A bridal party is rarely five women with the same hair. One has a fine bob, one has waist-length curls, one swears nothing holds in her hair. My job on the morning is to make them look like a group without forcing everyone into a style that only suits two of them. Below are twenty bridal party hairstyles, from low buns and ponytails to braids and loose waves, with notes on which hair each one suits, how long it holds and what I’d change for the bridesmaid who doesn’t fit the mould.
Mixing Bobs, Curls and Long Layers in One Group
When a group has very different hair, I don’t assign one style. I assign a height. Everyone wears her hair either low at the nape, half up or fully down, and the texture can vary within that. A short bob with a pinned side looks part of the same group as a long low bun when both are soft and kept low.
- Short hair: half up or down with a pin, never a full updo that needs extensions to work.
- Fine hair: lightly textured buns and braids, which hold better than loose curls.
- Thick or very long hair: sleek or braided styles that control the weight.
- Curly hair: let the curls stay curly, and match the group through accessories instead.
If the bride wants everyone in an updo, I suggest a clip-in piece for the bridesmaid with short hair, tested at a trial and colour-matched beforehand.
1. Classic Low Bun for Bridesmaids
If a bride asks me for one style that will work on every bridesmaid, it’s usually this. A low bun sits at the nape, stays clear of any neckline and survives hugging. I build it on a small ponytail base rather than twisting loose hair, because the base is what keeps it tight after five hours. Smooth suits a formal room; pulled-out pieces soften it outdoors. On very short layers, I add a small padded bun form so it doesn’t look thin.
2. Half-Up Half-Down With Soft Waves
Half up with soft waves keeps the face clear and the length on show, and it suits nearly every length below the shoulders. The waves are the weak point. On fine or freshly washed hair, they can fall flat within a couple of hours, so I curl in small sections, let each one cool in a pin curl and only brush them out at the end. The top section is secured with two crossed pins under the clip, so a heavy accessory doesn’t drag it down.
3. Boho Braided Crown
A braided crown frames the face like a halo and pairs naturally with flowers tucked into the plait. It needs medium to long hair: the braid has to reach around the back of the head and meet itself, which shoulder-length hair can’t always do. I pancake the braid gently after pinning, pulling at the edges of each section so it looks fuller. Leave a few tendrils at the temples to stop it looking stiff.
4. Sleek Low Ponytail
Sleek and modern, it suits city weddings and minimalist dresses. For a sleek low ponytail, I smooth the hair with a light cream and a boar bristle brush, tie it with a clear elastic and wrap a strand around the base to hide it. The common problem is bumps at the crown, which show in every group photo. I’d steer a bridesmaid with lots of short layers or a cowlick away from this; the strays will fight it all day.
5. Messy Low Bun With Face-Framing Pieces
The undone bun looks casual but takes more pins than a sleek one, because the texture has to be placed. I curl the hair first, then gather it loosely and pin each loop separately. That texture makes fine hair look fuller and softens very thick hair. Leave the face-framing pieces out before you gather the bun, so they fall naturally instead of looking pulled out.
6. Fishtail Braid With Loose Strands
A fishtail looks intricate, but it’s quicker than people think and very secure. I work it slightly loose and then pull the edges for width, which hides any unevenness. Worn over one shoulder, it shows off the weave; worked into a half-up style, it adds detail at the back. Tiny pearls or flowers can sit along the length. On very layered hair, the shorter pieces poke out of the plait, so I use a little texturising spray before I start.
7. Half-Up Ponytail With Volume
A half-up ponytail brings height and a bit of fun, and it keeps hair off the face during the reception. I tease a small section at the crown before tying, then smooth the top layer over it so the lift lasts. It works best on medium to long, straight or wavy textures. On very heavy hair, the ponytail pulls the crown flat by the evening, so I anchor it with two hidden pins under the elastic.
8. Romantic Curls Worn Down
Loose curls worn down are the first style to drop, so I plan for it. I curl with a wand on dry hair that’s been prepped with a light mousse, then let the curls set completely before brushing them out. A flexible hairspray holds them without crunch. On thick, long hair, the curls relax into soft waves by the evening, which usually looks good. On very fine hair, I’d suggest pinning one side back, which gives the style something to hold when the curls loosen.
9. Twisted Updo for Long Hair
A twisted updo gives detail without the formality of a classic chignon. I twist the sections loosely and pin each one along its edge, overlapping slightly so the pins disappear under the next twist. It needs long hair; shorter lengths won’t twist far enough to meet in the middle. Statement earrings sit well beside it, and it holds through a long dance floor.
10. Natural Curls With a Halo Effect
Natural curls deserve the same attention as any styled look. I define them with a curl cream on damp hair the morning of, or ask the bridesmaid to wash and style them herself so she knows how her curls will react. A halo of volume comes from lifting at the roots with a pick, not brushing. Pinning one side back adds shape. Curly bridesmaids look right next to straighter-haired ones as long as everyone shares the same softness.
