Elopement hair has a harder brief than most wedding hair. It may travel in a car for two hours, climb a trail, stand on a cliff in wind and then sit through a picnic, often with no stylist anywhere nearby for touch ups. That’s why I judge these styles by how they behave outdoors first and how they look second. Below are twenty ideas, from soft waves to braided crowns and low buns dressed with fresh flowers, with notes on which ones you can do yourself and which ones need a professional’s pins.
Doing It Yourself or Bringing a Stylist on the Hike?
Most elopements fall into one of three setups, and each one changes which styles make sense.
A stylist who travels with you
Many stylists will come to a cabin, hotel or trailhead, and some will hike along for touch ups. Expect a travel fee and an early start, and confirm both in writing. This is the only setup where I’d suggest the intricate braided and twisted styles.
Styled in town, then a long drive
Car rides flatten the back of a style against the headrest. If you’re driving more than an hour, choose a low bun, a braid or waves you can refresh, and sit slightly forward on the way.
Doing it yourself
Stick to the styles you can repeat: waves, a low messy bun, a side braid, a fishtail or a simple half up. I’d practice at least three times before the day, once outside in the wind, and time yourself. Most brides take twice as long on the morning as they did in practice.
1. Loose Beach Waves for Elopement
Waves are the style most brides can manage on their own, and also the first to fall in damp air. I curl with a large barrel, alternating direction away from the face, let every section cool fully, then break the curls up with my fingers and add a light texture spray for grip. On a beach or a foggy coast, expect the waves to relax by about half within a few hours. A small hairpin or a few flowers behind one ear is all the decoration they need.
2. Low Messy Bun for Elopement
If I had to send a bride up a mountain with one style, it would be this. A low bun sits close to the head, so wind has nothing to grab, and it survives a hood, a car headrest and a hug. Build it on a small elastic base and pin into that base rather than into loose hair. Leave a few wispy strands at the face, and add a pearl hair vine, crystal pins or fresh blooms once you’re at the location. Medium to long hair suits it.
3. Boho Braided Crown for Elopement
A braid wrapped around the head like a halo is close to windproof, which is exactly why it suits meadows and open hillsides. I braid it fairly firm, pin it, then pull the edges apart for softness; loosening it before pinning makes it slip. Tuck small wildflowers, baby’s breath or greenery straight into the braid. Long or medium hair works, and with medium hair the braid may only reach partway round, finished with pins hidden behind the ear.
4. Half-Up Half-Down for Elopement
This is the compromise I offer when a bride wants her hair down but worries about the wind. The front and sides are secured while the rest flows, and a small twist, braid or higher set bun at the back adds interest. The pinned section frames the face and gives a veil or floral accent a stable base. Out in open country the loose lengths will still blow, so I curl them tighter and sometimes add a clear elastic halfway down to keep them gathered.
5. Textured Updo for Elopement
An ‘undone’ updo is quick to build and holds longer than its relaxed look suggests, because the texture gives pins something to grip. I add dry texture spray, gather the hair loosely, pin it firmly underneath and then pull a few face framing strands free. It handles wind and a long day well and gives you a base for pins, a hair vine or fresh flowers. Medium to long hair suits it best.
6. Soft Side Braid for Elopement
A side braid draped over one shoulder is one of the easiest styles to do yourself, and one of the most practical: everything is contained, so wind only moves the loose tendrils. I loosen the braid by gently pulling at the edges after it’s tied off, which makes it look fuller. Longer hair gives the best result. Before deciding which shoulder, think about the wind direction at your spot, since you’ll want it on the side away from the breeze.
7. Sleek Low Chignon for Elopement
Sleek styles are the hardest to keep sleek outdoors, but a low chignon is the exception, because it sits tight and close to the neck. The smooth finish keeps the attention on your face and jewelry, and a veil comb slots easily above the bun. I smooth the surface with a little cream and a firm hold spray, then press it flat with my palms. For a gentler version, leave a few fine strands loose at the face.
8. Flower Crown Hairstyle for Elopement
Flower crowns sit well over hair worn down, half up or in soft waves underneath. The practical issue on an elopement is that fresh crowns have no water source, so I ask florists for hardy stems like waxflower, baby’s breath, rosemary or eucalyptus and suggest keeping the crown in a cool bag until you arrive. Small, dainty flowers read softer; bigger blooms look bolder but get heavy. Secure the crown with two bobby pins crossed behind each ear.
9. Curly Hair Worn Natural for Elopement
Wearing your natural curls is often the most reliable choice outdoors, since there’s no heat styling to drop out. I define with a curl cream on soaking wet hair, let it dry fully without touching it, then lift the roots gently with a pick. Short, medium and long curls all work. Avoid brushing or over touching once it’s dry, which is what causes frizz. A sparkly pin, a hair vine or a few flowers add a personal detail, and soft outdoor light shows the texture well.
