Putting a bridesmaid’s hair to one side does two useful things at once: it opens one shoulder and one ear for the dress and the earrings, and it gives the hair a clear shape when she’s seen in profile, which is how most of the ceremony photos catch her. Current wedding hair inspiration leans toward movement, low shapes and soft pieces by the face, and side styles do all of that naturally. They also suit a mixed bridal party, where everyone wears a different variation of one idea. Here are twenty side styles I put on bridesmaids, and what I do to keep each one from sliding back to the middle.
Deciding Left or Right Before the Curling Iron Comes Out
The side matters more than people expect, and I settle it before I start curling. First I look at the natural part and the crown. Most people have a side their hair falls to on its own; fighting a cowlick to sweep hair the other way is possible, but it tends to creep back by the evening.
Then I look at the dress. On a one-shoulder neckline, I usually sweep the hair over the strap side, so the bare shoulder stays clear and the asymmetry of the dress is repeated rather than covered. If there’s a statement earring, it goes on the open side.
Finally, think about where she’ll stand. If all the bridesmaids line up on one side of the couple, sweeping everyone’s hair the same way makes the line read as one shape in the ceremony photos. I’d raise that with the bride at the trial, so nobody has to switch sides on the morning.
1. Bridesmaid Side Swept Curls
Side swept curls are the classic, and the cooling step is what makes them last. I curl through the lengths, pin each curl in a loop while it cools, and only then brush everything over one shoulder. Brushed while warm, the curls drop within the hour. A line of crossed pins behind the ear on the sweep side holds the shape from underneath. Medium to long hair suits it best, with satin, chiffon or floral dresses.
2. Bridesmaid Side Bun
Quick verdict: a side bun is the most dependable side style for a long, hot day. It sits low near one side of the nape, softer than a high updo and more interesting than a centred bun. I build it on a small ponytail placed just behind the ear so the bun’s weight is anchored, not just pinned. Straight, wavy and lightly curled hair all work. Leave a couple of face pieces for softness, or keep it smooth for a formal room.
3. Bridesmaid Side Braid
A bridesmaid side braid falls over one shoulder and keeps long hair controlled while still showing its length. A loose three-strand braid is quickest; a fishtail shows more texture; a Dutch braid sits on top of the hair and reads from further away. Once it’s tied, I pull the edges of each section gently to widen it. One thing to watch: a braid that rests on a beaded or sequinned shoulder strap can snag, so I check the dress first.
4. Bridesmaid Side Ponytail
The side ponytail is one I suggest for bridesmaids who hate buns. I gather it low behind one ear, curl or wave the ends, and wrap a strand around the elastic, pinning the tail of that strand underneath. Before securing, I tease a little at the crown; without that lift, a low side pony can look flat from the front. It suits open necklines and fine straps, since the hair sits on one side and leaves the other bare.
5. Bridesmaid Side Chignon
A bridesmaid side chignon is a smoother, folded cousin of the side bun. I sweep the hair to one side and tuck it into a low, rounded roll near the nape. It reads structured, which is why I keep it for evening weddings and formal venues. Hair needs a little grip for a chignon to stay folded, so I set it with a light curl first even though the curls disappear inside. A deep side part sharpens it; loose tendrils soften it.
6. Bridesmaid Side Fishtail Braid
Fishtail braids show off dimensional colour better than almost any other braid, because the narrow sections alternate shades all the way down. Balayage and highlights look great in one. It needs medium to long hair; for shorter lengths I sometimes add a few clip-in wefts for fullness. I braid it fairly firm, then loosen it with my fingertips so it looks airy but doesn’t fall apart. A couple of curled face pieces finish it.
7. Bridesmaid Side Swept Waves
Side swept waves are the easiest way to keep a bridal party coordinated across different hair lengths. Beachy for a relaxed wedding, glossy for a formal one. Moving the waves to one side gives them a shape centred waves don’t have, and it shows the earrings and the neckline on the open side. Long bobs can do it too. I tuck a hidden pin behind the ear under the top layer, so the sweep stays put but looks loose.
8. Bridesmaid Side Updo
A side updo is pinned to one side, usually with curls or twists building volume near the nape. It’s my pick for dresses with back details, because the hair is lifted without looking severe. The prep is what makes it work on fine hair: volumising mousse at the root and a texture spray before curling, otherwise the side shape looks thin. Thick hair needs the opposite, fewer sections and more pins. Pearl pins dress it up.
9. Bridesmaid Side Twist Hairstyle
Twists give you detail around the face without the time a braid takes. I take sections from the front or crown, twist them back toward one side and pin them into curls, a bun or waves. It’s also the cleanest way I know to control short face-framing layers, which would otherwise poke out of a braid. Keep the twists smooth for a polished wedding or pull them apart a little for texture.
10. Bridesmaid Side Half Up Hairstyle
A side half up style keeps hair out of the face while the rest falls in curls over one shoulder. I pull the top section to one side and twist it before pinning, which grips better than a flat section. It’s the one I’d recommend for the bridesmaid who’ll spend the day bending over the bride’s train or a toddler flower girl. Medium and long hair with some curl volume suit it.
