When it comes to the hairstyle for your big day, it can be difficult to decide on the look that's the perfect fit for you and your nuptials. Long, loose waves bring a romantic touch to any celebration, while a short, sleek bob is modern and sophisticated. Yet, you may find yourself—like so many brides—drawn to an updo. Such a style is not only a timeless option but a practical one. By opting to pull your hair away from your face, you're able to highlight key accessories, as well as the high neckline or low back of your dress. Additionally, if you're looking forward to hitting the dance floor with your partner—and celebrating your new marital status with all of your loved ones, a wedding updo ensures that you won't have to worry about unruly flyaways or sweat-ridden ends.
However, while you may assume that the only wedding updo to consider is the classic low bun, there are so many different styles available to you. From creative twists and sparkling clips to bold braids and delicate headbands, modern brides are integrating personal touches into this all-important look, ensuring that their bridal beauty makes them feel like themselves.
Stuck on what to turn to for inspiration? Below, we've rounded up 25 of our favorite wedding updos from real brides. Whether you're searching for a bun featuring a crisp part or a twist that has face-framing pieces, these styles will you determine your own look for your big day.
01 of 25
A Woven Topknot
Photo by Terri Baskin Photography
When it came time to determine a hairstyle for her big day, this bride wanted a high, woven topknot with long, face-framing pieces. “Collaborating with my phenomenal hairstylist, Dommie Cole, we crafted a unique look that perfectly complemented the dress without drawing attention away from it,” she said.
02 of 25
A Low, Loose Bun
Photo by Zai Laffitte
For her summer nuptials in Pennsylvania, this bride requested a low, unfussy bun that accented the plunging back of her strapless gown. Her hairstylist, Polisa Osipenk, left the style loose, a practical choice that allowed the bride to avoid any mid-reception touch-ups.
03 of 25
A Low Twist With a Side Part
Photo by KD Photo Production
This bride and her partner planned an intimate elopement at the Beverly Hills Courthouse, where she donned a custom gown from Tuboberini. When it came to her hair, a low twist with a sleek side part showed off the flawless silk of her bolero jacket.
04 of 25
A Neck-Skimming Bun With Braided Layers
Photo by Stella K Photography
Side twists anchored this bride’s neck-skimming bun, a “clean, modern, and simple” look with textural interest from braided layers. Such a style paired perfectly with the dress she selected for her Montana nuptials: a Rime Arodaky gown that featured a high-waisted skirt, a lace peplum overlay, and floral embroidery.
05 of 25
A Low Chignon With an Heirloom Headpiece
Photo by Carolina Lima
Blouson sleeves and a scoop back on this lace gown were a perfect match for this bride's low chignon, styled by Daniel Arias, which she accented with a 150-year old heirloom headpiece from her mother-in-law for her destination nuptials in Peru. “It meant so much to me that she offered for me to wear it,” she said.
06 of 25
An Elevated Slicked-Back Bun
Photo by Katie Gracen
This bride turned to her sister, Jahna Christa Hair and Makeup, to create an elevated, wedding-ready version of her go-to style. “I always feel my most beautiful with a slicked-back look, so it was an easy choice with the fullness of my dress, to do a classic slicked-back bun,” she said.
07 of 25
A Low Bun With a Jeweled Floral Hairpiece
Photo by Vicki Grafton
For her early summer celebration in Washington D.C., this bride added a jeweled floral hairpiece, which matched the embossed pattern on her gown, to her elegant, low bun. She tapped Megan Monahan to execute the classic and timeless look, ensuring that her beauty mirrored the airy, garden-inspired feel of her nuptials.
08 of 25
A Braided Updo With Baby's Breath
Photo by Cedar & Pines Photography
For her Joshua Tree wedding celebration, this bride drew on inspiration from Keira Knightly’s braided Pride and Prejudice updo. Her hairstylist and friend, Stefano Frederick, integrated petite stems of baby’s breath into her look to provide an organic finishing touch.
09 of 25
A Soft Updo
Photo by Terri Baskin
This bride requested a “sexy but chic and glamorous” look for her wedding in Ravello, Italy. A soft updo paired with an embellished Berta gown, simple stud earrings, and a French manicure brought her vision to life.
10 of 25
Thick Braids Embellished With Pearls
Photo by Tracy Burch
Instead of the typical low bun, this bride opted to integrate thick braids and pearl embellishments into her wedding look. The romantic updo, which was done by Sara Lopez, allowed the plunging back of her silk charmeuse gown to shine—and highlighted her pearl lariat necklace.
11 of 25
A Nordic-Inspired Crown Braid
Photo by Madeline Barr
For her nuptials, this bride said she had “always wanted to do a crown braid.” However, when it was time to tap someone to execute her vision for her wedding updo, she had a secret weapon: Her father-in-law, an experienced wedding stylist at Amore 24 Salon, who helped her create the Nordic-inspired look.
