The mother of the bride is photographed almost as often as the bride, and she’s often the one hugging, crying and fixing other people’s hair all day. So her style has to be comfortable and secure, and it has to suit hair that may have changed a lot in the past few years: finer, drier, greyer or shorter than it used to be. I’ve gathered 25 mother of the bride hairstyles below, from chignons and French twists to pixies and silver bobs, and for each one I’ve noted what kind of hair it needs and how I’d adapt it.
Thinner Crowns, Grey Strands and When to Book Your Colour
Hair changes with age, and wedding hair should work with the hair you have now. Many mothers tell me their hair has become finer, drier or thinner at the crown or temples. That’s normal, and there’s a lot a stylist can do about it.
- Volume: backcombing at the crown, volume powder at the roots, or a small clip-in piece or topper can make fine hair look fuller.
- Temples: if the hairline has thinned, avoid very tight, slicked-back styles. A softer sweep or a few face-framing pieces hide it.
- Cut: get your last trim about two weeks before, so the edges have softened.
- Colour: book colour or a gloss one to two weeks ahead, so it has settled and any grey regrowth is still covered.
If you’ve never had a hair trial, I’d strongly suggest one. It’s the only way to see how a style sits with your outfit, how long it lasts and whether it pulls anywhere.
1. Low Chignon for Mother of the Bride
A low chignon is the style I reach for when a mother tells me she doesn’t want to think about her hair once she leaves the chair. It tucks everything into a neat roll at the nape, so there’s nothing to come loose during hugs. On fine hair I build it over a small padded base, which gives the roll shape without needing much length or thickness. A pearl pin or a fine comb adds a bit of finish. Pull out a couple of soft wisps at the temples if a fully swept-back look feels harsh.
2. Classic French Twist for Mother of the Bride
The French twist rolls the hair upward and tucks it at the back, leaving the neck and earrings completely clear. I backcomb lightly along the inside of the roll so the pins have something to grip, then secure it with long pins pushed upward along the seam. It needs medium or long hair. Over-straight, slippery hair can unroll during the day, so I’d add a texture spray first. A few loosened strands at the face soften it if you’d rather not look too formal.
3. Soft Glam Waves for Mother of the Bride
Soft glam waves are all curled in the same direction, which is what lets them brush out into one smooth ripple instead of separate curls. I use a medium barrel, pin each curl while it cools and then brush it through. Shoulder-length and longer hair carries it best. Very fine hair can drop flat by evening, so I’d suggest it only if you’re happy for the waves to relax, or with a little volume powder at the roots.
4. Braided Updo for Mother of the Bride
A braided updo hides a lot. Thinner patches, uneven layers and shorter pieces at the nape can all disappear into a loose braid wrapped into a low bun. I gently pull the braid wider after pinning, which makes the hair look fuller than it is. A crown braid is more formal and needs longer hair. It holds well all evening, so dancing won’t undo it.
5. Half-Up Half-Down for Mother of the Bride
A half-up style keeps hair out of your face during the ceremony and still lets you wear your length. I twist or pin the top section back and secure it with a small elastic underneath, since a twist on its own can loosen. Curling or waving the lengths makes it look finished rather than casual. It suits medium and long hair. A small pin or flower over the join finishes it.
6. Sleek Bob for Mother of the Bride
A sleek bob looks best when it’s freshly washed, so for this style I do recommend washing and drying the morning of the wedding. I blow-dry it straight with a paddle brush, then turn the ends under slightly so it doesn’t look flat. A small fascinator or jewelled clip adds a festive touch. A drop of shine serum on the ends keeps it glossy. If your bob is quite thin, a little root lift at the crown stops it hugging the head in photos.
7. Pixie Cut for Mother of the Bride
A pixie is the quickest style on this list. I work a small amount of paste through the hair with my fingers, shape the top pieces forward or to one side, and finish with a light texturising spray. A crystal pin or a slim headband above one ear dresses it up for the wedding. If the top is long enough, a few soft bends with a small flat iron add movement. The face is fully on show, so it’s worth booking your cut about a week before, so the edges have just settled.
