Curls are the most requested finish in my chair, from brides and from the guests sitting in the next seat. Some of those heads are naturally curly; most are straight hair that I curl with tongs and then have to persuade to stay curled for ten hours. The thirty styles below cover both, with brides and guests in mind. Alongside each one I’ve noted how it’s built, which hair it suits and where it usually lets people down, so you can bring a realistic shortlist to your stylist rather than a folder of photos.
Why Some Curls Drop by the First Dance
Straight hair resists holding a curl, and the reasons are mostly mechanical. A curl sets as the hair cools, not while it’s hot. If I take the tongs out and let the curl fall straight away, gravity pulls it loose before it has set. So I pin each curl into a coil against the head while it cools, sometimes for twenty minutes, and only then release and brush through.
Clean, conditioned hair is often too slippery to hold. Hair washed the night before, with a little texturizing spray or mousse at the root, grips much better. Barrel size matters too: a large barrel gives a soft wave that will relax into a bend, while a smaller barrel gives a curl that will relax into the wave you actually wanted.
- Fine hair: mousse before drying and a light hold spray on each section before curling.
- Thick or heavy hair: smaller sections, more cooling time and more pins.
- Layered hair: curl the shorter layers separately so they don’t stick out of updos.
1. Curly Half Up Half Down Wedding Hairstyle
Half up, half down earns its popularity: the curls stay visible and the front stays off your face. I pin the top section at the crown on a small hidden anchor, two crossed bobby pins under a curl, so it doesn’t slide as the curls relax. A veil comb or floral pick goes straight into that anchor. For a guest, the same style with a single pearl clip is polite and pretty without competing with the bride.
2. Curly Low Bun Bridal Updo
The low bun is my safest recommendation for long days. The curls are coiled into a soft, textured bun at the nape, with a few tendrils left at the front. Because the weight sits low, it doesn’t pull at the scalp the way a high bun can by evening. It sits under a veil and beside statement earrings, and small flowers or pearls tuck straight into the coils.
3. Curly High Bun With Tendrils
A high bun with tendrils makes the neck look longer and puts earrings on full display. I build height at the crown with a small padding of backcombed hair underneath, then pin curls around it so the volume holds rather than sagging. On fine hair this style can look thin, so I’d suggest the low bun instead. The tendrils soften it for ballroom and formal weddings.
4. Curly Side Swept Wedding Hairstyle
Sweeping all the curls over one shoulder is a vintage move that depends on hidden structure. I pin the opposite side back with a row of crossed bobby pins behind the ear, then cover them with decorative clips. Curls cascading down the front pair well with off-the-shoulder gowns. It suits long and medium hair; on short hair there isn’t enough length to sweep, and the result looks lopsided.
5. Curly Updo With Loose Face Framing Pieces
An updo with face-framing pieces keeps the polish of an updo without looking stiff. I pin the curls into the back, then pull out a couple of pieces near the temples, curling them separately with a smaller barrel so they hold their shape. Small flowers or pearl pins to elevate the design can go where the curls meet. Those front pieces are the first part to drop, so I set them with spray from a distance and keep them off the face with a small clip until the photos start.
6. Bohemian Curly Hairstyle With Flowers
For garden and beach weddings, I leave curls loose and tuck in small blooms or baby’s breath through the lengths. A loose braid or a twist at one side gives the flowers somewhere secure to sit. In heat, fresh flowers can wilt within hours, so I ask the florist for sturdy, wired stems or suggest silk for a long outdoor day. It’s a relaxed look that suits flowing gowns and rustic venues.
7. Curly Ponytail Wedding Hairstyle
A curly ponytail feels modern and moves well on the dance floor. I gather the curls high or at mid height and wrap a curl around the elastic, pinning it underneath. Smooth the front if you want it polished, or leave some soft pieces. Before you commit to a high pony, wear one for an afternoon; some brides find the weight gives them a headache by the reception.
8. Sleek Slicked Back Curly Ponytail
The slicked-back curly ponytail is about contrast. I smooth the front and sides firmly with a brush and a strong gel, set a middle or side part, then let the ponytail burst into full curls. The sleek base shows every lump, so the brushing has to be patient and the gel applied while the hair is damp. It suits minimalist gowns and clean, modern weddings, and a sparkly clip at the part adds a little glamour.
