34 Wedding Hairstyles for Brides With Long Hair (2024)

Many brides begin growing out their hair immediately after getting engaged. While manes of all lengths are beautiful, we can definitely understand the allure of longer hair for the big day. Lengthy locks are incredibly versatile—and we’ve rounded up all the inspo looks to prove it!

Cascading curls and romantic updos offer tons of choices for the whimsical bride, while more polished looks like intricate styles and sleek simplicity add structure to the final look. Once you achieve the hair of your dreams, select your favorite to don on the big day.Rapunzel’s got nothing on you!

Even the lengthiest of locks, however, will need a good trim before the big day. "It's always best with long hair styling to have a haircut that has long layers and face-framing angles," says celebrity hair and makeup artist Mia Hendrickson. "Keeping hair one length is not ideal for most long-haired bridal styling."

Meet the Expert

Mia Hendrickson is a celebrity hair and makeup artist with over 15 years of experience in the bridal industry. She is the owner of Mia Farah Beautique.

From raving ponytails to old Hollywood–inspired waves, these 34 styles work perfectly for gorgeous, grown-out tresses.

50 Stunning Bridal Hairstyle Ideas for Every Type of Wedding

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Sleek and Straight

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Name a wedding theme, season, or setting, and a pin-straight hairstyle is bound to complement it. This no-fuss look is especially perfect for minimalist brides with sleek sartorial choices to match. We love how this bride's veil maintains the straight cascade of the hair while adding just a hint of ethereal volume.

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Classic Chignon

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There’s nothing wrong with a classic! If you’re searching for a style that’ll never go out of, well, style, this is the ‘do for you. To make it unique and personal, accessorize with just a bit of sparkle or a tiny posy, like this bride did here.

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Old Hollywood Waves

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"The most popular hairstyle for long hair is definitely the Hollywood wave," notes Hendrickson. If you want to conquer this coif yourself, use a 1.5-inch curling iron on small sections of hair, securing each curl to your head as it cools. Once cooled, release the curls and use a wide-toothed comb to gently loosen the spirals.

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Stunning Swirled Updo

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Pay attention, ballroom brides! This is how you do a formal updo. The swirled shape is an architectural—not to mention stunning—update on the conventional style.

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Loose Waves

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Hendrickson considers this more relaxed pattern of the Old Hollywood waves to be the trendier counterpart amongst long-haired brides. The romantic waves have a looser composition that errs on softness over definition. We love how bride Uche amps up the 'do with extra volume at the crown for her elegant Chicago wedding.

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Beautiful Bridal Blowout

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Show off all that length with a beautiful blowout. Simple? Yes. But the look has a laid-back chicness to it that’s hard not to love. Best of all, you already know that this tried-and-true style will work for you and your hair texture.

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No-Fuss Ponytail

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Who knew the style you wore to keep your long hair out of your face at the gym would be fancy enough for your wedding day? Uh, we did! Try using a texturizing powder and teasing the hair at your crown to get the effortless, textured pony this bride is rocking.

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Intertwining Updo

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Despite the intricate, intertwining locks that make up this updo, it doesn’t look stiff or severe. Keep your look similarly soft by using a flexible hold hairspray and a high-shine mist. We especially love how the bride's highlights add an extra dimension to the 'do.

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Classic Half-Up Half-Down

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The half-up, half-down hairstyle is a favorite among brides for a reason: it allows you to show off both your long locks and your beaming face! It's especially versatile in that it looks gorgeous on just about every hair texture and length.

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Full French Braid

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A side-swept French braid is a great choice for free spirits—and those who don’t want to be wiping sweaty strands off their faces on the dance floor! Hendrickson recommends adding hair extensions (even if you have long hair) for coifs like this, as they will create more volume and a longer-lasting hairstyle.

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Top Knot

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You already love this easy, breezy hairstyle, so why not rock it at your wedding? It’s a great option if you’re looking for an updo that doesn’t look too done-up. We adore how this bride kept the crown voluminous rather than slicking it back for a more approachable style that befits her regal New York nuptials.

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Woven and Wrapped Updo

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Formal and elegant, this intricate updo will have all eyes on you as you walk down the aisle. (Honestly, where else would they be?) Plus, it’s a striking way to show off the back of your wedding dress. Just imagine how tragic it would be if this bride’s floral lace back was hiding behind a curtain of hair!

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Undone Boho Braid

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Boho brides, this one’s for you! Beachy waves meet an undone braid in this hippyish half-up, half-down hairstyle. To get a similar effect, be sure to gently pull apart your braid to add volume and get that perfectly imperfect look.

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Haute Headbands

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Headbands aren’t just for the Gossip Girl set, you know. Take an embellished headband and pair it with glossy locks, and you’ve got a look chic enough for the aisle.We find the look to be positively regal and not the least bit twee.

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Plaited Updo

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According to Hendrickson, soft and romantic updos with the option to be let down into a half-up, half-down style is gaining huge popularity. This woven chignon is a stunning poster child for the 'do. The look is ultra-sophisticated as is, but it easily transitioned into a braid-adorned, half-up coif for the California backyard reception.

