front sections—one on the left side of your part and one on the right—and clipping them behind your ears. You can also top it off with barreling waves like this bride did at her funky affair in Palm Springs.

07 of 25

A Natural Side Bun

Photo by Ledia Tashi

For those with naturally curly hair, there's no better time to embrace your real texture than your wedding day. While you can always wear your locks down, for an added ounce of elegance, twist your tendrils into a low bun, situated on the side. In order to achieve this look by yourself, start by adding a styling cream to damp hair. Then, grab a diffuser to help dry your tresses. Once your hair is dry, gather your strands to the side and fasten every piece together into a bun that sits at the nape of your neck.

08 of 25

Voluminous Curls

smiling brunette bride with loose long curls, wearing an off-the-shoulder wedding dress — Photo by Rossini Photography

If you have long hair, voluminous curls is an easy wedding hairstyle that will infuse your look with opulence. Wondering how to attain this polished coif without a professional's assistance? First, prep damp hair with mousse for body and bounce, plus a styling cream for shine. Once your mane is completely dry, section your hair off and use a curling iron to achieve your desired look. More specifically, if your hair holds a curl easily, use a large barrel; if it doesn’t, go with a smaller iron. Finish with hair spray and voilà.

09 of 25

Side-Pinned Locks

Bride With Side-Pinned Hairstyle Getting Makeup Done — Photo by Hana Gonzalez

For an alluring, silver-screen siren approach that's perfect for glamorous bridal styles, one easy wedding hairstyle idea is a low, side-swept style. If you want to take on this look for your nuptials, adopt the same curling technique as above—but add a sultry side part and sweep your head of hair over one of your shoulders. To maintain the asymmetrical look, use a bobby pin to secure the thinner section of hair.

10 of 25

A Luxe French Braid

Side-Swept Multi-Strand Braid on an indian bride wearing a red lengha — PHOTO BY BONPHOTAGE

For brides who have a bit of experience styling hair and want to try a more complex hairstyle for their big day, try an intricate French braid. To recreate the above coif, apply styling cream to wet strands and let your hair completely air-dry. Next, mist your tresses with a light-hold hairspray before you begin braiding, starting at the top of your head and working your way down to the ends. You can even add accessories for an embellished look.

11 of 25

A High Updo

Bride in White Jumpsuit with Pearl-Studded High Updo — Photo by Joshua Brown Photography

While many brides opt for a well-kept low bun, placing the chignon on the crown of your head will bring a fun, daring flair to your look. Pull all of your locks on top of your head, tying it back into a ponytail with an elastic, before twisting it into a bun. Tuck any remaining ends into the top and secure them in place with U-pins and bobby pins. For a fashionable finishing touch, add pearl embellishments to your coif.

12 of 25

A Looped Chignon

Back of Blonde Bride in Low-Back White Dress and Looped Bun — Photo by Caroline Lima Photography

This polished style may look complicated to produce, but its difficulty rating is actually quite low, meaning: If you can do a ponytail, you can definitely do your own looped bun. To start, pull all of your hair back into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck, but refrain from pulling all of the hair through, creating a loop rather than a tail. Take the ends spilling out of the ponytail and wrap them around the base, over the elastic, before pinning them in place.

13 of 25

Old Hollywood Waves

While smooth, shiny Old Hollywood waves are an absolute dream, the 'do can seem a bit scary to take on. But there's a way to seamlessly pull it off: Simply choose which direction you want your tresses to fall and curl all of the hair in that direction with a one-inch wand. Let your hair cool before gently brushing it out. Finally, place hinged barrettes above and below the arc of each remaining wave to define it, and set the hairstyle with hairspray. Remove the clips just before the big reveal.

14 of 25

Face-Framing Pieces

Brunette Bride in Strapless White Dress With Face-Framing Bun — Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography

A low bun with face-framing pieces (like this bride's at her tropical wedding in Hawaii) is not only timeless and flattering, but it's also an easy wedding hairstyle you can create all on your own. After parting your mane down the middle and twisting your tendrils into a chignon at the nape of your neck, pull out a thin strand of hair on either side of your part. Then, curl the strands with a heated tool for embedded texture.

15 of 25

An Effortless Half 'Do

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

A half-up, half-down hairdo is undeniably romantic for your vow exchange. If you want to bring an effortless, laid-back feel to your hairstyle, especially if you're tying the knot by the beach or in your backyard, after fastening the half ponytail with an elastic, lightly pull on the ponytail to loosen the style. Then, remove a few pieces near your face to enhance the flowing aesthetic. Finish it off by loosely wrapping some of your strands around a curling iron.

