Flower girls and junior bridesmaids get their hair done in the same busy morning as everyone else, usually in a corner of the suite with a snack in one hand. That changes what works. A child’s style has to go in fast, hold through running and hugging, and never pull at the scalp, because a sore head at noon becomes tears at the ceremony. Here are 25 kids wedding hairstyles I’m happy to do on little ones, from crown braids to simple buns, with notes on which hair each one suits and where it tends to slip. Accessories come last. Flowers, ribbons and small tiaras all sit better once the base underneath is secure.
Getting a Five-Year-Old Through Her Turn in the Chair
Children have a short window of patience, so I plan their hair around them, not around the bridal timeline. I usually do flower girls early but not first: early enough that they’re dressed and calm before photos, late enough that the style hasn’t been squashed in a car seat. Most young children sit happily for fifteen or twenty minutes, and a few of the styles below run past that, so pick with her attention span in mind.
- Wash her hair the day before, not that morning. Freshly washed children’s hair is slippery and won’t hold pins or curls.
- Arrive with her hair brushed out and completely dry, with no leave-in oil sitting on the lengths.
- Bring something to hold her attention: a tablet with headphones, a sticker book, a snack that won’t stain.
- Dress her in a button-up top so the dress goes on after the hair without anything pulled over her head.
- Do one practice run a week or two ahead so she knows how it feels and you know how long it takes.
For toddlers under three I keep it to a couple of minutes: two small buns, a single clip, or a bow on a half-up section. They will pull at anything elaborate, and a style that comes out halfway down the aisle is worse than a simple one that stays.
Gentle Hold for Small Heads
A child’s scalp is more tender than an adult’s and the hair is finer, so my kit changes. Tight braids and heavy pin work can give a little girl a headache by lunch, and repeated tight styling strains the hairline. I braid firmly where the braid starts and ease off further down. I ask her how it feels and believe her answer.
- Snag-free or fabric-covered elastics, never bare rubber bands, which break hair on the way out.
- Bobby pins matched to her hair color, slid in against the direction the hair lies so they lock.
- A light, flexible spray used from arm’s length with her eyes covered. Skip strong gels and glues on very young children.
- Clips with a soft grip rather than metal teeth, which scratch when she leans back.
- Low heat on any curling tool, tested on your own wrist before it goes near her.
With curly or coily hair I work with her texture rather than straightening it. Twists, Dutch braids and buns built from her own curl pattern hold far longer than a blow-dried style, and she never needs a hot tool near her ears.
1. Flower Girl Braided Crown
I build a crown braid from a center part, working each half around toward the back so the join hides under the last pass. On a child the trick is tension: braid snugly at the hairline but ease off as you travel around, or the pins at the back press into her head when she leans against a pew. Baby’s breath or small pastel rosebuds tuck into the outer loops without extra pins. Every strand stays off her face, so a twirling five-year-old is still tidy at cake time. Fine, very short hair can’t reach all the way around; there I’d do two braids that meet at the back instead.
2. Half Up Curly Hairstyle for Little Girls
Curls on children drop faster than on adults, mostly because kids’ hair is finer and has never seen much product. When I can, I set them with foam rollers the night before. A heat-free set on slightly damp hair holds longer than a wand curl and keeps a hot tool away from a wriggling ear. If you do use a wand, keep it on low and pin each curl while it cools. Once the curls are brushed out, gather the crown section with a small bow or clip. A light kid-safe mist keeps the ringlets bouncing into the reception, and if they relax by evening they relax into soft waves rather than frizz.
3. Low Bun Flower Girl Hairstyle
A low bun sits at the nape, so there’s nothing for a child to lie back on or knock against a car seat headrest. I smooth the hair with a soft brush rather than a fine comb, put in a snag-free elastic, then twist and pin. Two pins crossed in an X do more than six scattered ones, and fewer pins means fewer pressure points on a small scalp. Keep it sleek for a formal room or loosen two face-framing pieces for a garden. A thin ribbon or pearl pin finishes it, and parents like this one because it’s still neat when they carry a sleepy child out at the end of the night.
4. French Braid Hairstyle for Weddings
I start a French braid high at the crown and keep the sections small. A child’s head is narrow, and chunky sections leave gaps down the back. It holds for hours, which is why I reach for it on girls who’ll be outside or dancing. It does need hair at least to the shoulders; anything shorter pops loose at the nape. Finish the end with a bow or slide a few small flowers into the weave. A firm weave means fewer flyaways by the speeches, but firm should never mean painful, so ask her how it feels as you go.
5. Fishtail Braid for Flower Girls
The fishtail looks intricate, yet once you find the rhythm of crossing a thin strand from each side it’s quicker than people expect. Thinner strands read as more detail in photos. I braid it fairly firm, secure the end, then gently pull at the edges so it looks fuller without unravelling. It can hang down the back or over one shoulder, finished with a satin ribbon or a little baby’s breath. It needs length to show the pattern, so I keep it for long-haired flower girls. On a bob it just looks like a short plait.
