Curls at shoulder or collarbone length are, in my experience, the easiest curly hair to style for a wedding. There’s enough to pin, enough to hold a veil comb, and not so much weight that the pattern stretches out by evening. The thing I always explain first is that curly styling starts with your own texture. Before I choose a shape, I check density, how tight the curl is, how it reacts to humidity, and what the neckline does at the shoulders. The same checks apply to brides, bridesmaids, mothers of the bride and guests. Below are fifteen ways I like to wear medium curls, with natural texture and heat-set curls both covered.
Natural Curls and Iron-Set Curls Need Different Prep
Many of the styles in this list can be done either way, so it helps to know which you’re starting with before the trial.
Natural curls are styled wet. The definition you get on the wedding day depends on how the hair was washed, which products went in and how it was dried. They shrink as they dry, sometimes by several inches on tighter patterns, so a look that seems long enough on wet hair may come up shorter. I ask curly brides to come to the trial with hair washed and styled the way they normally do, so I can see the pattern as it really is.
Iron-set curls are added to straight or wavy hair with heat. They’re more uniform and easier to shape into specific forms, but they drop faster in humidity, especially on fine or freshly washed hair. Setting each curl in a pin while it cools makes a real difference to how long they last.
Loose natural waves sit in between. They often respond best to a mix: diffuse the natural pattern, then smooth out the few pieces that dry frizzy or flat with an iron.
1. Medium Curly Half Up Wedding Hair
Half-up keeps curls off the face during vows without hiding them. I take a smaller top section than I would on straight hair, because curls have so much volume that a wide section leaves the bottom looking thin. Twisting it back or using a small comb both work, and that pinned crown is where a veil can sit securely. Leave the front curls soft rather than tightly defined. Sweetheart, off-shoulder and square necklines all suit it. A light curl cream and a flexible spray are enough product; anything heavier weighs medium curls down.
2. Medium Curly Low Bun Wedding Hair
On curls, a low bun should look like the curls were gathered, not flattened. I collect them at the nape, then pin into a rounded shape, sliding pins into the inside of the bun so they disappear into the curl. Pins laid flat across the surface squash the texture and show in photos. It’s a good warm-weather pick, getting hair off the neck through a long ceremony, and it shows off a detailed dress back. Two curls left out at the temples soften it.
3. Medium Curly Side Swept Wedding Hair
Sweeping curls over one shoulder makes medium hair look longer than it is, which is why so many brides with collarbone curls like this style. The hidden side is pinned or twisted behind the ear, and I build a little lift at the crown so the shape tilts naturally. It suits one-shoulder gowns, strapless dresses, and statement earrings. Expect the curls on the visible side to get handled, since that’s the side people hug. A pearl comb on the pinned side gives you a place to anchor it. Keep the ends defined with a touch of gel.
4. Medium Curly Updo Wedding Hair
This is the curly updo I suggest when a bride wants height. The curls are lifted and pinned into a soft shape through the crown and back instead of being smoothed away, which gives dimension even on medium length. Curly hair is actually easier to pin than straight hair because each curl hooks onto the next, so accessories like vines and combs grip well. On thick curls, it also takes a lot of weight off the neck. Leave a few short curls at the hairline; they look natural rather than escaped.
5. Medium Curly Ponytail Wedding Hair
A curly pony is a smart choice for bridesmaids and guests who need hair that stays put while they work through the day. Set it mid-height or low, wrap a small curl around the elastic, and build a bit of crown volume so the head doesn’t look flat in profile. For medium hair, the length of the pony is short, so I fluff and separate the curls to give it more fullness. Leave a few tendrils at the face. It works with a simple gown or satin and minimal jewellery.
6. Medium Curly Hair With Veil
Veil weight is the issue with loose curls. A heavy, long veil drags the curls under it flat within an hour, so I’d point you to a lightweight tulle if you plan to keep it on through the reception. The comb can go under a half-up section, into a low bun, or at the crown with hidden pins. Shape the front curls softly and keep the back full. Bring your actual veil to the trial, because no two weigh the same, and that’s the only way to see how it changes the curl.
7. Medium Curly Hair With Pearl Pins
Pearls sit beautifully against curls because the texture holds them in place without much effort. Wear the curls down, half-up or in a loose updo, and add pearl pins in small clusters. Here I break my usual rule about symmetry. On curly hair, pearls placed slightly unevenly look organic, while a perfect row looks stuck on. They show against brunette, blonde, auburn and black curls alike, though ivory pearls tend to blend in with very light blonde.
