Grooms tend to spend weeks on the suit and about ten minutes thinking about hair, and it shows in the photos. A haircut sits right above the collar, so it changes how the whole outfit reads: a hard fade makes a soft three-piece look sharper, while longer hair relaxes a stiff tuxedo. When I style a groom, I look at the cut, the collar height and the lapel together. Below are 25 wedding hairstyles for men, each with notes on the hair it needs, the suit it suits and what I’d tell the barber.
Fade, Taper or Longer Cut? Set the Barber Date Backwards From the Ceremony
The cut you choose decides when you need to sit in the chair. A skin fade looks sharpest for two or three days, then softens noticeably. A taper or a longer cut looks best around a week after it’s done, once the edges have settled.
- Four to six weeks out: a trial cut, especially if you’re trying a new style. You’ll know if you like it and have time to grow it back if you don’t.
- Skin fades, hard parts and buzz cuts: two to four days before.
- Tapers, crops and side parts: five to seven days before.
- Long hair, buns and ponytails: a trim of the ends about two weeks out, nothing more.
Book the final appointment early. Barbers fill up on Fridays and Saturdays, and the week before a wedding is a bad time to discover your usual barber is away. I’d also bring the groomsmen in on the timing if you want them to look consistent in photos.
Groomsmen Don’t Need Matching Cuts
Matching haircuts across a wedding party rarely suits everyone’s hair. What makes a lineup look coordinated is freshness: everyone cut within the same few days, necklines cleaned up and the same finish of product. A curly groomsman and a straight-haired one can stand side by side and look like a set if both cuts are equally sharp.
1. Classic Slicked Back Wedding Hair
Slicked-back hair is the groom look most people picture first, and with a tuxedo it still makes sense. It needs some length on top, roughly three to five inches, or the hair won’t lie back flat and starts sticking up at the crown. A water-based pomade gives the shine without the grease that oil-based ones leave on a white collar. I’d steer a groom with a cowlick at the front away from it, because that spot will fight the comb all day. Faded sides modernize it; full sides read more 1950s.
2. Textured Crop Haircut for Grooms
The textured crop is my go-to suggestion for a groom who hates fuss. Short choppy layers on top, a cropped fringe and tight sides mean there’s barely anything to go wrong between the ceremony and the last song. It suits thick or wavy hair, which has the body to show the texture; very fine hair can look flat and thin under it. A pea-sized amount of matte clay worked in with fingers is all it needs. Warm weather and hugs don’t move it.
3. Pompadour Hairstyle for Weddings
A pompadour is a commitment. It needs length on top, a blow dryer and a round brush to build the height, and a firm pomade to lock it. Done well, it adds structure and some height, which can lengthen a round face. For a vintage-themed wedding with a three-piece suit, it fits naturally. Modern versions pair the pomp with a skin fade. My honest warning: if you’ve never worn it before, don’t debut it on the wedding morning. Practice styling it a few times first, or book a barber to do it on the day.
4. Low Skin Fade With Textured Top
This is the cut I see grooms ask for most. The low skin fade starts just above the ear and blends down to skin at the neck, which keeps the outline crisp above a shirt collar. A longer textured top keeps it from looking military. It works on straight, wavy and curly hair alike. The catch is regrowth: skin fades look sharpest for only a few days, so the timing of the appointment matters more here than with any other cut on this list.
5. Modern Quiff Hairstyle for Grooms
A quiff is lighter than a pompadour, brushed up and back with a slight sweep to one side, so it reads polished without looking stiff. Medium length on top, around two to four inches, gives enough to lift. I like it for a groom with a square or round face since the height draws the eye upward. Short faded sides keep the shape clean. Blow drying the front upwards before any product goes in is what gives it lift; product alone won’t hold it.
6. Side Part Hairstyle for Weddings
The side part has stayed in fashion because it suits nearly everyone and pairs naturally with a classic suit. A clean part gives structure and can soften a very square jaw. I’d ask the barber to find your natural part rather than forcing one on the opposite side, which will spring back by evening. Sleek with pomade suits black tie; slightly tousled works for a garden ceremony. A hard part shaved in by the barber sharpens it, but it grows fuzzy within a week, so time that cut close to the day.
