When I do hair for a bridal party with curly bridesmaids, the aim is never to make every head look the same. Curls arrive with movement and volume already in them, so most of my work is shaping, defining and making sure the style lasts through photos, a ceremony and the dance floor. The 25 styles below run from low buns and half-up curls to braided crowns, ponytails, short cuts and natural shapes like the afro and the puff. Most can be adjusted to a different curl pattern, which is what lets a wedding party look coordinated without looking cloned.
One Bridal Party, Several Different Curl Patterns
Few wedding parties share one hair type. One bridesmaid has loose waves, another has tight coils, another a short cut. When a bride asks me for matching hair, I suggest matching one element instead of one style.
- Match the height: everyone low, or everyone high. That alone makes a lineup look planned.
- Match the accessory: the same pearl pin or ribbon color in every head, whatever the style underneath.
- Match the part: side parts all falling the same way read as coordinated in group photos.
Then let each bridesmaid pick from two or three styles that suit her texture. Forcing one updo on every hair type is how the woman with fine waves ends up with a flat bun and the one with coils ends up with a sore scalp.
1. Curly Low Bun Bridesmaid Hair
If I had to put a whole wedding party in one style, it would be a curly low bun. It looks finished without stiffness, and curls give it fullness without backcombing or extensions. I place it near the nape and leave a few curls at the face. It sits well with off-the-shoulder, satin and square-neck dresses. A light curl cream and a flexible spray keep it soft to the touch, which matters when bridesmaids are hugging the bride every few minutes.
2. Curly Half Up Bridesmaid Hair
Half-up is what I give a bridesmaid who wants her length to show. The crown section can be twisted, braided or simply gathered while the rest falls down the back. I define the curls before touching the crown, then pin loosely; pinning tight flattens the top and makes the back look twice as big. It suits almost every face shape because it lifts hair away from the cheeks. Bridesmaids are photographed from behind during the ceremony far more than they expect, so I check the join from the back too.
3. Curly High Ponytail Bridesmaid Hair
This is the confident one. A high curly ponytail lifts the face, shows earrings and keeps hair off the neck in summer heat. Thick, long curls carry it best, and clip-in curly extensions can fill out a thinner pony. I smooth the base without scraping it, wrap a piece of hair around the elastic and let the curls expand. A high pony pulls on the crown over a long day, so for bridesmaids with tender scalps I set it a little lower.
4. Curly Side Ponytail Bridesmaid Hair
Balance makes or breaks a side ponytail. I give the crown a little lift, place a deliberate side part and set the ponytail low behind the ear, so the curls fall forward over one shoulder instead of sitting on it. It suits one-shoulder and strapless dresses and anything with detail at the back. A few loose curls at the face stop it feeling too formal. Through the ceremony it keeps hair out of the face while the curls stay visible.
5. Curly Messy Bun Bridesmaid Hair
Done properly, a messy bun is anything but messy. Underneath, I pin a structured base; on top, the curls are pulled loose and left airy, with loose tendrils around the face. That hidden base is why it lasts. Garden ceremonies, relaxed venues and floaty fabrics suit it. I’d skip it at a black-tie event, where it can look underdressed beside formal gowns.
6. Curly Chignon Bridesmaid Hair
For black-tie dresses and formal indoor receptions, I suggest the chignon. The hair is gathered low and shaped into a rounded bun with the curls tucked visibly into place. A middle part feels modern; a soft side part leans traditional. I use very few decorative pins because the curl texture already gives the surface detail. On fine curls, a small piece of padding inside the bun stops it looking deflated by the speeches.
7. Curly Braided Crown Bridesmaid Hair
A braided crown gets hair off the face without a slicked-back finish, which is why so many bridesmaids ask for it. The braid wraps around the head or runs along the front hairline, then blends into loose curls, a bun or a half-up shape. I keep the braid loose so it doesn’t press the texture flat, and the curls behind it add the volume that balances everything. Rustic venues and soft floral palettes suit it. Short layers tend to poke out of a crown braid, so a little gel along the hairline helps.
8. Curly Side Braid Bridesmaid Hair
The side braid starts near the crown, sweeps across one side and falls over the shoulder with curls left loose at the ends. Long curly hair makes it thick and detailed. After securing it, I gently pull the edges apart to widen it. It pairs with flowy dresses and outdoor ceremonies. Watch the fabric, though: a braid resting on chiffon is fine, but on sequins it snags and frays the curls within the hour.
