Curly brides usually come to a trial worried that their texture will be smoothed away or fight the pins all day. It doesn’t have to be either. Loose waves, springy ringlets and tight coils each hold a style differently, and once you know how your own pattern behaves, the choice between up and down gets much easier. Below are thirty curly bridal styles, from low buns to braided crowns, with notes on what each one asks of your hair and where it tends to struggle.
How Your Curls Should Arrive on the Wedding Morning
Most curly styles are decided the day before, by how you wash and dry your hair. I want curls clean, fully defined and completely dry when you sit down. Damp curls inside an updo stay damp for hours and lose their shape, and a sudden wash on the morning can leave you with the wrong curl definition.
- Wash the night before or early on the morning, using the routine you already trust. A wedding is not the time for a new deep conditioner.
- Apply your cream and gel on soaking-wet hair, then leave it alone to dry or diffuse on low heat.
- Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase, or in a loose pineapple, to keep the pattern intact.
- Skip heavy oils on the morning; they make pins slide.
If you colour your hair or plan a trim, do it at least two weeks before so the curls have settled. And bring your own products to the trial. I’d rather use what your hair already likes than guess.
Different curl types, different holds
Loose waves behave closest to straight hair and need more texture spray to grip pins. Springy ringlets hold pins well but expand in humidity. Tight coils hold almost any shape and need more moisture so the surface doesn’t look dull in flash photos. I plan the style around that, not the other way around.
1. Low Curly Bun for Brides
This is the style I reach for most with curly brides, because a low bun hides its own pins inside the curl. I build it on a firm base ponytail or a few crossed bobby pins first, then wrap and pin the curls around it in small clusters rather than one big twist, which keeps the pattern visible. It sits comfortably under a veil and clears almost every neckline, including a high collar. On a humid day it keeps hair off a damp neck, and that matters more than people expect by the evening.
2. Half-Up Half-Down Curly Style
Half-up is the compromise for anyone torn between an updo and wearing it all down. The top section takes the tension, so I secure it with a small elastic hidden under a twist instead of relying on one clip, which slides out of slippery coils. Be honest about humidity: the loose lengths will expand through the day, so define them with a cream or gel and let them dry fully before you leave the chair. A veil comb anchors well into the gathered top section.
3. Curly Updo With Face-Framing Tendrils
The tendrils are the part that goes wrong. If I curl them with an iron they drop within an hour on most curly hair, so I’d rather pull out pieces of the natural curl, add a pea-sized amount of styling cream and finger-coil them. Pull them before the updo is finished, not after, or you’ll disturb the pins. A little root lift at the crown balances the face once the bulk of the hair is up.
4. Bohemian Curly Updo With Flowers
Boho updos are forgiving on curly hair because a bit of frizz just reads as texture. I pin it loosely in sections, then pull gently at the edges to widen the shape. Wired florals or dried stems are safer than fresh blooms tucked straight in, since fresh ones wilt against a warm scalp by the reception. Keep it for outdoor or garden settings; in a formal ballroom it can look unfinished.
5. Sleek Curly Ponytail
Getting curly roots truly sleek takes a strong gel, a boar-bristle brush and a few minutes under a silk scarf to set. The ponytail itself stays fully curly, so the contrast does the work. I wrap a section around the elastic and pin it underneath. One warning: tight slicking pulls on the hairline for hours, so if your edges are fragile or you have tension headaches, I’d choose a softer ponytail instead.
6. Curly Bridal Bun With Veil
With a veil involved, I place the bun first and then decide the veil height at the trial. A comb slides into dense curls at the top of the bun, or just underneath it for a more traditional fall. I always test the weight; a cathedral-length veil pulls hard, so I anchor the comb with two crossed pins on each side. When the veil comes off at the reception, the bun still stands on its own as a finished style.
7. Curly Side-Swept Style
Sweeping everything to one shoulder looks simple but needs a hidden anchor: I pin a row of crossed bobby pins down the back of the opposite side, then let the curls fall over it. That row is what stops the style sliding back to centre by the speeches. It suits one-shoulder gowns and big earrings, and it works with loose curls and defined ringlets alike. Coarse, dense hair holds it best.
8. Curly Crown Braid
Crown braids are where curly hair shines, because the texture grips and a braid can be pancaked wide without falling apart. The result is a halo that reads as a goddess-like bridal look. I braid on stretched or banded hair so the plait sits flat around the head. You’ll need enough length to reach from the nape to the opposite temple; shorter curls can get a partial crown pinned at the back.
