17 Gorgeous Wedding Updos You Have to See
High Bun
@bridal_hairstylist
Be a modern bride and enjoy an effortless-looking knot accentuated by beautiful espresso and warm brown hair color.
Q&A with style creator, Olga Hampshire
Hair Stylist and Educator @ Wedding Hair and Makeup by Olga Markuse in Winchester, UK
How would you describe this?
This is called a high bun and provides you with that “messy but neat” wedding updo.
What’s your best advice?
This heightened bun wedding updo is for modern brides who dares to wear a statement look.
Higher buns look great with accessories such as a hair comb, crystal pins, or real flowers.
Lovely Updo with Side Twists
@cathughesxo
Enchant everyone with ashy blonde hair that glistens at every twist and turn in this cute upstyle.
Low Twisted Bun Updo
@brianna.hair.makeup
Perfection doesn’t have to be complicated. A soft and simple yet elegant low bun accessorized with a pretty headband would make for a gorgeous bridal updo.
Braided Updo with Flower Piece
@beautybyellada
Highlight your oh-so enchanting braided wedding updo with with cute floral details for a more beautiful look!
French Braid Updo with Loose Bangs
@styles_by_reneemarie
This one features a super romantic braided updo that starts on top with a loose French braid and ends in a desirable bun decorated with flowers. Leave some pieces of hair in front to highlight your pretty face.
Crown Braid Updo
@caraclyne
Messy in the right places – this loosely done hairstyle looks so magnificent with that simple braid that holds it together. Leaving some loose wavy pieces from the low bun makes it a classy and fun look at the same time!
Rose-Toned Loose Updo
@heatherdearartistry
Make your dream wedding come true with this totally cute hairstyle! The enchanting pastel pink with peach undertones give the bun a fun and edgy look.
Romantic Pull-Through Braided Updo
@wb_upstyles
Q&A with style creator, Whitney Burkhart
Premier Bridal Stylist @ Luxe Salon in Lancaster, PA
How would you describe this?
This is as a romantic, undone, pull-through braided updo.
Pull-through braids offer brides a boho vibe with a romantic twist.
What’s your best advice?
If you love boho style or love braids, don’t be afraid to get a pull-through braid on your wedding day.
Fine or medium hair with a lot of density works best for this bridal upstyle, as well as a light finishing spray, small elastics, dry shampoo, a 1-inch curling iron, and a dry texture spray!
60s-Inspired Double Chignon
@bparlorsf
Q&A with style creator, Filomena Bettencourt
Level 5 Stylist @ B Parlor in San Francisco, CA
How would you describe this?
This is a 1960s-inspired double chignon.
In the 1960s, ladies used hair fall extensions and wigs to help them accomplish this hairdo.
What’s your best advice?
This wedding upstyle is for a bride wanting a timeless look that is modern retro feel.
Hair length needs to be below the collarbone with medium density. This double chignon works best if the bride has bangs/fringe.
Hair fall extensions and wigs can be used if you want either length, fullness, or both.
Clean, Soft & Classy
@rebeccabrizuela
Q&A with style creator, Rebecca Brizuela
Freelance Hairstylist in Valenzuela, PH
How would you describe this?
Show off your favorite wedding hair accessories with this clean, soft, and classy wedding updo
What’s your best advice?
Tell your stylist more about your personality to help them create a suitable updo for you.
This classy wedding updo works best on medium to long hair. Use a flower hair accessory to pull it together.
Textured Middle Height Bun
@maricruzhairstyles
Q&A with style creator, Maricruz Polito
Bridal Hair Designer @ Maricruz Hairstyles in Boston, MA
How would you describe this?
This is a texture middle height bun that’s romantic and elegant.
Leaving loose strands of hair adds softness around the face and volume in the heightened bun area.
It’s perfect for when the bride is being photographed from all angles.
What’s your best advice?
Use Sebastian Shaper Fierce for a stronger hold.
This textured middle height bun would be a great fit for a bride that loves lots of texture and has density to their natural hair.
For brides with very thin hair, the use of extensions will help with fullness.
I used a 1-inch curling iron to enhance the curls, then pinned them up and sprayed Aquage Finishing Hairspray. I allowed the curls to cool off in order to maintain the volume and texture.
Once the bun was completed, I used Sebastian Shaper Fierce for a stronger hold.
Four Braid Messy Updo
@marz.braid.bar
Q&A with style creator, Marlie Romero
Freelance Hairstylist / Make-up Artist @ Marz Braid Bar in Orange County, CA
How would you describe this look?
I would describe this look as messy but put together, with the possibility to fit any woman’s style!
What I love most about this look is that it can be done on anyone for any occasion. This could be worn for a casual day at work, a date night out, or as a style for your wedding day! It’s a simple look that can easily be glammed up.
Any advice for someone considering it?
If you want a hairstyle that makes you feel great, is pulled back from your face and is comfortable for a full day of activities, then this would be a great option for you. The braids keep your hair up and in place, but they are loose enough that you won’t feel like your hair is being pulled back too tightly.
To achieve this look, all it took was a brush through, some elastics to tie off the braids, a few bobby pins, and some hairspray. There are minimal products required and this is a quick look to achieve. So for a busy woman on the go, this is a perfect style!
Another bonus to this look is that it can be done with any hair type. So whether your hair is thick, thin, fine, or curly, you too can achieve this look!
Undone Done, Casual Updo
@kalliann04
Q&A with style creator, Kalli Peterson
Master Stylist @ Dosha Salon Spa in Portland, OR
How would you describe this look?
