Most brides I work with end up in an updo for a practical reason: it’s the one style that looks the same at midnight as it did at noon. Hair off the shoulders also shows the neckline, the earrings and the back of the dress, which is often the part a bride loved most at the fitting. The choice isn’t really up or down, it’s which shape of up. Below are twenty I put up regularly, reflecting the latest 2025 and 2026 trends, from slick buns to soft knots, with what each one needs from your hair and where it tends to struggle.
Read Your Neckline Before You Fall for an Updo
The dress decides more about the updo than most brides expect. I ask to see a photo of the back of the gown before anything else, because that’s where the hair and the dress meet.
- High neck or collar: a high or mid bun. A low chignon gets crushed against the fabric every time you turn your head.
- Strapless or sweetheart: almost any height works, but a low bun with some width balances bare shoulders.
- Open or low back: keep the hair up and fairly compact, so the back of the dress stays visible.
- One-shoulder: a side bun or side braid placed on the opposite side to the strap.
- Off-the-shoulder: a low, soft shape echoes the line of the sleeves.
Veil length matters too. A cathedral veil sits best above a low bun; a short blusher or a birdcage needs some volume at the crown to hold it.
I’d also think about how you’ll move. If you plan to wear a heavy necklace, a low bun can catch the clasp. If the photographer wants plenty of shots from behind at the altar, the back of the updo becomes the main view, so it’s worth spending more of the trial on that side than on the front. And if your dress has buttons or lace all the way up the back, a compact bun keeps hair from snagging on them while you dance.
1. Classic Low Chignon Bun
The name comes from the French “chignon du cou”, nape of the neck, which tells you exactly where it sits. I build it on a small hidden ponytail so the pins have something solid to hold, then wrap and tuck the lengths around it. Sleek, it suits a ballroom; loosened, a garden. It sits low enough for a cathedral veil comb above it and flatters most face shapes. Fine hair needs a little padding or backcombing inside the bun; thick hair needs it split into two sections so it doesn’t sit heavy.
2. Sleek Ballerina Bun With Center Part
The sleek ballerina bun is everywhere right now, and it’s harder than it looks. Every strand goes back into a tight, high bun, often with a sharp center part. The polish depends on the blow-dry: I smooth each section with a paddle brush while it’s still slightly damp, because you can’t fix bumps once the hair is dry. It puts your face, earrings and neckline on show, so it suits structured, minimal gowns. A little shine serum finishes it. If your hairline is sensitive, tell me, because the tension of a high bun can ache by evening.
3. Romantic Messy Bun With Tendrils
A messy bun takes longer than people expect, since every loose piece is placed. Soft volume and tendrils around the cheeks give it the relaxed look. It suits bohemian, garden and rustic weddings, and baby’s breath or tiny wildflowers fit right in. It’s forgiving: it loosens through the day and doesn’t look ruined when it does. On very silky straight hair I prep with texture spray, otherwise the bun slides flat within an hour.
4. Elegant French Twist Updo
A French twist sweeps the hair up and rolls it vertically along the back of the head. The shape is clean and sculptural and works under a veil or a tiara. It needs at least shoulder-length hair to roll properly. I secure the twist with a row of interlocking pins along the seam, which is why it lasts so well. Loose strands soften it; sleek, it reads more 1950s. It suits a long neck and a vintage or very minimal gown.
5. Half-Up Half-Down Bridal Updo
Half up, half down gathers the top section and leaves the rest in waves or curls. It gives you length and movement and still keeps hair off your face. The weak point is always the down part: curls lose shape faster than any pinned section. I set each curl and leave it to cool before brushing out, and on fine hair I’d suggest a slightly firmer hold than you’d normally like. It works with a veil or a flower crown and suits most venues.
6. Braided Crown Updo
A braid wrapped around the crown makes a halo shape. It suits boho, garden and outdoor weddings, and the braid itself is the decoration. Tight and neat, it looks formal; loosened, softer. It needs enough length to travel around the head, so I’ll add a clip-in weft for hair above the shoulders. Tiny flowers or pearl pins tuck into the weave easily. It holds well through dancing because the braid locks everything in place.
7. Twisted Low Bun With Pearls
A twisted low bun adorned with delicate pearl pins looks classic without feeling old-fashioned. Soft twists come together low at the nape, and the pearls give the only shine. I scatter them unevenly, clustered near the bun with a few further out, which looks more natural than a neat row. It suits formal receptions and indoor ceremonies. Twists can unwind, so each one is pinned at both ends. Ivory pearls usually match an ivory gown better than bright white.
8. Soft Curly Updo for Natural Hair
Natural coils and curls make one of the fullest updos there is. I’d style curls stretched rather than straightened, then gently tease and twist them into a voluminous bun or sculpted shape. Defined, moisturised curls hold pins brilliantly. Face-framing pieces soften the outline. Brides keeping their natural texture is a real shift in recent seasons, and I think it’s one of the best. Gold pins or fresh flowers add detail; I’d avoid anything that needs heat on the day.
9. Vintage Hollywood Waves Updo
Sculpted waves at the front sweep into a low twist or bun. Polished, glamorous waves have been gaining ground on the loose beachy kind for formal weddings. The waves are set with clips and setting lotion and left to dry fully before brushing; brushing too early is what turns them frizzy. It suits glamorous venues, statement earrings and a bold lip. It’s one of the slower styles on this list, so plan your morning around it.