9. Curly Updo With Hair Accessories
Accessories do two jobs on curly hair: decoration and structure. A comb or a set of pins can hold a section that wants to spring loose. Start with a plain bun or twist, then add pieces one at a time and step back. I keep metals matched to the jewellery and limit it to one strong piece or a scattering of small ones, never both. Check the weight too, since heavy combs drag in fine curls.
10. Curls With Inverted French Braid
An inverted French braid starts at the nape and climbs to a bun near the crown, so it’s really a back-of-head style for the ceremony aisle shot. It’s fiddly to do on yourself. I braid with the head tipped forward and lightly dampened curls so sections stay separate. Fine curly hair can look thin through the braid, so I’d only suggest it if you want something distinctive and intricate and have the density to carry it.
11. Voluminous Curly Half-Updo
Height at the crown helps round and heart-shaped faces look longer. I tease only the underside of the top section, close to the root, then smooth the surface and pin it back. Thick curls don’t need much backcombing at all; their bulk gives the lift. Finish with a light shine spray rather than oil, which can weigh the curl pattern down by the evening.
12. Curly Pinned-Back Style
Pinning back the sides is the simplest way to keep curls off your face while wearing most of them down. I use two pins crossed in an X on each side, hidden under a curl, since a single pin will walk out of springy hair. Decorative pins can go on top. It pairs with a veil or a flower crown and suits relaxed ceremonies as much as formal ones. Expect the loose lengths to grow in volume as the day goes on.
13. Curly Top Knot for Brides
Top knots lengthen the neck and clear the shoulders completely, which is a relief in summer heat. Curly hair makes a fuller knot than straight hair, so I often split it into two smaller twists stacked together for a neater shape. If your curls are very short at the nape, those pieces will escape; a little gel and a couple of hidden pins tidy them. One sparkly pin is enough on top.
14. Loose Curly Waves Down
Wearing curls down is the most honest version of curly bridal hair and, when the pattern is well defined, the result is a quietly beautiful one. The work happens in prep: a wash the day before or the morning of, a cream and a gel layered on soaking-wet hair, and a full dry with a diffuser or air. Don’t touch it while it dries. Tuck one side behind an ear or add a small clip if you want some structure.
15. Curly Chignon Updo
A curly chignon coils the hair into a rounded shape at the nape, and on curly hair it keeps a soft textured finish instead of a hard polish. I like it for formal weddings and tiaras because it gives a stable base for heavier pieces. Leave out one or two curls near the temples. It holds through dancing well, but the pins must go in toward the head and lock against the base, not just through the curl.
16. Curly Half-Up With Braid
Adding a braid to a half-up style gives the loose look a little structure. I braid the top section loosely and then pin it flat across the back of the head, which keeps it from bouncing up. Tight ringlets work just as well as loose curls here. Pearls or small flowers can sit along the braid; I stitch them in with pins rather than gluing anything.
17. Curly Updo With Tiara
A curly updo under a sparkling tiara needs the tiara fitted at the trial, not on the morning. Tiaras sit on the crown and press on the curls in front, so I shape the front section around the band and secure each end behind the ear with pins threaded through the tiara’s loops. It suits grand venues and formal gowns. A tiara is heavy for hours, so practise wearing it before the day.
18. Curly Side Bun
Placing a bun off to one side shifts the focus to your earrings and suits one-shoulder dresses. I build the base slightly behind the ear so it’s visible from the front without crowding the jaw. A veil can go on the opposite side to balance it. Check the side bun against your photographer’s usual angles; the bun disappears in shots from your other side, so think about where you’ll stand at the altar.
19. Curly Ponytail With Volume
A higher ponytail full of curls feels energetic and easy to dance in. I place the elastic at the crown or mid-head, wrap a section around it and pin underneath. Curly ponytails get heavier through the day and can sag, so I set the base with two elastics, one firm and one decorative. Small flowers or a pin can finish it.
20. Curly Updo With Greenery
Eucalyptus and ferns survive longer in hair than most flowers, which is why greenery is a good choice for outdoor weddings. I ask the florist for sprigs wired and taped short, then tuck them into a soft bun. Greenery needs a simple dress beside it; with heavy beading it can look busy. Keep a couple of spare sprigs in the bag for touch-ups.