9. Curly Half Up Top Knot Bridal Style
A half-up top knot is a lighter, younger take on the half-up idea. I pull the top section into a small knot at the crown and let the rest of the curls fall free. It keeps hair out of the face and adds a bit of height. I’d suggest it for relaxed or modern weddings, and it’s a good choice for guests too, because it’s quick to do at home and holds well. A small pin or flower can decorate the knot.
10. Vintage Hollywood Curls For Wedding
Vintage Hollywood curls take the most skill of anything on this list. I set the curls in the same direction, let them cool completely in pin curls, then brush them out into S-shaped waves and press the ridges with clips while the spray sets. Brushing too soon makes them fall; brushing too late leaves them stiff. Swept to one side with a sparkling comb, they suit structured gowns, bold lipstick and black-tie weddings.
11. Curly Crown Braid Wedding Hairstyle
A crown braid around curly hair stays secure all day, which is why I suggest it for outdoor weddings. I braid sections and pin them around the crown, leaving loose curls peeking through. The braid can be woven with small flowers. If the hair has layers, short pieces will poke out of the braid; that’s part of the charm on a boho look, but I’d tell you in advance.
12. Curly Hair With Veil Wedding Look
A veil works with curls either under an updo or on top of flowing hair. Cathedral veils are heavy, and I anchor them under an updo on a firm pinned base. Birdcage veils sit at the front and need a small comb that grips curls well. Once the ceremony ends, lift the comb out upward and the curls stay intact.
13. Loose Curly Waves Down Wedding Hairstyle
Letting curls fall loose is the simplest choice, and the one that depends most on how well they were set. I curl in large sections, let each curl cool before touching it, then break them up with my fingers rather than a brush. A deep side part adds glamour; a center part looks more modern. A small pin or flower adds a little shine. Loose curls do drop the fastest, so set them firmly in the morning even if they look tight; they’ll relax by the ceremony.
14. Curly Chignon Bridal Updo
A curly chignon is a low, looped knot at the nape, with a few tendrils left out. I roll the curls into the knot so the texture sits on the surface and pin it at the base, where hair is firmest. It’s classic and polished, the one I suggest for formal venues. Pearl pins or a jeweled comb add detail, and statement earrings sit well beside it.
15. Curly Hair With Hair Accessories
Accessories turn a simple curly style into something more personal. A tiara, a jeweled comb, pearl pins or a delicate band all work, curls down, half up or pinned up. My rule is one main piece plus small supporting ones, because curls are already busy and too many accessories look cluttered. Pearls suit classic gowns; crystals give a crisper sparkle under evening lights.
16. Curly Side Bun Wedding Hairstyle
A side bun sits near one ear and flatters most face shapes. I sweep the curls to one side and gather them into a soft bun, leaving a few loose pieces at the front. The off-center position suits side-swept veils. It does mean one side of you photographs differently from the other, so tell your photographer which side is the hair side.
17. Curly Pinned Back Wedding Hairstyle
Pinning back the curls is the gentlest option between down and up. I twist the front sections back and secure them with crossed bobby pins, then let the rest fall. It keeps hair off the face and works with veils and most gowns. It’s also a style guests can do themselves in ten minutes, which I always mention when a bridal party asks for something low-key.
18. Mermaid Curls Wedding Hairstyle
Mermaid curls are long, loose waves that mix defined curls with softer pieces. I curl in alternating directions so the curls don’t clump into one shape, then rake through them. They suit beach and boho weddings and photograph well in natural light. A thin braid or small flowers can add detail. On very fine hair they flatten fast, and I’d add a light texturizing spray at the root.
19. Curly Updo With Braided Detail
An updo with a braided detail mixes texture and structure. I braid a section of curls and wrap it into a soft updo, leaving a few loose tendrils. The braid is also a useful anchor: pins slide into it easily and hold. It’s a good fit for outdoor and garden weddings, and tiny flowers or pearls can be added along the braid.
20. Curly Hair With Headband Wedding Look
A pretty headband is the simplest accessory to wear with curls. Pearl, crystal or floral, it keeps the front in place and frames the face, worn with hair down, half up or in an updo. Check how it feels behind the ears after an hour, because a stiff band can start to ache by the speeches. A soft or flexible band is better for a long day.
