Bridesmaid updos stay popular because they solve real problems. They keep hair secure through hugs and dancing, they suit almost every neckline, and they look tidy across the hundreds of photos a bridal party ends up in. The current mood is softer than it used to be, with less spray and more movement. Low buns with face-framing pieces, braided chignons, French twists, curly pinned looks and sleek modern buns all sit comfortably beside the bride without competing. Here are 20 bridesmaid updos, each with what I’d look at before putting it on a particular person.
Four Words That Tell a Stylist Which Bun You Mean
“A low bun” can mean twenty different things, and most disappointments at a bridal party appointment come from vague requests. Describe these four points and your stylist can picture the style exactly.
- Placement. Nape, middle of the back of the head, or crown. Point to the spot on your own head.
- Finish. Glossy and smooth, or soft with visible texture.
- Front. Everything pulled back, or pieces left out, and roughly how many.
- Part. Center, side or none. It changes the look more than most people expect.
Bring two photos: one you love and one you don’t. The one you dislike often tells the stylist more, because it shows what to avoid. And make sure at least one photo shows the back of the style, not only the face.
Hair Before Makeup, or Makeup First?
In a bridal party, hair and makeup usually run in rotation, so each bridesmaid moves from one chair to the other. For an updo, I like the bun pinned before makeup and the face-framing pieces curled after it. That way the heavy spraying happens before foundation goes on, and the front pieces don’t stick to fresh powder. If you’re last in the hair queue, sit for makeup first and keep a clip holding your front sections back.
Either way, wear a button-front shirt for both chairs. Pulling a top over a finished face and a pinned bun undoes the work of two people in a second.
1. Low Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Ask a stylist for the safest bridal-party style and you’ll usually hear the same answer: a low bun bridesmaid updo. It sits at the nape without adding height, so it suits satin and chiffon, off-shoulder necklines and simple jewelry. When you request it, say three things: soft volume at the crown, smooth sides, a few loose pieces at the face. Fine hair needs texture spray or a small padding piece so the bun doesn’t look tiny. Thick hair has the opposite problem, and I shape the bun wider and flatter so it doesn’t stick out from the head.
2. Messy Bun Bridesmaid Updo
There’s nothing messy about how this bun gets made. I place the loose texture and airy volume deliberately, then balance the face-framing strands so both sides match in photos. Garden, beach and barn weddings suit it, places where a too-perfect bun would look stiff. The texture catches light from different angles, which helps in group shots. Keep the front soft rather than flat, hide every pin under a curl, and finish with a flexible spray so the bun still moves.
3. Sleek Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Formal weddings, high necklines and structured dresses suit a sleek bun, smoothed back into a low or mid position with a glossy finish. It’s one of the best styles for humidity, since there’s no curl to drop. Smoothing cream, strong pins and a light shine spray do the work. If a fully slicked look feels severe on you, soften it with a side part or a small bend at the cheekbones. Lots of baby hair at the hairline will still show, so a soft toothbrush and a little gel keep it neat.
4. Braided Low Bun Bridesmaid Updo
The braid can start at the temple, wrap the crown or melt into the bun at the nape, and that small detail is enough for romantic, rustic and garden weddings. Its practical value is controlling short layers around the face, which otherwise escape by the reception. Smooth, textured or slightly loose all work depending on the dress. On highlighted, balayage, or multi-tonal hair, the braid shows every lighter ribbon and shadow, which is why I suggest it to anyone with dimensional color.
5. Chignon Bridesmaid Updo
A chignon sits low at the back with a tucked, rolled, or knotted shape, and it fits almost any theme. Brides who want their party refined but not dramatic tend to land here. Pearl pins, a small floral clip or nothing at all all work. The front is where I tailor it to each face: a middle part for a modern look, a side part to soften a strong jaw, a little crown lift to lengthen a round face. That flexibility is why one chignon can suit a whole line of very different people.
6. French Twist Bridesmaid Updo
Black-tie, ballroom and formal evening ceremonies are where a French twist feels most at home. The hair is swept up and tucked into a vertical roll that shows off the neck and shoulders. Soft versions keep a few tendrils and some crown volume; sleek versions look editorial. It needs medium to long hair, though extensions can help a shorter or layered cut close the roll. I pin the seam from the inside so no pins show along the edge, then add a few delicate pins along the twist.
7. Curly Bridesmaid Updo
Instead of hiding curls, this updo pins them up in a soft, rounded shape that keeps the texture visible. Curly, wavy and heat-styled hair all suit it. Order matters: define the curls first, let them set, then pin from underneath so the shape doesn’t collapse. Face-framing curls look lovely with strapless and sweetheart necklines. A curl gel, a drop of light oil and a humidity-resistant spray keep frizz in check, and the bounce holds up well to a full night of dancing.
8. Twisted Bridesmaid Updo
Twisted sections can wrap into a low bun, cross over the back or add movement at the crown, giving detail without a full braid. Layered cuts do well here, because each twist swallows the shorter pieces. It’s softer than a sleek style and fits outdoor weddings and relaxed venues. Restraint is the skill. Three or four well-placed twists look elegant; eight look heavy. Spray texture through first so each twist stays defined.
9. High Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Summer heat is the best argument for a high bun, since every strand stays off the shoulders. Halter dresses, one-shoulder gowns and statement earrings pair well with it, smooth for polish or textured for softness. Placement decides whether it looks bridal or like a gym bun: keep it at or just behind the crown, not forward on the head, unless the bride wants a ballerina look. Long or thick hair makes a full round bun on its own. Fine hair gets there with teasing and a padding piece.
