I’d rather style a bride’s own curls than iron them flat. Curly texture gives me volume and movement for free, and it holds pins in a way straight hair simply doesn’t. It also fits almost any wedding, from a garden ceremony to a formal ballroom. Loose waves, springy ringlets and tight coils each have styles that suit them, and the twenty below cover all three. Treat them as a starting point to take into a trial, then we adjust for your length, your dress and the weather.
The Month Before: Cuts, Colour and Conditioning for Curly Brides
How curly hair behaves on the wedding morning is set weeks earlier. I give curly brides a short timeline so nothing surprises us at the trial or on the day.
- A trim, ideally from someone who cuts curls dry, a few weeks before the wedding. Freshly cut curls can spring up shorter than expected and need time to settle.
- No new chemical treatments close to the date. Keratin smoothing, relaxers or perms change how curls hold a pin and can’t be undone if you dislike the result.
- Colour or gloss about one to two weeks out, so the tone settles and any dryness has time to recover.
- A regular deep conditioner in the weeks leading up, but not a heavy mask the night before. Very soft, slippery curls are harder to pin.
If you wear protective styles such as braids or twists, plan to take them out at least several days before the trial, not the night before. Hair that has just come out of a protective style is stretched and won’t show its true curl pattern until it has been washed and dried a couple of times.
Bring your normal products to the trial and do your hair your usual way that morning. I want to see your curls as they are, not as they look after a special routine you’ll never repeat.
1. Curly Low Bun for Brides
My default for a curly bride who can’t decide. The curls are drawn back loosely and pinned into a bun at the nape, with the texture left intact rather than slicked flat. A few face-framing tendrils come out at the front. Pearl pins, a few flowers or a delicate comb beside the bun all suit it. Since the weight sits low and nothing is pulled tight, it stays comfortable into the late evening, which brides tell me matters more than they expected.
2. Half-Up Half-Down Curly Wedding Hair
The front sections are twisted or pinned back off the face, and the rest of the curls run down the back. A sparkly clip or floral piece hides the pins. It suits medium and long hair and goes with almost any neckline. One practical point: with a high neckline or a lace back, I keep the loose curls a little shorter of the dress detail, or pin a few more up, so they don’t catch on the fabric all day. A veil or flower crown can be added.
3. Curly Bridal Updo with Tendrils
Curls are pinned into a soft arrangement with wispy pieces left at the face, which gives the updo a slightly vintage feel. The texture builds volume on its own, so I rarely need padding. With hair off the neck, it’s comfortable at a summer wedding. I’d add tiny flowers or a jewelled comb last, once the shape is fixed. If your front pieces are much shorter than the rest, those become the tendrils naturally, which is easier than forcing longer hair to fall the right way.
4. Voluminous Curly Bun
Thick, bouncy curls suit this best. They’re piled loosely at the back of the head so the bun looks airy rather than packed down. I pin it in clusters, which keeps the curls separated and stops them merging into one frizzy mass. The height pairs well with statement earrings or a tiara, and it keeps hair off the neck in summer. On fine curls, I’d choose a smaller bun, since there won’t be enough hair to create that cloud without padding.
5. Curly Half-Back Twist
Quick, discreet and kind to curls. Small front sections are twisted gently and pinned back behind the crown, while the rest of the hair stays down. The face is clear and the curls do the talking. Small sparkly clips or fresh blooms at each side add a personal touch. It holds well, though it’s best for brides who don’t mind their curls relaxing slightly over the day, since hair worn down always moves more than an updo.
6. Low Curly Chignon
Curly hair adds softness to the classic low chignon, which can look severe when it’s smooth. It sits at the nape, kept loose, with a few curls allowed to escape. I tuck the curls into overlapping sections rather than one coil; this holds the texture and keeps the chignon secure. A long veil, drop earrings or a hairpin all suit it. It works at a formal ceremony or a ballroom reception.
7. Curly Fishtail Braid
Worn over one shoulder, the curly fishtail is a relaxed boho option for a garden, beach or rustic wedding. Curls make the braid fuller and more dimensional than straight hair would. I weave it, then pull the edges gently to loosen it, and tease a few tendrils out at the face. Small flowers or baby’s breath can be tucked through. The braid reads best from the side it falls on, so that’s the angle to give your photographer.
8. Curly Crown Braid
A crown braid wraps all the way around the head, sometimes finishing in a low bun at the back. On curly hair it looks softer and more textured than on straight hair. Tiny flowers or pearls can be woven in. Since the braid locks every section in place, this is about as secure as bridal hair gets; you can dance freely. It does need length, roughly to the shoulder blades, to wrap fully around.
9. Curly Ponytail for Weddings
The sides are smoothed back and the ponytail is left full of bouncy curl, and that contrast is what makes it modern. High reads dramatic; low reads understated. I wrap a section of hair around the base to hide the elastic. Smoothing curly sides takes a strong gel and a soft brush, and those sides will soften over the evening as the hair relaxes, which most brides are happy with. Statement earrings finish it.