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Bold Hue

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Long hair in bold hues always gives us serious mermaid vibes! If you’re known for experimentingwith crazy colors on your down-to-there locks, don’t let tradition stop you from rocking a bright shade on your wedding day. Although, we caution against making any drastic color changes right before the big day. Give yourself ample time (at least six months) to experiment with hues.

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Voluminous Bridal Bun

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Put your locks’ thickness and length to good use with a voluminous bridal bun. "Use a volumizing mousse at the root of the hair and keep the hair in a high ponytail the night before," advises Hendrickson. The technique will seal in a lot of that coveted volume at the crown, so you wake up with half of the work done for you.

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Pinned-Back Bangs

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If you have bangs or shorter layers in front, pin them back and under the longer lengths in this easy ‘do. It’s a great way to change up your look after the ceremony and leaves you ready to bust some moves on the dance floor. Don't forget to add a bit of hairspray to keep any stray hairs in place.

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Embellished Undone Braid

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Isn’t this embellished braid enchanting? The intentional messiness of it makes for an ethereal look that has us swooning. The delicate pearlized hair accessories are the perfect finishing touch, adding just a glimmer of glitz to the overall vibe.

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Glamorous Cascading Curls

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Wearing a strapless wedding dress? Complement the neckline by having your hair cascade down your shoulders in big, glamorous curls. Unlike the bouncy curls of more traditional looks, we find this youthful, elongated approach quite refreshing in its effortless aesthetic.

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Loose Chignon

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Untucking a few strands from a chignon is an easy way to instantly soften the look and amp up the romance. Remember, beauty is in the imperfections! So ease up on any overly polished expectations and let things get a bit undone.

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Wrapped Topknot

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We love a look with dimension, and this modern topknot delivers in spades. This bride had her long box braids carefully wrapped into a beautiful bun for a contemporary spin on a formal updo. Styles that pile the hair high on top of the head, like this, are stunning options for elongating the neck on higher necklines.

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Dutch Side Braid

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With flirty waves and a playful Dutch side braid, this look is ready for a destination wedding. It captures all those festive, free-spirited vibes of chasing the sun. Hendrickson suggests using minimal conditioner and mostly applying it towards the ends and keeping away from the scalp to ensure your strands hold the curl and won't fall limp under the weight of the volume.

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Full and Fluffy Pony

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Why not go big with all that length—really big? This bride looks like she took our advice to heart! We loved her voluminous ponytail full of the prettiest curls for her Mexico City wedding.

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Boho-Inspired Hair Accessories

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Take a cue from this bride, who accessorized her glossy curls with a bejeweled barrette: You can instantly elevate a look with a sparkling hair accessory. It can take the style from "just a night out" to bridal vibes in an instant.

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Natural, Free-Flowing Curls

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Let your curls flow freely! Playing with natural texture works for any wedding style but is an especially stunning technique for beach weddings. Textured tresses blowing in the sea breeze are just so effortlessly sexy.

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Posh and Polished

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Modern elegance is the name of the game when it comes to this long hairstyle. Featuring an ever-so-slight wave and smooth, shiny strands, it’s an undeniably polished style. We love how the generally straight locks still flaunt a bit of bounce and shape at the ends.

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Floral-Studded Rope Braid

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The combination of floral hair accessories and long hair is giving us major Rapunzel vibes! If you’re after a similar style, we suggest incorporating the blooms that you plan to have in your bouquet to tie the whole ensemble together.

Give your florist a heads-up so she can bring along the extra flowers on the big day.

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Messy Updo

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Meghan Markle, eat your heart out. With loosely pinned tresses, this spin on the messy updo is particularly sweet in a very devil-may-care way. A gilded hairpiece completes the coif, illuminating the intentionality behind the effortless-looking style.

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Loosely Braided Locks

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This bride wore her locks loosely braided away from her face for a simple half-up, half-down hairstyle. We love how the soft braid mimics the shape of her loose curls. It also creates the perfect securement to attach that glorious veil.

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Rosy, Rolled Updo

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Who needs a bouquet when your hair is blooming with florals like these? Complete with a bundle of white roses, this bride’s rolled updo is absolutely enviable. If pretty posies aren't your vibe, try boho hair chains or old-world hairpins.

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Glossy Ponytail

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Most bridal ponytails are ever so demurely gathered at the nape of the neck, but this glam bride chose to wear hers high and proud. The sky-high ponytail of bountiful, glossy locks provided all the benefits of an updo while still cascading around her gorgeous face. Accented with a glittery floral pin, the look was picture-perfect for the black-tie NYC nuptials.

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Loose Side Bun

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Oh, what a difference sweeping a traditional style to the side can make. This playful bun is flirty as can be, especially with the asymmetric placement of the pearly hair accessory. "Some brides don't select the best hair accessories to complement a long hairstyle," notes Hendrickson. "It's important to select a mediumto larger size hairpiece to pair with the longer hair—more hair means more hairpiece."

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Wrapped Bubble Pony

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This unique spin on a classic ponytail boasts plenty of fairy-tale vibes. If you opt for a more streamlined pony, we still recommend hiding the hair elastic, as this bride did here. It’s an easy way to dress up the ‘do and couldn't be simpler: Just leave out a small section from the bottom of the ponytail before securing it. Fasten the ends into the base with a bobby pin, and you’re good to go.

