Doing hair for flower girls is a different job from doing it for brides. A child’s hair is usually finer and silkier, her scalp is more tender, and her patience in the chair runs out long before mine does. The styles that work best are the ones that look sweet, hold through running and dancing, and never pull. Flower girls, junior bridesmaids and little guests can all wear the looks below, from soft curls and braided crowns to neat buns with a few flowers. Here are 25 adorable wedding hairstyle ideas, with notes on age, hair length and how long each takes in the chair.
Her Age Decides the Style More Than Her Hair Does
With brides I start from the dress. With children I start from how long they’ll sit still. A beautiful braided updo is no use if she’s in tears by the third section. These are rough guides from wedding mornings, and every child is different.
- Toddlers: plan on a few minutes in the chair at most. Pigtail buns, a ribbon ponytail or a soft headband over loose hair. Avoid anything that needs lots of pins.
- Early school age: they can usually manage fifteen minutes or so with a snack or a show to watch. French braids, half-up curls and simple crowns work well.
- Older girls and junior bridesmaids: most can sit through a proper updo, a three-braid style or a twisted chignon, and they often want something closer to the bridesmaids’ look.
Schedule children’s hair late in the morning, after the adults but before photos, so it’s fresh when it counts. Hungry, tired children are the hardest clients there are, so build a snack and a break into the timeline.
1. Half Up Half Down With Curls
Half-up with curls keeps hair out of her eyes during the ceremony and still lets it bounce when she walks. I gather the top section with a small clip, ribbon or a couple of tiny flowers and leave the rest in loose curls. It suits nearly every length. With very fine hair, I use a snap clip rather than bobby pins, since pins slide right out of silky kid hair within an hour. Expect the curls to soften by the reception; on children they almost always do.
2. Braided Crown
A braided crown circles the head like a halo, and it’s one of the sturdiest styles here because the braid lies flat against the scalp. Garden, rustic and boho weddings suit it. Baby’s breath or tiny rosebuds can be tucked along the braid. It needs medium to long hair. Plan for about fifteen to twenty minutes in the chair, so it’s better for school-age girls than toddlers who won’t stay still that long.
3. Low Bun With Baby’s Breath
A soft low bun at the nape looks polished but still right for a child. Sprigs of baby’s breath tucked around it are light and hold up well out of water. Formal and vintage weddings suit this. I leave a couple of loose tendrils near the face. Keep the bun low and loose at the base, not tight, so it doesn’t press on her head when she leans back in a car seat on the way there.
4. French Braid
I get through more French braids on wedding mornings than anything else, and for good reason. It starts at the crown, works down the back and locks every strand in place through dinner and dancing. Wear it straight down the back or curve it to one side. A ribbon or a few small flowers woven in look festive. It suits most lengths and textures. Braid firmly but not tightly at the hairline; tight edges ache by the afternoon and can damage a child’s delicate hair.
5. Flower Crown With Loose Waves
A flower crown over loose waves is the classic outdoor flower girl look, and it suits younger girls especially well. Choose blooms in the wedding palette. I keep the waves soft and tousled rather than tight. Ask the florist to build the crown on a thin, flexible base and to check the size around her head; heavy or tight crowns get pulled off within ten minutes. Faux flowers are a good choice for long, hot days.
6. Fishtail Braid
A fishtail braid has a fine herringbone pattern that looks more detailed than a regular plait, yet it holds just as securely. Draped low over one shoulder, it looks right on flower girls and junior bridesmaids. I loosen the edges slightly so it looks softer. Tiny flowers or pearl pins add sparkle. It needs medium to long hair. A fishtail takes longer to braid, so this is one for older girls who can sit through it.
7. Curly Updo
Gathering curls into a soft updo lifts the hair off the neck, which helps on hot ceremony days. I leave a few curled tendrils around the face and finish with a sparkly clip, small tiara or fresh blooms. Natural curls do this best; styled curls work, but they drop faster on fine kid hair. The look reads grown-up and special while still suiting her age. Use as few pins as you can, and only ones with rubber tips, because a child will scratch at a pin that pokes.