8. Medium Curly Hair With Flower Comb
A flower comb works on medium curls because the curls wrap around the base and hide it. Place it above a low bun, beside a half-up twist or to one side of loose curls. Scale is the main thing to get right. Medium length can’t balance several big blooms, which end up covering the curls entirely, so choose a comb with small flowers or one larger flower. Garden and outdoor weddings suit it. A few soft tendrils around the face complete the look. If you’re using fresh flowers, ask your florist which hold up out of water for the day.
9. Medium Curly Loose Wedding Hair
Wearing curls worn down looks like the least work, and it’s actually the most dependent on prep. Hydrated curls, a strong hold gel and slow, careful diffusing give you defined curls with soft volume at the root. Once dry, I scrunch out the gel cast and touch up only the pieces that went wrong with a small iron matched to the natural curl size. Don’t brush or rake through them. This is the style for a bride who wants to look like herself on her wedding day. A simple veil or a clip and delicate earrings are enough.
10. Medium Curly Braided Crown Wedding Hair
A braid gives curly hair something firm to work around. I braid loosely across the front, side or crown, then either leave the rest down or pin it softly at the back. Pull the braid apart a little afterwards so it doesn’t look tight and flat against the curls. Curly hair braids with more grip than straight hair, so this tends to last a long time. It’s a solid choice for bridesmaids who want something special that doesn’t compete with the bride.
11. Medium Curly Chignon Wedding Hair
A curly chignon is gathered low at the nape or slightly to one side, with the curl texture left visible instead of smoothed. That’s what makes it warmer than a sleek bun. Medium curls make a good-sized chignon without bulk, and a comb or veil fits right above it. I like it with a high neck or lace gown. A few curls left near the cheekbones soften the shape and frame the face.
12. Medium Curly Bob Wedding Hair
A curly bob, from chin to collarbone, can be completely bridal. I focus on silhouette: lift at the roots, defined ends and a balanced shape so one side isn’t wider than the other. A deep side part adds drama; centre is simpler. It takes pearl clips, small flowers or a short veil comfortably. Fine curls look fuller at this length since the ends stay dense. Get the bob trimmed a few weeks before, not days, because curly cuts often need time to settle.
13. Medium Curly Hair With Curtain Bangs
Curly curtain bangs frame the eyes and cheekbones, as long as they blend into the rest of the curls rather than sitting apart from them. I define the bangs separately with a small amount of curl cream and let them dry a little apart from the face, so they don’t flatten. The rest can be loose, half-up or in a relaxed updo. Keep makeup and jewellery soft, since the curls already add movement. If your bangs are newly cut, test them at your trial; curly bangs shrink more than you expect.
14. Medium Curly Hair With Side Part
Something as small as moving the part can change the whole look. A side part gives curly hair instant lift at the crown and lets the curls fall diagonally, which means less teasing for volume. It works for loose curls, side-swept styles, low buns and half-up. Round, oval and heart-shaped faces all benefit when the front curls are shaped away from the eyes. Switching a part on the wedding morning rarely works, though; curls trained one way for years will spring back. Try it a few days before.
15. Medium Curly Hair With Hair Vine
A hair vine is light, which is ideal for curls that a heavy accessory would flatten. Wrap it around a half-up twist, curve it over a low bun or thread it through loose curls. Curls give the wire something to hook into. I pin a vine at several points, at least four or five, so it can’t slide as you move. Airy dresses, soft sleeves and natural makeup suit it. Keep the curls slightly separated so the vine catches the light.
Diffusing, Drying Time and Frizz on the Wedding Morning
Curly hair needs more time on the morning schedule than most people expect, and when it gets rushed, frizz is usually the result.
- Medium curls can take well over half an hour to diffuse properly. If the hair is still damp when it’s pinned, it can frizz or dry flat under the pins.
- Many curly brides prefer to wash the day before and protect the curls overnight with a silk pillowcase or a loose high pineapple, then refresh with water and leave-in conditioner in the morning.
- Avoid touching curls while they dry. Most frizz on wedding mornings comes from fingers, not weather.
- If the venue is humid, a stronger gel and an anti-humidity spray are worth the slightly firmer feel.
A Spray Bottle Fixes Most Reception Curl Problems
Curls that loosen or frizz during the evening can usually be revived in a few minutes. Ask a bridesmaid to carry a small spray bottle of water mixed with a little leave-in conditioner, a travel gel, and a few spare pins. Mist the tired section, scrunch it gently upward, and leave it. Don’t brush.
Let the Texture You Already Have Lead
Loose, pinned, swept to one side, gathered into a bun or decorated with pearls, flowers, vines or a veil, medium curls give you a wide choice. Whichever direction you go, work with your curl pattern. Medium length has enough for bridal detail without the weight that pulls curls straight by evening. Take photos to your stylist, book a trial, and bring every accessory you plan to wear. Then trust the prep, and leave your curls alone once they’re done.
You'll Like These Ideas:
Leave a Reply