A mohawk updo is a crest of hair running from the forehead toward the nape, with the sides pinned, braided or twisted up into it. Nothing is shaved, which is why I can build one on long hair, curls, natural hair, braids, locs and even fairly short cuts with a few added pieces. Brides who ask me for one usually want height and attitude without losing the polish an aisle needs. The ideas below cover lifted curls, braided sides, pearls, soft tendrils and sculpted center volume, and open necklines and bold earrings make the most of all of them.
Sizing the Crest to Your Face, Dress and Veil
The first thing I decide with a mohawk bride is height. Too low and it reads as a plain updo; too high and it competes with everything else. I look at three things.
Face length
Height lengthens the face. A round or short face can carry a tall crest, while a long face usually looks better with the height kept modest and some width added to the crest at the crown.
Where the volume peaks
A crest that peaks at the front is dramatic but heavy over the forehead. One that peaks at the crown balances a high neckline. For most brides I put the tallest point just behind the crown, which looks right from the front and in profile.
The rest of the outfit
- A heavily embellished bodice usually wants a cleaner, sleeker crest.
- A cathedral veil needs a lower comb position, which takes away some visible height.
- Big earrings and a tall crest together can crowd a small face, so test them side by side.
- If you’re much taller than your partner, a very high crest will exaggerate the difference in photos.
1. Curly Mohawk Updo Wedding Hair
Curls make the softest crest. I pin or braid the sides upward first, then define the curls and set them through the center in small sections, working from the forehead back so the line stays even. The mistake I see is a crest that’s full at the front and thin at the back, which only shows in the side photos. Checking the shape from three angles before any spray goes on fixes that. Tiny pearl pins or floral clips can sit between curls once the shape is set.
2. Braided Mohawk Updo Wedding Hair
Braiding the sides close to the scalp gives this style the most structure of anything on the list. The middle can then be curls, twists, loops or a raised braid of its own. Because the braids are locked down, the shape survives wind well, which is why I’d steer an outdoor bride toward it. Keep the side braids firm but never tight at the hairline; tension there is uncomfortable after a few hours and isn’t kind to your edges. Small pearl accents along the braid pattern soften it, and strapless or high necklines frame it cleanly.
3. Faux Hawk Updo Wedding Hair
Faux hawk updo wedding hair gives you the outline without any cutting. I pin the sides flat with crossed pins along a line just behind the ear, then lift the center in sections so the height has support underneath. It can be sleek, curled or deliberately messy depending on the dress. Your hair looks completely normal again once the pins come out, which is what makes it an easy yes for brides with an office job on Monday. A comb at the crown or a veil low at the back adds the bridal detail.
4. Natural Hair Mohawk Updo Wedding Hair
On natural hair, the mohawk puts coils, curls and twists at the center of the look instead of hiding them. Sides can be sleek or braided. Moisture is the first thing I deal with: hair that’s dry going in will frizz and shrink unpredictably by the reception, so I prep with a leave in and a light cream and seal the ends. Pins go in at the base of each section, where they hold best in dense hair. Off the shoulder dresses suit the height, and gold cuffs or a side comb add shine without hiding the texture.
5. Loc Mohawk Updo Wedding Hair
Loc mohawk updo wedding hair has a natural advantage: locs hold a fold or a roll far better than loose hair. They can be rolled, basket woven or pinned into the raised center, with the sides swept upward. Medium to long locs give the most options. Mature locs are heavy, so I distribute the weight across several anchor points rather than one big cluster, which keeps the crown comfortable. Gold wire, pearl beads or small flowers sit neatly between the locs, and a slight lift at the front frames the face.
6. Twisted Mohawk Updo Wedding Hair
Twists sit between curls and braids: textured, but with a cleaner line. Flat twists, two-strand twists or rope twists guide the hair up toward the center and form a raised row. Natural, relaxed and extended hair all take twists well. On fine relaxed hair I add a small weft for body, since thin twists can look sparse from the back. Symmetrical twists read polished; slightly softened ones feel more romantic. Pearl pins down the center finish it.
7. Sleek Mohawk Updo Wedding Hair
The sleek version is the most fashion led. Sides are smoothed close to the head and the center has controlled height: a rolled crest, smooth curls or a row of small buns. Every line shows, so the sides need a firm gel and a soft brush, and the crest needs a shine spray rather than a heavy lacquer. Satin gowns and square necklines suit its clean shape. One or two fine tendrils near the temples keep it from looking severe in close ups.
