Children’s hair is the part of a wedding morning I plan around most carefully, and not for the reason people expect. The styling is simple. The challenge is a five-year-old who has to sit still, then wear the result through a ceremony, photos, cake and a dance floor without it pulling or itching. Flower girls and junior bridesmaids need hair that looks sweet and stays comfortable, because an uncomfortable child will take it down herself. Below are twenty wedding hairstyles for girls I’m happy to do, with notes on which ages and hair types each one suits.
Matching the Style to Her Age, Not Just Her Hair
A three-year-old and a twelve-year-old need different hair, even if they’re both in the wedding party. The age tells me how long she’ll sit, how much she’ll touch her head and how much she’ll run around.
- Toddlers, roughly two to four: braids, pigtails or a headband over loose hair. Ten minutes in the chair at most, and nothing that needs pins.
- Five to eight: half-up styles, simple crowns and small buns. She can sit for fifteen to twenty minutes if there’s a cartoon on a phone.
- Nine and up, junior bridesmaids: she can carry a low bun, side bun or chignon, and she’ll usually have opinions. Ask her what she likes.
Long hair isn’t required for any of the younger styles. Shoulder-length hair suits braids, twists and clips perfectly well.
1. Half Up Half Down With Curls
Half up with curls is the style I suggest most for flower girls, because it keeps hair out of her eyes while the curls do the decorating. I gather the top section with a soft elastic and cover it with a clip or small bow in the wedding colors. Children’s hair is usually very fine and slippery, so curls drop fast. I use foam rollers or pin curls set an hour or two ahead rather than a hot iron, which also saves anyone from waving a hot tool near a wriggling head. A pearl pin or tiny bloom at the crown finishes it.
2. Braided Crown Updo
Two braids crossed over the top of the head and pinned together give the halo look of a crown braid, and they hold for the entire day. I keep the braids firm but not tight. A child will tell you about a tight braid, but usually not until the ceremony. It suits rustic and garden weddings, and baby’s breath or tiny daisies tucked into the plait look right at home there. Medium to long hair is needed; anything shorter than the shoulders won’t reach across the head.
3. Classic Low Bun
A smooth, soft chignon at the nape looks grown-up in a good way, which is why older girls and junior bridesmaids often ask for it. I leave a couple of face-framing pieces out so it doesn’t look severe on a young face. Secure it with a small donut and U-pins, then cover the base with a satin ribbon or floral comb. It holds well through dancing. For under-sevens, I’d go easier: a big chignon full of pins on a small head is heavy.
4. Fishtail Braid
A fishtail looks complicated, but it’s just two sections crossing small pieces back and forth, and it stays neater than a regular braid because the weave is tighter. I braid it slightly loose, then pull the edges gently for a fuller, softer finish. It needs long hair, roughly past the shoulder blades. Tiny flowers or pearl pins along the braid dress it up. It survives a full day of wedding activity better than almost anything else here.
5. Messy Bun With Loose Tendrils
A messy bun is an easy win for little girls who won’t sit long. Gather the hair into a soft bun at the crown or the back of the head, pin it, and pull out two or three tendrils. On a hot day it keeps hair off her neck, which matters more to a child than anything else on this list. A headband or small flower clip finishes it. Keep the pins few and soft, and don’t spray it stiff.
6. Flower Crown With Loose Waves
Few things say flower girl like a floral crown over loose waves. The trick is fit. A crown that sits too loose slides over her eyes; one that’s too tight gives her a headache within an hour. I ask the florist to make it on a flexible wire base and bring it to the trial or fitting so I can bend it to her head. Hidden bobby pins at each side keep it in place. Fresh crowns can wilt by the reception in summer heat, so silk flowers are worth considering for a long outdoor day. Match the palette to the bouquets.
7. French Braid Pigtails
Double French braids are my favorite for the youngest flower girls, the toddlers and preschoolers who will run, roll and nap in their dress. Two braids along each side of the head lock every strand down. You can leave the ends hanging or tuck them into small buns for something neater. Tie tiny ribbons or floral clips at the base of each braid. Of everything here, this is the style most likely to look the same at bedtime as it did at noon.
8. Curly Updo With Flowers
Curly updos suit girls with natural curls or waves best, since their texture holds a shape without heat. I gather the curls into a soft bun or twist at the back, using fingers so they stay defined. Wide-tooth combs and a little leave-in conditioner beforehand make detangling far gentler. Fresh or silk flowers tucked in add the wedding touch. It keeps hair off the neck on warm days and suits a formal wedding.
9. Side Braid With Ribbon
A single side braid with ribbon woven through is comfortable and sweet, and it’s an easy way to bring the wedding colors into her hair. I weave a thin satin ribbon into one of the three strands as I braid, then tie it off with a small bow. Satin grips better than silky polyester ribbon, which slides out. It needs medium to long hair and suits flower girls and junior bridesmaids alike. Loosen it slightly for a softer look with flowing dresses.
10. Top Knot With Bow
A high top knot keeps hair completely out of the way, and children love it because it looks like a ballerina’s. I secure it with a soft elastic and as few pins as possible, since a high bun on a small head can pull. A bow at the base in satin or velvet finishes it. Longer hair makes a fuller knot, but even shoulder-length hair can make a small, neat one. Check it doesn’t sit where a flower crown or headband needs to go.
