Simple bridesmaid updo hairstyles have one job that bridal hair doesn’t: they have to look right on five or six very different heads at once. A bridesmaid also gets less chair time than the bride, so the shapes I suggest for a wedding party are ones I can build quickly and trust to stay up through dancing. Right now that means low buns, chignons, twisted and braided buns, and ponytail updos with soft texture rather than lacquered smoothness. Below are twenty of them, with notes on which hair lengths, textures and necklines each one suits and where it tends to fail.
One Bridal Party, Six Different Heads of Hair
Most bridal parties include at least one bob, one head of very thick hair and one bridesmaid with fine, slippery hair that won’t hold a curl. Asking all of them to wear an identical bun rarely works. The fine hair looks thin, the bob can’t reach, and the thick hair produces a bun twice the size of everyone else’s.
What I do instead is agree on a shared direction with the bride: low and textured, or sleek and modern, or braided. Then I pick a version of that direction for each bridesmaid. A textured low bun on long hair, a pinned half-up version on the bob, and a braided coil on thick hair all read as one group in a lineup because they sit at the same height and have the same finish.
Accessories help more than people expect. The same pearl pin or comb placed in the same spot on everyone pulls very different styles together, especially in the wide shots.
1. Low Bun Bridesmaid Updo
If a bride asks me for one style that will work on every bridesmaid, it’s usually this one. A low bun sits at the nape, so it’s comfortable leaning back in a chair or against a car headrest, and it leaves the neck clear for one-shoulder and square necklines. I set a center or slight side part, gather the hair into a smooth or lightly textured bun and pin it with U-pins pushed in toward the head. A couple of loose front pieces soften it without looking undone.
2. Messy Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Messy buns are planned, not messy. I curl the hair first so every piece has a bend, then pin it loosely and pull a little volume at the crown. On fine hair that texture makes the bun look twice the size, which is why I often steer fine-haired bridesmaids here. Outdoor ceremonies suit it because a breeze only adds to the look. Keep it low or mid-height and finish with small pins, pearls or a few flowers. The failure point is too few pins: a loose look still needs a firm anchor underneath.
3. Chignon Bridesmaid Updo
The chignon is my choice for formal venues and dresses with clean lines. It sits low at the back, rolled or tucked into a neat shape, and can be sleek or softly textured. Medium-length hair does well here because the tuck swallows shorter ends that would poke out of a plain bun. I build it around a small elastic base so the pins have something to grip, then finish with shine spray. Hidden pins matter; a visible bobby pin in a sleek chignon is the first thing a camera finds.
4. Sleek Bun Bridesmaid Updo
A sleek bun bridesmaid updo suits minimalist dresses and bold earrings because the hair stays out of the way. It lies smooth against the head and gathers into a neat bun, low or centered at the back. A sharp part line adds definition. This one is less forgiving than it looks: every bump shows, so I blow-dry the hair smooth first and use a smoothing cream with a firm boar-bristle brush. Very curly or coarse hair can be worn sleek, but it takes more time in the chair than a textured bun.
5. Twisted Low Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Twists add detail without the time a braid takes. I take small sections from each side, twist them back and pin them into a low bun, so the hair has movement instead of being pulled straight back. Balayage and highlighted hair look best in this style because each twist turns a different tone to the light. It can be worn neat or slightly loose. A small comb or pearl pin hides the meeting point where the twists join the bun.
6. Braided Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Braids are the best insurance I know for a long day. The braid can run along one side, wrap around the bun, or be plaited first and then coiled into a low knot, and in every version it locks the hair together so it can’t slide. Thick hair benefits most, since a braided coil takes up less space than a twisted bun of the same hair. Loosen the braid slightly by pulling at its edges before pinning for a softer finish. It’s an easy style to personalize with a single ribbon or pin.
7. French Twist Bridesmaid Updo
A French twist lifts the hair into a vertical tuck at the back of the head, which suits high necks, halters and evening weddings where a low bun would sit against the collar. It doesn’t need to look severe. I loosen the crown slightly and leave fine pieces around the face. Medium to long hair works; very thick hair can make the twist bulky, so I sometimes thin out the underside with a few pins. Decorative pins along the seam add a little detail.
8. Low Ponytail Bridesmaid Updo
Some bridesmaids hate having every strand pinned, and the low ponytail is my answer for them. It feels less formal than a bun but still controls the hair. I wrap a section around the elastic and pin it underneath, then add a little volume at the crown so the shape doesn’t look flat in profile. Sleek or softly curled both work. Layered hair can leave short pieces sticking out at the tie, so I curl those layers into the ponytail rather than trying to smooth them flat.
9. Curly Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Curly bridesmaids should keep their curls, not have them brushed into an updo. I define the curls with a cream or light gel, then gather and pin them gently into a bun so the pattern stays visible. That gives the shape dimension. Delicate straps and garden ceremonies suit it. The biggest risk is frizz from handling, so I use my fingers, not a brush, and leave a few curls near the face.
10. Side Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Side buns are a smart choice for photos, since the bun shows from the front without the bridesmaid turning her head. It sits slightly to one side near the nape and pairs naturally with a deep side part, soft waves and one-shoulder dresses, sitting opposite the strap. I keep the other side smooth and pinned flat so the style looks intentional rather than lopsided. Neat for formal, loose for romantic.
