A mother of the bride hairstyle has a harder job than most guest hair. It has to survive hugs, a lot of crying, possibly a hat, and every family photograph, and it should sit alongside the bride’s look without echoing it. When I plan a mother’s hair, I think less about trends and more about how her own texture behaves after six hours. The twenty styles below cover short, medium and long hair, from sleek buns to natural curls, with what I’d watch for in each.
Talk With Your Daughter Before You Settle on a Style
This conversation saves more awkwardness than any trial. Most brides are happy for their mother to wear whatever she likes, but a few things are worth checking together.
- Ask what she’s planning for her own hair. If you both arrive in identical low chignons, the photos lose some of her moment.
- Leave anything that looks bridal to her: tiaras, long veil-like hairpieces, and floral crowns that echo her bouquet.
- If you’re sharing the bride’s stylist, confirm your slot and style in advance so the timeline accounts for you.
- Ask whether the bridal party has a color theme. Your hair accessory can pick it up quietly.
It’s also worth knowing whether a hat or fascinator is expected for either family. That one detail changes which of these styles will work. And if your daughter has strong feelings about how she’d like you to look, hear her out. You can still pick the version that suits your hair; the conversation just keeps both of you from being surprised on the morning.
1. Mother Of The Bride Low Chignon
I trust a low chignon more than almost any other updo for a long day. Sitting at the nape, it keeps weight off the crown, so there’s no pulling or headache by the reception. It leaves room for a detailed neckline, lace sleeves or big earrings. To stop it looking severe, I build a little volume at the crown before gathering the hair and leave a piece or two at the temples. Smooth suits a ballroom; slightly textured suits a garden.
2. Mother Of The Bride Half Up Half Down Curls
Half up, half down keeps hair off the face while still giving movement at the shoulders. I lift the top section at the crown and pin it with crossed pins under a clip or a twist. The lower half is curled. Here’s the part people don’t expect: I curl it tighter than you want it at the end, because curls relax through the day and only settle into the intended shape by the reception. Medium or long hair suits it, and highlighted hair shows off its tones nicely in curls.
3. Mother Of The Bride Short Bob Waves
Waves on a short bob need control more than volume. I set bends through the mid-lengths and keep the ends smoother, so it looks polished rather than tousled. It suits mothers who’d rather not wear pins or extensions at all. A side part lifts the front; tucking one side behind the ear shows earrings. A light finishing spray keeps it soft enough to touch. If the cut is due a trim, have it done about a week before.
4. Mother Of The Bride French Twist
A French twist lifts the hair upward into a vertical roll and gives a long, clean profile, which is why it pairs so well with high-neck gowns, bateau necklines and sheath dresses. Leaving a few loose pieces at the temples keeps it from feeling strict. On fine hair I backcomb the inside of the roll or tuck a small padding piece in for shape. In warm weather it’s a smart choice, keeping your neck cool through dancing.
5. Mother Of The Bride Shoulder Length Blowout
Mothers who never wear updos often feel most like themselves in a good blowout. Root volume, smooth lengths and a soft bend at the ends look polished with simple satin or beaded evening gowns. I prep with volumizing mousse, dry with a round brush curving around the face to soften the jaw, then finish with a light spray. Stiff lacquer makes a blowout look dated.
6. Mother Of The Bride Curly Updo
Natural curls make a lovely updo when they’re pinned as curls, not brushed into a stiff shape. I define them first on damp hair with a curl cream, let them dry fully, then gather them into a low or mid-height updo and pin each cluster individually so the pattern stays visible. Brushing them out would only create frizz. In humid weather this holds better than a sleek style, because it’s already working with texture. A couple of curls left near the face finish it.
7. Mother Of The Bride Side Swept Waves
Side-swept waves open one side of the neckline and give a glamorous look without a full updo. All the hair is waved and swept over one shoulder, then held with pins hidden behind the ear on the open side. Those pins matter; without them the hair slides back to center within an hour. It suits one-shoulder and off-the-shoulder dresses especially, and dimensional color catches the light in the waves. Avoid it if the ceremony is outdoors and windy, since the swept side will blow back.
8. Mother Of The Bride Sleek Low Bun
A sleek low bun lets the dress, jewelry and makeup take the attention. It’s one of the most durable styles on this list. A center part reads contemporary; a side part is softer. The bun can be round, twisted or knotted depending on how much hair you have. Shine spray is where people go wrong: spray from a distance and stop early, since too much looks oily under flash. Brush the hair completely flat before tying, as any bump shows in profile photos.
9. Mother Of The Bride Medium Length Curls
Medium-length curls give volume without putting hair up. I start them below the cheekbones so the face is framed but the sides don’t widen too much. Layered medium hair suits this best, since each layer gets its own movement. After setting, I brush them lightly so they blend rather than separate into ringlets. A side part gives lift, a soft center part looks current. It pairs well with floral dresses and satin.
10. Mother Of The Bride Braided Updo
Braids add detail to an updo without making it look too young, as long as they’re loosened. A tight braid reads schoolgirl; a braid pulled gently wider reads soft and grown-up. I place it along one side or wrap it into a low bun. Outdoors it’s practical, because braided sections hold pieces in place better than loose ones. Highlighted hair shows its tones in the woven sections.