8. Messy Mohawk Updo Wedding Hair
Messy should still have a clear outline. I curl the hair loosely, tease lightly at the root and pin it in airy sections, while the sides stay gently twisted back so the crest is obvious. Garden and beach weddings suit it, and so do brides who dislike perfect hair. Where it fails is when the pins are as loose as the texture; the structure underneath has to be firm even if the surface isn’t. Flexible spray, a few small flowers or a sheer veil finish it.
9. Mohawk Updo Wedding Hair With Curls
Curls through the center add height and movement while keeping hair off the face. They can be tight, loose, brushed out or pinned in clusters. I keep the sides clean enough to show the shape, but not pulled so tight that the look turns harsh. Natural curl, a curling iron or clip in extensions can all produce it. Ironed curls on straight hair relax over the day, so I set them smaller than the final shape you want.
10. Mohawk Updo Wedding Hair With Braids
Braids can run along the sides, curve toward the crown or form the crest itself. That braided base is what carries the style through a long day, because nothing on the sides can slip. For softness, the center above the braids can be loosened or shaped into curls. Pearl pins, crystal combs or tiny blossoms sit naturally between braid sections. This is the version that looks best from behind, so make sure your photographer gets the ceremony from the back of the aisle.
11. Mohawk Updo Wedding Hair With Veil
A veil with a mohawk needs a decision about height. I usually place the comb low at the back of the head or tuck it under the raised section, so the crest stays visible above the tulle. Fingertip, chapel and soft tulle veils all work. The comb needs its own hidden anchor, two crossed pins under where it sits, otherwise the weight of the veil drags the back of the crest down. Practise taking the veil out at the trial so it doesn’t pull the shape apart at the reception.
12. Mohawk Updo Wedding Hair With Pearls
Pearls show up well here because a mohawk is seen from so many angles. They can be scattered through curls, lined along braided sides or tucked into twists. Restraint matters: a few well placed pins look more expensive than pearls on every section. If your dress has heavy beading, pick smaller pearls so the hair doesn’t fight the bodice. Pearl earrings and a simple gown make the most of it.
13. Mohawk Updo Wedding Hair For Long Hair
Long hair gives me plenty to build with, and plenty of weight to manage. It can become a row of soft buns, a curled crest or a thick center braid. The fuller it gets, the more support it needs: small elastics to segment the length, then pins over each section. Without that, a long crest sags toward the back by evening. Backless and detailed gowns pair well because the neck and shoulders stay open.
14. Mohawk Updo Wedding Hair For Short Hair
Short hair can make a sharper mohawk than long hair, since there’s less weight pulling it down. The sides can be slicked, pinned or braided, and the top lifted with curls, waves or texture. Very short cuts may need padding, a few extensions or decorative pins to add height. Kept tidy at the sides, it lands right on the line of edgy but still elegant. The face stays open, so makeup and earrings get full attention. A sparkly barrette along one side makes it read bridal.
15. Mohawk Updo Wedding Hair For Black Brides
For Black brides, the mohawk works with natural curls, silk pressed hair, braids, twists, locs, or extensions. Curls give it softness, locs give it a regal weight, and a sculpted center gives it drama. Sides may be braided upward, flat twisted or smoothed with strong hold. A silk press needs special care: any humidity will start reverting it, so I’d only choose a sleek version if the venue is indoors and air conditioned. Statement earrings and shoulder baring gowns suit all versions, and a trial lets your stylist test height and comfort.
Braiding the Sides a Day Early, and Sleeping on Them
On textured hair, braided or twisted sides can take a long time, and many stylists prefer to do that part the day before. It shortens the wedding morning a lot. If that’s your plan, a few things keep the braids fresh overnight.
- Wrap the sides with a satin scarf or wear a satin bonnet. Cotton pillowcases cause frizz along the braid edges.
- Leave the top loose and stretched, ideally in a few large twists or a pineapple, so it’s ready for shaping in the morning.
- Skip heavy oil on the scalp that night; it makes the braids look greasy in photos.
- If a braid feels tight or itchy along the hairline, tell your stylist the same day. Tension rarely eases on its own.
I’m careful with tension on every mohawk, because the style asks the sides to hold all the weight. Firm is fine. Pain, little bumps or tight skin at the temples are not, and they’re a sign the braid should be redone, wedding or not. Your edges matter more than one perfectly flat braid.
Front, Side and Back Photos Tell Your Stylist the Most
A mohawk updo can be soft with curls, detailed with braids, sleek, or regal with locs and twists. The version that suits you comes down to your texture, your dress, the veil and how much height you can comfortably wear for a full day. Bring inspiration photos taken from the front, side and back to your trial, since a mohawk that looks right head on can look very different in profile. With good prep and secure pinning, the crest stays lifted from the ceremony through the last dance.
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