12 of 25
A Loose Bun With Natural Curls
Photo by Ledia Tashi
A low, loose bun from Brides by Kelly Anne + Co allowed this bride to keep her hair out of her face for her wedding day—while still highlighting the neckline of her strapless gown and her natural curls. “I liked the beauty of a swept back bun that still showed my hair texture,” she said.
13 of 25
A Low-Maintenance Bun
Photo by Caroline Lima Photography
At her nuptials in Austin, Texas, this bride wanted to ensure that her fashion was the star of the show. As a result, she asked Miranda Canatella of LoLa Beauty to keep her hair simple, putting it into a low bun with a section of hair wrapped around the tie. “I felt that a sleek, pulled-back hairstyle would not only be more comfortable and less of a hassle, but would also make sure I didn’t get lost in the look,” she said.
14 of 25
A Side Updo With Pearls
Photo by Pinnel Photography
Take a twist off-center for an asymmetrical style that still feels timeless. For this bride’s nuptials in Northern California, she did just that, tapping Artists by Sherrie Long to help execute the look. “I wanted it up so that I wouldn’t be futzing with it all day. So, we decided on a low side updo,” she said.
15 of 25
A Princess-Inspired Chignon
Andre Brown Photography
To elevated the classic chignon, this bride added a glittering headband, transforming her hair into a princess-inspired look. The regal style showed off her natural texture and delicate highlights.
16 of 25
A Low Twist With Jeweled Hairpins
Photo by Etcetera Photography
Planning a garden wedding? Turn to this bride for inspiration. She opted to pair a low twist with dainty braids, jeweled hairpins, and loose, face-framing pieces for the perfect sophisticated—but laid-back—updo. By putting her hair up, she made sure to highlight the cut of her strapless gown.
17 of 25
A Simple Bun With a Floral Headpiece
Photo by Lauren Baker
For this bride's nuptials, she ensured that her thick, luxurious curls were a focal point of her look, putting them back into a simple bun. Adding a floral headpiece that mimicked a garden arrangement gave a subtle nod to the whimsical feel of her outdoor celebration.
18 of 25
A Low Updo With Double Loops
Photo by Bo Shim
Transforming a simple bun into something showstopping, this bride turned to colorful floral clips and a dragonfly pin to achieve her desired look. Yet, that wasn't the only way she put a personalized touch on a classic style: The double loops of her low updo added volume, uniqueness, and a romantic touch to her hair.
19 of 25
A Chignon With a Pearl-Trimmed Headband
Courtesy of Alicia Mink Photography
This bride finished off a sleek, pulled-back look with a pearl-trimmed headband that complemented her pearl-and-ruby earrings. Opting to pair her regal ball gown with a long veil, her low, chic chignon served as the perfect place to secure the accessory.
20 of 25
A Braided and Twisted Afro Puff With a Clip
Photo by Phillip Van Nostrand
For her fall wedding in New York City, this bride wanted to ensure that her look made her feel like herself, turning to Hair by Sadiku to execute her vision. “It was really important to embrace my natural hair texture,” this bride said. “I wanted to create a more special version of one of my favorite date-night hairstyles: a sleek, braided and twisted afro puff adorned with a pearl floral clip.”
21 of 25
A Low Updo With a Crystal-Covered Circlet
Instead of a few pins on one side of her updo, this bride chose to include a full circlet of vines covered in crystals. The accessory, which completely surrounded her twisted bun, lent volume and texture to her wedding-day style.
22 of 25
A Smooth Chignon With Volume
Photo by Sara Lobla
For a look that’s both formal and relaxed, add volume to the crown of your head, wrap your hair into a smooth chignon, and finish with face-framing waves. This bride did just that at her waterside nuptials, pairing the look with drop earrings and a diamond necklace.
23 of 25
A Low Bun With a Flower Crown
Photo by Kristin Sweeting
To add a romantic and whimsical touch to her wedding-day hair, this bride integrated a flower crown into her look. Securing the piece along the side of her head highlighted the twists of her hair—without detracting from the rest of her ensemble.
24 of 25
A Gathered Updo With a Floral Hairpiece
Photo by Clary Pfeiffer
When it came to decide on a look for her Chicago nuptials, this bride gravitated toward a style that would allow her to move freely. "I knew that I wanted to highlight my natural hair texture and embrace the curls," she said. "However, I also wanted some guarantees that I wouldn't spend the whole day moving hair out of my face or fighting the wind from blowing them around." The end result? An updo, crafted by Dionna Nicole of Salon Sevhn, that also allowed her floral hairpiece to shine.
25 of 25
A Braided Twist With a Woven Tiara
Photo by Scott Clark Photo
For her untraditional New York celebration, this bride asked Mary Lee from Mutha Pearl to create a showstopping hairstyle: a low, braided twist that kept her hair secured during her outdoor ceremony. Yet, in addition to the updo, she added a woven tiara to her look, which perfectly complemented her oversized earrings.
