Flower girl hair is a different job from bridal hair. The child has a shorter attention span, a more sensitive scalp and a day that involves running, sitting on the floor and probably falling asleep in someone’s lap. A good wedding hairstyle for girls has to be comfortable enough that she leaves it alone, and secure enough that it survives her. Below are 25 styles I’d consider, from soft curls and braided crowns to buns and ponytails, with notes on how long each takes, how well it holds on young hair and which accessories stay put.
Toddler, School Age or Junior Bridesmaid: Planning by Age
The age of the child changes what’s realistic more than anything else on this list.
- Under five: aim for ten minutes or less in the chair. Pigtail buns, a bubble ponytail or a headband with soft waves. Avoid anything that depends on her not touching it.
- Five to eight: braids come into play. A French braid, half-up crown or twisted crown holds through play and looks festive.
- Nine and older: she can handle an updo, a side bun or a waterfall braid, and she’ll have opinions. Let her look at photos with you.
Whichever group she’s in, do a practice run at home a week or two before. You’ll learn how long she can sit, whether a clip bothers her and whether her hair holds curl at all.
1. Flower Crown With Loose Curls
Curls under a flower crown are the picture most parents bring me. Children’s hair is usually fine and silky, so curls drop faster than on an adult; I use a medium barrel on a low heat setting, let each curl cool in my hand, and add a very light spray. Choose a crown made of baby’s breath or small blooms, and check it’s light: a heavy crown slides forward when she looks down at her basket. Most little girls are happy to wear flowers, which helps.
2. Half-Up Braided Crown
Two braids start near the temples and meet at the back like a halo, with the rest left loose. It keeps hair off her face without pulling the whole head tight. I braid snugly at the start, then ease the braid a little so it doesn’t tug on the hairline. A few small flowers or pearl pins sit well in the braid. Parents can learn this one at home with a couple of practice runs the week before.
3. Classic Low Bun With Ribbon
Hair smoothed back gently and twisted into a neat knot at the nape, with a satin ribbon wrapped around the base in the wedding colors. It’s tidy, and it doesn’t look too grown up on a child. Because everything is tucked away, it lasts all day and sits comfortably under a tiara or crown. I use small, kid-sized pins and fewer of them; on fine hair a soft elastic plus four pins is enough. Leave a couple of tendrils out to soften it.
4. Soft Curls With Side Part
Sometimes the simplest styles are the sweetest. Soft curls with a clean side part keep hair away from the eyes. I use a large barrel, and only a light mist of spray, because heavy spray on a child’s fine hair turns stiff and sticky. A delicate headband or a single flower clip finishes it. Be realistic: curls on straight children’s hair often relax within a few hours, so if photos are late in the day, choose a braid instead.
5. French Braid With Floral Pins
For an active flower girl, the French braid is my safest choice. Braiding from the crown down and gathering hair as you go locks everything in, and it survives twirling, snacks and car seats. Tiny floral pins or sprigs of baby’s breath along the braid make it feel like wedding hair. If a few pieces loosen during the day, it still looks soft and fine, which is part of why parents like it.
6. Messy Bun With Baby’s Breath
A loose knot at the back with a few pieces pulled free looks relaxed and suits a rustic or outdoor wedding. Tuck sprigs of baby’s breath around the bun after it’s pinned. On a child, a messy bun needs a secure base, so I start with a soft elastic ponytail and build the bun on top of it. Medium to long hair works best. Even after hours of running, an undone bun still looks intentional.
7. Double Dutch Braids
Two Dutch braids, one on each side, keep every strand secure from the ceremony to the last song. For a wedding version, weave thin ribbon through the braid as you go, or pin small flowers along it. They hold particularly well on thick or curly hair. Watch the tension: tight braids along a child’s hairline can pull and cause headaches, so I keep the first few stitches firm but not tight. Unraveled the next morning, they leave a nice wave.
8. Twisted Half-Up Style
Two sections from the front are twisted back and pinned together at the crown, with the rest left in soft waves. It’s quick, gentle on the scalp and keeps hair out of her face. A small sparkly clip or a cluster of blossoms covers the join. If she tends to pull at clips, sew the decoration on with a bobby pin underneath so it doesn’t come away in her hand.
9. High Ponytail With Curls
A high ponytail with curled ends is bouncy and keeps hair off her neck on a hot day. I secure it with a no-snag elastic and wrap a ribbon or strand of hair around it. The curls add a festive feel. One warning: a high, heavy ponytail pulls on a small scalp, and a child sitting in a car seat or resting her head will push it sideways. For toddlers, a mid-height pony is more comfortable.
10. Milkmaid Braid Crown
The milkmaid braid, also called a crown braid, wraps across the top of the head like a woven band. It’s made with two braids crossed over the top and pinned in place. It keeps every strand tidy, so it’s very reliable for a long day. Baby’s breath or tiny rosebuds can be tucked into the braid. It needs shoulder-length hair or longer. Shorter hair can’t reach across the head, and that’s when I’d switch to a half crown.
11. Loose Waves With Headband
Gentle waves held back with a decorative headband are about as low-maintenance as wedding hair gets. There’s no tight pulling or pinning, so it suits a child who hates having her hair done. Pick a band with pearls, flowers or a small bow. I’d steer away from hard plastic headbands with teeth, because they cause headaches behind the ears after a few hours; a padded or fabric-covered band is kinder.
12. Braided Half-Up With Bow
Two small braids from each side join at the back, with the rest left in curls or waves, and a satin bow covers the join. It feels special without being an updo. Choose a bow color that matches the dresses or the flowers. I secure the bow with a clip and a bobby pin, since bows on smooth children’s hair slide downward through the day.