11. Crown Braid Bridesmaid Updo
Crown braids wrap the head like a halo or sit lower around the back before meeting a bun. They keep hair completely off the face while adding detail, which suits garden weddings and floral dresses. Long hair can manage a full crown; medium hair works better with two smaller side braids pinned at the back, since the braid won’t reach around. I pin a crown braid every couple of inches to stop it lifting, then pull a few loose pieces so it doesn’t look tight.
12. Fishtail Braid Bun Bridesmaid Updo
A fishtail is slower to braid than a three-strand plait, but it gives a finer woven texture that photographs with more detail, especially on dimensional color. After braiding, I wrap it into a low bun and pull the edges for volume. It’s a step up from a plain bun for bridesmaids who want something special without a high-maintenance style. Boho, rustic and beach weddings suit it. Keep accessories minimal; the braid already carries the detail.
13. Half Up Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Half-up buns are the compromise style for a bridal party with mixed hair lengths. I gather the top section into a small bun and leave the rest down in waves or curls, so it reads as an updo from the front but feels softer. Because it uses only the top section, a bridesmaid with shoulder-length hair can wear the same look as one with hair to her waist. Curl the loose hair and keep the bun airy. Very fine hair may need a little teasing at the base so the bun has grip.
14. Textured Low Bun Bridesmaid Updo
This is the look I’m asked for most by bridesmaids. The hair is curled or waved first, then pinned loosely into a low bun with movement left visible. Layered hair suits it particularly well, because shorter pieces blend into the texture instead of needing to be forced flat. Volume at the crown and sides can be adjusted to balance different face shapes. I finish with a flexible hold spray; a stiff spray makes texture look crunchy by the speeches.
15. Simple Top Knot Bridesmaid Updo
A simple top knot sits higher on the head, lifting the whole look and showing off the neckline, open backs and statement earrings. It keeps hair off the neck, which matters in summer heat. The key is a neat knot that isn’t pulled too tight: a tight top knot gives some people a headache within a couple of hours. I soften the hairline slightly and expand the knot gently on fine hair to make it look fuller.
16. Low Knot Bridesmaid Updo
Low knots are the easiest style to repeat across a bridal party. The hair is gathered at the nape and tied or twisted into a compact knot. Straight, wavy and lightly curled hair all work. I suggest it when dresses have detail at the shoulders or back, since the hair stays small and out of the way. A center part looks modern, a soft side part more romantic. Shine spray finishes it.
17. Rolled Bun Bridesmaid Updo
A rolled bun bridesmaid updo has a vintage feel without looking dated. I roll the hair inward or upward and pin it along the nape, so the roll hides shorter ends, which makes it one of the best options for medium-length hair. It goes well with pearl accessories, satin dresses and formal settings. The roll needs a smooth, slightly textured base; freshly washed, slippery hair unrolls, so I prep with a texture spray. Add volume at the crown and thin face-framing pieces for a softer version.
18. Pearl Pin Bridesmaid Updo
Pearl pins are an easy way to tie a bridal party together when the bridesmaids wear different styles. A low bun, twisted bun or chignon can stay simple while the pins add the detail. I place them along one side of the bun, scatter them through the twists or group them toward the back. Restraint matters here: five or six small pins look considered, twenty look like costume. Using the same pins on every bridesmaid connects the group in photos.
19. Flower Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Flowers suit spring, summer and garden weddings. The bun can be low, loose or twisted, finished with a few small fresh blooms or realistic floral pins. Wavy texture hides the stems well. I ask the florist for sturdy, small flowers like spray roses or wax flower, wired and taped, because soft petals bruise against a pinned bun within hours. Matching the bouquet or dress colors ties the group together. Keep the blooms small so they sit in the hair rather than on top of it.
20. Short Hair Bridesmaid Updo
Short hair can absolutely go up, it just needs a different plan. For bob or shoulder-length hair, I use small twists, pinned waves and a mini low bun to create the look of a fuller updo. The front can be waved or tucked back, and the back is pinned close to the nape. Texture spray is essential, since short layers slip out of pins otherwise. If the hair barely reaches the nape, I’d rather do a polished half-up style than force a bun that won’t hold.
How Bridesmaids Should Arrive at the Getting-Ready Suite
With several updos to finish before the bride, the bridesmaids’ prep decides whether the morning runs on time. Here’s what I ask every one of them to do:
- Wash your hair the night before, not the morning of. Day-old hair holds pins and curls far better than freshly washed hair.
- Dry it completely. Damp hair takes much longer to curl and drops faster.
- Skip heavy conditioner, oil and shine serum on the roots; they make hair slippery and pins slide out.
- Arrive in a button-down or zip top, so you can change into your dress without pulling anything over your finished hair.
- Bring any clip-in extensions or hair accessories you plan to wear, already matched to your color.
Each updo usually takes somewhere between thirty and forty-five minutes, depending on length and thickness. Bridesmaids with long, thick hair or detailed braids should be booked earlier in the morning, since their style is the one most likely to run over.
A small kit for the bridal party
One shared pouch is enough: a dozen bobby pins in matching colors, a travel hairspray, a few clear elastics and a fine-tooth comb. I show one bridesmaid how to re-pin a slipping bun, which takes thirty seconds and saves a lot of worry later.
Matching the Mood, Not the Exact Bun
A good bridesmaid updo looks elegant, stays secure and still lets each woman feel like herself. Low buns, chignons, twists, braids, ponytails and knots all have their place depending on the dresses and the venue. Length, texture, weather and comfort decide which one suits whom. For a cohesive group, settle on one direction, such as soft low updos or sleek modern buns, then let me adjust the details for each bridesmaid’s hair. Matching the mood matters far more than matching the exact style.
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