9. Curly Updo With Face Framing Curls
Some bridesmaids hate having every strand pulled back, and this is their updo. The main hair is pinned up while chosen curls stay at the temples, cheekbones or jaw. Choosing them is the skilled part. I pick curls that already fall well on their own and define them with gel; random pieces pulled out at the end rarely keep their shape through dancing. The updo itself can sit low, mid-height or at the crown.
10. Curly Ponytail With Face Framing Curls
Few styles adapt to as many wedding themes. A curly ponytail can go sleek or soft, high or low, and the front curls flatter the face while the pony keeps everything else organized. It suits medium to long curls and anyone who values comfort over a long day. I secure the elastic firmly but keep the curls touchable, with a light shine spray on the lengths only. Shine spray at the roots makes curls look greasy by evening.
11. Curly Bob Bridesmaid Hair
A curly bob is just as wedding-ready as long hair, and quick in the chair. The shape frames the face and shows off the neckline. I aim for defined curls, a clean outline and a little volume at the sides so it doesn’t widen into a triangle. A deep side part makes it glamorous; a center part reads modern. If a short-haired bridesmaid wants a pin or barrette, I tuck one side behind the ear rather than forcing an updo she doesn’t have the length for.
12. Curly Lob Bridesmaid Hair
At collarbone length, a curly lob has enough movement to look soft and enough shape to stay tidy. It falls nicely against V-neck, square-neck and halter dresses, worn down, tucked behind one ear or pinned on one side. I ask for root volume and light hold. Then I check the length against the dress: curls that land right on a neckline seam frizz from the rubbing, so I pin them back slightly if that’s where they sit.
13. Curly Hair Down Bridesmaid Hair
Curls worn down for a wedding need more shaping than everyday curls, or they simply look like a regular day. A definite part, smooth roots, hydrated lengths and a clear silhouette make the difference. It also solves a real problem for mixed bridal parties: when hair types differ, each bridesmaid can wear her own version of down hair and the group still looks coordinated. Down hair is the first to suffer in humidity, so I keep pins in my kit for a quick half-up rescue.
14. Curly Hair With Pearl Pins
Pearl pins make natural texture look dressed up fast. They can go through a bun, into a half-up section, along a braid or down one side. Placement is everything. I use odd numbers and keep them to one area of the head, because pins spread evenly over every curl start to look like polka dots. They suit romantic and garden weddings and soft neutral dresses, on short, medium and long curls alike.
15. Curly Hair With Flower Clips
Small floral clips tucked into a low bun, one side of loose curls or a half-up section suit spring and summer weddings. The curls give the clips a natural base, so they blend in rather than looking stuck on. I match them to the wedding colors without copying the exact dress shade, otherwise they disappear against it. Snap and alligator clips slide out of soft curls, so I anchor each one over a crossed pair of bobby pins.
16. Curly Low Ponytail Bridesmaid Hair
Simple and very wearable. The low ponytail sits at the nape and suits formal dresses, modern venues and bridesmaids who want hair back without a bun. Part it in the middle for a clean look or to the side for softness, wrap the base, add a little lift at the crown and let the curls fall. It’s also the easiest style here to refresh: if the day runs long, a bridesmaid can redo the elastic herself in two minutes.
17. Curly Bun With Braids
On thick curls, a braid does practical work. It controls the bulk while the bun keeps everything lifted. The braid can run along the side, cross the crown or wrap into the bun itself. I keep it soft and let the curl pattern show through the bun. For an outdoor wedding where loose hair needs extra hold, this is the style I’d choose, because braided sections stay put in wind far better than pinned curls.
18. Curly Twist Updo Bridesmaid Hair
Twists build shape through the back of the head with less weight than braids. Sections are twisted softly, then pinned low, stacked or blended into a loose bun, and medium to long curls make each twist look full. I pin every twist at both ends so nothing unwinds during a long ceremony. Keep the front soft and the crown lifted, and define the curls lightly so the twists don’t fuzz at the edges.
19. Curly Crown Braid With Low Bun
Detailed straps, open backs and high necklines all fight with loose hair, and this style keeps everything contained. The crown braid adds interest around the head while the low bun keeps it practical. It also gives curls structure in humid weather. The braid should look soft and slightly pulled apart, never tight against the scalp, and I leave some curl texture showing in the bun.
