A side updo puts the weight of your hair behind one ear and leaves the other side of your neck, your earring and your shoulder open. It gives the camera something to look at from the front and from the back, which a centered bun often doesn’t. It also takes a veil comb comfortably, because the comb can sit above the bun instead of fighting it. Below are 25 side updo wedding hair ideas, from braided and loose to sculpted and sleek, with what I’d watch for on each.
Why I Ask You Not to Wash Your Hair That Morning
Freshly washed hair is slippery. Pins slide through it and curls drop faster. For most side updos I ask brides to wash the day before, blow-dry smooth and skip heavy conditioner on the lengths. That one day of natural oil gives the grips something to hold.
There are exceptions. Very oily hair can go flat by the next morning, and in that case I’d rather you wash the night before and let me add a little dry shampoo for grip. Curly and coily hair is different again: wash and condition two or three days ahead so the curls have settled and are well moisturised, not freshly frizzy.
When there isn’t enough hair to fill a side bun
Fine or thin hair tends to make a side bun look small and flat. A clip-in weft placed under the top layers and a small bun padding matched to your color bulk it out without showing. Have extensions colour-matched before your trial, not after, so we can practice with them in place.
1. Side Swept Low Bun Wedding Updo
The low side bun is the one I’d recommend if you only try one style at your trial. It sits at the nape, a little off center, so an open back or clean neckline still shows. I build it on a small ponytail base so the pins have something solid to hold, then wrap the length around and pin through the base, never just into loose hair. Keep it smooth for a formal room or pull out a few pieces for a softer finish.
2. Side Fishtail Braid Bridal Updo
Starting the fishtail loosely at the crown and looping it into a pinned shape at one side gives a woven texture that catches garden light. Thick, long hair makes the fattest braid; fine hair can look stringy in a fishtail unless I add a clip-in weft underneath first. Baby’s breath tucks into the gaps between sections well. Expect the edges to soften a little through the day, which only helps.
3. Side Chignon With Loose Curls
Pairing a structured side chignon with loose curls at the cheek balances neat and soft. I curl everything first with a wand, let it cool, then tuck the bulk into the chignon and leave two or three curls out at the face. Those face curls are the first thing to drop, so I pin-curl them flat until just before the ceremony. Sweetheart necklines and vintage gowns suit the shape.
4. Boho Side Braided Updo With Flowers
This braided boho updo mixes loose plaits, twisted sections and soft tendrils, all leaning to one side. The undone look still needs a secure base under it, or the whole thing loosens by the reception. Fresh flowers go in last, and I ask the florist for sturdier stems that won’t wilt against warm hair. It’s at home outdoors and with lace or flowing gowns.
5. Sleek Side Twisted Updo
Smooth, glossy twists pinned to one side make a modern updo that needs very clean sectioning. Any bump or stray hair shows, so I use a smoothing serum and a fine-tooth comb, and I work on hair that’s been blow-dried straight first. The twists add a little texture without breaking the streamlined aesthetic. High necklines and dramatic earrings suit it; very curly hair needs a full blow-dry first to sit this flat.
6. Side Swept Curls Half Updo
Half up with curls over one shoulder is the compromise I suggest to brides who are torn. The top section is pinned to one side and the curls fall over the other shoulder. Watch your neckline: off-shoulder dresses show it off, but a high neck hides the length you’re keeping down. A decorative comb at the gathering point doubles as a cover for the pins.
7. Low Side Ponytail Wedding Updo
A low side ponytail gathers everything smoothly near one shoulder, with a section wrapped around the elastic to hide it. I like to add lift at the crown with backcombing, otherwise the top can look flat next to the length. It’s quick and secure, so it suits a bride who wants to be out of the chair in under an hour. Choose one strong earring on the open side.
8. Vintage Side Roll Updo
Victory-style rolls are pinned in sculpted curves that sweep to one side. They need a set, either hot rollers or pin curls, so the hair has a memory of the shape before I roll it. Fingertip veils and bold red lips belong with this look. Humidity is the enemy here; I’d only plan rolls for an indoor or air-conditioned venue.
9. Messy Side Bun With Tendrils
The messy side bun only looks careless. I pin a firm base first, then pull at the bun and the face pieces until it looks lived in. The soft, tousled finish forgives wind and hugs better than any polished style, so it’s the one I’d suggest for a beach or field ceremony. Small flowers can be tucked in anywhere without disturbing the shape.
10. Side French Braid Bun
A French braid along one side leading into a low bun is about as secure as wedding hair gets. The braid grips the scalp the whole way, so even after hours of dancing it rarely shifts. I pancake the braid gently afterward to make it look fuller, then add pearl pins along it. If you plan a big night on the dance floor, this one won’t let you down.
11. Crystal Accented Side Updo
Crystals look best when they sit against smooth hair, so I keep the section around the pins sleek and place them near the twist or bun. Match the sparkle to your gown: a dress with beaded details carries a bigger hairpiece, while plain satin looks better with two or three small pins. Heavy pieces need a braid or a backcombed base under them, or they slide. Under evening lighting the crystals catch every flash.
12. Side Swept Updo With Bangs
Bangs and a side updo work together if the fringe is styled first. I blow-dry the bangs into a soft sweep across the forehead, let them set, then gather the rest into a loose side bun. A higher, messier bun is a fun alternative for a younger, more fashion-led look. Tell your stylist if you’re planning a fringe trim; cut it a week before, never the day before, so it has time to relax.