Use a bit of smoothing serum to keep the strands looking polished and frizz-free.

FAQ

  • Is it better to wear long hair up or down for a wedding?

    How you wear your hair is totally up to you. Updos come with lots of functional versatility, such as being extra secure, keeping hair out of your face, or emphasizing a neckline. Wearing your hair down provides the benefit of really flaunting that length and offers a more romantic and youthful vibe.

  • How long does hair have to be for an updo?

    Hair should be at least shoulder-length to accommodate an updo. The longer the hair, the higher and more voluminous the updo can be.

  • How can I grow my hair before my wedding?

    Hendrickson recommends scheduling regular trims up to the wedding day. While the suggestion may sound counterintuitive, trims are essential to maintaining the health of your hair, and healthy hair grows faster than depleted strands.

30 Ways to Wear Your Hair Down for Your Wedding

34 Wedding Hairstyles for Brides With Long Hair (2024)

FAQs

How do you style long hair for a wedding? ›

Let your hair down or go for a classic updo—or a not so classic updo. There are cascading curls, sleek ponytails, elegant chignons, voluminous half-up half-down 'dos, and everything in between. Find styles that utilize braids, pins, and other accessories or leave your locks unadorned and natural.

Do brides look better with hair up or down? ›

Consider Your Wedding Dress Neckline

"If you are wearing a strapless dress, either hair down or half up, half down will look pretty and feminine while still showing off the neckline," advises Mar. Loose waves and a soft, flowing style is key. If your dress has a higher neckline, our pro says to consider an updo.

How long should your hair be for a wedding updo? ›

Rule number one, please make sure that your hair is at least shoulder length. If it is not, the use of temporary extensions is going to be your best bet. These can be easily pinned into the updo and come in a wide variety of colors that will match your hair perfectly.

What do older brides wear in their hair? ›

Hair pins or hair combs can be an option, embellishing a sleek up do. Side tiaras can work well, particularly in short hair. Birdcage veils definitely work well but steer clear of cutesy bows. Either a beaded or embellished centre of elegant sculpted feathers work well.

Is long hair better for wedding? ›

Many brides begin growing out their hair immediately after getting engaged. While manes of all lengths are beautiful, we can definitely understand the allure of longer hair for the big day. Lengthy locks are incredibly versatile—and we've rounded up all the inspo looks to prove it!

What is more elegant hair up or down? ›

If you're having an evening wedding, an updo can create a more formal and elegant look. If you're having a daytime wedding, a down hairstyle can create a more natural and relaxed look that is perfect for the daytime.

Do brides get hair or makeup done first? ›

“It has been my experience with clients that getting your makeup done before doing your hair is best,” says Voight. She further adds, “This way, the makeup artist has the chance to blend the makeup into the hairline and around the jaw area without worrying about messing up the beautiful work of the hairstylist.

Does the bride get her hair done first or last? ›

In a perfect world, hairstyling happens first because the hot styling tools might cause perspiration, and also because the makeup artist can remove any overspray from the skin before starting. However, your schedule may dictate that hair and makeup happen in tandem – or, in a REAL pinch, simultaneously.

How do I prepare my hair for a wedding updo? ›

Here are three easy ways to prep your hair for your wedding day style:
  1. Instead of washing hair the day of, wash your hair the day before. ...
  2. The day before the wedding, consider getting a blow out. ...
  3. Use a mousse (quarter size, focus on roots to ends, blow dry out) the day before or the morning of (as mentioned above.)
Sep 19, 2018

What should a 40 year old bride wear? ›

You can't go wrong with classic tea length wedding dress for older brides, and this lacy modern design is a prime example. With a gently flared skirt and vintage touches, it may just be the icing on the cake for your bridal look.

What do brides over 50 wear? ›

Every bride, regardless of her age, should wear something that makes her feel confident and comfortable on her special day. Whether it's a traditional white wedding dress, a chic trouser suit or a vintage tea-length dress, the key is to choose an outfit that reflects your unique style and personality.

What does a 60 year old bride wear? ›

Remember, there are no set rules about what you can and can't wear as an older bride either. If you want to wear a slinky, sequin-covered gown or a white tuxedo suit then go for it.

How should your hair be up for a wedding guest? ›

A loose, effortless updo is an option for all hair lengths and textures. Simply part hair to the side, sweep lengths up, and pin in place, leaving a wealth of loose strands to frame your face.

How can I style my hair at home as a wedding guest? ›

Try a half-up, half-down style, but instead of pulling some of the hair back, braid it instead. It will still show off your length while giving you plenty of textured goodness. Look for medium-length wedding hairstyles for guests. Try this gorgeous braided bob, and make sure there is a deep side part for extra drama.

Can you wear your hair up to a wedding? ›

Unless the bride has made specific demands of her guests/bridal party, you are free to wear your hair in any style that makes you feel beautiful. The only thing you need to avoid is any outfit/hairstyle/makeup that could possibly outshine the bride. Keep it tasteful and simple, and you'll be just fine. K.P.

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