Curly hair arrives at a wedding with most of the volume and movement already built in, which is why I’d rather work with it than straighten it into something it isn’t. Loose ringlets, bouncy spirals and tight coils each behave differently under pins and in humidity, so the styles below are grouped in my head by how much hold they need. Some are worn down and lean on good definition; others gather the curls up so they can’t frizz against a veil or a hot neck. Read them with your own curl pattern in mind, not the model’s.
Wash Day Timing and the Curl Cast I Ask Brides to Arrive With
The single biggest favour you can do your stylist is arrive with curls you already know how to define. I ask curly brides to wash the day before the wedding, not the morning of, using their usual routine: conditioner, a leave-in, then a gel that dries into a firm cast. Curls styled on day-old hair hold pins better and frizz less than freshly washed, still-damp hair.
Sleep with the curls piled loosely on top of the head in a satin scrunchie or under a silk bonnet. In the morning I scrunch out the cast, refresh any flat areas with a spray of water and a little more gel, and diffuse those sections dry before pinning anything.
- Trim the ends three or four weeks out, not the week before, so the shape has time to settle.
- Do a deep conditioning treatment a few days before, not the night before, or the curls can feel limp.
- Bring your own gel and leave-in to the trial and the wedding morning; I’ll work with what your hair is used to.
- Avoid brushing dry curls at home the day before; it breaks the clumps into frizz that’s hard to rescue.
1. Curly Low Bun for Wedding
A low bun is the style I reach for most with curly brides because curls grip pins far better than straight hair does. I gather everything at the nape, twist it loosely and pin the coils so they keep their shape instead of being smoothed flat. The bun gives a veil comb something solid to bite into. Leave two or three tendrils at the face, but define them with a little gel first or they’ll puff out by lunch.
2. Half-Up Half-Down Curly Wedding Hairstyle
Half-up suits curly hair when the curls underneath are well defined, because those lengths are on show all day. I take the top section back from the temples and secure it with a crossed pair of pins rather than an elastic, which tends to dent the curl. A small twist or a jeweled clip covers the join. The honest drawback: the loose half is exposed to weather, so on a humid day I’d set it with a stronger cast than you’d use for everyday.
3. Curly Crown Braid for Bride
Braiding curly hair is easier than braiding straight hair, since the texture stops sections sliding out. For a crown braid I work along the hairline from one ear to the other and pin the tail underneath, then pull a few curls loose so it doesn’t look helmet-tight. Tiny sprigs of baby’s breath sit well in the gaps. It’s one of the sturdiest styles in this list for a hot garden wedding, though very short layers around the face can poke out of the braid.
4. Curly High Ponytail for Wedding
The high ponytail is my answer for brides who dread frizz at an outdoor ceremony. I smooth the sides with gel and a soft brush, gather everything at the crown and wrap a strand around the base to hide the band. Curly ponytails are heavy, so I anchor the elastic with two pins pushed in opposite directions; otherwise it slides down by the evening. Expect a slight pull at the scalp after a few hours if your hair is very thick.
5. Curly Side-Swept Updo for Bride
Sweeping curls to one side shows off an earring and the line of the neck on the opposite side. I build the shape at the nape behind one ear and pin it to a small anchor braid hidden underneath, because curls piled to one side will drift toward the middle without it. It sits well with off-shoulder and one-shoulder gowns. If your parting naturally falls on the other side, I’d follow the parting rather than force it.
6. Curly Chignon for Wedding
A curly chignon keeps the classic low shape but lets the texture show, so it looks softer than the sleek version. I twist the lengths up and pin individual curls over the top to hide the pins. It takes a veil well and works in a formal ballroom as easily as at a small lunch. Very tight coils need a little stretching with a blow dryer first, or the chignon ends up smaller than you expected.
7. Curly Updo With Flowers for Bride
Fresh flowers in a curly updo need more planning than people think. I ask the florist for a few spare stems from the bouquet, cut them short and wire them, then push them in with U-shaped pins so the curls hold them like a nest. Roses and baby’s breath last; soft petals such as sweet pea wilt within hours away from water. I’d add them after the veil goes in, not before.
