An updo is the most practical thing a bride can ask me for. It keeps hair off a sweaty neck, out of the bouquet and away from lace, and it shows the neckline you spent months choosing. It’s also where the most structure hides: pins, padding, sometimes extensions. Here are 20 updos I’d happily put on a bride, from a plain low chignon to a crown-lift with real height, with notes on how each one is built and who it suits.
How Much Hair Does an Updo Really Need?
Brides with shoulder-length or fine hair often assume updos are off the table. They usually aren’t, but the style changes with what you’ve got.
- Chin to shoulder length: small twisted chignons, low knotted buns and French twists can all work, with a few more pins than usual.
- Past the shoulders: almost every style here is possible, including braided crowns.
- Very long or very thick hair: high buns can get heavy, so I often split the hair and pin it in two layers to spread the weight.
If your hair is fine, clip-in extensions or a soft padded bun form are the quiet helpers behind most full-looking updos. Buy extensions that match your color and bring them to your trial so they can be blended and cut.
Why Squeaky-Clean Hair Fights Every Pin
Freshly washed, conditioned hair is smooth and slippery, and pins slide straight out of it. For most updos I ask brides to wash the day before, skip conditioner on the roots, and arrive with hair fully dry. Very oily hair is the exception and may need a morning wash.
Then I add grip: a texture or dry shampoo spray at the roots, a light tease where the base will sit, and pins opened slightly so the wavy side faces the scalp. Crossing two pins into an X makes the anchor that combs, veils and heavier pieces lock into. If an updo has ever collapsed on you at a party, the prep was usually the problem, not the style.
1. Classic Low Chignon
The low chignon is my default suggestion when a bride shows me twenty photos and can’t decide. Hair is smoothed to the nape and twisted into a neat, polished knot. Because it sits low, it shows the jawline and shoulders and leaves room for a veil above it, which suits off-shoulder and V-neck dresses. I work in small horizontal sections and pin each twist into the one below. Smooth for a formal room; loosen a few pieces for a garden.
2. Messy High Bun
A messy high bun sits on the crown, with soft face-framing tendrils around the cheeks. I’ll be honest: this is the style most likely to look accidental if it isn’t built properly. The base is pinned firmly, and texture is pulled out of the surface only. It suits rustic and outdoor weddings and lengthens the neck. Long veils don’t love it, since the bun sits where the comb wants to go.
3. Sleek Ballerina Bun
The ballerina bun is pulled tight and smooth into a high bun with a crisp center part. It’s editorial and modern, and it puts all the focus on your face and earrings. The downside is tension. Tight styles can cause a headache after a few hours, especially with a heavy veil pinned in. I smooth with a small amount of gel and secure the bun with U-pins, which hold firmly without needing to scrape the hairline. Ideal for ballrooms and city weddings.
4. French Twist Updo
The French twist sweeps hair to one side and folds it vertically up the back of the head into a smooth column. It needs hair at least past the shoulders, and it’s easiest on hair with some grip; I prep silky hair with texture spray first. The modern version keeps a little softness at the crown. It keeps the neck completely clear, so it’s comfortable in summer heat, and it takes both a veil and a tiara well. Vintage Hollywood or quiet and plain, it suits both.
5. Braided Crown Bun
A braided crown bun runs braids around the head and gathers the rest into a soft bun at the back. It’s a natural fit for fairytale-themed weddings and boho details. Each braid works like a hidden anchor, so it’s one of the most secure styles here. It does need long hair, or clip-in lengths to complete the circle. Baby’s breath or small fresh flowers go in after the braids are pinned, never woven in during.
6. Twisted Low Bun
Twisted low buns are built by rolling sections of hair and coiling them into a relaxed bun at the nape. Twists hold texture without needing curls, so this style copes well with humidity. It suits most face shapes and necklines. Pearl pins tucked into the twists look natural there because the hair has folds to hide the pin shafts. A few loose tendrils at the front keep it from looking plain.
7. Half-Up Half-Down With Curls
Can’t choose between up and down? Half-up, half-down pins the top section back and leaves curls falling over the shoulders. The pinned crown keeps hair out of your face; the curls carry the softness. It needs long, fairly thick hair to look full, and curls on fine hair will relax by the evening, so set them well. A decorative comb or a few small flowers hide the point where the sections meet.
8. Low Twisted Chignon With Veil
A low twisted chignon with a veil is the most traditional pairing on this list, and it works for a reason. The veil comb slides in just above the chignon, into hair that’s already firmly pinned, so there’s nothing for it to pull loose. It draws the eye toward low backs and detailed necklines. When the veil comes off for the reception, the chignon still looks finished, which is not true of every style.
9. Romantic Bun With Loose Tendrils
This romantic bun gathers hair loosely at low or mid height and leaves soft tendrils at the face. It’s soft rather than structured, and it suits flowing gowns and natural, glowing makeup. Tendrils are what make or break it. I curl them lightly and leave them short enough that they don’t stick to lip gloss. Tiny pearls or fresh flowers in the bun can add a little detail without crowding it.
