Bridal parties rarely want identical hair anymore, and as the person pinning it, I’m glad. A shared theme adjusted for each bridesmaid’s length, texture, face and neckline looks more natural and lasts better than forcing one shape onto five different heads. The hair still has to hold through hugs, outdoor ceremonies and a long reception. These 20 updo hairstyles for bridesmaids cover classic buns, braids, curly texture, sleek shapes and soft pinned looks, with notes from the chair on how each behaves.
Borrowed Volume: Fillers and Clip-Ins Under a Bun
When a bridesmaid with fine or short hair shows me a full, round bun from a photo, the honest answer is that the picture probably has help inside it. Updos hide added hair easily, and a little goes a long way.
Fillers and donuts
A mesh bun filler in a shade close to the hair sits under the bun and gives it shape. It’s the cheapest fix and works well for sleek and ballet buns. On textured buns, I prefer to backcomb instead, since a filler can show through loose loops.
Clip-in wefts
Two or three wefts clipped in at the back add bulk for braided and chignon styles. Order them early, match them to the mid-lengths rather than the roots, and bring them to the trial so the stylist can test where they clip. Wefts that arrive the night before are often the wrong shade.
1. Low Bun Bridesmaid Updo
It’s hard to go wrong with a low bun. Sitting near the nape, it looks graceful from every angle and suits one-shoulder, halter, square and off-the-shoulder necklines. Smooth it for a ballroom or texture it for a garden. I add a little height at the crown so the profile doesn’t look flat in side shots, and I hide every pin inside the bun. A couple of loose front pieces keep it from looking severe on angular faces.
2. Messy Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Messy should mean controlled texture, not unfinished. I curl the hair first, let it cool, then gather it low or mid-height and pin each loop separately so the shape holds without stiffness. It suits outdoor, rustic and beach weddings. Leave a few pieces near the cheeks and neckline. Use a strong but flexible spray. If a bridesmaid has very silky hair, a texture spray before gathering is what stops the bun from sliding down by the toasts.
3. Sleek Low Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Satin dresses, minimal gowns and black-tie weddings suit a sleek low bun. The hair is smoothed back from a center, side or soft off-center part and wrapped neatly at the nape. Straight and slightly wavy hair get there fastest; textured hair can be stretched or blown out for the same finish, though that takes longer in the chair. Aim for shine without grease. Smoothing cream, strong pins and a light mist of spray are all it needs.
4. Braided Bun Bridesmaid Updo
A braided bun bridesmaid updo brings detail without fuss. The braid can wrap the bun, start at the hairline or melt into the back. Braids are structural as well as decorative: they catch layered hair that would otherwise poke out, which is why I use them on longer, choppy cuts. Pull the loops apart for a soft look or keep the braid tight for polish. Floral pins or pearls are optional when the dress already has detail.
5. Chignon Bridesmaid Updo
Unlike a plain bun, a chignon bridesmaid updo is tucked, rolled or folded, which reads more formal. It sits low and suits most wedding themes, and the front can be adjusted for oval, heart, round and square faces with parting, height or soft tendrils. Medium to long hair works. I always build texture first with a curl or texture spray, then pin the chignon close to the head; a chignon that sits out from the scalp starts to droop within a few hours.
6. Twisted Low Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Twisting sections back from the sides into a low bun adds detail in profile and from the back, which is where most ceremony photos catch a bridesmaid. It suits anyone who wants a soft updo without braids. Twists can be loose for a garden or smooth for a formal ceremony. They’re also my fix for layered hair, since each twist traps the shorter pieces. Twist away from the face on both sides so the shape stays symmetrical.
7. Curly Bridesmaid Updo
Curly updos keep the curl pattern visible instead of brushing it flat. Pin curls in clusters and place the shape low, high or to one side depending on the dress. Prep decides the result: well-hydrated curls stay defined and glossy, dry curls frizz under the lights. Leave a few curls at the face and anchor the base with hidden pins. Indoors or outdoors, it holds well if the curls were set the night before.
8. High Bun Bridesmaid Updo
High buns lift the whole silhouette. They suit high necks, strapless dresses and detailed backs, since the hair stays off the shoulders entirely. Smooth, textured and slightly undone versions all work. Thick or long hair fills the bun naturally; finer hair needs padding or backcombing. Placement is the judgment call. Too low and it reads as a regular bun; too far forward on the head and it looks like a gym bun. I place it just behind the crown, then soften the front with a couple of loose pieces.
9. French Twist Bridesmaid Updo
A French twist adds formality to a bridal party look: the hair sweeps up and pins into a vertical roll. It suits formal venues, evening ceremonies and dresses with classic lines. Medium to long hair is ideal, though shorter lengths can form a soft mini twist. A current version keeps some volume at the crown and a few loose pieces at the face, so it doesn’t look stiff. Crossed pins along the seam are what keep the roll closed through the dancing.
10. Side Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Placed behind one ear or low to one side, a side bun shows clearly in front-facing photos and works well with asymmetric dresses and statement earrings. Smooth, curled, braided or twisted bases all suit it. Medium and long hair give enough length for a full shape. Keep the front light, otherwise the head looks lopsided. A soft side part or one curl at the face completes it. I always check where the bridesmaid will stand first, so the bun faces the guests.