8. Curly Half-Up Wedding Hairstyle With Veil
Half-up is the easiest base for a veil on curly hair, because the pinned top section gives the comb a firm place to sit. I slide the comb in below the twist so it rests on pinned hair rather than loose curls, which would let it slip. A single layer of soft tulle sits over curls without flattening them. Heavy cathedral veils pull on the comb all day, so I’d save those for brides with thick hair and an extra anchor pin.
9. Curly Faux Hawk Updo for Wedding
The curly faux hawk pins the sides up and back and leaves a strip of volume running down the centre. On curls it reads soft rather than punk, because the texture blurs the edges. I pin the sides flat against the head with crossed pins in rows, as that’s where it fails if it fails. It shows bare shoulders well, so it pairs with strapless gowns, and a few sparkly pins in the center keep it bridal.
10. Curly Fishtail Braid for Bride
A fishtail on curly hair looks richer than on straight hair because each crossed strand catches the light differently. I braid it slightly damp with a little cream so the pattern stays neat, then pull it wider once dry. Worn over one shoulder it suits a rustic barn or a boho dress; pinned up, it becomes a detailed updo. It’s slow to braid on very long, dense hair, so build that time into your morning.
11. Curly Messy Bun for Wedding
A messy bun on curly hair is messy on purpose, and that takes practice to get right. I gather the curls loosely, pin them in loops and then pull pieces out around the face, checking the back in a hand mirror so it isn’t lopsided. It’s comfortable for a long day of dancing. The catch is that loose pieces frizz first in humidity, so I set them with gel rather than relying on hairspray alone.
12. Curly Updo With Tiara for Bride
Wanting to feel a little regal is perfectly fine, and a curly updo with a tiara is the classic way to do it. I build the updo first and place the tiara last, pinning it through its side loops into a hidden braid so it doesn’t tilt. Curls hide the band of a tiara better than smooth hair does. Bring the tiara to your trial, because a heavy piece changes where I need to place the volume.
13. Boho Curly Down Hairstyle for Wedding
Wearing curls fully down is the most honest look for curly hair, and also the one most exposed to weather. I define each section with a light cream and gel, diffuse it dry, then scrunch out the crunch so it moves. A thin hair vine or a few flowers above one ear finishes it. It’s my choice for a beach or garden ceremony on a dry day; with heavy humidity in the forecast I’d suggest a half-up version as backup.
14. Curly Side Bun for Wedding
A side bun sits low behind one ear, framing the face from one direction. The off-center placement shows a statement earring and a detailed neckline, so I usually plan it around the dress before anything else. Leave a few tendrils loose for movement. Pearls or small flowers pushed into the curls dress it up. I’d advise against it if you’ll be hugging relatives on that side all day, as the bun takes the knocks.
15. Curly Twisted Updo for Bride
Twisting sections of curls before pinning them gives the updo a sculpted, detailed shape without flattening the texture. I twist each section toward the center and pin at the end of the twist, where it naturally locks. The result holds very well through a long reception. A small comb or jeweled pins add sparkle, but two or three is plenty; on a busy updo more pieces start to look cluttered in photos.
16. Curly Hair With Flower Crown for Wedding
A flower crown sits along the hairline over curls worn down, half-up or braided underneath. I secure it with bobby pins crossed over the wire at both temples and the back, because curls are springy and will push a crown up over the day. Match a couple of the blooms to the bouquet. Faux flowers are more practical in heat; fresh ones look better close up but droop in direct sun.
17. Voluminous Curly Down Hairstyle for Bride
Big curls worn fully down put all the attention on the volume itself. I add a volumizing mousse, diffuse upside down and lift the roots with a pick rather than a brush, which would turn the curls into frizz. One side tucked behind the ear with a sparkling clip keeps the face visible. Expect the hair to grow a little through the day as it absorbs moisture, so start slightly smaller than your ideal.