7. French Crop Haircut for Grooms
The French crop is short, blunt at the fringe and tapered or faded at the sides, and it needs almost nothing on the day. It flatters straight hair and is a smart choice for a groom with a thinning or receding hairline, since the forward fringe covers the temples without looking like it’s hiding anything. Matte product pushed forward defines the fringe edge. For a minimalist groom in a slim suit, it looks considered rather than plain.
8. Man Bun for Long-Haired Grooms
Longer hair can look as polished as any short cut, and the man bun is the easiest way to get there. I’d place it low at the nape for a tuxedo and higher at the crown for a relaxed outdoor wedding. A clean bun needs the hair brushed back smoothly first with a little cream, then secured with a fabric elastic that won’t snap. Wash the hair the day before, not the morning of, so it has some grip. A trimmed beard balances it. It’s also the coolest option in summer heat.
9. Comb Over Fade for Grooms
A comb over fade is a dependable formal cut: the top swept to one side, the sides tapering into a fade. That contrast keeps it tidy without looking severe. It suits straight or slightly wavy hair; very curly hair won’t hold the sweep without a lot of product. A quality pomade with medium shine works under flash without looking wet. Add a hard part if you want a crisp dividing line, though that line needs refreshing more often than the cut does.
10. Textured Undercut for Grooms
A textured undercut gives the groom contrast: short, disconnected sides against a longer, messy top. It’s an edgier look and works best on thick hair, which shows the texture. I’d keep it for a city wedding or a groom with a slim, modern suit; with a traditional morning coat it can feel out of place. Matte clay keeps the finish natural. If you’ll be wearing a hat for part of the day, this cut flattens more noticeably than a crop.
11. Middle Part Hairstyle for Grooms
The middle part is back, especially on grooms with straighter, medium-length hair. It splits evenly and frames the face, so it suits oval and longer faces; on a very round face it can widen things. A lightweight cream keeps the two sides in place without making them stiff. The hair has to be roughly the same length on both sides, so I’d book a trim a week or so out to even it up. It reads relaxed, so I’d pair it with an unstructured jacket or a lighter suit rather than a formal tux.
12. Curly Hair Groom Style
Curly grooms often get told to cut it all off for the wedding, and I’d push back on that. A well-shaped curly cut, with tapered sides and length left on top, looks deliberate and polished. Curl cream applied to damp hair defines the coils and cuts frizz; touching the curls once they’re dry is what makes them puff. A neat beard ties the look together. Curls also hold their shape better through a humid day than a sleek style, which can wilt.
13. Slick Back Undercut for Weddings
The slick back undercut pairs short, disconnected sides with a longer top combed straight back. The contrast is dramatic, so I’d recommend it for a groom who’s comfortable being looked at. It works with straight to wavy hair and suits angular faces. A strong-hold pomade keeps it in place through the day. The undercut does reveal the scalp at the sides, so a fresh cut a few days before matters; any growth shows.
14. Crew Cut for Grooms
A crew cut is short, neat and almost impossible to mess up. The top is a little longer than the tapered sides, giving some shape without needing product. It suits most face shapes and every hair type. In heat or at a beach wedding, it’s the most comfortable cut on this list. If you want it to look intentional rather than just short, I’d ask the barber for a slight texture on top and a clean, squared neckline.
15. Curtain Bangs Hairstyle for Men
Curtain bangs are longer front pieces parted in the middle so they fall either side of the face. They need medium-length hair and soften strong features, which is why they suit oval and square faces. A light texturizing product keeps them moving instead of clumping. I’d see this on a relaxed or bohemian wedding rather than a black-tie one. One honest warning: if the front pieces are too long, they’ll fall into your eyes during the vows, so get them trimmed to cheekbone length.
16. Side Swept Hairstyle for Grooms
A side-swept style is a softer alternative to slicked back: brushed gently to one side with some movement left in. It suits most face shapes and straight or wavy hair, and it’s comfortable with formal or casual dress. A lightweight pomade gives a natural, touchable finish. I like it for a groom who wants to look groomed without looking styled. It needs almost no attention through the day.
17. Buzz Cut for Grooms
A buzz cut is the cleanest option there is, and it puts all the attention on the face and the outfit. It suits a strong jawline and a well-shaped head; I’d check the back of the head before recommending it, since any bumps show. A trimmed beard adds balance. Get it done two or three days before, so any razor redness has calmed down. For a groom in a warm climate, it’s practical as well as sharp.
