Curly hair arrives at a wedding with half the styling already done. The volume, the movement and the soft pieces around the face that I’d have to build into straight hair are simply there. My job is mostly to give them a shape and make sure it lasts. You don’t need to fight your pattern, and I’d much rather you didn’t. The twenty styles below range from half-up looks to sculpted updos and flower crowns, and most of them work for bridesmaids and guests as well as brides. I’ve added notes on curl type and length where a style suits some hair better than others.
Matching These Styles to Your Curl Type, From Loose Waves to Tight Coils
Curly is a huge category. A bride with loose S-shaped waves and a bride with dense coils both call themselves curly, but their hair behaves very differently once I start pinning. Before you save a style, it helps to know which of these groups you fall into.
Loose waves and soft curls
Wavy and loosely curled hair drops under its own weight, especially when it’s long. Down styles tend to look flatter by the evening, so I often add a little curl with an iron to reinforce the pattern. Half-up looks and low buns hold this texture best.
Springy ringlets
Defined ringlets are the easiest to pin and hold shape well in updos and chignons. The risk is frizz from over-handling, so I work in small sections and avoid touching curls once they’re placed.
Tight coils and coily textures
Tightly coiled hair shrinks a lot, so styles that need length, like a long side-swept look, may need the hair stretched first by banding, twisting or threading overnight. Sculpted updos, braided styles and high buns suit coils very well, and they hold accessories better than any other texture.
1. Curly Half Up Half Down Wedding Hairstyle
Half up, half down is the style curly brides ask me for most, and it’s easy to see why. The top section is gathered and secured at the crown with a clip or pins; the rest falls in spirals. I keep the lifted section textured rather than brushed smooth, because a sleek crown on top of springy lengths looks like two different styles. It keeps hair off your face for the vows and still shows the length. A twist detail or a small hairpiece can cover the pins.
2. Curly Low Bun for Brides
A low bun is the style I’d trust most on a long day with an open-back gown. I gather the curls at the nape and pin them into a rounded shape in sections, leaving plenty of texture rather than slicking the hair down. A few tendrils are pulled out at the face. Once it’s set, I gently tease a couple of curls loose at the edges so the outline isn’t too neat. Statement earrings suit it, since the neck and ears stay clear.
3. Curly Updo With Loose Tendrils
This updo is pinned up with real structure at the back, then a few spirals are released around the hairline. Those tendrils are what stop it from looking tight, but they need care: I set them separately, often with a small curling wand or by twisting them around a finger with a little gel, because a loose piece left to its own devices tends to frizz first. It’s well suited to a church ceremony or a ballroom reception. Tiny pearls or crystal pins between the curls finish it.
4. Bohemian Curly Hair With Flower Crown
Loose curls under a flower crown is about as relaxed as bridal hair gets. The curls stay down with all their volume, and fresh or dried blooms sit on top, ideally echoing the bouquet. Dried flowers are worth considering if the ceremony is outside on a warm afternoon, since fresh petals against the scalp wilt within a few hours. Muted tones look more refined; bright flowers feel more playful. I secure the crown with pins crossed underneath it so it won’t shift as you hug guests.
5. Curly High Ponytail for Weddings
A high ponytail is the most modern look on this list. The front and sides are smoothed back and the curls gathered high on the crown into a full, bouncy tail. Smoothing curly hair back tightly takes product and a soft brush, and I warn brides that the sides may lift slightly through the evening as the hair relaxes. Raised placement lengthens the neck and shows off earrings. I wrap a section around the base to hide the elastic. It’s the style I’d recommend to brides who plan to dance for hours.
6. Curly Half Up Braided Crown
Two front sections are braided back and joined at the crown like a halo, while the rest of the curls fall below. On curly hair, the braid holds better and looks fuller than on straight hair, because the texture grips itself. It keeps the face clear without taking away any volume. I’d keep the braid loose for a boho wedding and tighter for a vintage one. Tiny flowers or pearls tucked in add detail. It’s a fairytale look that works on most curl types.
7. Vintage Curly Updo With Pearls
A sculpted vintage updo is pinned into a structured shape at the back, with soft waves left around the face and pearl pins scattered through. It’s suited to an indoor, formal venue. The challenge with curly hair here is that vintage shapes rely on smooth rolls, so I set the outer layer slightly more defined and keep the curl texture inside the shape. Pearls suit nearly every gown and skin tone. A sweetheart neckline and fine jewellery are the natural pairing.
8. Curly Side Swept Wedding Hairstyle
All the curls go over one shoulder; the other side is pinned close behind the ear. That pinned side needs a proper base, a few anchored pins or a small hidden twist, or the weight of the curls slowly drags it loose. Add a couple of twists near that section if you want detail there. It highlights the jawline and the earring on the open side. In photos, it reads best from the side where the hair falls, so tell your photographer which that is.
9. Curly Hair With Veil and Tiara
Loose curls with a veil and tiara is the classic formal combination. The curls flow long; the tiara sits at the crown and the veil attaches just behind it. Order matters: I place the tiara first, anchor it, then slide the veil comb in behind so the two don’t fight for the same spot. Choose a slim tiara, since a heavy one disappears into big curls anyway. After the ceremony the veil comes out and your hair is ready for the reception.
10. Curly Messy Bun for Brides
A messy bun is less messy than it looks. I gather the curls high or low and pin them into a loose shape, leaving tendrils at the face and a few pieces falling naturally. Underneath, every section is pinned deliberately, which is why it holds through the day despite looking casual. It suits a boho or outdoor wedding. A sprig of baby’s breath or a small comb is all it needs.