18. Curly Top Knot for Wedding
A curly top knot sits high on the crown and keeps every curl off the neck, which is a relief at a warm summer reception. I gather the curls at the crown, twist them into a textured bun and pin it in a circle so it can’t wobble. Leave a few pieces loose at the hairline. It suits modern and minimalist dresses, though I find it can look too casual next to a full ballgown.
19. Curly Bridal Bob Hairstyle
Short curls are easy to style for a wedding and quick on the morning itself. A curly bob in this chic, chin-length style frames the face, and I usually just refine the definition and pin one side back. A clip, a thin headband or a few small flowers dress it up. Get the haircut three or four weeks before the wedding, so the shape has settled and the ends aren’t blunt.
20. Curly Half-Up Braided Wedding Hairstyle
A braid across the top of a half-up style adds detail while the rest of the curls stay loose. I braid from each temple back toward the crown and join the two braids with pins behind. Small flowers or pearls tucked along the braid look delicate. Most curl patterns and lengths can manage it, but very short layers near the face may need a touch of gel to stay in.
21. Curly Pinned-Back Wedding Hairstyle
Sometimes the plainest option is the right one. A pinned-back style sweeps the front sections away from the face and pins them at the back, leaving the curls hanging free. Because I’m handling the hair very little, the curl pattern stays intact and defined all day. Decorative pins or a comb add detail. It’s my go-to suggestion for brides who don’t like the feel of a full updo.
22. Vintage Curly Updo for Bride
A vintage curly updo pins the curls into a sculpted shape with soft waves around the face. I lean on old-Hollywood techniques here: finger waves or pinned curls, set in place so they keep a deliberate pattern. Pearl pins or a jeweled comb suit the period feel. This style takes the longest in the chair, often an hour or more, so I’d schedule it first in a bridal party.
23. Curly French Twist for Wedding
The French twist rolls the hair vertically up the back of the head, and the curly version keeps more volume than the classic sleek roll. I smooth the back first with a little gel so the twist lies flat, then let the ends spill out at the top as loose curls. A comb or pearl pins dress it up. It sits nicely with a veil, which tucks under the top of the roll.
24. Curly Hair With Pearls for Bride
Pearls look especially good against curly hair because their round shape echoes the curl. I push pearl pins in at angles through the updo or along loose curls, using pins with a small grip so they don’t slide out of springy hair. They suit modern and classic dresses alike. Keep the pearls to one area of the head; scattered everywhere, they compete with the curls instead of accenting them.
25. Curly Hair With Headband for Wedding
A headband sweeps curls back from the face and adds polish without any pinning. Pick a jeweled headband for a formal dress or a floral one for a garden wedding. Curls can be down, half-up or in a loose updo underneath. I check the fit at the trial, because a tight band gives some brides a headache after a few hours. A headband can also replace a veil entirely.
What Rain and Ten Hours of Hugs Do to Curly Hair
Curly hair reacts to the air more than any other texture. Moisture swells the strand and the curl expands, so a style that looked tidy at noon can look fuller by the first dance. I plan for that rather than fight it.
What I set the style with
A strong-hold gel underneath and an anti-humidity spray on top do more than extra hairspray, which can make curls crunchy and still let frizz through. For loose curls around the face I’d always use gel; they’re the first to fluff out.
A small kit for your maid of honor
- A small spray bottle of water mixed with a little leave-in, to re-clump any frizzy curls.
- Six to eight bobby pins matched to your hair colour.
- A travel tube of the gel used that morning.
- A satin scrunchie, in case you want to pull the hair up for the evening.
If it rains during the walk from the car, don’t touch the curls while they’re wet. Let them dry, then scrunch gently. Touching them while damp is what breaks them up.
Letting Your Own Curl Pattern Lead
Natural curls give you volume and texture that styled hair can only imitate. Choose the look by your curl pattern and the weather first, then by the picture you love. Moisture treatments in the weeks before help the curls clump and define, and a trial tells you how your hair holds a particular style. From there, a few well-placed pins and accessories carry you from the ceremony to the last dance.
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