11. Side-Swept Curls Over One Shoulder
Side-swept curls over one shoulder bring an old Hollywood shape. The hidden work is on the pinned side: I build a row of crossed pins behind the ear so the curls stay put even when she turns her head. One-shoulder and off-the-shoulder dresses look especially good with this, since the hair falls on the bare side. Medium to long hair is needed. Statement earrings belong on the exposed side.
12. Braided Half-Up With Waves
Small braids pull the top section back while loose waves fall underneath, so the detail shows without a full updo. I start the braids at the temples and pin them behind the crown, crossing them over one another so the meeting point stays flat. It suits garden, beach and rustic weddings. If a bridesmaid has fine hair, I use three-strand braids rather than Dutch braids, which can look thin and stringy.
13. Sleek Bun With a Center Part
A sharp centre part and a sleek bun look modern and clean, and they show everything, including any unevenness in the part. I set the part with a tail comb before I do anything else and smooth the hair with a light serum to tame flyaways. Straight hair takes this most easily; very curly hair can be smoothed but needs more time and heat. Bold earrings finish the look.
14. Loose Boho Updo
Loose updos like this have soft texture, pieces around the face and no rigid shape. I build them on second-day hair whenever I can, because freshly washed hair is too slippery to hold the loose pins. They suit medium to long hair and work especially well on wavy or textured strands. Flowers or a small vine look natural tucked into the folds. They belong at boho, rustic or outdoor weddings.
15. Half-Up Braided Halo
The half-up braided halo wraps a braid across the back of the head while the rest falls in waves. It’s detailed but relaxed, and it shows off length. I hide the braid’s tail under the opposite side, pinning it flat so it doesn’t create a lump. Tuck small blooms in for a garden wedding, or leave it plain.
16. Low Chignon With Tendrils
A low chignon is a rolled shape at the nape, and it’s the most formal look here. I roll it around a small padded insert on thinner hair so it holds its shape. Soft tendrils at the face keep it from looking severe. It pairs with any neckline and is a good choice when a party wears long, formal gowns. Pins should run in from the edges toward the centre, which keeps it secure through a lot of hugging.
17. Wavy Lob for Short Hair
Short hair has as many options as long hair. The wavy lob is styled with soft waves, which I create with a flat iron twisted through the hair rather than a wand, since short lengths come out too curly with a round barrel. Tucking one side behind the ear with a small pin gives it a finished detail. It suits casual and semi-formal weddings and needs very little upkeep.
18. Pinned-Back Waves With Accessories
Pinning back the front sections keeps the face clear while the length stays down. Pearl pins or a vine add personality. This is the style I suggest for a bridesmaid who doesn’t want anything elaborate. I insert the decorative pins over a hidden bobby pin, because pearl pins on their own often slide out of soft waves.
19. Textured Updo With Curls
Curls pinned up loosely create the most volume of any style here, so it belongs at formal weddings and evening receptions. I curl every section first and let them cool before pinning, then leave a few curls at the face. Naturally curly hair suits it well, as does curled straight hair with enough grip. It’s heavier than a sleek bun, so a bridesmaid with a sensitive scalp should try it at the trial first.
20. Sleek Straight Hair Worn Down
Smooth, straight hair worn down looks modern and healthy, and it is easier than people expect. I flat iron in small sections with a heat protectant and finish with a shine spray. The challenge is humidity: straightened hair will frizz quickly in a damp outdoor venue. For a summer wedding, I’d keep this for an indoor reception or tuck one side behind the ear with a small headband.
Washing, Drying and Arriving Ready for the Chair
Most of the problems I see on a wedding morning start the night before. Hair that was washed with a rich conditioner and left to air-dry overnight is hard to style and slips out of pins.
- Wash the evening before or the day before that, with a light shampoo and conditioner only on the ends.
- Dry it fully. Damp hair at the roots won’t hold a curl or a pin.
- Skip oils, serums and leave-in conditioners the morning of; I’ll add what’s needed.
- Arrive with hair down and no elastic marks or creases from a ponytail.
- Wear a button-front top so you can change without touching your hair.
Curly-haired bridesmaids are the exception: wash and style your curls as you normally would, so I’m working with the curl pattern you know.
How Much Time a Party of Five Actually Needs
I plan forty-five minutes to an hour per bridesmaid for an updo or styled curls, and closer to thirty for simple half-up looks. With five bridesmaids, a mother and the bride, one stylist can easily need six or seven hours, so many parties book a second stylist. Bridesmaids go first. The bride sits last so her hair is freshest for the ceremony.
A Shared Direction With Room for Each Bridesmaid
The best bridal party hair looks coordinated while letting each bridesmaid feel like herself. From classic low buns and loose curls to braids and sleek ponytails, every length and texture has a good option here. Pick a shared mood with the bride, such as soft and romantic or clean and modern, and let each person choose within it. A matching accessory, like pearl pins or a small floral vine, ties the group together in photos.
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