10. Side Bun Bridesmaid Updo
Asymmetric necklines and one-shoulder dresses are the natural partners for a side bun, which sits low to one side near the nape and shows from the front in photos. Curled, braided, twisted or smooth all work. The side without the bun makes or breaks it. If that side is puffy or uneven, the style looks lopsided rather than intentional, so I smooth it flat and pin it before I build the bun. A few soft front pieces finish it.
11. Textured Bridesmaid Updo
Waves, bends and gentle teasing build volume before the hair is pinned, so the updo looks full and soft rather than stiff. Fine and medium hair gain the most, because texture makes them look thicker. The finish can be loose and airy, but the base must be firm: I pin a small hidden anchor first and loosen the visible hair over it. Outdoor ceremonies and vineyard weddings suit it, and it holds up in close-ups and full-length shots alike.
12. Half Updo Bridesmaid Hair
Some hair stays down, but there’s structure on top, pinned, twisted or braided back, with the rest in waves or curls. It’s my go-to when bridesmaids have different hair lengths, because the top section can be scaled to each person. The pinned top keeps hair off the face through the ceremony while the length moves in photos. The down section is the weak point on a humid day, so the curl prep has to be thorough, finished with a light hairspray that won’t go crunchy.
13. Low Ponytail Bridesmaid Updo
Strictly speaking it isn’t a bun, but a low ponytail reads as an updo because everything is controlled and away from the face. Minimalist weddings, city venues and satin dresses suit it, straight, waved or curled at the ends. I wrap a section around the elastic and pin it underneath so no band shows. Add crown volume for softness or keep it smooth for a clean line. Bridesmaids who hate pins, or get headaches from them, are usually happiest in this one.
14. Crown Braid Bridesmaid Updo
A crown braid wraps the head or crosses the crown, then blends into a pinned bun or tucked ends, and it can look storybook without looking childish. The difference is the finish. A slightly loosened, full braid looks grown-up, while a tight, skinny one looks like a school plait. Garden and countryside venues and soft floral dresses suit it, and the braid locks layers in place when it’s windy. Keep it smooth for formal, or add tendrils and tiny floral pins for boho.
15. Fishtail Braid Bridesmaid Updo
A fishtail braid bridesmaid updo can run along the side, wrap into a bun or sit across the back before it’s pinned. The woven texture suits dimensional color, especially blonde, brunette balayage and auburn. Fishtails take longer than a regular braid because the sections are smaller, so warn the stylist in advance if several bridesmaids want one. Pull it apart gently for fullness, and stop before the outer loops start to slip free. Flexible hairspray and hidden pins keep it ready for photos.
16. Bun With Face Framing Pieces
The bun can sit low, mid or high; the softness comes from front pieces curled around the cheekbones and jawline. Bridesmaids who feel exposed with everything pulled back usually prefer this. Choose the pieces on purpose. I take a narrow section from just in front of each ear and one from each side of the part, then curl them away from the face. Random wisps look like the style is falling down, while planned ones look styled.
17. Short Hair Bridesmaid Updo
A short hair bridesmaid updo works when it’s built from small parts: a tucked low bun, a mini twist, pinned curls or a faux chignon on bob or shoulder-length hair. Texture comes first, because clean short hair gives pins nothing to grip. A few small extensions can add fullness, though plenty of bobs don’t need them. Lobs, layered cuts and fine hair all suit it. Keep the front polished and the back softly pinned.
18. Medium Hair Bridesmaid Updo
Shoulder to collarbone length is the easiest to work with. It holds a low bun, twisted chignon, braided updo or pinned curls without the weight of long hair, so it stays put through the reception. I wave it before pinning for fullness. If there are layers, mention them, since a style that tucks shorter pieces is better than one that relies on every strand reaching the bun.
19. Long Hair Bridesmaid Updo
Long hair can go full and dramatic, with low buns, braided buns, twisted chignons, rope twists and sculpted loops. The real job is managing weight. I divide it into sections and pin each one separately so the load is spread, which also makes it more comfortable after several hours. Texture spray goes in before styling, strong pins throughout. If your hair falls past the shoulder blades, ask your stylist to block out extra time, because sectioning and pinning that much hair simply takes longer.
20. Pearl Pin Bridesmaid Updo
Pearl pins add a wedding detail to low buns, chignons, French twists and braided updos without overpowering them. They look best along one side of the bun or tucked into a twist. Five or six pearls look chosen; twenty look crowded. Match the pearl tone to the dress and jewelry, since bright white pearls can make an ivory dress look yellow. It’s also an easy way to tie a whole party together, even when every updo underneath is different.
When the Bride’s Stylist Can’t Fit Everyone In
Sometimes only the bride and a couple of bridesmaids are booked, and the rest of the party styles their own hair. A low bun is the most forgiving style to do yourself. Practice it twice before the wedding, not for the first time that morning.
- Wash the night before and dry fully. Curl loosely with a large-barrel iron and let the curls cool.
- Spray texture through the lengths and brush everything back into a low ponytail with a clear elastic.
- Twist the ponytail loosely, wrap it around the elastic and pin the ends underneath, pushing U-pins in toward the center.
- Hold the bun with one hand and gently lift the crown with the fingertips of the other, then free two front pieces.
- Mist with a flexible spray from arm’s length.
If the bride wants everyone to match, ask her stylist for a quick photo of the back of one finished bridesmaid. Copying the placement and finish from that picture gets the rest of you surprisingly close.
Comfort Counts as Much as the Shape
A good bridesmaid updo balances looks, comfort and staying power. Low buns are the safe bet, textured updos feel modern, sleek buns look polished, and braids or twists add personality. Before the wedding, weigh the dress neckline, venue, weather, hair length and how each bridesmaid feels about pins. A trial or a few clear inspiration photos help the stylist hit the right finish. Formal, rustic, beachy or romantic, there’s enough range here to keep the party matched while each person still looks like herself.
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