21. Curly Bob Wedding Hairstyle
Short hair holds curls surprisingly well, because there’s less weight dragging them down. A curly bob styled with a small barrel looks crisp and modern. I add a deep side part or sweep one side back with a sparkly pin. Statement earrings and a small flower or jeweled clip finish it. On a very short bob, use a smaller barrel than you’d expect so the curls don’t look like a puff.
22. Curly Half Up With Twisted Sides
Twisted sides on a half-up style add detail without the effort of a braid. I take a section from each side, twist it back and secure it at the crown, letting the rest of the curls fall. Pearls or small flowers fit neatly where the twists meet. It works from classic to boho, and I’d point fine-haired brides toward it because twists don’t need much hair to look full.
23. Curly Hair With Deep Side Part
A deep side part adds drama to curly hair with almost no work. I part far to one side and let the curls cascade over the opposite shoulder. The part tends to drift back to its natural place during the day, so I secure it with a hidden pin near the crown or a sparkling clip. It suits most gowns and face shapes.
24. Curly Top Knot Wedding Hairstyle
A top knot with curls is clean and modern. I gather all the curls high at the crown and wind them into a knot, leaving a few soft pieces around the face. It shows off necklines and statement earrings and suits minimalist weddings. If your hair is very long or heavy, a top knot can pull and slide, so I’d use a padded base underneath and plenty of U-pins.
25. Curly Hair With Pearl Pins
Pearl pins scattered through curls give a quiet, classic shimmer. I place them in loose clusters rather than a straight line, curls down, half up or pinned up. Pins with a small bend hold better in curly hair. They catch the light in photos without looking overdone, and they’re one of the few accessories that suit both a bride and a guest.
26. Curly Hairstyle With Hair Vine
A hair vine drapes crystals, pearls or leaves through curls. I bend the wire to match the shape of the head before placing it, then pin it under curls at several points, so it lies flat rather than floating. It suits boho, garden and fairytale weddings and adjusts easily to a down or up style.
27. Curly Updo With Side Swept Bangs
Side-swept bangs soften a curly updo and frame the face. I sweep the fringe to one side and pin it discreetly at the temple, curling the bangs with a small barrel so they don’t fall flat across the eyes. The rest of the curls go into an updo at the back. It suits formal and semi-formal weddings, and pearl pins or a jeweled comb finish it.
28. Curly Hair With Tiara Wedding Look
Pairing curls with a tiara is the most formal look here. I place the tiara over flowing curls or a soft updo and pin through the end loops into a small backcombed base. Curls hide those pins and support the tiara better than sleek hair. Match the metal and stone to your gown and jewelry, and it suits ballroom and formal weddings.
29. Curly Hair With Floral Crown
A floral crown sits well on top of curls because the texture grips the frame. I place the crown and pin it with crossed bobby pins at each temple, curls loose underneath or in a soft updo. Blooms matched to the bouquet tie the look together. Fresh crowns need to go on as late as possible, ideally right before you leave, to keep the flowers fresh.
30. Curly Hair Updo With Cascading Tendrils
This updo pins most of the curls up and lets several long curls fall around the face and neck. I curl those cascading pieces separately with a medium barrel so they hold their own shape. It suits nearly any wedding theme, and pearls or small flowers can be added. The longer tendrils will relax during the day, which most brides like by the evening.
Guests Wearing Curls Without Stealing the Spotlight
When a guest asks me for curls, the questions are different. She usually needs something quick, comfortable and durable, often done at home or on the morning of, without a full trial. Loose curls with pinned-back sides, a half-up top knot or a low bun are all quick to do and survive dancing. I’d avoid tiaras, veils and white flower crowns for guests, which still read as bridal.
For a guest curling her own hair, a medium barrel, a light spray before and after and a couple of pins to hold the front are usually enough. Curl the night before for waves that will hold, or the morning of for firmer curls that relax by evening.
Curls for a bridal party
Bridesmaids don’t need identical styles to look coordinated. I keep the curl size and the accessory the same and let the shape vary, so a short bob and long hair both match. It also shortens the morning, because I’m not trying to force the same updo onto very different hair lengths.
Curls Hold Best When They’re Planned Around Your Day
The right curly style depends on your hair, your dress and how long you need it to last. A low bun, loose waves or a floral crown can all work if the curls are set properly and the accessories are kept in proportion. Bring two or three styles to your trial, ask how they’ll hold up by evening and pick the one that still looks like you when it relaxes a little.
You'll Like These Ideas:
Leave a Reply