16 of 25

A Natural Ponytail

Brunette bride with curly textured low ponytail and birdcage veil — Photo by Kelly Giarrocco

To embrace your natural texture in a way that's easy to tackle as a solo project, opt for a sophisticated ponytail. For this hairstyle, pull your hair back near the crown of your head, making sure there aren't any bumps or strays. (If your hair requires a little product to combat the elements, don't be afraid to use it.) Next, tightly secure your tresses in place with a hair tie, and fluff up the glorious texture of your ponytail to amplify your look. To hide the elastic, pick out a section of hair from the bottom of your pony, wrap it around the base, and pin it in place for a seamless look.

17 of 25

A Classic Bridal Bun

Blonde Bride With Low Bun and Long-sleeve lace Naeem Khan dress with an oversized bow in the back — Photo by Karla Garcia Costa

Don't underestimate the power of an understated bun. To do your own, sweep unwashed hair into a secure ponytail, seal it with hairspray, and wrap your hair into a bun. If a bun sponge helps refine your technique, make sure it's an average size and that your tendrils are long enough to fully cover it. Lastly, hold everything in place with another blast of hairspray.

18 of 25

A Waterfall Crown

Smiling brunette bride with long wavy hair and waterfall crown braid pulling groom in navy suit in for a kiss — PHOTO BY KAITY BRAWLEY

While the hero piece of this ethereal side-swept style may look like a waterfall braid, it's actually a variation on a traditional crown braid. To get the look, start with hair that has a bit of grit in it, by way of a missed wash or some added styling cream. Next, curl your tresses to achieve romantic waves (this will add more hold, too), and part your hair wherever you want the braid to start. Then, French braid your hair down one side, wrap your braid around your head, and secure everything in place with bobby pins. Remember to leave tendrils out from the get-go to create that waterfall-like appearance.

19 of 25

A Sleek Lob

Smiling brunette bride in blue lengha with smooth lob tucked inward wearing red lipstick — Photo by Flora & Fauna

A smooth, bouncy lob like this will require some blow-dry dexterity. To start, begin by applying smoothing cream to slightly damp hair. Then, section your hair into horizontal layers and begin blow-drying the bottom tier, working your way up and setting each layer with a cool blast. For glass-like gloss, finish off your coif with a straightener.

20 of 25

A Braided Topknot

Photo by D'Arcy Benincosa

Smoothing your hair back into a tight, high bun is an easy wedding hairstyle that will call attention to your features. After tying your tresses back into a high ponytail, twist the shaft in a three-piece braid for added dimension and visual intrigue. Then, swirl the braid around the base and set it in place with hair pins.

21 of 25

A Glitzy Style

brunette bride with short, finger waved hair and a leaf motif headband — Photo by Mon Soliel

If you have short hair, doing your own bridal hairstyle probably seems like a no-brainer, but you might be wondering how to make it wedding-worthy. To take your regular cut to the next level, add an oversized accessory like this crystal-studded headpiece. Depending on the length of your tresses, you can either curl your hair using a large curling iron or use a finger-wave technique to achieve this look.

22 of 25

Unfussy Tresses

brunette bride in satin gown with fitted bodice and circular purse — Photo by Tess & Julia

Those whose everyday style, bridal getup, or wedding aesthetic is minimalist, your wedding hairstyle also calls for an unfussy, simple approach. To create this easy wedding hairstyle, begin by loosely curling your pieces with a large-barrel curling iron. Then, separate your curls by raking your fingers through them to form a natural wavy pattern.

23 of 25

Pinned-Back Tendrils

Blonde smiling bride with portrait-neckline dress, long, pinned-back hair, pearl earrings, and veil — Photo by Tailor James

Want to dress up your tousled tendrils? Pinning back a lock of your hair will define your face—plus, you'll keep your hair out of your eyes. After creating a middle part, sweep one of your front strands back, securing it with a bobby pin, clip, or barrette at the tip of your ear. Make sure the accessory matches your hair color, so it blends seamlessly into your hairdo.

24 of 25

A Minimalist Knot

photo of the back of a bride's head showcasing her low bun — Photo by Julia Kaptelova

Simplicity doesn't automatically equate to boring; a pared-back hairstyle, especially a low bun, looks clean, classy, and refined. Plus, it's easy to create yourself. If you're thinking about trying this hairdo for your special day, pull your hair back into a three-strand plait or two-strand twist at the nape of your neck. Then, wrap it into a bun and secure it with clips.

25 of 25

A Fishtail Braid

A fishtail braid might not be an easy wedding hairstyle for a novice, but if you have a bit of experience with twisted plaits, give this 'do a try on your big day. With a similar approach to a French braid—but using two strands rather than three—this look entails dividing your hair into two equivalent sides first and foremost. Then, take a thin strand from one side, pull it across, and feed it into the alternate side, tucking it underneath. Continue alternating sides until you've reached the end of the braid.

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