10. Sleek Low Ponytail
A low ponytail is technically an updo’s minimalist cousin: hair swept back and gathered low, the lengths left smooth or softly curled. It suits minimalist gowns and contemporary weddings, and the clean lines show off statement jewelry. A subtle twist across the back stops it looking flat. I always wrap a strand of hair around the elastic and pin it underneath. On fine hair, a clip-in ponytail adds the fullness the style relies on.
11. Floral Adorned Updo
Fresh flowers turn a soft bun or twist into the focal point. Baby’s breath, roses, or wildflowers add natural color and texture. Out of water, blooms behave very differently. Spray roses and waxflower last the day; delicate garden flowers wilt within hours in warmth. Ask your florist for a few spare stems wired for hair, and add them at the very end. Cluster them on one side if you’d like more drama.
12. Vintage Curled Updo
A vintage curled updo is built from set curls, pinned into sculpted rolls and finger waves. It’s one of the slower styles to create, since each curl needs to cool before it’s pinned. I’d suggest it for art deco or vintage-themed weddings, with a birdcage veil or a sparkling comb. Finish with a bold red lip if you’d like the full look. It needs hair with some body, and it doesn’t forgive frizz.
13. Boho Braided Updo
Boho braided updos mix loose braids, soft twists and a gently gathered bun. The texture looks undone, which suits outdoor and rustic weddings, and wispy pieces at the face keep it relaxed. Long, thick hair holds this best; fine hair often needs clip-ins to get the fullness. Dried flowers and greenery tuck in well, and they won’t wilt on a long summer day the way fresh blooms do.
14. Elegant Side Swept Bun
The side swept bun gathers hair to one side and coils it low, just behind the ear. The asymmetry shows off a statement earring or a one-shoulder gown. Pick the side that faces your guests at the ceremony. I anchor it with extra pins on the opposite side of the head, because all the weight sits on one side and it tends to drift. Loose waves at the face soften it.
15. Textured Updo With Pearls
Pearls suit textured updos especially well, because the loose, voluminous bun gives the pins somewhere to sit. The pins scatter across the surface for a soft shimmer. Cluster them on one side, or space them evenly; each looks different in photos. I set pearl pins after the hairspray, never before, since spray can dull the pearl coating. Keep other jewelry minimal so the hair stays the focus.
16. Twisted Halo Updo
A twisted halo wraps twisted sections of hair right around the head, almost like a crown. It looks intricate but feels soft, and it suits flowing veils and fairytale weddings. Twists hold better than braids on slippery hair, so I often suggest this one when a crown braid won’t grip. Small flowers or sparkly pins tucked into the twists look right there. Loose tendrils keep the face soft.
17. Low Bun With Braided Detail
A low bun with a braid woven through it adds detail without changing the shape. The braid can wrap around the bun or run up into it from the nape. It’s a good compromise for a bride who wants something different but still classic. It suits medium and long hair. On medium length I add clip-in pieces to give the braid enough length to wrap all the way around.
18. Voluminous Updo With Crown Lift
Want height? A voluminous updo with crown lift adds body at the top, then gathers into a bun or twist. It suits round and heart-shaped faces because the height lengthens the face, and it makes a solid base for a tiara or a large headpiece. Volume comes from teasing at the root and smoothing over it. A light shine spray at the end stops the teased area looking dull. It’s built for formal and grand weddings.
19. Knotted Bun Updo
Knotted buns twist hair into interlocking knots that look sculpted and deliberate. It’s a modern, architectural shape for city weddings and minimalist gowns. Each knot needs to be pinned on both sides or the pattern loosens. Smooth or a little textured, both work, and one statement pin is plenty.
20. Romantic Updo With Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs soften an updo more than any tendril can. They frame the eyes and cheekbones, and the rest of the hair goes into a bun or twist. If you’re growing bangs out, this is a good way to wear them. Don’t cut new bangs in the last month before the wedding, since fresh bangs rarely sit the way you hope. Delicate pins or small flowers in the bun keep the look light, and a romantic updo with curtain bangs stays balanced from the front and the side.
Taking It Down at Midnight Without Tears
No one talks about this until 1am, when a tired bride is pulling at pins in a hotel bathroom. A well-built updo can have dozens of pins in it, and dragging the hair out tangles and breaks it.
- Remove accessories and the veil first, then feel for pins with your fingertips and slide each one out in the direction it went in.
- Ask your stylist roughly how many pins went in, so you know when you’re finished.
- Don’t brush yet. Work a little conditioner or detangling spray through the teased sections with your fingers.
- Wash and condition, then gently comb from the ends upward.
If you’re leaving early the next morning, sleeping with the style in and taking it down in the shower is easier than you’d think.
Your Updo, Pinned to Last the Whole Day
Any of these updos can work, but the best one for you depends on your hair length, its texture and the dress you’ll be wearing. Chignons and braided crowns are the most secure; textured buns and curled styles need a good set to last. Add flowers, pearls or pins if you like, take photos of your inspiration to your trial, and wear the style long enough to see how it feels by the end.
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