The Best Bridal Hairstyle Ideas, Based on the Neckline of Your Wedding Dress

After you've selected the dress, shoes, and accessories for your big day, your attention may turn to your makeup and hair. You may even opt to do a trial for one or both, testing out a look before the celebration arrives. However, you also may be stuck on what to do, especially when it comes to your hair. With so many different styles to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to land on the perfect look for you. As you weigh whether you want to leave your hair up or down, it can be helpful to consider the neckline of your gown. For example, when you have a high-neck wedding dress, you may want to opt for a twisted low bun that matches the sophisticated aesthetic of your ensemble. Yet if you've landed on a portrait neckline, consider a style that keeps your collarbone visible. Ultimately, choosing a hairstyle that complements the top edge of your garment will ensure that neither element is competing with the other, according to bridal beauty expert Shelsea Patton.

When determining the best hairstyle for your big day, Brittany Guzman Dion, artistic director of hairstyling for Aveda North America, recommends asking yourself a series of questions. Where does the gown fall on your body? Does it have a low back that you want to show off? Is your dress more casual or formal? Your answers to these questions can help inform what type of hairstyle you may want, as well as the one that coordinates the best with your ensemble, creating a cohesive look for your celebration.

Looking for some inspiration on how to style your hair in a way that accentuates your dress? Here, we’ve rounded up suggestions from real brides. Ahead, the best bridal hairstyles, based on the neckline of your wedding gown.

Hairstyles for a Strapless Wedding Dress

Strapless necklines, sleeveless designs that expose your bare shoulders, are one of the most versatile silhouettes, Patton says. Since this cut comes in a range of styles, from sweetheart to straight, there isn’t one correct hairstyle; ultimately, it all boils down to your personal style and which features you want to spotlight. “You truly get the most freedom to choose your hairstyle with this neckline, so go with the style you feel the most confident in,” she advises. 

A Playful Ponytail

If you want to show off your décolletage, chest, and shoulders, an updo like a high ponytail is your best bet. This bouncy, effortless hairstyle will bring a fun and playful feel to your wedding look. And if you opt to slick back your strands, such as this bride did at her coastal California wedding, you’ll radiate romance and elegance, too.

A Pulled-Back Low Bun

A sleek low bun with a middle part, such as this bride’s at her rustic nuptials in Virginia, is another option that will make your strapless neckline the focal point of your look. This neat, polished hairstyle is a suitable choice for more formal affairs and gowns. Patton points out that if you’re planning on layering accessories like earrings and a necklace, an updo won’t overshadow your jewels.

Side-Swept Old Hollywood Waves

For those who prefer to wear their hair down, parting your hair to the side and sweeping your locks over one shoulder will still play up your strapless neckline—but more covertly. You can style your hair in any way that you please, but if your wedding dress and overall aesthetic are vintage or glamorous, Old Hollywood waves (like this bride’s hairstyle at her timeless affair in Atlanta) will match the lavish feel.

Hairstyles for an Off-the-Shoulder Wedding Dress

An off-the-shoulder neckline is romantic and effortless, so your hairstyle should follow suit. Since this type of style entails draped sleeves, you’ll probably want to style your hair in a way that will feature your shoulders and collarbone. 

A Romantic Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle

A half-up, half-down hairstyle, such as this bride’s at her French garden nuptials, is one of the most romantic possibilities you can opt for, making it the ideal choice for an equally romantic neckline. Since draped sleeves and a half ponytail both frame your face, in turn, your look will feel balanced and whole.

Barreling Waves

Although you’ll be baring skin with an off-the-shoulder neckline, there isn’t a rule that requires you to keep your hair up. For timeless brides and aesthetics, barreling waves that tumble down your back will fit the romance of this design. To let your neckline shine, tuck most of your strands behind your shoulders—like this bride did at her Gatsby-inspired celebration on Long Island.

A Low Fishtail Braid

Unsurprisingly, updos are a go-to choice for this wedding gown neckline. While a classic low bun is always an option, if you’re looking for something more unique, consider a low fishtail braid. This is an especially strong candidate for ethereal dresses made of tulle and embellished with intricate details like lace, such as the one this bride wore to her dreamy soirée in Philadelphia.

