The maid of honor spends the day working: fixing the train, holding two bouquets, crouching for the bustle, hugging half the guest list. Her hair needs to look polished in the processional photos and still be intact after all that. Medium-length hair copes well, because it’s long enough to pin into a proper updo and light enough not to drag. I’ve gathered twenty maid of honor hairstyles that suit shoulder to collarbone length, from low buns to braids to simple waves, with notes on how each one copes with a long day on your feet and who it suits best.
A Maid of Honor’s Hair Has a Job to Do
When I plan a bridal party’s hair, I look at the maid of honor differently. She’s the one bending down to fluff the train, lifting the veil before the kiss, holding the bouquet during the ring exchange and bustling the dress before the first dance. Hair that falls forward every time you look down will drive you mad.
That’s why I steer most maids of honor toward styles with the front secured: an updo, a half-up, or at least pinned-back sides. Loose waves can work, but only if you’re happy to tuck your hair behind your ears all day.
Where you sit in the styling schedule
On the morning, the bride is usually done last, and I like to have the maid of honor finished just before her, so she’s free to help with the dress and handle anything that comes up. If your hair needs a long time, such as a braided updo, tell the stylist when booking so the timeline allows for it.
1. Half-Up Half-Down With Loose Curls
If you can’t decide between up and down, this is the compromise most of my bridesmaids end up loving. I pull the crown section back and pin or twist it, then curl the lengths with a wide barrel and brush them into loose waves. The key on medium hair is curling before pinning, so the hair under the anchor isn’t left flat. It keeps your face clear for the moments you’re leaning in to straighten a veil.
2. Low Chignon Bun
The low chignon is my default suggestion for a maid of honor who wants something classic and practically indestructible. It sits at the nape, out of the way of a bouquet, and doesn’t move when you hug. On medium hair I usually roll the lengths into a soft rounded shape rather than a tight coil, which can look small. Fine hair benefits from a little teasing at the crown so the whole head doesn’t look flat in profile. It’s a common choice among maids of honor for good reason: it photographs well from the back during the ceremony.
3. Fishtail Crown Braid
A fishtail braid wrapped round the back of the head is slower to make than a regular crown braid, but on medium hair the finer weave makes the most of limited length. I usually split it into two fishtails, one from each side, and pin the ends where they meet so there’s no gap at the back. Pulling it apart gently adds width. Leave a couple of wisps at the temples and it softens nicely for a rustic or outdoor wedding.
4. Twisted Low Ponytail
This is the quickest style here to do yourself. Gather a low ponytail, then take small sections from around it and twist them over the elastic to hide it, pinning each one underneath. Loose face-framing strands keep it from looking too severe. It’s quick to create, and since the ponytail sits low, it doesn’t press against a chair back during a long dinner. I’d only avoid it with very short layers, which tend to escape from the twists.
5. Romantic Loose Chignon
I curl the whole head into relaxed spirals first, then gather it into a loose, low bun, pinning each loop separately rather than winding everything into one coil. That pin-by-pin approach is what keeps a loose chignon looking soft and still holding. Face-framing pieces get a separate, smaller curl. It looks right with fitted and flowing bridesmaid gowns alike, and it’s one of the best options for garden or vintage weddings.
6. Claw Clip Twist
A claw clip twist is honestly a good choice for a relaxed wedding, and it’s the most comfortable option on this list. Twist the hair up the back of the head and grip it with a sturdy claw clip. The quality of the clip matters: the teeth need to be long enough to grip the whole twist, or it slides down by the speeches. A pearl or embellished clip makes it look dressed. I’d skip it for a black-tie wedding, where it can look too casual next to formal gowns.
7. Knotted Updo
This knotted updo starts as a ponytail with a few front strands left out. I split the ponytail in two, tie the halves into a loose knot and pin the ends so they fan out rather than poke. Medium hair needs at least collarbone length for the knot to look like a knot and not a lump. A good mist of flexible spray holds the shape without making it stiff. It suits a boho or modern wedding and looks interesting from behind.
8. Soft Waves Down
Hair down in soft waves is the hardest style to keep looking fresh all day, and I say that as someone who loves it. Loose waves on medium hair rub against the straps or neckline of the dress and drop faster than any updo. I curl in alternating directions with a wand, let the curls cool, then brush through gently. A deep side part looks glamorous; a center part looks modern. Bring a small clip or pin so you can sweep one side back later if it starts to droop.
9. Braided Half-Up Style
Braiding the top section before pinning it gives a half-up style more grip than twisting alone. I usually do a French braid across the crown or two small plaits that meet at the back, then curl the remaining lengths. Loosening the braid by pulling the edges makes it look fuller. This is a style I’d recommend for an outdoor wedding where wind will be a factor, because braids hold front pieces far better than a loose half-up.
10. Sleek Low Bun
A sleek low bun depends almost entirely on prep. I blow-dry the hair smooth with a paddle brush, use a light smoothing cream, then gather it low with a firm elastic and wrap the bun before pinning. Too much product and the hair looks greasy by the evening; too little and flyaways appear the moment you step outside. It’s the cleanest look for a black-tie wedding and works especially well if you’re wearing statement earrings. It’s less forgiving on curly hair unless it’s been smoothed first.
