29 Unique Wedding Hair Ideas You’ll Want to Steal

For when you're looking for something that isn't all over the Internet (yet)

If you’re searching for wedding hair ideas, you may have noticed there’s a particular… look that has been prescribed to how you wear your hair on your wedding day. It’s always long, and requires a certain finesse with a curling iron (or at the very least, hair that responds well to said curling iron). In recent years, the wedding industry has at least opened its doors to wedding braids (and thank the textured gods for that), but otherwise? It can seem like slim pickings. Which is weird, because there are basically as many kinds of hairstyles as there are people getting married. Looking for updo hairstyles? Hairstyles for long hair? For short hair? It exists! In fact, we’ve done roundups of just curly hairstyles and black hairstyles, and today we’re going all in for everyone with twenty-nine wedding hairstyles you may not have seen in the sea of Pinterest.

Photo by Ciara Richardson via Winsa | Hair and Makeup by Hair and Makeup by Steph

But! Before you decide on a style that works for you, here are some tips for getting the most out of your hairstyle:

  • Do a trial run-through: You do not want the first time you attempt your wedding hair to also be the day of your wedding. Trials are worth it ten times out of ten, even if your stylist charges extra for them (or you have to bribe your friend who’s doing your hair with extra champagne). You may find that the hairstyle you fell in love with actually doesn’t work with your veil at all. Or maybe it turns out you need to have a conversation with your stylist about what constitutes appropriate hair height (not everyone wants to be closer to God). Bonus tip: Schedule a trial run for another important night, like a date out with your partner, or your bachelorette party. You get an extra night to look spiffy and knock out the trial in one go.
  • Don’t lie to your stylist: Sitting in the chair getting your hair done for your wedding is not the time to be all, “Oh, I love it!” and then explode into sobs as soon as your stylist exits. Don’t task yourself (or your friends) with fixing something that the expert in the house could have done easily. Speak up and make sure you love the hair you get the first time around. Bonus tip: Part of the reason stylists charge more for brides than bridesmaids is because there’s a certain amount of “I don’t like this, can we redo it?” built into bridal hair that bridesmaids don’t get.
  • Consider the weather: If you’re getting married on a hot, humid day, you may want to plan your hair around it. You know better than anyone how your hair responds to the elements, so communicate that clearly with your stylist.

Wedding Updos

Bottom-of-Post-Solo

Braided Bun Tutorial via A Practical Wedding

MunaLuchiEbonyClark-12

Photo by Sophia Barrett via Munaluchi Bridal | Headpiece by Olivia Headpieces

FOM_SARAH_30

Photo by Ciara Richardson via Hair and Makeup by Steph

elizabethmessina_munaluchi_sunstonewinery040

Photo by Elizabeth Messina via Munaluchi Bridal | Hair and Makeup by Erin Skipley

__MG__6949

Photo via Elstile

07ebd5ffc478cc4b24f808230537fc53

Photo by Petronella Photography via Munaluchi Bridal | Styling by MODAGE and Vainglorious Brides | Dress by Berta | Hair by Khamit Kinks | Hair Accessories by Olivia Headpieces

1200x1200_1424811351356-avec-lamour-photography

Photo by Avec L’amour via Style Me Pretty | Hair Accessories by Something Treasured | Dress by Bliss Bridal

Danielle Evans Photography

French Braid Twist via The Bride Link | Hair by MOPS Hair Designers

09655481aa3f33d796ee_15

Photo by Jenny Strebe via Bangstyle

swiss roll

Photo by Lindsey Orton and Lindsay Shaun via Utah Bride Blog | Hair and Makeup by Hair and Makeup by Steph

Half-Up Half-Down Wedding Hair

08A6208

Photo by Lilian Haidar via Munaluchi Bridal | Dress by Tsemaye Binitie | Hair by Mann Morgan-Nance

149

Photo by Amanda Watson via Inspired by This | Dress by BHLDN | Hair and Makeup by Malorie Avaline

IMG_4685

Photo by Kelsey Steindler via Tessa Rayanne

CSJ_2941-X3

Half-Up Half-Down Tutorial for Super Straight Hair via A Practical Wedding

storyboard002

Photo by Hair and Makeup by Steph

Step3b-580x791

Elegant Updo via Wedding Sparrow UK | Hair by Amelia Garwood

IMG_0943 (1)

Photo by Made to Be Mine | Tutorial via Boho Bun Crown

Down and sideswept Wedding Hair

16126-1706723-_MG_1763

Photo via Emilia Jane Morgan | Hair by Kathy Collins

WildBrideStyledShoot_MorganWadePhotography-38-of-80

Photo by Morgan Wade via Rock n Roll Bride | Flowers by Poppystone Designs | Hair and Makeup by Jennifer Wriston

Curly Hair Bridal

Photo by Michael Radford Photography | Hair and Makeup by Jen Plus Colour

wpid430480-wedding-collective-bridal-market-3

Photo by Lisa Devine via Love My Dress

sunset-themed-shoot-kurt-boomer-munaluchi120

Asymmetrical Curly Updo via Munaluchi Bridal (similar tutorial here)

CSJ_2961-X3

Lazy Girl Finger Waves Tutorial via A Practical Wedding

waveshair1

Photo by Ciara Richardson via A Paper Proposal | Hair and Makeup by Hair and Makeup by Steph

Short Hair

image (1)

Photo by Winnie Au via Refinery29

veil5

Photo by Michael Clark Photographers via Munaluchi Bridal | Hair by Adunni Easton | Gown by Carine’s Bridal

KariDuncan191

Photo by Nicki Fietzer of De Nueva Photography via A Practical Wedding

elizabethmessina_munaluchi_sunstonewinery013

Photo by Elizabeth Messina via Munaluchi Bridal | Hair and Makeup by Erin Skipley

how did you wear your hair on your wedding day? Leave a photo in the comments! Or if you’re not married yet, show us your ideas. (we will happily enable you to do that thing everyone is trying to tell you isn’t timeless enough.)

Featured Sponsored Content

Please read our comment policy before you comment.

The APW Store is Here

APW Wedding e-shop

go find all our favorites from around the internet, and our free planning tools

Shop Now
APW Wedding e-shop

Planning a wedding?

We have all the planning tools you need right now.

Budget spreadsheets, checklists, and more...

Get Your Free Planning Tools