6. Curly Half Up Half Down with Flowers
Ringlets with fresh blooms at the crown suit a spring or garden ceremony. I curl everything first, let the curls cool, then pull back only the top section and fix it with a clip that grips without metal teeth. Fresh flowers wilt fast against a warm head, so I wire small, sturdy blooms like spray roses or waxflower and add them as late as possible. The loose curls stay around her shoulders and the top stays neat. On very thick hair use two clips; a single one slides down by the first dance.
7. Top Knot Bun for Junior Bridesmaids
A high top knot is my pick for junior bridesmaids who want something a little older than ringlets. Pull the hair into a high ponytail with her head tipped slightly forward so there are no bumps at the nape, then twist around the base and pin. Sleek and slightly loosened both work. It keeps the neck cool at a summer wedding, but it sits exactly where a flower crown or headband would go, so pick one or the other. A ribbon at the base or a small flower pin softens it.
8. Double Dutch Braids for Kids
Dutch braids are the sturdiest thing I can put in a child’s hair. Because the strands cross under rather than over, each braid sits raised on top and grips close to the scalp. I part straight down the middle, braid each side tight to the head, and check that both ends finish at the same height before securing. These survive bouncy castles and lawn games. Small flowers or matching ribbons dress them up. On a tender scalp they can feel tight, so I go a touch looser at the temples, where the hair is finest.
9. Loose Waves with Flower Crown
Loose waves under a full flower crown make the softest look here, and also the least secure. Waves on fine children’s hair flatten within a few hours, and a crown resting on loose hair slides. I wave the hair, brush through for that relaxed texture, then anchor the crown with two bobby pins hidden behind the ears. Choose a crown in the wedding palette that’s light enough that she won’t keep pushing it up. Save this one for outdoor or boho weddings and for a child who doesn’t mind having the crown straightened a few times.
10. Ballerina Bun for Flower Girls
A ballerina bun is only as good as the ponytail underneath it. If that’s smooth and centered, the bun will be too. I use a little gel or smoothing cream on the ponytail alone, not the whole head, so she doesn’t look wet in photos, then wrap the length tightly and pin. A small hair donut helps on thinner hair. It holds through long ceremonies and receptions without a strand moving. Watch the height on toddlers, though: a high bun pulling at the crown can ache after a couple of hours, so I set it lower for very young girls.
11. Side Braid with Ribbon
Quick and comfortable matters with a child who won’t sit still, and a loose side braid is both. Gather everything to one side, braid loosely and let a few pieces fall. I braid the satin ribbon in as one of the three strands, which stops it sliding out halfway through the evening. It needs medium to long hair, since short layers escape within the hour. A few tiny flowers near the top finish it for a garden or rustic wedding.
12. Twisted Half Up Hairstyle
Twisting two side sections back is the simplest half-up style I do on children, and it works on almost every texture, including curly and coily hair. I take small sections from each side, twist them away from the face, and meet them at the back under a bow or clip that covers the join. Twist both sides in the same direction toward the back, or they unwind as they meet. The rest flows down in waves or curls. It’s quick enough to do in a few minutes when the flower girl arrives late.
13. Messy Bun with Loose Curls
A messy bun with loose tendrils has to be planned mess. If it’s genuinely loose, it falls apart. I put in a firm low or mid elastic first, wrap the hair around it loosely, pin it securely, and only then pull out a few curly pieces at the face. Baby’s breath or a single small flower tucks in well. It’s light enough for a child who wants to dance. Very silky straight hair resists this style, so I mist in a little texture spray first to give it some grip.
14. Crown Braid with Curls
Pairing a braid around the crown with curls below gives you the neatness of an updo and the movement of hair worn down. I braid the crown section first and pin it, then curl only the loose hair underneath so the hot tool never touches the braid. Small flowers tuck into the braid for a garden feel. It needs hair past the shoulders, or there’s too little left below the braid to curl. This is the longest sit on the list for a child, so plan a short break between the braid and the curls.
15. Pigtail Buns for Little Girls
For the youngest flower girls I usually suggest two buns, mostly because they’re fast and kids love them. Part down the middle and check in a mirror that both sides are level before twisting; uneven buns are the one thing everyone notices in photos. Twist each side into a neat bun and secure with a snag-free elastic plus two pins. Bows, ribbons or flowers finish them. Pigtail buns keep every strand off a hot face in summer and stay put through hours of running. On very short hair they become tiny puffs, which are just as sweet.
16. Waterfall Braid for Weddings
A waterfall braid is a sideways French braid where you drop the top strand after each pass and pick up a new one, so pieces fall through like water. It reads delicate, but it’s one of the less secure styles because half the hair is left out of the weave. I finish the end with a small clear elastic hidden under a flower. It needs longer hair, and below it the hair can stay straight, curled or waved. I’d give it to a calm older flower girl rather than a three-year-old who’ll be rolling on the grass.