10. Curly Hair with Flower Crown
Curls are left flowing and a halo of blooms sits on top, ideally matching the bouquet. Roses, baby’s breath or wildflowers all work, depending on your palette. The texture of the curls grips the crown well, so it doesn’t slide. I’d ask your florist to make the crown on the day, or the evening before at the earliest, and to keep it chilled until you put it on. It suits a garden, beach or outdoor wedding.
11. Curly Updo with Veil
A textured updo keeps hair off the face while a veil adds the traditional touch, and curls showing through sheer tulle look lovely. The veil can sit above or below the updo, depending on how much of the hair you want covered. A braid woven through the updo adds detail. I slide the veil comb into the updo itself, never into loose hair, so it doesn’t pull the shape down. After the veil comes off, the updo stands on its own for the reception.
12. Curly Side-Swept Hairstyle
All the curls are swept over one shoulder for an old Hollywood feel. This suits off-shoulder and one-shoulder dresses, as the bare side stays clear. The side where hair is pinned back needs a secure base; I lock it with crossed pins before laying curls over the shoulder. A decorative comb or clip covers the pins. If the dress is one-shoulder, sweep the curls to the bare side so the strap and the hair don’t compete.
13. Curly Braided Updo with Flowers
Braids, curls and flowers combine in one updo here. Braids are woven through the updo first, and small blooms tucked in afterward. The braids add depth, and the flowers can echo the bouquet. It suits a boho or garden wedding. With so many elements, restraint helps: I’d choose small flowers in one or two colours, since a mix of big blooms on top of braids and curls can look busy. The braids keep the whole thing secure through the dancing.
14. Curly Hair with Headband
A sparkly headband or jewelled band holds the front sections back while the curls flow around the shoulders. Pearls, crystals or a metallic band can match your jewellery. It’s easy to wear and needs little styling. The catch is comfort: a stiff band pressing behind the ears can cause a headache after a few hours, so wear it around the house for an afternoon before the wedding.
15. Curly Pinned-Back Hairstyle
The hair stays mostly down, with a few key sections pinned back from the face using decorative pins, small combs or sparkly clips. It’s the most relaxed style here and suits an intimate ceremony. The pinned sections are what make it look bridal rather than everyday, so I place them deliberately: usually just above the temples and once behind each ear. It lets your curls stay front and centre.
16. Curly Bridal Top Knot
Curls are piled high into a voluminous top knot at the crown, with a few tendrils loose at the face. The texture keeps the knot from looking severe. With nothing on the neck, it’s comfortable in summer heat. A delicate pin or small flowers add a finishing touch. A high knot adds height, so if you’re already tall or wearing a cathedral veil, I’d usually place it a little lower toward the back of the crown.
17. Curly Hair Down with Tiara
Curls worn completely free with a sparkling tiara on top suit a bride who feels most like herself with her hair down. Securing it is the main job. I tease a small cushion of hair at the base of each comb and cross bobby pins through the comb loops, so the tiara survives dancing and hugs. Light catching the tiara’s stones shows up well in photos, especially indoors.
18. Curly Twisted Updo
Curly sections are twisted and pinned into a soft, structured updo. The twists add dimension and keep it from looking flat, and twisting is also a secure way to hold curls, so this lasts. Pull out a few face-framing pieces. Pearls, crystals or fresh flowers suit it, depending on your theme. I’d steer brides with very short layers away from this one, since short ends tend to poke out of twists by the evening.
19. Curly Hair with Side Braid
One section is braided along the side of the head while the rest of the curls stay free. The braid adds subtle detail and keeps hair out of the face. Loosening it gently helps it blend with the curls. Small flowers can be tucked in. It suits a garden, beach or relaxed outdoor wedding. If your hair has a natural parting, I’d braid on the heavier side so the braid has enough hair to look full.
20. Curly Vintage-Inspired Waves
Vintage waves are the one style here that changes your natural pattern. I set the curls into smooth, defined waves around the face, worn down or swept to one side, then finish with a decorative comb or clip. The retro shape suits a formal or glamorous wedding. Expect to use heat and a firm-hold setting product, and expect humidity to pull the hair back toward your own curls during the day; tighter curl patterns revert faster.
How Curls Read on Camera Under Flash and Evening Sun
Curly hair photographs differently from straight hair, and a few small choices on the day make a visible difference in the album.
Backlight shows every flyaway
When the sun is behind you, a common setup for golden hour portraits, any frizz turns into a glowing halo around the head. Some couples love that softness. If you don’t, a quick smooth with a little gel on the fingertips just before the portraits keeps the outline neat.
Shine versus grease
Defined, clumped curls reflect light well. Too much oil or serum, though, reads as greasy under flash at the reception. I go light on shine products and add more only where the curls look dry.
Finally, tell your photographer which side your hair falls on, or where your accessory sits. It sounds minor, but it decides which side of your face they favour in the portraits.
Show Up to the Aisle With the Hair You Already Love
Your curls don’t need hiding on your wedding day. Low buns, chignons, flower crowns and vintage waves all show off the volume and texture that make curly hair distinctive. Swept up, worn loose or somewhere in between, the right style is the one that matches your dress, your venue and the way you feel most like yourself. Pick it, add accessories you love, and you’ll walk down the aisle feeling confident.
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