Hairstyles for a Portrait Wedding Dress

Closely resembling an off-the-shoulder neckline, portrait necklines take on a classy-yet-sultry look. With a scoop that extends from one tip of the shoulder to the other, this cut emphasizes your collarbone, so your hairstyle should, too.

A Tucked-Back Down-Style

Wedding hairstylist Claudine Fay says this structured neckline calls for a clean and polished look. Consider effortless waves with front pieces that are pinned back behind your ears. This style will reflect the cut of the dress, especially if the silhouette entails clean lines and a minimalist canvas, such as the one this bride wore to her summer celebration in New York.

A Bedazzled Coiffure

Patton says a low bun, accented with a hair accessory, is perfect for this type of elegant neckline. “It frames the face flawlessly and ensures the dress remains the centerpiece of your bridal look,” Patton says. You can even include a hair insert for added height and magnitude. To select the appropriate accessory, consider the rest of your look. For instance, at her botanical garden wedding in Chicago, this bride wore a lace frock and diamond jewelry, so a sequined pin was a suitable choice.

Hairstyles for a One-Shoulder Wedding Dress

One-shoulder necklines are asymmetrical, Grecian-inspired designs that underline your face. As a result, you’ll want to select a complementary hairstyle that balances the overall look, according to Fay.

A Voluminous Chignon

If your neckline is a focal point of your big-day look, you can’t go wrong with an updo. You can also tease the crown of your head to add volume, which matched this bride’s billowing cape at her intimate, modern fête in Los Angeles. Fay also suggests opting for an asymmetrical placement that mirrors the strap to create visual balance.

Pin-Straight Locks

While many brides settle on a textured style for their special day, you can always select a pin-straight look. To coordinate with your wedding gown neckline, pin the front strands behind your ears, which is what this bride did at her regal-inspired weekend affair in Barcelona, so your hair won’t hide your shoulders.

Hairstyles for a High-Neck Wedding Dress

If you’ve chosen a wedding gown with a high-neck detail (à la Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn), whether it’s a halter or a mock neck, you’ll want your hairstyle to match the sophistication and elegance of this cut. Since these necklines rest at or above the neck, choose a style that balances this high-coverage look.

A Sleek Updo

One of the best hairstyles for a high neckline? A sleek updo. Pinning your hair at the nape of your neck—like this bride did at her high-fashion wedding weekend in Italy—will allow the fabric around your shoulders and chest to shine. If your mock-neck gown includes long sleeves and lace detailing, an elegant low bun will reinforce the class and grace of these details.

A Glitzy Ponytail

Another iteration of an updo that won’t divert attention away from your neckline is a high ponytail. For instance, at her luxe black-tie wedding, this bride donned a high-neck gown featuring long sleeves, puff shoulders, and lace embroidery, so her pulled-back hairstyle added a subtle chic touch. For glamorous gowns, aesthetics, or settings, completing your hairstyle with a beaded pin will augment the glitz and glamour of your look.

Loose Waves

A high neckline doesn’t mean you have to wear your hair up. Tousled strands that pile around your shoulders will definitely work for a high-neck gown with lots of lace, as exemplified by the style Jen Lagers Beauty gave to this bride for her wedding at a castle in France.

Hairstyles for a V-Neck or Plunging Wedding Dress

With a V-shaped neckline, whether it's a moderate (V-neck) or exaggerated (plunging) cut, your wedding gown will likely have straps or sleeves. Since these types of dresses provide a fairly balanced fabric-to-skin ratio, you can wear your hair in any way that you please, whether that’s up or down. 

Tight Curls

Tight ringlets that fall close to your face (like this bride wore to her glamorous nuptials in Chicago) will cover your shoulders without concealing your V-shaped neckline. Instead of blatantly showcasing your décolletage, this textured, down-style will provide partial coverage, creating visual balance. 