18. Wavy Hair Groom Style
Natural waves only need a good cut and the right product. Tapered sides keep things neat while the wavy top gives the movement. A sea salt spray or light cream, scrunched in while damp and left alone, defines the waves without weighing them down. Brushing dry waves is the quickest way to lose them. They suit beach and outdoor weddings, and light stubble rounds off the look.
19. Faux Hawk Hairstyle for Grooms
A faux hawk lifts the hair toward the center into a peak with tapered or faded sides. It’s an adventurous look and suits a city or creative wedding, not a cathedral ceremony. A strong-hold product keeps the central peak up. It flatters oval and angular faces. I’d recommend trying it at a dinner or party before the wedding; many grooms find it reads younger than they expected once they see it with a suit.
20. Classic Taper Haircut for Grooms
A classic taper gradually shortens from the top to the sides and the neckline, without the skin contrast of a fade. It suits every face shape and hair type. Because it grows out more softly than a fade, the timing is far more forgiving; a cut a week before still looks fresh in photos. It works under almost any top style, from a crop to a side part. For a groom who just wants to look like a sharper version of himself, this is where I’d start.
21. Long Flowing Hair for Grooms
Grooms with long hair can wear it down, and on a beach or outdoor wedding it suits a relaxed linen suit. Healthy ends matter more than anything else here, so I’d book a trim of split ends about two weeks before. A light leave-in tames frizz and adds a bit of shine. Wind is the one problem; I’d keep a hair tie on your wrist for the reception. A beard adds a rugged edge. In natural light, long hair photographs with a lot of movement.
22. Hard Part Comb Over for Weddings
The hard part comb over adds a razor-defined line between the combed top and the faded sides, which gives it a tailored finish. It suits formal suits and evening ceremonies. Pomade gives a smooth, glossy finish that holds all day. It flatters most face shapes. The shaved line is the detail that sharpens the whole look, but it grows fuzzy within days, so have it lined up as close to the wedding as you can.
23. Messy Textured Hairstyle for Grooms
Not every groom wants to look slick. The messy textured style has tousled, piece-y layers on top and faded or tapered sides to keep it tidy. Matte clay builds texture without shine. It suits thick hair, which holds the pieces apart. It fits a casual outdoor or bohemian wedding. The trick is making it look messy on purpose: I’d rough-dry it with fingers, then define a few pieces with clay rather than leaving it to chance.
24. Sleek Low Ponytail for Grooms
A sleek low ponytail gathers longer hair smoothly at the nape for a clean, formal finish. It pairs naturally with a tuxedo and keeps hair off the face all day. A smoothing cream tames flyaways, and a fabric elastic avoids snagging. I’d tie it slightly below the occipital bone, so it doesn’t sit on the collar and push the hair up. It flatters most face shapes and is practical as well as polished.
25. Pompadour Fade for Grooms
The pompadour fade combines high volume on top with sides faded down to the skin. The contrast is bold and suits a formal wedding and a groom who’s comfortable being looked at. It adds height, which helps a round or oval face. A strong-hold pomade builds and maintains the pomp. As with the classic pompadour, practice the blow-dry beforehand. The fade needs to be fresh, so book the barber within a few days of the wedding.
Shine, Sweat and Flash Photography
The product you use matters as much as the cut. High-shine pomade can look wet under a photographer’s flash, especially at an evening reception. I usually go for a medium or low shine product unless the style is specifically slicked back.
Sweat is the other issue. A groom in a wool suit is warm for most of the day, and sweat at the hairline loosens product and makes the front fall flat. Go easy on product near the forehead and use slightly more at the crown, where it’s needed.
What Goes in the Inside Pocket
- A small fine-tooth comb.
- A travel-size tin of the same product you used in the morning.
- Blotting papers for the forehead, which shines before the hair does.
- A hair tie, if your hair is long enough to need one.
Give the kit to your best man if your jacket pockets are tight; a bulging inside pocket spoils the line of the suit.
A Good Groom Cut Is Mostly Good Timing
The right haircut ties the whole groom look together, and the timing matters as much as the style. Think about your suit, the venue and how much effort you want to spend on the morning before you settle on anything. Book your haircut three to five days before the ceremony so it looks fresh but natural, and bring photos to your barber. Try the product you’ll use on the day at least once beforehand. Then forget about it and enjoy the wedding.
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