What Bridal Hairstyle Should I Do for My Wedding?
If you’re wondering what bridal hairstyle you should do for your wedding, you’re not alone! Whether you’ve already discovered the perfect gown or you’re still on the hunt, keeping your hair options in mind throughout the process is essential. Figuring out what hairstyle is best for a bride depends on several factors, including hair length, wedding dress style, preferred bridal hair accessories, and, of course, your own personal style. In order to start narrowing your options to decide how you should wear your hair with your wedding dress, let’s begin by asking yourself if you should wear your hair up or down, then we can explore some common bridal gown styles. Prefer to jump right to those wedding dress styles and their complementary bridal hairstyles? Select one of the options below to skip ahead:
Best Bridal Hairstyles for High-Neck Wedding Dresses
Best Bridal Hairstyles for Sweetheart Wedding Dresses
Best Bridal Hairstyles for V-Neck Wedding Dresses
Best Bridal Hairstyles for Backless Wedding Dresses
Best Bridal Hairstyles for A-Line or Ball Gown Wedding Dresses
Best Bridal Hairstyles for Fit-and-Flare or Mermaid Wedding Dresses
Should a Bride’s Hair Be Up or Down?
When deciding whether your wedding hairstyle should be up or down, you should first consider your hair length. Bridal hairstyles for medium-length or long hair can easily be styled either up and down, while wedding hairstyles for short hair are almost always “down.” Of course, that does not limit the styling options for brides with short hair! From pixie cuts to bobs, the length of short styles can sometimes be styled up partially or accessorized in unique ways. (For tips on accessorizing your bridal hairstyle with veils, check out Avery Austin’s wedding veil style guide.) Either way, explore your options for wedding hairstyles by the length of your hair first and see if you have any personal preferences.
The next step to deciding if your bridal hairstyle should be up or down is considering how a particular wedding hairstyle will look with your gown. There are many different necklines, features, and silhouettes available for wedding gowns, and your chosen bridal hairstyle and/or hair accessories can make a huge difference in highlighting or balancing those designs. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular necklines and silhouettes and how certain wedding hairstyles can make the most of your bridal look.
Best Bridal Hairstyles for High-Neck Wedding Dresses
The key here is to keep the high-neck details of your dress on full display, so bridal hairstyles that sweep your hair up and off the neckline and shoulders is the way to go. Here are Avery Austin’s top picks…
…if your hair is short:
- Finger waves: Think Old Hollywood glam with this wedding hairstyle, especially when paired up with a high-neck gown! Top this ‘do with a birdcage veil for ultra retro vibes.
- Styled Bob: Consider adding some waves to your bob for a playful look, or go for a side part that makes it easy to add a decorative clip for a flattering finish. Layers can add gorgeous texture, or go straight for a sophisticated yet edgy look.
…if your hair is long:
- Bun: You can style your hair bun low, just above the high neckline, with textured waves for beautiful depth. Face framing curls give a slightly undone feel that’s perfect for romantic themes. If you go for a high bun, consider keeping it sleek and straight on top for ultimate sophistication.
- Party Ponytail: Contemporary and fun, tresses swept up into a ponytail, especially a high one, is perfect for the modern bride. Of course, if you’re going for a retro bridal vibe with your high-neck gown, add a bow and frame your face with a few tendrils.
- Boho Braid: Make a thick braid around your head to create a crown, or do a long loose French braid down the back—both are charming and perfectly bohemian, especially if it looks a little undone, almost deliberately messy.
Best Bridal Hairstyles for Sweetheart Wedding Dresses
The sweetheart neckline, shaped like the top of a heart, is often paired up with strapless wedding dress styles, so the bridal hairstyle you choose should reflect whether you wish to bare your shoulders and neckline or plan for some demure coverage. For brides with short hair, you can work your veil in for extra shoulder coverage if you prefer! Here are a few bridal hairstyles to consider for sweetheart necklines…
…if your hair is short:
- Boho Waves: Cultivating waves that mimic the heart-shaped neckline, then pinning them up on one side with a bridal clip or veil. creates a beautifully romantic and quintessential bohemian vibe.
- Twisted Half-Updo: For an effortless, yet chic look, twist and pin small sections of your hair from front to back to create a curled crown from the trendy twists. Depending on the veil or hair accessories you add, you can take this style from timelessly charming to fun and flirty—whatever suits your bridal theme!
…if your hair is long:
- Buns: This classic updo highlights your neckline, shoulders, and arms, and how you style the bun (high or low, wavy and loose or straight and smooth) can go a long way to matching the style of your sweetheart gown.