8. Pearl-Accented Bun for Mother of the Bride
Pearls on a smooth, low bun bring a soft, quiet shine that suits almost any colour palette. I place them in a curve following the edge of the bun, usually three to seven pins, rather than spreading them evenly. Push each pin through some of the bun, not just the surface hair, or it can slide out during the day. The bun needs medium or long hair. Leave a couple of loose strands at the face if you want it softer.
9. Voluminous Low Bun for Mother of the Bride
A voluminous low bun is my answer for fine hair that tends to look thin when pulled back. I backcomb the crown in small sections, smooth over the top layer, then gather the hair into a loose bun at the nape. The lift at the crown makes a big difference to how full the hair looks from the front. A few wispy pieces at the face keep it soft. Thick hair suits it too, with less teasing.
10. Natural Flowing Hair for Mother of the Bride
Natural, flowing hair with a soft side part is the least formal style here, and it suits relaxed or outdoor weddings. I usually add a few loose curls through the ends so it doesn’t look unstyled in photos. Healthy, medium to long hair works best; dry or frizz-prone ends benefit from a nourishing serum. It’s one to avoid on a windy coastal day, when an updo is far easier to keep tidy.
11. Twisted Crown for Mother of the Bride
A twisted crown lifts hair away from your face while the rest falls in curls, so it’s a half-up with more detail. I curl the lengths first, then twist small sections from each side across the crown and pin where they meet. Pinning on top of a small elastic makes it far more secure. It needs medium or long hair with some body. Leave a few face-framing pieces loose.
12. Polished Silver Style for Mother of the Bride
Silver and gray hair shows the shape of a style more clearly than darker hair, so I keep the cut and finish precise. A smooth bob, soft waves or a neat low bun all suit it. The one thing I watch is yellowing: grey hair can pick up a yellow cast from heat, pollution and some products. A purple shampoo used a few days before, not overused, keeps it bright. A shine spray at the end makes the silver look glossy rather than dry.
13. Loose Curls for Mother of the Bride
Loose curls with a large barrel are softer and fuller than glam waves. I curl in alternating directions, let them cool, then loosen with my fingers. It adds volume, which helps hair that has thinned a little. Medium and long hair of most textures can wear it. A flexible-hold spray keeps the curls moving without making them stiff, and they’ll naturally relax over a long day.
14. Sleek Bun for Mother of the Bride
A sleek bun keeps the face completely visible, which suits statement earrings and structured dresses. I smooth the hair with a gel or cream and a fine brush, then secure it at the crown or nape. Be honest with your stylist if your hairline has thinned at the temples: a tight pull can show it, and a softer sweep may be better. A thin jewelled pin adds subtle sparkle. It holds all day and photographs cleanly.
15. Curtain Bangs for Mother of the Bride
Curtain bangs part in the centre and sweep outward, softening the face and covering the forehead a little. These face-framing pieces suit updos, half-up styles and curls. I blow-dry them with a round brush, rolling each side away from the face. If you’re thinking of cutting them for the wedding, do it at least a month ahead so you know how they sit and how to style them yourself.
16. Vintage Finger Waves for Mother of the Bride
Finger waves are sculpted into wet hair with gel and a comb, then left to dry completely. They take time and some skill, and they last well once set. They suit short and medium hair, especially bobs. A sparkling clip on one side finishes the retro look. I’d only suggest them if you love vintage style, since they read very strongly in photos and suit some outfits much more than others.
17. Textured Updo for Mother of the Bride
A textured updo looks relaxed but is secured underneath. I gather hair into a loose bun, pull out pieces for volume and pin them back loosely over the base. It suits medium and long hair with some body. A small floral pin or delicate accent works well at a garden wedding. It’s comfortable for hours, which matters when you’re on your feet greeting guests.