8. Double Dutch Braids
Double Dutch braids run along both sides of the head and sit raised off the scalp, so they’re neat, symmetrical and very secure. This is my pick for active flower girls who are going to run around the whole day. Finish the ends in buns, a ponytail or loose curls. Tiny ribbons or floral pins add something festive. Rustic and casual weddings suit it. Leave the ends loose and they’ll often hold a natural wave from the braiding by evening.
9. Ponytail With Ribbon
A ponytail with a ribbon is quick, secure and the style I suggest for little ones who hate having their hair done. High or low, it keeps hair neat and out of the face. Wrap satin ribbon around the base to hide the elastic. Curl the length for bounce, or leave it sleek. Choose a ribbon in the wedding colors. Use a soft, snag-free elastic; regular ones tangle in fine hair and hurt coming out at the end of the night.
10. Side Swept Curls
Gathering the hair over one shoulder in soft curls gives a little old Hollywood glamour. I secure it behind the ear with a decorative clip or small flowers. Formal weddings suit it. It keeps one side of the face clear and frames the other. Children move their heads a lot, so I pin the gathered side with a snap clip underneath and only use the decorative piece for show.
11. Top Knot Bun
A top knot sits high on the crown and keeps hair off the face and neck, which helps on warm days and with energetic little ones. Wrap it with a ribbon or circle it with tiny flowers. A few wispy strands left loose soften it. It suits most lengths and textures and is quick to make. Watch the tightness: a high knot pulled hard gives a child a headache fast, so I keep it slightly loose at the base.
12. Braided Half Updo
Two braids from each side meet at the back and hold the top section, while the rest of the hair stays loose. It keeps hair away from the face during the ceremony. I add curls to the loose portion for volume and place tiny flowers or pearl pins where the braids meet. Medium to long hair suits it. It holds well because the braids, not pins, carry the weight.
13. Waterfall Braid
A waterfall braid runs across the head and lets strands drop through it, so it looks like hair falling over a ledge. It keeps the top secured while showing off length. Garden and outdoor weddings suit it. Small flowers along the braid look sweet. It works best on longer hair with soft curls below. This is a more delicate braid, and it loosens faster than a French braid if she’s very active, so a little light hairspray helps.
14. Pigtail Buns
Two buns on either side of the head are playful and secure, best for younger flower girls. Wrap each with ribbon or add tiny flowers. They stay put through hours of playing and dancing. Pigtail buns work on most hair lengths and textures and are quick to make, often under five minutes. That speed matters with toddlers, whose patience in a chair is very short.
15. Twisted Updo
Soft rolled sections pinned at the back make a twisted updo, which suits formal and vintage weddings. The twists add texture without looking complicated and keep hair off the neck. A few loose tendrils soften it. Sparkly pins, a small tiara or fresh blooms finish it. It needs medium to long hair. I’d save this one for older girls, since it takes a fair number of pins and a still head to build.
16. Crown Braid With Flowers
A braid wrapped around the head and dotted with fresh flowers suits flower girls and junior bridesmaids. The braid sits flat and secure, so the flowers have something firm to tuck into. Choose blooms in the wedding colors. It needs medium to long hair. I use small, hardy flowers like waxflower or spray roses, because delicate blooms wilt quickly against a warm head.
17. Sleek Low Ponytail
A sleek low ponytail is smooth and neat at the nape, ideal for modern and minimalist weddings. Wrap a ribbon or a section of hair around the base to hide the elastic. Leave it straight or curl the ends. It suits most lengths and textures. It’s simple and comfortable, which suits little ones who dislike fussy styling. Use a smoothing cream rather than gel on children’s hair; gel gets crunchy and itchy.
18. Messy Bun With Tendrils
A messy bun gathers the hair loosely with a few pieces left out to frame the face. It suits casual and boho weddings and feels comfortable for little ones. A few flowers or a pretty clip add charm. It keeps hair off the neck and works on most textures and lengths. Like any messy bun, it needs a secure base underneath or it falls apart within an hour of play.