20. Curly Afro Bridesmaid Hair
A curly afro bridesmaid look is about shaping the volume, not shrinking it. I work with a pick and my hands to round the shape, check it from every side and trim back the outline with my fingers where it’s uneven. A rounded shape, a side part or one side pinned back all suit formal dresses and statement earrings. Moisture and definition matter most so the hair looks healthy in close-ups. The silhouette is the whole point, so I keep accessories to one small piece set low at the side, where it won’t flatten the shape.
21. Curly Puff Bridesmaid Hair
A puff lifts natural curls and coils while keeping the texture full. It can sit high on the crown or a little lower for a softer look. Laid edges, defined curls and a secure base make it formal enough for a wedding. I use a wide fabric band rather than a thin elastic, which can snap or crease coils at the base. It keeps hair off the neck in summer, and a subtle pin or cuff can tie it to the rest of the bridal party.
22. Curly Faux Hawk Bridesmaid Hair
A curly faux hawk pins or braids the sides upward and gathers the curls through the center for height. The curls stop it looking harsh, and it works especially well on natural curls, coils and thick textured hair. With a simple bridesmaid dress, the hair carries the whole look. I use strong pins on the sides and flexible hold on top, so the center stays touchable. If the bride wants a softer group, I’d keep the faux hawk for one bridesmaid rather than the whole lineup.
23. Curly Pixie Bridesmaid Hair
Short curls around the crown add softness while the sides stay neat. A curly pixie needs no extensions and no forced updo, which suits short-haired bridesmaids who would rather look like themselves. I define individual pieces with curl cream or a light gel, then touch a little shine balm onto the ends to calm frizz. A side part or one tiny accessory is enough to make it feel dressed for the wedding. Polish it; don’t overstyle it. No other length shows off earrings and makeup so well.
24. Curly Hair With Side Part
A side part gives curls direction and instant shape. One side can be tucked behind the ear, pinned with a small accessory or swept back. It works on short, medium and long curls, which makes it handy for mixed-length bridal parties: everyone parts on the same side, and the group looks deliberate. The diagonal line softens the face and adds lift at the crown. I make the part on dry hair with a comb tail and set it with a little gel along the line.
25. Curly Hair With Headband
A headband dresses up curls with almost no pins, so it’s the accessory I recommend to bridesmaids styling their own hair. Pearl, satin, metallic or floral, it works with hair down, half-up, low buns and short cuts. The trick is keeping volume behind the band. I place it after the curls are completely dry and push it back gently rather than sliding it through the hair. Wear it at home for a few hours first, because some bands press behind the ears.
Where Curly Bridesmaids Fit in the Morning Schedule
Curly styles take longer in the chair than straight ones, mostly because curls must be fully dry before they’re pinned and definition can’t be rushed. I put curly bridesmaids early in the order, never last, so an overrun doesn’t eat into the bride’s time.
- Arrive with clean hair styled the way you wear it on a good day, and completely dry.
- Bring your own curl cream or gel if your hair reacts badly to new products.
- Mention tender spots or recent breakage before any pinning starts.
- Save touch-ups for after the ceremony. Curls settle during the first hour, and fixing them earlier is wasted effort.
Styling Your Own Curls for a Friend’s Wedding
Not every bride books a stylist for the whole party. If you’re doing your own curls, pick a style you have already done before; the wedding morning is not the time to learn a crown braid. Practice it twice in the weeks before, once on a day after washing, so you know how your hair behaves.
Pack bobby pins in your hair color, a travel spray, a little curl cream and a spare elastic. If frizz appears, press cream over the curls with flat palms instead of finger-combing. The low bun, the low ponytail and the headband looks above are the easiest to do alone and the easiest to repair in a restroom mirror.
Coordinated Without Every Bridesmaid Looking Alike
The styles that work for curly bridesmaids follow the curl pattern instead of fighting it. Low buns bring polish, half-up styles show length, ponytails add lift, and textured shapes like the afro and the puff bring confidence. Pearls, flowers, clips and headbands make curls look more formal without hiding them. Test each style against the dress neckline before the wedding and plan products for hold and frizz. Give every bridesmaid a version that suits her own hair, and the group photos will take care of themselves.
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