Volume is the part of bridal hair that disappears first. A style can look enormous at ten in the morning and sit noticeably flatter by the first dance, especially on fine hair or in a humid venue. So when someone asks me for big hair, I’m really planning two things: how to build the lift, and how to make it last. The ideas here cover sculpted Hollywood waves, tall updos, cascading curls with flowers and plenty in between. They’ll work for most lengths and textures with the right prep, and I’ve been honest about which ones need extensions or padding to look the way they do in the photos.
Where Bridal Volume Actually Comes From
When I build volume, I use a combination of methods, and which ones depend on your hair.
- Root lift at the blow-dry. A root-lift spray and drying the roots up and away from the scalp gives the most natural-looking body.
- Rollers. Large Velcro or hot rollers left in while makeup is done add body that lasts better than a curling iron alone.
- Backcombing. Teasing at the root gives height at the crown. I smooth a top layer over it so it doesn’t look teased.
- Padding. A bun padding or donut gives a full shape that fine hair can’t make on its own.
- Extensions. Clip-in wefts are often what make a ponytail or curls-down style look as full as the photos.
If you plan to use extensions, buy them early and bring them to your trial so your stylist can color-match and blend them. Clip-ins can also be trimmed to blend with your own ends, which is much easier to do weeks ahead than on the morning.
1. Voluminous Hollywood Waves
Hollywood waves get their fullness from a set, not from teasing. I curl every section in the same direction, pin each curl flat while it cools, then brush the whole head out with a boar bristle brush until the curls merge into deep ridges. A deep side part gives the shape its drama. It suits a fitted gown and a formal evening room. If your hair is thick, I can push the waves bigger; on fine hair I’d keep them a little tighter, since the weight of a loose wave pulls it straight faster.
2. Big Curly Bridal Updo
On naturally curly hair, a big curly updo is the easiest volume you’ll ever get, because the texture is already doing the work. I define the curls with a cream, let them dry fully and pin them up in clusters at the crown. Straight hair needs a hot set and some backcombing underneath to reach the same rounded, cloud-like shape. A few loose tendrils soften the edges. Be aware that height at the crown changes where a veil or comb can sit, so bring your headpiece to the trial.
3. Half-Up Half-Down With Volume
Half up, half down with volume is a safe middle ground. I tease the crown section at the root, smooth the top layer over it and pin it back with crossed pins, then curl the lengths. The lift on top balances long hair hanging below, which otherwise can make the face look longer. It takes a veil, a tiara or floral pins equally well. The lower curls are what usually drop first, so I set them with a firm mousse and let them cool before brushing out.
4. Voluminous Low Bun
A big low bun is softer than a tight knot and suits more face shapes. I tease the crown lightly for lift, then twist the lengths low at the nape and pull the bun gently wider with my fingers so it looks full. If your hair is fine, a bun padding or a few clip-in wefts underneath makes a big difference to its size. Loose pieces at the front stop it looking severe. It’s comfortable to wear for hours and shows off earrings and an open neckline.
5. Big Bouncy Blowout
Worn down, volume comes mostly from the blow-dry. A big bouncy blowout starts with a root-lift spray on damp hair, a large round brush and drying each section up and away from the scalp. I finish with large Velcro or hot rollers left in while makeup is done, which adds a lot of body. A center or side part both suit it. The honest drawback is humidity: a blowout can drop or frizz quickly in damp weather, so it’s a better bet for an indoor or air-conditioned venue.
6. Voluminous Braided Crown
A voluminous braided crown wraps around the head and gets its fullness from pulling the braids apart after they’re secured. I braid loosely, pin the braid, then gently tug out the edges of each loop. Fresh flowers sit well inside the loops. It suits a garden or rustic setting. On fine or short hair, the braid can look thin, so I’d suggest adding a braided extension piece rather than overloosening your own hair, which makes it fall apart.
7. High Voluminous Ponytail
A high voluminous ponytail looks modern and confident. I backcomb the crown for height, then gather everything at the top of the head and secure it with two elastics so it doesn’t sag. Clip-in extensions underneath add length and fullness, and they’re nearly always what makes a ponytail look as big as the inspiration photos. A wrapped section hides the elastic. The weight of a full high ponytail can be tiring over a long day, so wear one for a few hours at your trial before choosing it.
8. Voluminous Vintage Pin Curls
Vintage pin curls are set close to the head, left to cool fully, then brushed out into full waves. The volume comes from that brushing, which turns tight curls into soft, rounded shapes. It suits a retro-style gown and a bold lip, and it can be worn down or as an updo. This look rewards patience: if the curls aren’t completely cool before brushing, they drop within an hour. A jeweled clip near the face gives it some sparkle.
9. Big Curls With Flower Accents
Fresh flowers and big curls work well together because the curls give the stems something to grip. I pin flowers into the curls with small bobby pins, never just pushed through, so they stay in when you hug people. Hardy stems like baby’s breath, waxflower and spray roses last out of water much longer than delicate blooms. It suits a spring garden wedding, worn down or half up. Ask your florist to prepare the hair flowers separately so they’re ready when your stylist needs them.