19. Curly Half Up With Bow
The top section of curly hair pulled half-up with a bow gives a sweet, youthful look. The curls below add bounce. It keeps hair out of the eyes. Choose a satin or velvet bow in the wedding palette. It suits naturally curly or styled hair, and it’s especially good for younger flower girls. Attach the bow with a snap clip, not a bobby pin, so it stays put when she tugs at it.
20. Braided Ponytail
A braided ponytail combines a ponytail’s bounce with a braid’s neatness, so every strand stays secure. It’s very practical for active flower girls. Add a ribbon at the base or weave tiny flowers through. It works on most lengths and textures and stays tidy without touch-ups. Parents who aren’t confident with complicated styles can usually manage this one themselves on the morning.
21. Soft Curls With Headband
Soft curls with a pretty headband keep hair off the face and add sparkle or flowers. Jeweled, pearl or flower headbands all work. The curls add movement. It’s simple and suits most lengths. Try the headband on at home for an hour first; ones with teeth or a tight fit behind the ears often get pulled off by the end of the ceremony.
22. Three Braid Updo
Three braids woven into an updo look complex, but the style is secure and comfortable. It keeps hair off the neck and adds texture. Formal weddings suit it. Tuck small flowers or pearl pins between the braids. It works best on medium to long hair and stays put without loosening. It’s a good choice for junior bridesmaids who want something detailed and grown-up.
23. Bubble Ponytail
A bubble ponytail is sectioned with small elastics down its length, puffed gently between each one. It’s fun and secure, and kids usually love how it looks. Decorate each section with tiny ribbons or flowers. It works on most lengths. Use soft, snag-free elastics, because pulling out a row of regular ones at bedtime is painful for a child with fine hair.
24. Loose Waves With Floral Pins
Soft waves with floral pins scattered through them is a relaxed look for garden and boho weddings. Place the pins at random or in a pattern. The waves stay soft and comfortable with nothing tight. It works on medium to long hair. Floral pins can slip out of fine hair, so I slide each pin over a small crossed bobby pin hidden underneath.
25. Elegant Chignon
A chignon is a classic low bun at the back of the head, suited to formal and vintage weddings. It keeps hair secure and off the neck. A few soft tendrils around the face soften it. Pearl pins, a small tiara or fresh flowers can decorate it. It needs medium to long hair. It’s a nice option for an older flower girl who wants to look a little grown-up.
Curls Without a Hot Iron on Fine Hair
Children’s hair is fine and silky, so heat-made curls drop fast, and a curling iron near a wriggling child’s ears is a real burn risk. For younger girls I’d rather create curls overnight. Braid slightly damp hair into a few plaits before bed, or roll it in soft foam rollers. In the morning you get waves that last longer than iron curls on kid hair. For older girls who can sit still, a low heat setting and a light spray work fine.
Small Comforts That Keep the Style in Place
Most flower girl styles come down because the child pulls them out, and children pull out what hurts or itches. A few things make a big difference:
- Keep tension light at the hairline and temples. Tight braids there cause headaches and can damage young hair.
- Use snap clips and soft elastics instead of lots of bobby pins.
- For toddlers, keep tiny pins, pearls and loose beads to a minimum. Small pieces that come loose can end up in mouths.
- Pack a small bag with a comb, spare elastics, clips and a ribbon for quick fixes after the ceremony.
- Once photos are done, let her take off the flower crown or headband if she wants to. A happy child is worth more than a perfect style at the reception.
Comfortable Enough That She Forgets She’s Wearing It
The right style for a child is one she forgets she’s wearing. Braided crowns, soft curls, bubble ponytails and chignons can all work, depending on her age, hair type and the wedding’s feel. Secure styles let children dance and play freely. Add ribbons, flowers or sparkly pins in the wedding colors. Do a practice run at home a week or two before, so she knows what to expect and you know how long it takes.
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