21. Curly Hair With Headband
A headband is the quickest finish for curls worn down or half-up, and it does keep hair off your face. Look for a band with small teeth or combs on the underside, because a smooth band slides back on springy hair. Jewelled, pearl or floral styles all work; pick the one that matches your dress metal. It suits every curl type and needs almost no setting time.
22. Curly Low Ponytail
A loose low ponytail is easy and comfortable for a long day. I gather the curls gently at the nape, wrap a strand to hide the elastic and leave a few curls around the face. Don’t brush the curls before gathering; I smooth only the surface at the crown with a little cream. It sits nicely with sleek gowns and earrings, and it can transition from ceremony to reception without touch-ups.
23. Curly Updo With Pearls
Pearl pins are lighter than combs, so they scatter well through curls without weighing them down. I set the bun first and then place pearls in the dips between curls, which hides the pin shaft and catches the light from more angles. Matching pearl earrings bring it together, and you can see a similar pearl-adorned updo on medium-length curls. Count your pins on the day; they’re easy to lose.
24. Curly Boho Half-Up Style
Boho half-up uses small twists or braids at the top and leaves the rest loose. I keep the twists loose so they read as texture rather than structure. Beads or flowers can go in. It suits beach and outdoor ceremonies, and it’s a good fit if your curls have a lot of frizz, since the relaxed style hides it.
25. Curly Hair With Flower Crown
Flower crowns need to be fitted to your head, not to a mannequin. I ask the florist to wire the crown on a soft band, then I pin it through the curls at four points so it doesn’t slide when you hug people. Choose sturdy blooms like spray roses and waxflower rather than delicate ones that wilt. Match the flowers to your bouquet so it looks intentional.
26. Curly Twisted Updo
Twisted updos hold well in curly hair because each twist grips. I work in sections, twisting toward the centre and pinning each one where it sits naturally. It keeps hair secure all day, and it photographs well from behind, which is where most guests see you during the ceremony. Leave a few curls at the hairline to soften it.
27. Curly Hair With Deep Side Part
A deep side part changes the whole shape of curly hair without any other styling. I set the part while the hair is still wet, because moving it once curls dry leaves a flat line and frizz at the root. It adds height on one side, which suits longer faces less well. Wear it down or swept over the shoulder, and add earrings.
28. Curly Updo With Loose Curls
This one balances a secure updo with loose curls around the face and neck. I decide which curls stay out before I start pinning, and I clip them away so they don’t get tangled into the bun. Each loose curl gets its own small dab of cream so it stays defined. The updo itself should be firm; the loose pieces provide the softness.
29. Curly Hair With Vintage Waves
Vintage waves on curly hair take a different route than on straight hair. I usually set the curls in large pin curls or a wet set the night before, then brush them out into waves. It’s a long process and not every curl type will hold the shape in humidity, so I’d only suggest it for a dry, indoor venue. A jewelled comb on one side finishes the look.
30. Curly Hair With Veil Down
Curls down with a veil is the most classic option. I place the veil comb at the crown, or tucked under a small section at the back, and pin it with crossed pins. Curls behind the veil fabric will frizz slightly from friction, so I’d add a light cream before the veil goes on. Once the veil comes off, your curls stay as they were.
Humidity, Shrinkage and the Last Dance
Curly hair changes through the day more than any other texture. Moisture in the air swells the strand, so curls get bigger and the pattern loosens, and in dry air-conditioning they can shrink up and lose length. I factor this in when I choose between up and down. A low bun or twisted updo barely changes; loose curls can double in volume at an outdoor summer reception.
A strong gel cast, left to dry and then scrunched out, is the best defence against frizz. I also put a light anti-humidity spray over the finished style. Avoid touching your hair through the day, since hands add frizz faster than weather.
A small kit for the bridesmaid
- A travel-size bottle of your curl cream for frizzy pieces.
- Six to eight bobby pins in your hair colour.
- A small spray bottle of water to revive flattened curls.
- A silk scarf if you need to protect the style during the drive.
Let the Curl Pattern Lead the Style
Natural texture is the strongest part of curly bridal hair, so build the style around how your curls actually behave rather than forcing them into a straight-hair look. Weigh the dress, the venue and the weather, especially humidity, before choosing between up and down. Keep accessories to a few pieces. Book a trial so you see the style after several hours, not just when it’s fresh.
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