10. Voluminous Side-Swept Curls
Curls swept to one side show off a single earring and an open neckline. I add volume at the crown first, then gather the curls over one shoulder and pin them behind the ear on the other side with crossed bobby pins hidden under a top layer. That anchor is what stops the curls sliding back during the ceremony. A side part makes the sweep look natural. It suits both a formal and a relaxed reception.
11. Big Textured Messy Bun
A big messy bun only looks careless. I set the hair with texture spray first, then build the bun loosely and pull pieces out where they look natural. Tendrils at the face are curled separately so they don’t hang straight. Small flowers or pearl pins add detail. It suits a boho or outdoor wedding. On very silky hair, the bun can slide down over the day, so I use more pins underneath than you’d expect for such a loose look.
12. Voluminous Curly Half-Updo
A curly half updo celebrates natural texture and gives fullness throughout. The top section is pinned back for height and the curls fall freely below. Face-framing curls soften the edges. A decorative comb or fresh blooms sit well where the top section is pinned. Curly and wavy hair suit it best; on straight hair it needs a hot set and still risks the curls loosening by evening. It works for an intimate ceremony or a large one.
13. Big Voluminous Bangs With Updo
Bangs give a voluminous updo some personality. Soft curtain bangs blend naturally into the face-framing pieces, while the rest is swept up high. I blow-dry the fringe with a round brush for lift, then set it with a light spray so it doesn’t separate. If you don’t already wear bangs, I wouldn’t cut them in the month before the wedding: fresh bangs are hard to style until they’ve grown a little.
14. Voluminous Boho Waves
Boho waves look carefree but need real texture underneath to hold their volume. I curl with a wand, leaving the ends out, then rake them apart with my fingers and finish with texture spray instead of hairspray. A center part suits the look. It sits well with a flower crown or delicate hairpiece at a beach or garden wedding. Wind is the problem at an outdoor ceremony, so I sometimes pin one side discreetly back.
15. Big Sleek High Bun
A big sleek high bun is the most editorial style here. I smooth the hair into a high ponytail, then wrap it around a bun padding to get a full, rounded shape. Sleek styles show every bump, so the ponytail base needs to be very smooth, and I use a gel or smoothing balm for that. It elongates the neck and suits a ballroom or black-tie wedding. A jeweled pin adds detail. It’s the heaviest style for the scalp, so if you’re prone to headaches, choose a lower bun instead.
16. Voluminous Curls With Veil
Volume and a veil need to be planned together. A full head of curls gives a veil something to sit on, and the curls show softly through sheer tulle. Where you place the comb changes the look: at the crown, the veil frames the curls; tucked beneath the volume, it shows off more hair. I always place the veil at the trial, because a heavy cathedral veil can flatten volume at the crown. Curls usually keep their shape after the veil comes off.
17. Big Twisted Updo
A big twisted updo is built from sections twisted and pinned into a full, dimensional shape. The twists add texture and hold pins well, which keeps the style secure. I loosen each twist slightly once it’s pinned so the updo looks fuller. Pearls or jeweled pins tucked into the twists add detail that shows up from behind during the ceremony, which is the angle most guests see. It suits a formal or traditional wedding.
18. Voluminous Curly Ponytail
A curly ponytail is playful and modern. Full curls are gathered high or at mid-height, and the base is wrapped to hide the elastic. Natural curls make this easy; straight hair needs a hot set and extensions to look full. I secure it with two elastics so the weight of the curls doesn’t drag it down. A decorative clip adds a bridal touch. It suits a contemporary wedding.
19. Big Romantic Loose Updo
A big loose updo gathers the hair gently with lots of soft, piecey detail. Nothing should feel tight. Tendrils at the face soften it. I build these loosely but anchor them firmly underneath with a small hidden ponytail, so they look relaxed and still last. Fresh flowers or pearl pins add detail. It suits a garden or intimate wedding and most lengths and face shapes.
20. Voluminous Curls Worn Down
Big curls worn completely down are the boldest way to show off length. I add lift at the crown with backcombing and a root spray, then curl the lengths with a large iron and set them before brushing out. A delicate hairpiece near the ear finishes it. Of all the styles here, this one needs the most hold, because the hair has nothing to support it. If you’re getting married somewhere humid, I’d lean toward a half-up version instead.
Is Big Hair Too Much for Your Dress?
Volume changes the proportions of the whole look. A big updo with a heavily embellished or high-necked bodice can feel crowded, while a strapless or simple neckline gives it room. If your dress is very full, big hair balances it; if it’s a slim column, I’d keep the volume a little more controlled so you don’t look top-heavy.
Headpieces matter too. A tiara or comb needs to be placed into a backcombed crown so it doesn’t slide, and a long, heavy veil can flatten volume over a few hours. Bring your veil to the trial and wear it for a while.
When the lift drops by evening
Give a bridesmaid a teasing comb and a small hairspray. Lifting the crown section and teasing gently at the root, then spraying, brings back much of the height in a few minutes.
Go as Big as Your Dress and Venue Allow
Big hair works when the volume is built properly and suits everything else you’re wearing. Sculpted Hollywood waves, dreamy voluminous updos and curls with flowers can all look right on the day if they’re matched to your gown, your venue and your hair type. Bring photos of your dress and headpiece to your trial, and wear the finished style for a few hours to see how much volume is left by evening. If it drops, your stylist can add padding, extensions or a firmer set before the wedding.
You'll Like These Ideas:
Leave a Reply