11. Curly Dutch Braids Into a Bun
Two Dutch braids running from the hairline back on each side lead into a textured bun at the nape. If your hair is wavy rather than curly, I’d add curl first so both braids and bun have volume; tighter curls usually need nothing extra. The braids lock the hair firmly in place, which makes this one of the most secure styles for an energetic reception. A few curls pulled loose at the face soften it. It suits a boho or festival-style wedding.
12. Curly Hair Down With Deep Side Part
Sometimes I simply define the curls, set a deep side part and leave them down. The part adds volume at the crown and sweeps the curls to one side, which flatters most face shapes. What makes this bridal rather than everyday is definition: I refresh each section with product so curls look clumped and shiny instead of fuzzy. A small sparkly clip on the heavier side, or nothing at all, finishes it.
13. Curly Low Side Bun With Tendrils
A low side bun sits just behind one ear. The curls are gathered to that side at the nape and pinned into a loose, textured shape, with a few spirals left free. It suits a vintage or garden wedding. Put your statement earring on the opposite side so it isn’t hidden by the bun. Because all the weight sits on one side, I anchor this bun with crossed pins into a small base first; otherwise it slides toward the shoulder.
14. Curly Half Up Twisted Style
Pieces from the front and sides are twisted back and secured at the crown, and the rest of the curls flow free. Twists show off curl texture better than braids, because you can see the pattern along each twist. They keep hair off the face and suit formal and casual weddings alike. Sparkly clips placed where the twists meet hide the pins and add a little glamour. It works across curl types and lengths.
15. Curly Bridal Chignon
A curly chignon keeps the classic rounded shape low at the nape but holds on to curl definition. I tuck the curls into overlapping sections rather than one smooth coil, which keeps the texture visible and makes the shape more secure. Leave a few tendrils loose. A decorative comb or pearl pins add polish. It sits well with a formal gown and statement jewellery, and shows that textured hair can be as polished as any sleek updo.
16. Curly Hair With Hair Vine Accessory
A delicate hair vine threaded through loose curls catches the light as you move. It can run across the top section of hair worn down or wrap around an updo. Vines are lighter than a tiara, which matters on curly hair because the curls can swallow heavy pieces. I pin the vine at small intervals, every few centimetres, so it stays put as curls move. Match the metal to your jewellery.
17. Curly High Bun With Volume
A high bun with plenty of volume adds height and drama. Curls are gathered on the crown and pinned into a full, textured shape rather than a tight knot. The raised placement lengthens the neck and shows off earrings. A few curls left loose at the hairline soften it. For tall brides, or brides marrying a much shorter partner, I’d bring the bun down a little, since a very high bun adds noticeable height in photos. A sparkly pin or one fresh flower finishes it.
18. Curly Hair With Baby’s Breath
Small sprigs of baby’s breath tucked through curls sit naturally between the spirals. Worn down, half-up or in an updo, the tiny white flowers suit rustic and outdoor weddings. Baby’s breath is light and inexpensive, and it holds up out of water better than most fresh flowers. I cut the sprigs short and push them into the base of a curl so they stay in. Scatter them evenly or cluster them on one side.
19. Curly Faux Hawk Updo for Brides
For a bride who wants something bold, a curly faux hawk updo pins the sides up and back and leaves the centre curls full along the crown. The curls stop the shape from looking harsh. It suits an unconventional or contemporary wedding. Sparkly pins along the sides add glamour. I’d only recommend it if you’re comfortable with height, because a faux hawk changes your profile in photos more than any other style here.
20. Curly Hair With Loose Romantic Waves
Loose, voluminous waves worn down are a softer take on curly hair. I stretch and enhance the natural curls into relaxed waves that fall down the back and shoulders. A deep side part or a centre part both work. On very curly hair, this needs heat or a set, and humidity will gradually pull the hair back toward its natural pattern, so I only suggest it to brides who are happy if that happens by the evening. A clip, veil or fresh flowers can be added.
Briefing a Stylist Who Mostly Works on Straight Hair
Plenty of good bridal stylists rarely see natural curls. If your venue or your planner has recommended someone, it’s worth finding out early whether curly hair is part of their everyday work. A few questions settle that quickly.
- Ask to see photos of curly brides they’ve styled, not only straight-haired ones.
- Ask whether they plan to brush or blow-dry your hair. For most curly styles, they shouldn’t.
- Ask how they handle shrinkage and humidity on the day.
- Ask if they’re happy to use your own products for the refresh.
When I take on a curly bride, I ask her to come to the trial with hair washed and styled the way she plans to on the morning. That tells me how the curls behave on a normal day. I also want to know how many days the style can last, because some brides like to keep the updo for a morning-after brunch.
If a stylist suggests straightening your curls first and then curling them again with an iron, ask why. Sometimes it’s the right call for a specific look. Often it’s simply the method they’re used to, and the result won’t last as long as your natural pattern would.
Curls Are the Accessory You Already Own
Curly hair gives you a lot of choice, from half-up styles to updos and crowns of flowers. What matters most is working with your texture instead of against it. Pick the style that fits your dress and venue, then book a stylist who regularly works with curly hair and do a proper trial. With the right preparation, your curls will look their best from the ceremony to the last dance. Save the looks you like and bring them with you to that trial.
You'll Like These Ideas:
Leave a Reply