11. Half Up Braided Style
Two small braids from each side meeting at the back, with the rest left loose, is a half-up style that holds well. Where the braids meet, I join them with a clear elastic and cover it with a tiny flower or pearl pin. The lengths below can be curled or left natural. It works at casual and formal weddings, and the braids stop the front from falling into her face when she bends to drop petals.
12. Sleek Ponytail With Curls
A smooth ponytail with curled lengths is simple and secure. I gather the hair high or low, brush it smooth and wrap a strand around the elastic to hide it. Children’s hair often has fine baby hairs around the hairline that won’t sit flat; a little gel on a soft toothbrush tames them without making the hair look wet. A ribbon or sparkly clip at the base adds sweetness. It’s a good pick for energetic girls.
13. Twisted Half Updo
Twisting small sections back from each side and pinning them at the crown is quick, comfortable and suits shorter hair than a braid does. The rest of the hair stays down, waved or curled. Pin the twists with small bobby pins crossed in an X so they hold without pressing on the scalp. Floral pins or pearl accents add charm, and it suits vintage and classic themes. Most lengths work, from a long bob down.
14. Double Buns With Curls
Playful double buns, sometimes called space buns, are a hit with younger flower girls. I part the hair down the middle, make two ponytails and twist each into a bun, pinning with only a few pins. A few curls left loose soften the look. Tiny flowers, bows or sparkly pins on each bun match the wedding theme. Medium to long hair is needed for full buns. It’s cheerful and holds through a full day of play.
15. Waterfall Braid
The waterfall braid is a horizontal braid that drops a strand each time it crosses, so the loose pieces fall through like water. It frames the face, keeps the rest of the hair down and looks far more intricate than it is to wear. It does need long hair and a child who can sit still for ten minutes. Small blooms tucked along the braid suit garden and bohemian weddings. Because nothing is pulled up, it’s one of the most comfortable styles here.
16. Low Side Bun
A low side bun, gathered below one ear, gives older girls and junior bridesmaids a touch of vintage elegance. I sweep the hair across, secure it with an elastic and wrap the bun around it. A few loose tendrils soften it. Make sure the bun doesn’t sit where the dress strap or collar will rub it all day. A floral comb or sparkly pin finishes it, and it suits formal weddings.
17. Curls With Headband
Curls with a headband is simple, and that’s its strength. The hair is left down in waves or ringlets, and the headband does the work of keeping it neat. Choose a padded or fabric-covered band, because thin plastic bands with teeth dig in behind the ears after an hour. Pearls, flowers or a little sparkle tie it to the wedding. It works for almost every length and texture, and it’s easy for a parent to fix if the headband gets pulled off.
18. Braided Bun
Braiding sections before wrapping them into a bun gives the bun texture and makes it more secure, because the braids hold the shape on their own. I braid two or three sections, wrap them at the back of the head and pin through the braids rather than the loose hair. It’s a lovely choice for a formal wedding where a bit of detail matters. Tiny flowers or pearl pins around the bun suit it.
19. Loose Curls With Side Part
Loose curls with a side part are about as natural as wedding hair gets. I set the part, curl the lengths and pin one side back with a small clip if she needs her face clear. It works for all ages, from flower girls to junior bridesmaids, and at casual and formal weddings. Keep the curls soft; tight ringlets on a young child can look dated in photos.
20. Updo With Baby’s Breath
An updo dotted with baby’s breath is a classic flower girl finish. I sweep the hair into a soft bun or twist and tuck small clusters of baby’s breath in around it. The florist should wire and tape each cluster so there are no sharp stem ends near her scalp. Baby’s breath can bother some children with sensitive skin or allergies, so check with the parents first. It suits formal and garden weddings and keeps hair neatly off the neck.
Getting a Wriggly Flower Girl Through the Chair
On the morning, children go first or last, never in the middle. First if she’s an early riser who’ll be fresh; last if she naps, so the style doesn’t get crushed. Either way, her hair should be done before she gets into her dress.
- Wash and fully dry her hair the night before, and add a little detangler. Brushing knots out on the morning causes more tears than anything.
- Have a snack, a drink and something to watch ready before she sits down.
- Tell your stylist if she’s tender-headed. We’ll use a wide-tooth comb, hold the hair above the knot while brushing and keep the elastics soft.
- Put a few spare bobby pins and a clear elastic in a parent’s pocket. If she pulls the bow out, a quick fix is easier than a full redo.
Rules I keep for small heads
No hot tools near a child who can’t keep still. Foam rollers, braids set overnight or rag curls do the job without the risk. I use as few pins as I can, avoid tight elastics at the hairline, and skip strong hairspray, which can sting eyes and make fine baby hair stiff and crunchy. If she says something hurts, I believe her and loosen it, because a sore scalp at ten in the morning becomes a meltdown by the ceremony.
Comfort First, Then the Bow
A good wedding hairstyle for your little girl is one she forgets she’s wearing. Flower crowns, braids, buns and curls all work, as long as they match her age, her hair and how long she’ll be on her feet. Keep pins few and soft, braids firm but not tight, and accessories light. Add the ribbon, pearls or blooms that tie her to the wedding colors. If she’s comfortable, she’ll smile in the photos, and that’s the part everyone will remember.
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