- Side Waves: The curved waves in your locks perfectly complement the curved neckline, and you can easily sweep this style over one shoulder for a romantic vibe.
If you’re loving the idea of pairing up one of these wedding hairstyles with a sweetheart gown, be sure to shop Avery Austin’s collection of sweetheart-neckline wedding dresses.
Best Bridal Hairstyles for V-Neck Wedding Dresses
Since most v-neck wedding gowns have straps or sleeves for support, there’s a fair balance between fabric and skin across the shoulders and décolletage. This means you have even more flexibility in the way you wish to style your hair—up or down, it’s up to you! Below are some of our favorites…
…if your hair is short:
- Classic Chignon: Even short hair can be pulled into an updo sometimes! Swept up and secured into a small low bun, this wedding hairstyle is so timeless and matches the sophistication of the v-neckline.
- Glam Curls: Get big loose curls that frame your face. The volume and shape of these curls provide a naturally glamorous and eye-catching effect that can complement a bold neckline.
…if your hair is long:
- Tight Curls: Imagine tight ringlets framing your face and cascading down your back and shoulders. Your stunning plunging neckline will be on full display, but you still have the comfort of partial coverage thanks to your beautiful curls.
- Half Up, Half Down: Since a plunging neckline visually lengthens the body, imagine how beautifully balanced your look will be with the flattering elongation effect brought on by this bridal hairstyle! Whether your hair is straight, wavy, or curly, there are many ways to pin back, braid, or otherwise style the top half so that the rest of your hair flows back.
Find the perfect plunging neckline to suit the bridal hairstyles above when you shop Avery Austin’s v-neck wedding dress collection.
Best Bridal Hairstyles for Backless Wedding Dresses
When it comes to backless wedding dress styles, just about anything goes for short hair since it won’t cover your back. However, if you have long hair and wish to keep that dramatic back on display, then you’ll want to go for bridal hairstyles that won’t cover the open back. Here are a few ideas to consider for brides with long hair:
- Updos: Consider many of the stylish updos described above (especially if your backless dress features one of the necklines already discussed). Including buns, braided crowns, and high ponytails, these wedding hairstyles make it easy to keep that dramatic open back bare.
- Front Swept Locks: If you wish to leave your long locks flowing, go for a style that keeps them over your shoulders so your back is highlighted. This might mean lots of waves and curls swept over to one side of your head and draped over that one shoulder, or your hair could be stylishly parted down the middle and braided loosely down both sides to the front.
Best Bridal Hairstyles for A-Line or Ball Gown Wedding Dresses
Since a-line or ball gown wedding dresses are both classic and voluminous, brides generally prefer to go for bridal hairstyles that are timeless and minimalistic to keep the focus on the dramatic gown. Here are a few bridal hairstyles perfect for ball gown wedding dresses:
- Timeless Updos: From the classic chignon to a gorgeous French twist, a swirled updo can simultaneously enhance the grandeur of a ball gown while balancing out the bottom-heavy style.
- Braids: French braids, braided crowns, and other variations can mirror the romance inherent in ball gown wedding dresses.
Are you thinking that this dress and wedding hairstyle combo is the perfect match for you? If so, be sure to check out Avery Austin’s a-line wedding dress collection and ball gown wedding dress collection.
Best Bridal Hairstyles for Fit-and-Flare or Mermaid Wedding Dresses
Naturally sexy and bold, mermaid or fit-and-flare wedding dresses call for bridal hairstyles that complement that vibe. Here are a few ways to style your hair for a mermaid wedding dress:
- Hollywood Waves: The classic feel of these rolling waves enhance the inherent glamor of the mermaid style, mimic the curvy silhouette, and can sometimes soften some of the sexiness to edge toward a romantic vibe.
- Side Bun: Adding elegance to the dramatic silhouette, a sleek side bun is a favorite of modern brides wearing mermaid wedding dresses.
If that fit-and-flare shape paired with one of the wedding hairstyles above is just right for you, be sure to explore Avery Austin’s mermaid wedding dress collection.
Keeping in mind your hair length and chosen wedding dress style, it’s now time to consider your personal preferences too! Remember that all of the suggestions above are meant to inspire you with flattering, complementary wedding hairstyles. At the end of the day, if you know you love wearing your long hair down, even with a backless wedding gown, then go for it! There’s no hard and fast rule that says you can’t wear your hair that way, so above all, your personal hairstyling preferences trump all. Whether you choose one of the gorgeous gown and wedding hairstyle combos above or walk your own styling path, we hope these ideas have inspired you to create a bridal hairstyle that makes you happy on your wedding day.