18. Side-Swept Style for Mother of the Bride
Sweeping hair to one side shows off an earring on the opposite side and lets the curls fall over one shoulder. I pin a hidden row of bobby pins behind one ear, then sweep the curls over them so they cover the pins. A jewelled comb at the part adds sparkle. It needs medium or long hair. If you’ll be hugging lots of people on the swept side, expect to smooth it a few times through the day.
19. Bob With Soft Waves for Mother of the Bride
A bob with soft waves has more movement than a sleek bob and hides the odd uneven layer. I use a curling wand on small sections, alternating direction, then break up the waves with my fingers. A texturising spray keeps the movement defined. It suits fine and thick bobs. A small hairpin or fascinator gives it a festive touch.
20. Updo With Loose Tendrils for Mother of the Bride
An updo with loose tendrils keeps the bulk of your hair secure while softening the face and neck. I sweep the hair into a bun or twist, then pull out a few strands near the face and nape and curl them loosely. Keep the tendrils few and fine; too many and the style looks like it’s falling down. It suits medium and long hair and fits both formal and garden weddings.
21. Smooth Blowout for Mother of the Bride
A smooth, voluminous blowout is what many mothers ask for when they want to look like themselves on a very good day. I lift the roots with a round brush, dry in sections, and curve the ends. It works on medium and long hair. In humidity a blowout can drop by evening, so I’d suggest a light anti-humidity spray at the end. A shine spray adds gloss.
22. Braided Half-Up for Mother of the Bride
A braided half-up adds detail and still leaves the length free. I braid small sections from each side loosely toward the back and pin them together, then curl the rest. It suits medium and long hair with some texture. Leave a few face-framing pieces loose. It fits rustic and formal weddings equally well.
23. Classic Updo With Accessories for Mother of the Bride
A classic updo with crystals, pearls or a jewelled comb is the dressiest option here. I start with a smooth bun or twist and add accessories that match your jewellery, gold with gold, silver with silver. A heavy comb needs a firm base, so I anchor it into the twist, not loose hair. It suits medium and long hair. Leave a few soft pieces at the face so the look doesn’t feel stiff.
24. Shoulder-Length Waves for Mother of the Bride
Shoulder-length waves suit mothers who prefer to wear their hair down. I curl through the mid-lengths, brush the waves out gently and add a little volume at the crown. A delicate clip or pin can sit behind one ear. A light hairspray keeps the waves defined. This length holds a wave well, as there’s not much weight pulling it straight.
25. Elegant Bun With Side Part for Mother of the Bride
A deep side part shifts the volume to one side and softens a round or square face. I make the part first, then sweep the hair into a smooth, low bun and add a few soft strands near the face. A jewelled pin near the part adds subtle sparkle. It suits medium and long hair of most textures. The asymmetry also shows off jewellery and a neckline well.
Wearing a Hat or Fascinator Without Flattening Your Hair
Hats and fascinators are common for mothers of the bride, and they change the hairstyle. A hat sits on the crown, so any volume there gets flattened. I’d plan a low chignon or a sleek bob with the hat, rather than a high or voluminous updo.
How I secure them
- Fascinators on a headband or comb go on after the hair is finished and are pinned through the band into the style.
- Hats with a wide brim need a firm base at the back of the head, so I pin a small hidden braid or twist and anchor the hat to it with hatpins or elastic.
- Bring the hat or fascinator to your trial. It’s hard to judge placement without it.
Think about the evening too. If you’ll take the hat off for the reception, choose a style that still looks finished underneath it, and keep a small brush and a few pins in your bag.
The same goes for glasses. If you’ll wear them during the ceremony, wear them at the trial as well. The arms sit right where I’d normally tuck hair behind the ears, and a side sweep or a low bun with soft pieces can be adjusted so the frames don’t push the style out of shape.
Your Outfit Comes First, the Hair Follows
Settle your dress or outfit before you decide on hair, because the neckline, any hat or fascinator and the fabric all change what will look right. Bring a photo of the outfit to your trial. A classic chignon, soft curls or a sleek modern bob can all look right, as long as the style suits the hair you have now. Choose something you can forget about once it’s done, so you can spend the day with your daughter, not checking a mirror.
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