13. Twisted Side Updo With Pearls
Pearls look quieter than crystals and suit twisted updos with lace or vintage gowns. I space the pearl pins through the twists so each catches a little light rather than clustering them in one spot. If you’re also wearing pearl earrings, keep the hair pins smaller so the two don’t compete. High necklines and structured shapes pair well here.
14. Side Dutch Braid Into Bun
Dutch braids are worked underhand, so they stand up from the head instead of lying flat like a French braid. That raised effect looks full even on medium-density hair. All it takes is basic braiding, a curling iron and a handful of pins, so this is one a skilled friend could manage. Greenery tucks in along the braid for outdoor weddings.
15. Romantic Side Swept Waves Updo
Waves pinned loosely to one side give a soft updo with plenty of movement. I curl with a wand, let the curls set fully, then brush them out and pin them in loose loops so the wave pattern still shows. Leave face pieces free. This shape suits sweetheart and off-shoulder gowns and works indoors or out.
16. Side Bun With Braided Crown
A braided crown leading into a side bun gives a regal, fairytale-worthy bridal look. The braid wraps the crown and then drops to a soft bun on one side. Because the braid covers the top of the head, a veil has to go under the bun rather than at the crown. Round and oval faces suit the added height on top.
17. Sleek Side Part Low Updo
A deep side part sweeping into a low bun is the cleanest style on this list. The asymmetrical part does the work, so I place it carefully in line with the arch of one brow. A smoothing balm keeps the part crisp. With minimalist gowns, high necklines and statement earrings, it’s hard to beat.
18. Side Swept Curly Updo For Natural Hair
Natural curls make a fuller side updo than I could ever create with an iron. I work with the curl pattern rather than brushing it out, define it with a cream, and pin the curls loosely to one side so the bounce stays. Curly hair is heavier than it looks, so I use more pins than usual. Flowers or a comb sit easily in that volume, and a well-moisturised curl holds through humidity far better than straightened hair.
19. Side Knotted Updo
Knots are sections tied around each other and pinned, building a sculpted shape near the shoulder. The tying makes this very secure, because each knot holds itself. It needs long, thick hair; shorter layers pop out of the knots. Pearl pins or small flowers tuck between sections.
20. Side Updo With Hair Vine
A hair vine is a flexible wire strung with crystals, pearls or tiny flowers that threads through the twists of a side updo. I pin it in several places along its length so it bends with the hair instead of lifting. It suits boho and formal weddings alike. Choose a vine in a metal that matches your other jewelry.
21. Low Side Chignon With Veil
For a traditional ceremony, a low side chignon with a long veil is classic for good reason. I secure the veil comb above the chignon, angled so the tulle falls behind it rather than resting on top. Cathedral veils need a firm base, so I braid a small anchor under the chignon for the comb to grip. The chignon stays smooth and neat even after the veil comes off.
22. Side Swept Braided Halo Updo
Braids wrapped around the head and gathered to one side form a halo with an asymmetric finish. I loosen the braids so the halo looks full, then weave flowers or greenery through. It needs hair at least past the shoulders to reach around. On thin hair, a clip-in braid can be added to complete the halo.
23. Tousled Side Updo With Greenery
Eucalyptus and leafy sprigs tucked into a tousled side updo suit garden and woodland weddings. Greenery outlasts most blooms in warm hair, which makes it a practical choice for a long outdoor day. I keep the updo loose and set the sprigs near the bun so they look like they grew there. Natural makeup and flowing gowns complete the botanical feel.
24. Side Swept Updo With Statement Comb
One bold comb in crystals, pearls or metalwork can carry the whole look. I set it at the base of the twist or bun, pushing the teeth into a backcombed section so it can’t work loose. A heavy comb needs a solid updo underneath. Formal gowns and structured silhouettes can take its weight visually.
25. Side Swept Updo For Short Hair
Short hair can do a side updo if there’s enough length to pin, usually chin length or longer. I add volume at the crown, then pin shorter layers in small overlapping sections toward one side. Bobs and lobs work well; a pixie is better swept and pinned than truly put up. Sparkling pins, a hair vine or small flowers fill in the gaps.
The Car, the Pew and the Chair Back
A side updo sits low and to one side, which means it’s the part of you that touches the headrest in the car, the back of a pew and the chair at dinner. Leaning back crushes it gradually, and you won’t notice until you see the photos.
- In the car, sit forward or turn slightly toward the open side so the bun hangs free.
- At the reception, lean on the side away from the bun, or tuck a small cushion behind your lower back so you sit upright.
- If the bun sits very low, check that it clears the top of your dress. A high back or a sash can push it up from underneath.
At the end of the night, take the pins out gently, one by one, working from the bottom up. Count them against the number your stylist used if you can. Brush out backcombing from the ends upward with a little conditioner, rather than tugging it from the root.
Which Side Updo Suits Your Day?
Your dress, your venue and your own hair decide which side updo works. A boho braid wants an outdoor day, sculpted rolls want air conditioning, and a deep-part low bun goes almost anywhere. Bring two or three favourites to your trial, wear something with a similar neckline, and check the shape from behind as well as in the mirror. That back view is the one guests see during the ceremony.
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