11. Textured Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Waved or curled first, then pinned into a low or mid bun, a textured bun shows dimension all through the shape. Highlighted, balayage and dimensional hair look best because the lighter strands catch the light. It’s secure enough for a long day while looking soft. Aim for airy rather than messy. I use light backcombing at the base of each section, flexible spray and careful pinning, so the volume lasts and the bun stays comfortable.
12. Fishtail Braid Bridesmaid Updo
The fishtail can run along one side, wrap a bun or tuck into the back of the updo. Gently pulled apart, it reads fuller and softer. It suits boho and garden weddings and simple necklines, and it lets long hair stay controlled without hiding all the length. Blend the tail into the bun rather than letting it hang. Small pins along the weave keep it secure; a fishtail unravels from the ends first, so that’s where I pin.
13. Pearl Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Start with a low bun, twisted bun, braided bun or chignon and add small pearl pins through the shape. Pearls catch light softly in photos and look especially good against texture. They suit classic, coastal and formal weddings. Spacing is everything; uneven gaps look accidental, crowding looks costume-like. If the hair has pearls, keep other jewelry simple, and pair the pins with a smooth crown and soft front pieces.
14. Flower Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Small blooms or greenery tucked around a low bun, braided bun or textured chignon suit spring, summer and outdoor weddings. Keep them in the wedding palette but small: tiny accents look more refined and stay in better than large heads. They sit nicely in soft curls, wavy texture and warm hair colors, and they add interest when the dresses are plain. Pin each bloom through a section that already holds a bobby pin, and spray the hair before adding them, not after.
15. Half Braided Bridesmaid Updo
A half braided updo combines a braid with a pinned style. The braid starts at the front hairline, crosses the crown and joins a bun or twist at the back, keeping the hair off the shoulders. It suits bridesmaids who like boho hair but need something sturdy for a long day. Loosen the braid for fullness before pinning it into the updo. Keep a few face-framing strands. If the bridesmaid has a fringe, I braid it in from the start rather than pinning it separately.
16. Crown Braid Bridesmaid Updo
Wrapped all the way around the head or across the front into a low bun, a crown braid keeps hair off the face while looking detailed. Longer hair is easiest; clip-in extensions can add fullness where length is short. Expand the braid gently so it looks soft. It pairs with simple earrings, light makeup and open or floral necklines. Of all the braided styles here, this one copes best with wind.
17. Short Hair Bridesmaid Updo
A short hair bridesmaid updo shows you don’t need length for a polished look. Bob and lob lengths can be curled, twisted and pinned into a petite low bun or tucked shape. It’s smaller, but texture, volume and a few decorative pins give it presence. Waves help short pieces blend, and pins at the nape hold the shape. Leave pieces that won’t reach as polished face-framing strands. I use roughly twice as many pins on a bob as on long hair, crossing them in pairs.
18. Long Hair Bridesmaid Updo
Length gives room for a large low bun, a braided chignon, a twisted updo or pinned curls. The real challenge is weight. I section long hair into two or three parts and pin each one separately, so no single spot carries all of it. Very smooth long hair needs texture first or it slides. It suits bridesmaids who want a dramatic but elegant finish, and it looks full from the back during the ceremony.
19. Medium Hair Bridesmaid Updo
Medium length, shoulder to collarbone, is the easiest to work with in my chair. It can become a low bun, loose chignon, twisted updo or braid without feeling heavy, and it usually holds curl well, which builds texture before pinning. Fine hair gets light backcombing or a small hidden filler. Thick hair gets smaller sections so the updo stays comfortable. Face-framing pieces, soft side parts and small accessories suit it.
20. Natural Hair Bridesmaid Updo
Coils, curls, twists or stretched natural hair can become a high puff, tucked bun, sculpted updo, flat-twist bun or pinned curly shape. The right one depends on texture, length and how much tension the bridesmaid is comfortable with. Prep for definition and moisture, smooth edges only if she wants them, and build a shape that holds without pulling. It keeps hair off the neck in warm weather. Keep accessories light so they don’t drag on the style.
How the Buns Look Down a Line of Photos
In the ceremony, guests and the camera see the bridal party side by side, usually in profile or from behind. What looks fine on one person in a mirror can look uneven in a row.
- Keep bun height roughly consistent. One high bun in a row of low ones reads as a mistake, not variety.
- Decide on accessory placement as a group, for example pearls on the left of every bun.
- Matching the side of a side part or side bun to where each person stands keeps the line tidy.
- Let different textures stay different. Curly, sleek and braided buns look fine together if they sit at the same height.
Who Pays for Bridesmaid Hair, and What to Agree Upfront
This causes more friction than any hairstyle. A common approach is that if the bride requires professional hair, she covers it; if it’s optional, bridesmaids pay for their own. Neither is a rule, and prices vary widely by area and stylist, so agree it early and in writing.
Also clarify what’s included. A trial for bridesmaids is often extra, as are extensions, fresh flowers in the hair and on-site touch-ups during the reception. Settling those details before booking saves awkward conversations on the wedding morning.
Does the Whole Party Need the Same Updo?
A bridesmaid updo has to look good and hold up realistically for the full day. A low bun, chignon, braided bun, sleek bun or curly updo can all work when the style suits the hair, the neckline and the person’s comfort. The best-looking bridal parties often don’t have identical hair; they share a mood, like soft romantic buns or polished low shapes, with small differences for each person. Take your favorites from this list to the trial, share them with the stylist, and plan the morning so nobody is rushed.
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