11. Bridesmaid Side French Braid
A side French braid starts at the crown or hairline and runs diagonally to one side, where it ends in a bun, ponytail or loose braid. Because it’s woven into the scalp the whole way, it’s one of the most wind-resistant styles here, which is why I recommend it for outdoor and beach weddings. Humidity still softens the loose ends, so I set those with a flexible spray. Loosen the braid slightly for a softer finish.
12. Bridesmaid Side Dutch Braid
The Dutch version braids under rather than over, so the braid stands up on top of the hair and reads from across a field or a barn. It suits thick hair, long layers and dimensional colour. I run it from one side of the hairline toward the opposite shoulder and continue into a side braid or low bun. Very fine hair can look sparse in a Dutch braid; for that texture I’d choose the French braid above.
13. Bridesmaid Side Low Ponytail
A side low ponytail is the most comfortable style on this list for a long day. I gather it near one shoulder, curl or bend the ends and hide the elastic with a wrapped strand. Crown volume is what lifts it from casual to wedding; skip that and it looks like an everyday ponytail. A deep side part on the opposite side balances the weight. It sits comfortably with modern and classic dresses alike.
14. Bridesmaid Side Messy Bun
A bridesmaid side messy bun should look relaxed and be pinned like a formal style underneath. I curl the ends, tease lightly at the crown, form the bun low and to one side, then pin each loop at its base before pulling it loose. That’s the difference between a messy bun that lasts all day and one that collapses after the photos. It suits rustic, garden and beach weddings.
15. Bridesmaid Side Waterfall Braid
A side waterfall braid runs across one side of the head while small sections drop through it. The dropped strands need to be curled, otherwise they vanish into the rest of the hair and the waterfall effect disappears. It’s the gentlest detail on this list for a bridesmaid who wants her hair mostly down. This braid loosens faster than most, so I anchor its tail with hidden pins rather than relying on an elastic alone.
16. Bridesmaid Side Vintage Waves
Vintage side waves are the most technical style here. I part deeply, set the hair in pin curls, let it cool fully, then brush it into one continuous wave and press the ridges with clips while I spray. It takes longer than any other style in this list, so I schedule it accordingly. The finish should be glossy, not crunchy, which means shine spray and careful brushing. It’s my choice for black dresses, satin and evening weddings, with a red lip.
17. Bridesmaid Side Braided Bun
A bridesmaid side braided bun joins two techniques: braid along one side, then wrap everything into a low bun near the nape. It looks good from behind and in profile, which covers most ceremony angles. The braid also controls layered cuts that won’t sit in a plain bun. Long or thick hair works best; it’s the one I’d suggest when a bridesmaid tells me her hair “never holds anything”.
18. Bridesmaid Side Curly Updo
For natural curls, a side curly updo lets the texture lead. I gather curls softly to one side and pin them low, with a few left by the face. No brush once the curls are formed; I work with fingers, curl cream and a flexible spray. Pins go in at an angle into the curl itself, which grips much better than pinning across the surface. It gives volume to the bridesmaid who doesn’t want her hair fully down.
19. Bridesmaid Side Braid With Curls
A side braid with curls mixes structure and movement: a braid along one side blending into loose curls over the shoulder or down the back. Front layers go into the braid, so they stay out of the eyes all day. Brushed-out curls look softer, defined curls look more formal. It adapts to floral, rustic and modern weddings.
20. Bridesmaid Side Sleek Bun
A sleek side bun looks simple, but the surface has to be perfect, and that’s where the work is. I blow-dry smooth, use a smoothing cream and a fine-tooth comb, and then secure the bun with plenty of pins before the shine spray. Any flyaway shows. Because the shape is so consistent, it’s a strong option when the bride wants everyone in the same style. A deep side part adds drama; a sweep from centre to side is softer.
Why Hair Pinned to One Side Feels Heavier
All the weight of a side style hangs off one side of the head, and by mid-afternoon some bridesmaids feel it as a pull or a mild headache. The fix is anchoring, not more pins at the bun itself. I build a hidden base, either a small ponytail or a line of crossed pins running across the back of the head, so the load spreads instead of tugging at a few hairs.
- Tell your stylist at the trial if anything pinches; it only gets worse over ten hours.
- Ask for the heaviest part to sit low, near the nape, not behind the ear.
- Very long, thick hair may do better with a side braid than a side bun, since the braid spreads weight down the length.
Living with the heavy side all day
Carry your bag on the open shoulder, not under the curls, or the strap flattens them. Hug with the open side when you can. And if a side ponytail or braid starts to slip during the reception, twist it once around itself and pin it at the nape; it becomes a low side bun in about a minute.
Letting One Side Style Flex Across a Bridal Party
Side styles give a bridal party shape and softness without everyone looking cloned. Curls, braids, buns, ponytails, chignons and updos can each be adjusted for texture, neckline and weather. My usual approach is to agree one shared direction, low side updos or soft side waves, for example, and then fit it to each person’s hair. That way the group looks connected and each bridesmaid looks like herself.
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