11. Twisted Half-Up Crown
Two front sections are twisted back and pinned at the crown, with the rest left in waves. It’s a lighter version of a braided crown and takes about five minutes once the hair is curled. Twist away from the face so the sections lie flat against the head. Small pearl pins along the twists add detail without much weight. It’s a good one for bridesmaids who don’t like the feel of braids.
12. Boho Braided Updo
Braided updos are what I suggest when the dress has an open back or interesting neckline you don’t want hidden. This boho version weaves two or three loose braids into a pinned updo. Medium hair has just enough length to braid and tuck. I anchor each braid separately before shaping, so if one loosens, the whole thing doesn’t follow. Crystal or pearl pins tucked into the braid finish it. It keeps everything off the neck, which matters on a hot day.
13. Side-Swept Curls
For side-swept curls, I curl the hair with a medium barrel, brush them into smooth waves, then sweep everything over one shoulder. The secret is pinning the opposite side flat behind the ear with crossed pins, otherwise the weight pulls back to center within an hour. It suits a formal evening wedding. Before committing, check which side you’ll stand on at the altar: ideally the curls fall toward the guests, not toward the bride.
14. Messy Bun With Tendrils
A messy bun needs more structure than it looks like it does. I gather the hair into a loose bun at the crown or nape, pin it thoroughly from underneath, and only then pull pieces out to make it look undone. Tendrils around the face and neck get a quick curl so they don’t hang straight. It’s comfortable for long hours and suits a casual or boho wedding. A small floral pin dresses it up.
15. Half-Up Ponytail
The half-up ponytail is simple, modern and quick. I pull the top section into a ponytail at the crown, tease the base lightly for lift, and wrap a strand of hair around the elastic to hide it. The lengths below are curled. It suits a minimalist wedding and looks youthful. The only weak point is a heavy ponytail on slippery hair, which can slide; I’ll put two pins crossing through the elastic if that happens.
16. Pinned Back Waves
Pinned-back waves are what I suggest to a bridesmaid who wants her hair down but worries about it falling forward. I curl the whole head into loose waves, then pin back small sections around the face with decorative or plain pins. Most of the length stays free. It works with any wedding theme and is the easiest look here to refresh during the day: you simply re-pin the front.
17. Dutch Braid Updo
A Dutch braid crosses strands under rather than over, so the plait sits raised off the head. I braid toward the nape and tuck the ends into a low bun or twist. This is one of the most secure updos for a maid of honor look, which makes it a good bet if you’ll be dancing hard or running around organizing people. Loosen the braid gently, but not too much on medium density hair, or the raised effect disappears.
18. Glamorous Updo With Volume
Volume at the crown gives a formal updo its height. I tease the crown in small sections, smooth the top layer over it and sweep the rest into a soft, voluminous updo. This shape makes fine hair look thicker. It needs hairspray to hold the height through the evening, and I’d suggest bringing a fine-tooth comb to smooth any collapse. Pair it with formal gowns and bold jewelry.
19. Twisted Bun With Braid
A low twisted bun with a braid wrapped around it gives two textures in one style. I braid a section from the side or underneath first, twist the rest into a bun, then wrap the braid around the base and pin it. The braid hides the pins. Pearl or crystal pins along the braid add some shine. It sits well with garden and classic weddings.
20. Curtain Bangs With Updo
If you already have curtain bangs, an updo is the best way to show them off. I gather the rest of the hair into a low bun or chignon and curl the bangs gently away from the face with a round brush or small barrel. If the bangs have grown past the cheekbone, I’d get a trim about a week before, not the day before, so they have time to settle. A small accessory on the bun finishes it.
Matching the Other Bridesmaids, or Deliberately Not
Some brides want every bridesmaid in the same style; others want them all different. My view is that matching works best when the hair types are similar. Put a sleek low bun on someone with thick curls and someone with fine straight hair, and the results look nothing alike anyway.
A middle path that I find photographs well is a shared element. Everyone wears their hair low, for example, or everyone has a braid somewhere, or the same pearl pins. The maid of honor can then be set apart with a slightly more detailed version, such as a crown braid while the others wear a simple chignon.
Recreating These at Home Without a Stylist
Plenty of bridesmaids do their own hair to save money. If that’s you, a few things make home styling hold up like a salon finish:
- Wash the day before, not the morning of. Second-day hair grips pins and holds curl much better.
- Curl in small sections and let each curl cool before touching it.
- Use proper bobby pins with the wavy side facing down against the scalp, and cross them in an X for anything that carries weight.
- Practice the full style once at least a week ahead, timing yourself so you know how long to set aside on the morning.
Tuck a few pins and a travel hairspray in your bag. As maid of honor, you’ll probably end up fixing the bride’s hair with them too.
Your Hair Should Never Distract You From the Bride
As maid of honor you’ll be busy all day, so the best hairstyle is the one you forget you’re wearing. Medium-length hair gives you options from chignons and crown braids to waves and half-up styles. Choose something that matches the wedding’s tone, suits your texture and stays put without you touching it. Try your favorite at home before the wedding, wear it for a few hours, and see how it feels by evening.
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