10. Boho Braided Bun
Loose braids and a softly gathered bun with strands pulled out on purpose. It suits outdoor, festival and rustic weddings, and dried flowers, greenery or gold pieces fit its tone. Wavy and curly hair do much of the work. It gets softer as the night goes on, which suits this look. Dried flowers are brittle, so pin them through the stem rather than tucking them in.
11. Sleek High Bun With Veil
A high, polished bun at the crown is bold and modern. The veil tucks underneath, which gives a clean, strong outline. It shows off the face and neckline, and I’d suggest it with an off-the-shoulder or high-neck dress. Shine spray gives the finish. Because the bun sits high, a heavy veil can pull it backwards, so I’d test the veil’s weight at the trial. Keep the bun dead center; it’s the first thing guests see.
12. Loose Twisted Updo With Face-Framing Pieces
Airy twists with wispy pieces at the cheeks and forehead. Softer structure is a real direction right now: texture and movement over sleekness. It suits garden, vineyard and intimate weddings and flatters most face shapes. The loose pieces at the face frizz first in humidity, so I set them with a light hold spray, never a stiff one. A few small blooms are enough.
13. Dutch Braid Bun Updo
A Dutch braid is crossed under rather than over, so it stands up from the head, and that raised texture shows clearly in photos. It wraps into a low or mid-height bun. One braid is striking; two or more add complexity but double the time. It suits boho, rustic and modern weddings and holds very securely. On fine hair I gently pull the braid’s loops wider after it’s secured so it looks fuller.
14. Low Bun With Side Braid
Hair swept to one side, where a braid leads into a low, gathered bun. It shows off earrings on the open side and gives an asymmetric line that suits one-shoulder dresses. I’d decide which side faces your partner before the trial. It works sleek or loose and suits most lengths. The bun sits close to the neck, so it won’t catch on a high collar.
15. Pinned Curls Updo
Each curl is set, then pinned individually into a sculpted, voluminous shape. The texture comes from the pinned curls catching light at different angles. It suits vintage, glamorous and formal weddings. It’s also one of the most durable styles, because every curl is anchored. Pearl or crystal pins add sparkle. I set the curls on hot rollers so they’re firm before pinning; a loose curl just collapses when you pin it.
16. Twisted Updo With Hair Accessory
Soft twists make a base for an accessory such as a jeweled comb, sparkling hairpin or a delicate headband. Placement changes the effect: side for romance, back for a quiet detail, crown for formality. Twists suit most hair types. This is also my preferred way to include an heirloom piece, because I can build the twist around it and make sure it’s secure. Bring it to the trial so we can check its weight.
17. Elegant Updo With Curtain Bangs
An elegant bun or twist with curtain bangs that part in the middle. The fringe softens the face and makes the look current. If you already have bangs, this is the natural choice; if not, cut them at least a few weeks before so they settle. The curtain bangs flatter most face shapes and balance the updo. I curl them gently with a round brush rather than an iron, which keeps them soft.
18. Braided Updo With Flowers
Braids hold flowers better than any other base. Baby’s breath gives an airy feel; larger blooms make more impact. It suits outdoor, spring and bohemian weddings and any length that can be braided. Ask your florist for blooms that survive hours out of water; spray roses and waxflower hold up well, while hydrangea droops. I add flowers last, after the final spray, so the petals don’t get sticky.
19. Sleek Twisted Ponytail Updo
Ponytails are now a genuine bridal option, and the twisted version adds detail. Hair goes into a polished ponytail with wrapped or twisted sections. High or low placement changes the effect, so I’d pick based on your neckline. A strand wrapped around the base hides the elastic. It’s very secure and suits fashion-forward and minimalist weddings. With a heavy veil, a low ponytail works better than a high one.
20. Soft Romantic Knot Updo
The soft knot updo gathers hair into a loosely knotted shape at the back. It has texture and movement and suits intimate, garden and modern weddings. A few tendrils at the face soften it. It’s quick to create, which is helpful on a crowded morning. A delicate pin or a small flower is plenty.
Some Updos Take Twenty Minutes, Others Take Ninety
Times vary with hair length, thickness and the stylist, but the order on the morning is fairly predictable. Roughly, from quickest to slowest:
- Soft knot, simple low bun and twisted ponytail.
- Messy bun, French twist and half up, half down.
- Braided crowns, Dutch braid buns and side braids.
- Pinned curls and Hollywood waves, which need setting time before any styling begins.
Tell your stylist which style you’ve chosen when you confirm the schedule, so the bride isn’t the last person in the chair with a ninety-minute style and an hour left.
The fortnight before
Have color done about a week or two before, so it settles and any tone can be fixed. Get a trim, not a new cut. And skip deep conditioning treatments the night before; very soft, freshly conditioned hair is the hardest to pin.
An Updo Is Only Finished Once It Has Lasted the Afternoon
Every updo here holds for a reason, whether it’s a hidden ponytail, interlocking pins or a braid. Start with your dress and veil, then choose two or three shapes. Bring photos to your hairstylist and book a trial a few weeks before the wedding. Wear the trial style for the rest of that day, and notice what moves. Whatever survives that afternoon is the one to wear.
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