This is an “undone done” look which is really in right now. You see similar looks on the runway where the hair is slightly flyaway and whispsy, but has an elegance to it. The look is really natural and I love the softness it can bring to a bridal look.
Any advice for someone considering it?
A dry aerosol hairspray and salt spray is highly recommended for this look. I used Aveda Air Control hairspray and Aveda’s new Texture Tonic salt and sugar spray.
Most brides that I have had that ask for a look like this generally have a freeflowing look or theme for their big day. Farm weddings, beach weddings, etc. This look is also very versatile for any hair types.
Elegant French Braided Twist
@lauraslookbook
Q&A with style creator, Laura Gravina
Wedding / Event Hairstylist in Littleton, CO
How would you describe this look and what is your favorite thing about it?
I love this hairstyle! I feel like this hairstyle portrays a powerful, confident woman who commands the room.
The style I created is an elegant upstyle French braid with a French twist. The structure of the braid and the volume on top are my favorite things about the style. I love how softly the side parts flow into the French twist, making it more modern but still elegant.
What tips or products do you recommend to recreate this look?
The best tip I can give you is to prep the hair! I used a 2-inch curling iron to get the much needed volume. After that, I used dry shampoo from Kenra on the roots and a little bit into the middle section of the hair to get a good grip. Next I divided the hair into three sections: top section (braided part), sides and down section (French twist).
With the help of a clear elastic band, I French braided the top part and used a root lifting powder mist (Puff Me from Design Me), pulling the the braided hair out and up to get the volume and the structure.
On the down part, I created a French twist with a lot of teasing and some bobby pins. At the end, I used Kenra’s medium hold hairspray again bobby pins to let the sides flow into the style. Finish it with hairspray and it will hold all day and night.
What type of client would you recommend this look for?
This hairstyle is best for clients with medium to medium long hair. Medium thickness would be ideal, but if the hair seems too thin you can always add some clip-in extensions to get the volume you need. Barefoot Blonde Hair has amazing hair extensions! My model in the picture had medium/thick hair which was perfect for volume of the braid and the teased French twist.
An oval shaped face is optimal for this hairstyle. If your client likes volume on top and an elegant look, this style would be perfect for a variety of occasions! It really is a versatile hairstyle. I would not recommend this updo to someone with a high forehead since the volume of the braid would add more to it.
Intricate Low Chignon
@atouchofbeautybylily
Q&A with style creator, Lily Rodriguez
Hair & Makeup Artist @ A Touch Of Beauty By Lily in Miami, FL
How would you describe this look and what is your favorite thing about it?
I would describe this look as an intricate and romantic low chignon. One of my favorite things about this style is the color of the client’s hair. When looking for an undo, it is very important for the person to stay true and realistic to themselves. If one has dark hair, details will not show as much as someone with light colored hair.
This client in particular had a reddish color which really showed the intricacy of the updo. I also lovebthe twists and waves and how they meet in a soft, effortless way.
What tips or products do you recommend to recreate this look?
It is always easier to create updos on textured hair which is why I always prefer that clients to wash their hair the day before and not use much conditioner. You don’t want the hair to be too silky as that will take longer to style and fall apart faster.
My favorite products are by Kenra and Redken. I use Kenra Volumizing Dry Shampoo all over the hair and the volumizing hair spray in #25 as I curl. These two products are great because they have a lot of grip and do not give that “wet hairspray” look.
To give the textured look, I work with Redken’s Wax Spray. It is the best wax spray on the market! Once the look is complete and the client is happy with the outcome, I secure it with Redken’s finishing spray in #23.
What type of client would you recommend this look for?
This look will work for pretty much anyone with medium length hair. As long as the client feels comfortable with hair away from their body and somewhat away from their face, this updo is perfect! I like to frame the face with some hair to make it more romantc.
Polished Low Chignon
@hairandmakeupbysarak
Q&A with style creator, Sara Linskie
Hair & Makeup Artist @ Hair & Makeup by Sara K in Hershey, PA
How would you describe this look and what is your favorite thing about it?
I would describe this look as a simple and polished low bun or chignon. I love the crisscross detail and how shiny the hair is. It radiates elegance!
What tips or products do you recommend to recreate this look?
Prep the hair with loose curls and use a texture spray at the roots for volume, then use a medium hairspray for hold while styling. Finish the look with a shine spray to control flyaways.
What type of client would you recommend this look for?
This is a classic style that would look great on any face shape and work with most hair types. However, a longer hair length is necessary to achieve fullness in the bun.
Messy Updo
@sarajannise
Q&A with style creator, Sara Jackson
Stylist / Make-up Artist @ Adorne Artistry in Houston, TX
How would you describe this look and what is your favorite thing about it?
This modern updo is a loose and romantic style that incorporates a lot of added texture and volume. My favorite thing about it is the messy-but-still-polished appearance.
What tips or products do you recommend to recreate this look?
Teasing around the crown area of the head is an important part in recreating this tousled look. I pumped up the volume with Beyond The Zone Rock On volumizing powder. I also used Kenra Dry Wax Spray 5 and Perfect Medium Hairspray 13 to create shine, texture and hold while curling the hair.
Pinning larger sections of the hair upwards will help to create a voluminous bun. Clip-in extensions were incorporated here for extra density.
What type of client would you recommend this look for?
This style is perfect for anyone seeking a soft and effortless updo for any special occasion. Volume and texture are two things that are always customizable. It’s ideal if the client has medium-long hair for this look.