Open hair is how a lot of brides picture themselves: length moving as they walk, a veil over loose curls, flowers tucked in at the side. It is also the style where the condition of your hair shows most, because nothing is folded away. Below are 20 open-hair looks I’d put on a bride, from soft waves and half-up twists to braids and simple accessories. For each one, I’ve added how I build it and what tends to go wrong, so you can bring the right two or three to your trial.
Lace Shoulders, Beaded Backs and Other Places Loose Hair Catches
There’s one problem with open hair that brides rarely think about until the day: the dress. Loose hair rests on the shoulders and back for hours, and some fabrics grab it.
- Lace and embroidered tulle catch curls and pull strands loose every time you turn your head. Half-up styles and side braids keep most of the hair off the lace.
- Beading, sequins and crystal straps can snag and tangle hair, especially fine hair. A side-swept style that lies on the bare shoulder avoids them.
- Button backs and open backs are details you’ll want photographed. Hair worn fully down hides them, so a half-up style or a side sweep usually works better.
- Smooth satin and crepe are easy. Open hair slides over them without catching.
Wear the dress, or at least a sample of the fabric, at your hair trial if you can. Move around, sit down and hug someone. You’ll see within a few minutes whether loose hair and that dress can share the same shoulders.
1. Soft Loose Waves for Long Wedding Hair
Soft loose waves suit nearly every face shape and dress, which is why they’re the style I’m asked for most. I curl with a large barrel, pin each curl to cool, then brush them out into airy waves that frame the face and keep the length moving. The cooling step is what lets them last through dancing and hugs. Fine hair needs a mousse at the root before curling; thick hair needs smaller sections. A veil works over them, or they can be left completely free.
2. Half Up Half Down Wedding Hairstyle for Long Hair
Half up, half down lets you decide exactly how much hair comes off your face. I gather the top section, secure it softly, and leave the rest in waves or curls below. That pinned section is also the best anchor I know for a veil comb or tiara on open hair, because loose hair alone lets them slide. A small twist or a little bouffant at the crown adds polish. Brides with a round face often prefer a bit of height there to lengthen the face.
3. Boho Braided Open Hair Wedding Look
Boho braids are woven through flowing waves to add texture without giving up length. A single side braid, two thin face-framing plaits or a delicate halo braid over loose strands all work. I pull the braids apart a little once they’re tied so they look full, and I braid on second-day hair whenever I can, because freshly washed hair is too slippery to hold a plait. Baby’s breath or wildflowers tuck straight into the braids. Gardens, beaches and barns suit it.
4. Side Swept Curls for Brides with Long Hair
Gathering all the length over one shoulder bares the opposite side of the neck and shows off the shoulder line. Statement earrings and open-back gowns both benefit. The weak spot is the bare side: without anchoring, the hair slowly drifts back to the centre. I pin a hidden row of crossed bobby pins behind that ear, then lay the curls over the other shoulder. A sparkling clip or cluster of flowers can cover the pins. It also shows off detailed straps or shoulder embellishment on the uncovered side.
5. Sleek Straight Open Hair for Weddings
Sleek, straight open hair is the simplest look here and the least forgiving. I press small sections with a flat iron until the hair is glossy, keeping serum on the lengths and off the roots. It shows split ends and any unevenness in the cut, so it suits healthy, long hair best. A centre or deep side part frames the face. Pair it with minimal jewelry and a structured gown. In humidity it can frizz within an hour, so I’d keep it for indoor or cooler weddings.
6. 90s Blowout Wedding Hairstyle for Long Hair
The nostalgic ’90s blowout is all about body: volume at the roots and face-framing layers flipped softly away from the cheeks. It’s done with a round brush and a hairdryer, then often set in large velcro rollers while I do makeup, which helps the bounce last much longer than a blow-dry alone. It needs layers to work; one-length hair just looks voluminous at the top. Glowing makeup and a sleek gown suit it.
7. Flower Crown with Long Open Hair
A flower crown sits over loose waves or soft curls, which suits outdoor, garden and boho weddings. Matching it to the bouquet ties the look together. I pin the crown through the hair on both sides and at the back so it doesn’t slide when you turn your head. Fresh crowns can get heavy and wilt in the sun, so ask your florist about hardy stems like waxflower and spray roses, or a silk crown that looks fresh for hours. On a hot day, delicate petals like gardenia brown fastest.
8. Loose Curls with Veil for Long Hair
Classic for a reason: loose curls under a veil. I set the curls first and place the veil comb last, either at the crown or lower at the nape depending on the dress, teasing a small base under it so the comb has something to grip. When the veil comes off for the reception, the curls underneath are still styled. The curls give volume, the veil gives the traditional touch, and it suits almost any wedding theme.
9. Deep Side Part Waves for Brides
Deep side parts create volume on one side and sweep hair across the forehead. Combined with brushed-out waves, it gives a slightly Old Hollywood feel without full sculpted curls. I usually flip the part a day or two before so the hair is already used to falling that way, which helps the volume hold. One-shoulder gowns and statement earrings suit it. The heavier side can fall into your eyes over a long day, so a small hidden pin behind the ear helps.
10. Waterfall Braid with Open Hair
Detailed but still open, the waterfall braid starts at the temple and runs across the head, dropping a section at each pass to create a cascading, waterfall-like effect. The dropped strands blend into the loose length below. I curl them afterwards so they don’t hang flat. It sits best on wavy or curled hair, and small flowers along the braid add detail. Garden and outdoor weddings suit it best.
