Grooms with long hair usually spend more time worrying about it than about the suit, and they’re right to. Hair that sits on a shirt collar, under a tuxedo lapel or across a linen jacket changes how the whole outfit reads. The twenty looks below cover sleek buns, slicked-back lengths, loose waves, braids and a couple of undercuts. A beach ceremony, a barn and a black-tie room each favor different ones, so I’ve noted where each style sits best and what to wear with it.
Collar, Lapel and Where Long Hair Lands on a Suit
When I fit a groom with long hair, I look at the hair and the jacket together. Hair that rests on the collar does three things: it hides the line of the shirt, it rubs product onto the fabric and it pushes the jacket collar away from the neck. None of that shows in a mirror at home, but all of it shows in a profile photo.
Matching the style to the outfit
- Black tie or a dark tuxedo: tied back low, a slicked bun or a low ponytail so the satin lapels and collar stay clean.
- Three-piece or tailored suit: low bun, half-up or a neat center part are all fine; check where the ends land on the collar.
- Linen, open collar or no jacket: waves, curls, messy or boho buns look right with the softer fabric.
- Embroidered or vintage jackets: braids and twisted buns echo the detail without competing.
On a white or pale shirt, I’d use a water-based product rather than a heavy oil pomade. It washes out of cotton and doesn’t leave a grey line inside the collar by the evening.
1. Low Bun Groom Hairstyle
The low bun is the style I suggest most often for a formal wedding. The hair gathers at the nape into a neat knot, sits below the collar line of a jacket and keeps everything tidy from ceremony to last dance. A little light pomade on the surface adds shine without that wet look. It sits naturally with a fitted tuxedo or a classic three-piece suit. Use a snag-free elastic rather than a metal-clasp band, which catches strands and can leave a dent if you change styles later.
2. Man Bun for Grooms
The man bun sits at the crown or mid-head and has a more relaxed, casual feel than a low knot. That’s why I keep it for outdoor, bohemian and beach weddings rather than black tie. It keeps the face clear in a breeze while showing the length. A casual linen suit or a smart blazer suits it well. Placement matters more than people think: too high reads gym, while just above the occipital bone reads deliberate.
3. Long Hair Slicked Back
Slicking long hair straight back with gel or pomade gives a sharp, glossy outline that shows the face clearly. It pairs naturally with a tailored tuxedo or a sleek modern suit. You can let the length hang down the back or tuck it behind the ears. The catch is the collar. Pomade transfers onto a white shirt within an hour, so I suggest a water-based product, applied sparingly, and a quick check of the collar before photos.
4. Half-Up Half-Down Groom Style
Tying back just the top section keeps hair out of your face while the rest sits on your shoulders. It is relaxed but looks deliberate, and it suits garden, beach and boho weddings. An open-collar shirt or a light-colored suit is the natural partner. Keep the tie low enough at the back of the head that it doesn’t push against the headrest when you sit through dinner. I also suggest a quick comb-through of the loose lengths before the ceremony, since they tangle against jacket fabric.
5. Top Knot Wedding Hairstyle
A top knot gathers the hair high and twists it into a tight knot at the very top of the head. It reads modern and fashion-led, and it sits best with minimal or unusual outfits such as a collarless jacket or a monochrome suit. Your hair stays completely off your face, which helps if the day involves a lot of dancing. Tight and clean is sharper; a little texture looks more relaxed. I’d skip it if your partner is wearing heels close to your height, because the knot adds height in every photo.
6. Long Wavy Hair for Grooms
Letting natural waves fall freely looks relaxed and suits outdoor and beach weddings. A curl-defining cream on damp hair keeps the waves together instead of puffing out. Air-dry or scrunch for texture. Light linen suits or a casual blazer sit with it naturally. The thing to watch is humidity: wavy hair expands in damp air, so a tiny amount of anti-frizz product goes a long way. Keep a comb out of it after it dries, or it fluffs up.
7. Braided Crown Groom Hairstyle
A braided crown takes two braids, one from each side, and wraps them around the back of the head. It’s a bold, almost medieval look that works at a themed or rustic wedding. It keeps the hair secure all day and shows off detail. A vintage-style suit or embroidered jacket matches its tone. This is not a style most grooms can do alone; I recommend asking the bride’s hairstylist to book you a short slot, as they’ll braid it faster and tighter than a friend.
8. Center Part Long Hair
A clean center part with long, straight hair is simple, and simple is often the right call. The hair falls evenly on both sides and frames the face. It adapts to formal and casual weddings, with a classic suit or a modern slim fit. The detail I check is where the ends land: if they hit right at the collar, they’ll flip out when you move, so a trim to sit just above or below is worth booking.
9. Messy Bun Groom Look
A messy bun is gathered loosely, with a few strands left around the face. It should look relaxed, not unwashed. I pull it together with fingers rather than a brush and add a little texture spray so the loose pieces don’t go limp. It fits bohemian, garden and beach weddings, with an open-collar shirt or a lightweight suit. If your venue is formal, this one will look underdressed.