11. Mother Of The Bride Pixie Cut
Short hair doesn’t need hiding or changing for a wedding. A pixie cut looks finished with lift at the crown, defined layers and smooth sides. I use a little pomade on the top pieces and sweep them to one side to frame the eyes. Statement earrings and tailored outfits suit it well. For a softer look, I add a small bend through the longer top pieces with a narrow flat iron.
12. Mother Of The Bride Loose Low Bun
A loose low bun looks relaxed, but the relaxed look is built on firm pinning. I prep with texture spray so the hair grips, gather it low, then pull pieces out at the crown and near the cheeks for softness. The structure underneath is anchored with long hairpins. It suits rustic barns, gardens and beaches as much as a classic reception. I aim for soft at the front and neat at the back, because the back is what the ceremony guests see.
13. Mother Of The Bride Hollywood Waves
Hollywood waves fall in one smooth direction with a glossy finish. They work best on medium to long hair, and they show off solid color, especially silver, very well since there’s no highlight pattern breaking up the shine. The hair itself becomes the statement, so a simple gown is ideal. For a mother’s version I keep the waves brushed out a little more and controlled rather than stiff. Evening and ballroom settings suit them most.
14. Mother Of The Bride High Bun
A high bun opens the face and lengthens the neck, but placement matters. Too high and tight, and it reads ballerina. I set it slightly below the top of the crown with soft volume around it, which flatters most face shapes more. It keeps thick or long hair secure and off the shoulders, which helps in heat. With a full skirt, the height balances the shape. If your hair is heavy, ask your stylist to split the bun into two sections pinned together; one large mass pulls on the scalp all day.
15. Mother Of The Bride Long Layered Waves
Long layered waves are for mothers who love their hair down. Layers create movement and waves add polish, and dimensional color looks good in both. They frame V-neck, scoop neck and off-the-shoulder dresses well. Keep the finish glossy, not beachy, with volume at the crown and smooth ends. If your hair drops a curl quickly, I’d set it in hot rollers or pin curls while you do your makeup. That extra half hour is what gets it to the evening.
16. Mother Of The Bride Short Hair Updo
Yes, short hair can go up. On chin-length bobs and layered crops I curl everything first, then twist and pin small sections toward the back with hidden pins, building the impression of a fuller shape. Shorter layers at the nape usually escape, so I tuck them under with small pins in your hair color. Lift at the front and gentle volume at the back make it look complete. A small decorative comb can finish it if it suits the outfit.
17. Mother Of The Bride Soft Waves With Side Part
A side part lifts the front of the hair and makes it look fuller, which is why soft waves with a side part suit fine hair so well. The waves should be loose enough to look natural but set enough to hold through the photos. It works on short, medium and long lengths, so it adapts well. I finish with a little smoothing cream through the ends, which keeps them from frizzing as the day warms up.
18. Mother Of The Bride Twisted Half Up Hair
The front sections are twisted back and pinned while the rest falls in curls or waves. It keeps your face clear during the ceremony and still shows length in pictures. Medium and long hair suit it, particularly with dimensional color. The twists can be slim or fuller depending on your hair. For a more polished, grown-up finish, I keep the crown slightly lifted and leave out loose face pieces, which can look messy in a mature style.
19. Mother Of The Bride Elegant Ponytail
A ponytail can be formal enough for a wedding if it’s done carefully. I place it low or mid-height, smooth the roots, add soft volume at the crown and wave the tail. Wrapping a section of hair around the base hides the elastic. Thick hair suits it because the ponytail controls volume while showing length. Minimalist dresses, jumpsuits and sleek gowns pair well. Keep the front soft so it doesn’t look scraped back. Comfort is high, too.
20. Mother Of The Bride Silver Hair Updo
Silver hair catches light more than darker shades, which is why it looks so good pinned up. It can be a chignon, twist or loose bun depending on length. Grey hair can look dull if it’s dry, so shine is the priority: a gloss treatment a week or so before and a light shine spray on the day both help. I’d leave a few soft pieces around the face. Navy, emerald, blush and champagne outfits all sit well against silver.
Hearing Aids, Sensitive Scalps and Pins That Ache by Evening
Comfort matters more for a mother than almost anyone at the wedding, since you’ll be on your feet from the morning prep to the last guest leaving. These are the issues I ask about before I start.
Hearing aids
Updos expose the area behind the ear. If you’d rather your hearing aids stayed discreet, choose a half-up style or a low bun with soft pieces left over the ears. Tell your stylist so they can avoid putting pins near the device and leave room to remove it if needed.
Tender scalp or headaches
Tight ponytails and heavy high buns are the usual culprits. Ask for a lower placement and fewer, better-placed pins. Spiral pins and long hairpins hold more hair with less pressure than dozens of bobby pins. If anything pinches during the trial, say so; it will only feel worse after eight hours.
A plan for later
If you’d like to let your hair down for dancing, ask your stylist how the style comes apart. Some updos release into soft waves with a few pins removed. Others need brushing out, which isn’t something to try in a venue restroom.
Comfort Is What Shows in the Last Photo
You don’t need the most complicated updo to look your best. A polished bob, soft waves, a low bun, defined curls or a simple half-up style will all look right when they suit your hair type, outfit and setting. Bring photos you like to your stylist, book a trial if you can, and tell them about the weather, the neckline and how long the day runs. Hair that feels secure lets you forget about it, and that ease is what the camera picks up.
You'll Like These Ideas:
Leave a Reply