11. Voluminous Bouncy Curls for Long Wedding Hair
Big hair starts at the root. For voluminous bouncy curls, I set the hair in hot rollers or curl it with a wand and let it cool fully, then shake the curls out gently with fingers rather than a brush. The result bounces as you walk and dance. A fitted gown balances that fullness. On very heavy hair, curls this big lose bounce by the evening, so I add a firm hairspray to the inside of each section.
12. Twisted Half Up Wedding Hairstyle
Twisting a section from each side and pinning them at the back adds detail to a half-up look while keeping the rest in waves or curls. The twists hold the hair off the face, and they give decorative pins or a small comb somewhere secure to sit. I twist away from the face and cross the pins at the join, which keeps them tight even as the hair relaxes. It moves easily from ceremony to reception and suits nearly every dress.
13. Beach Waves Open Hair for Weddings
Beach waves bring an effortless, tousled texture to open hair. I use a curling wand and leave the ends straight, then mist texturising spray and scrunch so the waves look lived-in. They suit seaside and destination weddings, flowy gowns and minimal accessories. They’re one of the few looks that actually improve as they loosen through the day, which makes them a good choice in sea air. Very fine hair needs a grip spray first.
14. Crystal Hair Pins with Long Open Hair
Crystal pins add sparkle without covering any length. I place them along a deep part, near a twist or scattered through loose waves, angled so they catch light in photos. On straight, silky hair, pins slide out, so I slip each one into a tiny teased section or a hidden bobby pin. They suit brides who want something lighter than a tiara or headband. A handful is usually enough; too many start to look busy.
15. Curtain Bangs with Long Open Wedding Hair
Soft curtain bangs part in the middle and sweep outward to frame the eyes and cheekbones, giving a 70s feel to long, loose waves. I style them with a round brush and a slight bend so they blend into the length. If you’re thinking of cutting curtain bangs for the wedding, do it at least a month ahead, so you know how they sit and they have time to grow out a little if they’re too short.
16. Boho Side Braid for Long Hair Brides
A loose side braid sweeps the hair to one side and drapes over the shoulder, with the unbraided length staying open. I pull the braid apart gently for fullness. Tiny flowers or greenery tuck neatly into it. It keeps hair off one shoulder all day and suits outdoor, rustic and bohemian weddings. Very thick hair can make a side braid heavy, so I sometimes thin it out by braiding only the top half and leaving the rest in waves.
17. Glossy Straight Hair with Middle Part
Glossy, straight and split down the centre, this look is all about shine. The symmetry suits oval faces, and it shows any unevenness, so I check the part in photos at the trial rather than relying on a mirror. Hair needs to be healthy and recently trimmed. I smooth the roots with a little cream so the part stays crisp through the day. Pair it with sleek jewelry and a minimalist gown.
18. Romantic Tousled Updo with Loose Strands
Halfway between open and up, this tousled style gathers some volume loosely at the crown and lets plenty of strands fall around the face and shoulders. Wispy tendrils frame the cheeks and neck. I pull pieces out gently once the hair is pinned so it looks lived-in. Underneath the loose finish there are firm crossed pins doing the real work, so tell your stylist if you plan to dance a lot. It pairs with delicate accessories and flowing gowns.
19. Long Layered Waves for Wedding Day
Layers give long hair movement and body that one-length hair doesn’t have. I curl with a wand following the direction of each layer, then brush out so the waves flow from crown to ends. Face-framing layers curled away from the face open up the eyes. If you’re adding layers for the wedding, have them cut four to six weeks ahead so the ends settle. It suits brides who want volume without losing length.
20. Headband with Long Open Wedding Hair
A headband over a soft middle part keeps the front neatly framed while the length flows below. Crystal, pearl or plain satin bands each suit a different gown. I slide the band on before the final brush-out and anchor it behind each ear with a crossed pin. Stiff metal bands can pinch behind the ears after a few hours, so test the actual piece for comfort. It adds structure and a little sparkle to open hair without needing an updo.
Trims, Colour and Gloss in the Weeks Leading Up
Because open hair shows every inch, the weeks before the wedding matter as much as the styling on the morning. Here’s the timeline I suggest, adjusted with your own colourist and stylist.
Six to Eight Weeks Out
Make any big changes now: a new colour, layers, curtain bangs or a length change. This gives time to fix anything you don’t like and lets the cut settle. Avoid starting a smoothing or keratin treatment close to the wedding, because treated hair often resists holding a curl.
Two to Three Weeks Out
A light trim to take off split ends, which show on loose hair in close-ups. Colour touch-ups for roots go in this window too, so the colour has softened by the day. A gloss treatment can add shine if your hair looks dull.
The Last Few Days
Deep condition a few days before, not the night before, because very soft, freshly conditioned hair can be too slippery to hold a curl. Wash the day before or on the morning, as your stylist advises, and skip any heavy oils or leave-ins on the day.
Does Your Favourite Still Look Right After a Few Hours?
Long open hair lets you show off length and movement from the ceremony to the last dance. Soft waves, braids, sleek straight hair and simple accessories all work, but each suits a different dress, texture and weather. Pick the one that matches your gown and the way your hair naturally behaves, then test it at your trial and wear it for a few hours afterwards. If it still looks like you at the end of that test, you’ve found it.
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