10. French Roll for Elopement
A French roll is one of the few updos that works well on shorter or medium length hair, which makes it useful for elopements. The hair is tucked into a vertical roll at the back of the head, with crossed pins hidden along its center as a backbone. Once secured, it holds through wind and weather. Keep it smooth or loosen a few strands for softness, and finish with a decorative comb, pearls or a veil.
11. Fishtail Braid for Elopement
A fishtail looks complicated but is just two sections with small pieces crossed from the outside, so it’s realistic to learn yourself with a few practice runs. Wear it low at the side or work it into a half up style. I pull it apart gently once tied for fullness. It forgives frizz and movement, which is a real advantage on a long day outside. Longer hair works best, and small flowers or pearls can be tucked into the plaits.
12. Short Hair Worn Sleek for Elopement
Short hair has a quiet advantage on an elopement: there’s less length for the wind to throw around. For a sleek finish I use a few drops of shine serum and a fine tooth comb, then set it with a light hold spray. Tucking one side behind the ear and securing it with a pin or small floral clip adds detail and stops it from blowing forward. Statement earrings or a delicate headpiece suit the clean shape.
13. High Twisted Updo for Elopement
Lifting hair off the neck is the most comfortable choice for warm weather and long walks. Twists are pinned high, building texture and shape at the crown, while a few tendrils keep the front soft. Because it sits up off the neck, it doesn’t press against a pack strap or a car seat, and the twists hold through movement well. A sparkling hairpin or a few small blooms finish it.
14. Wavy Hair With Floral Pins for Elopement
Soft waves dotted with scattered floral pins let you wear your hair down with some detail. I style loose waves first, then tuck the pins in at different heights, so they look scattered rather than lined up. Pins with real flowers glued to them wilt fast in sun; silk or clay flower pins last much longer outdoors and can match your bouquet just as well. Medium to long hair suits the look.
15. Low Bun With Veil for Elopement
A low bun is the steadiest anchor I know for a veil. The comb slides into the gathered hair above the bun, and the low placement stays put in wind. On a windy location, I add an extra pin through the comb and into the base, and I tell brides to hold the veil by its edge during walking shots. Once you take the veil off, the bun is still finished. It works on most hair types.
16. Boho Waves With Braid Detail for Elopement
Waves with small braids worked through them give you texture that holds up better than waves alone, because the braids keep some hair locked in place. The braids can frame your face, wrap the crown or accent the sides. I pull them apart a little after pinning for fullness. Tiny flowers or pearls finish it, and this one sits well in wild, open settings where a breeze is a given.
17. Pixie Cut Styled for Elopement
A pixie cut needs very little to look bridal, which is a real plus when you’re getting ready in a rental cabin. I work a pea sized amount of paste or cream through dry hair for texture and lift on top, then set it with a light spray. Book a trim about a week before so the shape has settled. A jeweled clip on one side, statement earrings or a tiny flower near the part complete it.
18. Romantic Updo With Loose Tendrils for Elopement
Gathered hair with a few strands falling at the face and neck sits halfway between polished and relaxed. I keep the updo smooth for a more formal elopement or add texture for a softer one. Outdoors, I cut down how many tendrils are left out, since every loose piece is one that can blow into your mouth during vows. Petite flowers or small accessories are enough, and medium to long hair works best.
19. Straight Hair Worn Down for Elopement
Straight hair worn down is the most minimal look here and the least forgiving outdoors. Humidity puffs it up, and wind sends every strand flying. I use a smoothing serum and a flat iron, then finish with an anti humidity spray, and I only recommend it for dry, sheltered locations. A sleek center part and statement earrings suit it. Tuck one side behind your ear with a pin if the breeze picks up.
20. Twisted Half-Up With Flowers for Elopement
Soft twists gathered from the top sections and pinned at the back keep the front off your face while the rest stays loose. Fresh or faux flowers tuck into the twists; faux holds up better if you’re out all day, and both can echo your bouquet. I twist each section toward the back of the head and cross two pins at the join so it doesn’t slip as the loose hair moves. Outdoor and boho ceremonies suit it.
A Hair Kit Small Enough for a Trail Pack
Without a stylist on site, your fixes come out of a bag. This is what I’d pack, and it all fits in a zip pouch:
- Ten bobby pins and four U pins in your hair color.
- A travel size firm hold hairspray and a small smoothing balm or wax stick for flyaways.
- Two clear elastics and a claw clip to hold everything during the hike.
- A mini curling iron or wand if there’s power at your getting ready spot.
- A small mirror, plus a silk scarf to cover your hair in wind or drizzle between locations.
On location, stand with your face toward the wind for photos when you can; the hair blows back off your face instead of across it. And ask your photographer for a quick check of the back of your hair before the ceremony, since you won’t be able to see it yourself.
Let the Location Pick Half of the Look
Weather, the walk in and who’s doing your hair will rule out half of these styles before you even look at the photos. From what’s left, choose what fits your texture and what you can wear comfortably for a long day outdoors. Practice it in the same conditions if you can, add a personal touch like floral pins, pearls or a veil, and pack a small kit so you can fix it yourself.
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