A Soft Coif

If your V-neck has an intricate design, such as the scalloped edge on this bride’s dress at her garden party in Italy, an elegant coif will guarantee that these details will take center stage. This soft style will also coordinate with a romantic ensemble, such as a ball gown trimmed with lace or tulle.

All Natural

While you can certainly embrace your natural hair texture with any neckline, it's a particularly fitting choice for a plunging cut, as this bride showcased at her opulent affair in Paris. We love how she also added a subtle—yet stunning—clip to her right side of her hair, bringing the glamorous look together.

Hairstyles for a Wedding Dress With a Sweetheart Neckline

Sweetheart necklines are one of the most romantic options for your wedding gown. Resembling the top half of a heart, this cut focuses on your collarbone. Since it comes in any style, from strapless to long-sleeved, this neckline offers a lot of flexibility regarding your hairstyle choice. “Whether you opt for an updo or soft waves, both will pair perfectly with this romantic and relaxed design,” Patton says.

A Messy High Bun

For sweetheart necklines supplemented by a strapless cut, an updo will illuminate your neck, chest, shoulders, and arms. If your dress includes free-flowing movement—like this bride’s ball gown at her glamping-inspired event in San Francisco—go for a high, messy bun. Plus, the unkempt look will inject effortlessness and personality into your look.

Side Waves

Since sweetheart necklines have a curved, flowing design, consider twisting your hair in waves. “Soft waves complement a sweetheart neckline because they replicate the movement over the bust,” Fay mentions. As this bride (with the help of Team Hair and Makeup) proves, this style will only enhance the romantic feel of the ensemble.

Hairstyles for a Wedding Dress With a Bateau or Boat Neckline

With a wide, high shape, a bateau or boat neckline is a classic cut that frames the collarbone. Take cues from Meghan Markle and flaunt an updo, or go with a stunning down-style—either way, you can’t go wrong.

Dense Curls

If your wedding gown has a bateau neckline, plus long sleeves (like this bride’s at her micro-wedding in the Berkshires), wearing your hair down is acceptable. For dresses that have a clean slate sans embellishments, dense curls will bring a bit of texture to your look.

A Face-Framing Chignon

Another option that’s equally gorgeous for a bateau neckline is a classic updo—like this bride’s at her vintage affair in South Carolina. “[This style] will elegantly showcase your neck and collarbone,” Patton points out. To incorporate a hint of whimsy, integrate some face-framing pieces.

Hairstyles for a Scoop-Neck Wedding Dress

Defined by a curved U-shape, scoop necklines expose the chest area. Since they often come with straps, you have the leeway to choose virtually any wedding hairstyle you want.

An Unkempt Updo

Updos are best for brides with scoop necklines who want to bring attention to the bodice of the gown. For those who aren’t keen on a trim, tidy look, pull out a few pieces to manufacture a chic-yet-slightly-messy hairdo—like this bride did at her modern nuptials in New York.

A Tousled Bob

If you're hair is on the shorter side, lean into the textured look of a tousled bob. Wavy short locks, such as this bride’s at her autumnal woodsy wedding in California, will particularly heighten your scoop neckline. 

Brushed-Out Waves

Since scoop necklines have a relatively structured nature, voluminous curls suit the style particularly well, Fay says. If your style is more relaxed and subtle, opt for brushed-out waves like this bride did at her garden-themed soirée in Brooklyn. This soft, delicate style is also perfect for wedding dresses with intricate designs.

Hairstyles for a Wedding Dress With a Square Neckline

Square necklines, which feature sharp right angles and clean lines, are modern and tailored. Let these attributes should inform your wedding hairstyle.

A Simple Low Bun

Want to show off the angular shape of your neckline? Fay suggests keeping your hair off your shoulders with a classic updo. This hairstyle is especially effective for wedding dresses with low backs, such as the one that this bride donned at her moss-adorned fête in Savannah.

A Slicked-Back Side Style

To wear your hair down in a way that doesn’t block your square neckline, slick back one side and pin it (like this bride did for her vibrant function in Maryland). The sleek, shiny look will bring a touch of romance to your modern neckline.