17. Sleek High Ponytail with Curls
When a child has thick hair that won’t hold pins, a sleek high ponytail with curls is a quick answer. Brush it back smooth, secure it tightly, then curl the length. I wrap a narrow strip of hair around the base and pin it underneath to hide the elastic, then add a ribbon or flower. The weight of a long curled ponytail can drag on the crown after a few hours, so on very long hair I use a second elastic an inch below the first to share the load.
18. Boho Braided Half Up Style
Two thin braids pulled from each side and joined at the back make a relaxed half-up look for outdoor weddings. I keep the braids narrow so they sit close to the head, then meet them with a small elastic hidden under wildflowers or a sprig of greenery. Leaves hold up far better than delicate petals in the sun, so I lean on eucalyptus or ruscus. The rest hangs in loose waves. It works on most textures and lengths, and it’s gentle on a child’s scalp because nothing is pulled tight.
19. Chignon Bun for Flower Girls
Think of the chignon as the rolled cousin of the low bun. I twist the hair gently, tuck it into a smooth roll at the nape and pin from underneath so nothing shows. A couple of face-framing pieces left loose soften it. Pearl pins, a ribbon or a few small flowers add finish without weight. It belongs at classic and formal weddings, on older flower girls with medium to long hair. Layered hair pokes out of the roll, so a little smoothing cream before rolling saves you chasing flyaways later.
20. Curly Updo with Tiara
Little girls ask me for a curly updo with a tiara more than anything else on this list. I curl first, then pin the curls up loosely into a textured shape and set the tiara last. A child’s tiara needs small combs at each end, not just a band, or it slides forward every time she looks down. Leave a few curls loose around the face. It suits formal or fairytale weddings, and it holds better on thicker hair with some natural texture than on fine, silky hair.
21. Three Strand Braided Ponytail
Ponytail first, then a classic three-strand braid down the length: that’s what I’d do on a child who’ll be playing outside all afternoon. Secure the end with a ribbon or small elastic. Tie the ponytail at the crown and the braid swings; tie it at the nape and it lies flat in a car seat. Tiny flowers along the braid add a little extra. It stops tangles completely, which parents appreciate when they’re the ones brushing it out that night.
22. Twisted Updo with Pearls
Small twists pinned into a gathered shape, with pearl pins scattered through, give a refined look for classic weddings. I twist small sections and pin each where it naturally lands, so the shape stays soft rather than sculpted. Pearl pins with a slight wave in the shaft grip better than straight ones. Leave a few pieces loose around the face. It suits medium to long hair and older children who can sit for the time it takes. Show the parents where the pins are so they can take them out that night without tugging.
23. Half Up Bun with Bow
A small bun on top with the rest hanging down gives a child the fun of a bun without her whole head being pulled back. I take the crown section, twist it into a little bun and secure it, then set a satin bow just below. The lower hair stays in curls or waves. A bow on a clip is easier to keep straight than ribbon tied around the bun. It’s quick for flower girls of any age, and she can lean back in a chair without anything pressing into her head.
24. Loose Curls with Side Part
Loose curls with a side part are the simplest finish on this list and suit nearly any wedding theme. I curl the whole length, let it cool, then set a deep side part and rake the curls through with my fingers. A small clip, flower or sparkly pin near the part keeps the heavier side out of her eyes. With nothing pulled back it’s very comfortable, but there’s no structure holding it either, so on fine straight hair expect the curls to loosen by the reception.
25. Braided Bun for Flower Girls
A braided bun starts as a braid that you coil into a round bun and pin. The braid gives texture and the coil keeps everything tight. I braid fairly firm so the coil holds its shape, and I pin through the braid’s edges into the base, not just into the outer layer. Flowers or pearl pins around the bun finish it. It needs medium to long hair and keeps every strand off the face through a long ceremony, which is why I use it for flower girls doing a long walk outdoors.
Rescuing a Flower Girl’s Hair Between the Aisle and the Dance Floor
Even well-built kids’ hair takes a beating. She will hug everyone, lie on the floor and try on the bride’s veil. I hand the parent a tiny pouch and a plan for the few things that usually go wrong.
- A braid loosening at the nape: tuck the ends in and add two pins crossed in an X. It’ll last another few hours.
- Curls that have dropped: twist the top section back and clip it. Relaxed curls look intentional once the hair is off her face.
- A flower crown that keeps slipping: pin it behind each ear, or take it off and slide one flower into a clip.
- A headache from a tight style: take it down. A loose ponytail beats a sore, unhappy child for the rest of the evening.
Pack spare elastics, a handful of pins, a soft brush and a small mirror. The parent will need them more than anyone else in the wedding party.
A Flower Girl Who Forgets About Her Hair
The best style for a child is the one she stops noticing ten minutes after you finish. Comfort comes first, because little girls want to run and play, and anything that pulls will be tugged out by the reception. Match the style to her hair length and texture, add flowers, ribbon or a tiny tiara once the base is secure, and try it once a week or two before the wedding so the morning holds no surprises. With a calm start and a few spare pins in your bag, she’ll be ready to walk.
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