10. Long Hair with Undercut
An undercut keeps the sides and back short and the top long, giving a sharp contrast with any formal outfit. The long section can be worn loose, braided or tied back, which gives you options through the day. A slim tailored suit or a structured jacket suits its clean lines. Book the clipper work for a few days before the wedding, not the day before, so the line has softened slightly and any irritation has calmed.
11. Low Ponytail for Grooms
A low ponytail gathered at the nape is clean and needs almost no upkeep. It shows the full length while keeping it tidy. It fits formal and semi-formal weddings and goes well with a classic suit or a tuxedo. Slick it back for shine or leave light texture. I wrap a small section of hair around the elastic to hide it; in close-up photos a visible band looks unfinished.
12. Long Curly Hair Groom Style
Natural curls worn loose bring volume and personality. A curl-enhancing cream on wet hair, then hands off until it dries, keeps the pattern defined. It suits outdoor, rustic and relaxed celebrations, and a textured suit or linen blazer sits easily with it. You can pull a section back if the curls fall into your face. Avoid washing and restyling for the first time on the morning; your usual routine is the safest one.
13. Man Bun with Braids
A braided section pulled into a bun adds detail at the back. It’s creative and suits bohemian or artistic grooms, and an embroidered jacket or a boho-inspired suit continues the feeling. One thin braid running into the bun usually looks better than several, which can crowd a smaller head of hair. Ask whoever braids it to pin the braid end into the bun so it doesn’t escape mid-reception.
14. Long Hair with Beard
Long hair and a beard together look rugged, and the key is keeping both in proportion. A full beard with loose hair can overwhelm the face, so I often suggest a bun or tied-back style to balance a heavy beard. Shape the beard two or three days before so the line looks natural, not freshly razored. It suits outdoor, rustic and mountain weddings, with an earthy suit or a tweed jacket. Use beard oil sparingly; it shines heavily in flash photos.
15. Slicked Back Man Bun
A slicked-back man bun combines smooth sides with a clean bun at the back. It removes every flyaway and looks very formal. A fitted tuxedo or tailored suit is the natural partner. Brush the product through while the hair is slightly damp so the lines look even, then let it set before tying. It’s the most polished bun on this list and the one I’d pick for black tie.
16. Long Layered Hair for Grooms
Layers take bulk out of long hair and give it movement. They frame the face and keep thick hair from looking heavy at the bottom. Wear it down or partly tied back, with a slim-fit suit or smart blazer. Get the layers cut several weeks before the wedding so they’ve grown in a little. Fresh layers can look choppy for the first week or two.
17. Side Swept Long Hair
A side part with the length swept across frames the face and feels classic. It suits formal and semi-formal weddings, with a classic suit or a vintage-inspired jacket. Light product keeps the sweep in place. If your natural part is on the other side, the hair will try to flip back, so blow-dry it into the new direction first.
18. Twisted Bun Groom Hairstyle
Twisting sections before wrapping them into a bun gives texture and a more crafted look than a plain bun. The twists catch light in photos. It works at formal and boho weddings, paired with a tailored suit or refined jacket. It takes a few minutes longer than a plain bun, so build it into the morning schedule. Twists loosen faster than braids, so a couple of extra pins underneath make sense.
19. Long Hair Down and Straight
Long hair worn straight and down shows off its length and shine. A blow-dry with a paddle brush or a pass of the straightener gives the sleek finish. It fits formal and relaxed weddings, with a sharp suit or a modern tuxedo. Center or side part both work. In a breeze, straight hair will blow across your face, so I keep a small elastic in the pocket in case you need to tie it back for outdoor shots.
20. Boho Bun with Loose Strands
A boho bun is gathered loosely with soft strands around the face. It looks romantic and laid-back and fits beach, garden and outdoor weddings. A linen suit or an open-collar shirt is the obvious pairing. Pull the strands out after the bun is secured, not before, or they’ll end up too long and fall into your eyes.
Six Weeks of Grooming for a Long-Haired Groom
Most grooms leave hair until the last week, and that’s when trims go wrong. A simple calendar avoids it.
- Six weeks out: book a trim to tidy split ends and set the shape. Don’t make dramatic changes now.
- Four weeks out: if you’ll have layers, get them now so they have time to settle.
- Two to three weeks out: a light dusting of the ends if needed, and a deep conditioning routine at home.
- Three or four days out: beard shaping and any undercut clipper work.
- Night before: wash and condition, dry it the way you’ll style it, and skip any new product.
What to keep in your jacket pocket
A spare elastic in your hair color, a small fine-tooth comb and a travel tin of the product you used that morning. Your best man can hold them if your pockets are tailored flat. A bun that loosens during photos takes a minute to redo, but only if the tools are there. I’d also ask someone to glance at the back of your head before the ceremony, since that’s the view the guests will have.
Your Hair Should Look Like You, Only Sharper
Long hair gives you plenty of options, from sleek low buns and slicked-back styles to waves, braids and relaxed boho looks. The right one depends on your venue, your outfit and how much fuss you’ll put up with on the day. Do a trial at least once in the outfit or a similar shirt, and take photos from the side and back as well as the front. If the style still looks good after a long dinner and dancing, you’ve found it.
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