13. Curly Updo With Tiara
For a girl who wants to be a princess, softly curled hair pinned up loosely at the back with a sparkling tiara at the crown. Leave a few tendrils near the face. The tiara needs to sit on a pinned base, not on loose hair; I tuck its combs into a small section that’s been lightly backcombed, and add a pin through each end. It keeps hair off her shoulders for dancing.
14. Fishtail Braid With Flowers
A fishtail braid looks complicated but is just two sections with small pieces crossed over each other. It can lie down the back or over one shoulder. Tiny flowers along its length add a garden feel. It suits medium to long hair. A fishtail takes longer than a regular braid, so it’s not ideal for a child who can’t sit still for ten minutes; a three-strand braid gives a similar look in half the time.
15. Side Braid With Curls
A loose braid starts near the temple and runs down one side, with the ends left curled. The hair is controlled but still shows its bounce. Small blossoms or a ribbon can be added to the braid. Because it sits over one shoulder, check it doesn’t rub against the dress strap or collar, which can frizz the braid by the reception.
16. Bubble Ponytail With Ribbons
A bubble ponytail is playful and holds through anything. The pony is sectioned with small elastics down its length, and each section is gently tugged wider into a rounded bubble. Tie tiny ribbons between the bubbles in the wedding colors. Use soft, snag-free elastics; regular ones tangle on the way out and make removal miserable at bedtime. It works on almost all hair types.
17. Low Side Bun With Pearls
Hair twisted into a loose bun just behind one ear, with wispy pieces at the face and small pearl pins in the bun. It’s a more grown-up shape, so I’d suggest it for older flower girls or junior bridesmaids rather than a toddler. The bun keeps hair tidy all day, and the side placement looks sweet in the processional.
18. Halo Braid With Baby’s Breath
A halo braid circles the whole head like a ring. I braid around the crown, gathering hair as I go, until it meets where it started. Every strand stays in place. Small sprigs of baby’s breath along the braid soften it. It takes some patience to sit for, so I do it while she watches a show on a tablet, which buys enough stillness.
19. Curtain Bangs With Curls
Curtain bangs parted in the middle and swept to each side, with the rest in loose waves. It frames her face and shows off her eyes. Only choose this if she already has bangs; I’d never cut a child’s bangs just before a wedding. A small flower clip on one side adds a sweet detail.
20. Twisted Crown With Flowers
Sections are twisted along the sides and pinned back to form a soft band, with the rest left loose or gathered into a bun. It looks woven without the effort of braiding. Twists are gentle on the scalp and quick to do at home. Tuck delicate flowers along the twists. Twists can unwind on very silky hair, so a tiny bit of styling cream on the fingers before twisting helps them hold.
21. Sleek High Bun With Headband
Hair brushed up smoothly and twisted into a tidy bun at the crown, finished with a sparkly or floral headband. It’s polished and keeps her cool in hot weather. I’d recommend it for older flower girls and junior bridesmaids. Brush gently, and use a soft-bristle brush rather than a paddle with hard pins, because smoothing a child’s hair tight can sting.
22. Waterfall Braid With Waves
Small sections of hair appear to drop through the braid as it’s woven across the head. I start near one side and drop a piece with each stitch, then leave the rest in waves. It’s comfortable and holds well. Tiny flowers along the braid make it bridal. It needs medium to long hair, and it’s easier to do on hair that has some texture, so wave the lengths first.
23. Pigtail Buns With Bows
Pigtail buns, often called space buns, are playful and a favorite with younger flower girls. Part down the middle, gather each side into a small bun and tie a bow at the base. The face stays completely clear. For toddlers they’re my first choice, because they’re quick and difficult to undo. Match the bow colors to the wedding.
24. Romantic Updo With Tendrils
Hair gathered into a soft, loosely pinned updo at the back, with a few pieces pulled free at the face. It’s graceful without being too formal for a child. Small flowers or pearl pins add some sparkle. Loose updos rely on pins, and children touch their hair constantly, so I place pins deep and crossed, then show the parent where they are for quick fixes.
25. Long Layers With Flower Clips
Sometimes the best wedding look is healthy hair worn down with care. Long layers with soft waves show off movement, and a few flower clips along one side or scattered through the back tie it to the theme. It’s comfortable and low-maintenance. Choose clips with a grip strip or small teeth, because plain metal clips slide out of fine children’s hair within the hour.
Gentler Tension, Less Heat and Smarter Timing for Little Heads
Children’s scalps are more sensitive than adults’, and their hair is finer. Tight braids along the hairline can cause headaches and tears, so I braid firmly enough to hold but stop short of pulling the skin. Elastics should be snag-free, and pins should be small and few.
Heat tools stay on a low setting, and I always use a heat protectant. If her hair won’t hold a curl, I’d rather plait it damp the night before and brush out the waves in the morning than keep curling it hotter.
When to do her hair on the day
Put her near the end of the hair schedule, not first, so she has less time to wreck it. Have her dress before the hair is done if the dress goes on over her head, or protect the style with a scarf over her face as it goes on. And give her a snack before she sits down; a hungry child won’t stay still for a braid.
Let Her Pick the Ribbon
A flower girl who chose her own ribbon or flowers is far more likely to leave her hair alone. From flower crowns and braided halos to buns and pigtail buns, the best style is the one that suits her age, her hair and how long she can sit still. Keep accessories light, keep pins few and secure, and practise once before the wedding. Pack a spare elastic, a few bobby pins and a small brush in the parent’s bag, and she’ll be ready for photos at any point in the day.
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