In the last year, I’ve attended more weddings than I dare to count—including my own. I’m all for rewearing your gowns; after all, who’s buying a black-tie dress just to wear it one time? Better yet, I believe you only really need one or two great wedding guest dresses in your closet. Instead of the ruffles, prints, and plunging necklines, I like to use my glam to set my style apart from the crowd. That means unexpected pops of blush, lots of eyeshadow palettes, and, of course, an endless arsenal of high-impact wedding hairstyles. After all, pair the same dress with an updo and graphic eyeliner or long, free-flowing waves and, say, a bronzed, dewy base, and you have two completely different looks.
“Consider the overall vibe of the wedding, venue, dress code, and time of day when choosing your hairstyle,” hairstylist Miguel Luis advises. “You want something that makes you feel confident and will hold up through dancing, heat, or humidity.” Meanwhile, celebrity hairstylist Stephanie Angelone suggests working around your outfit—the neckline, any accessories, cut, and print can help determine your perfect style.
Ahead, I rounded up 30 of our all-time favorite wedding hairstyles (courtesy of some very glam celebs) to take your wedding guest glam to the next level.
Slick-Back Ponytail
As easy as it is chic, a slick-back ponytail is great for dresses with higher necklines and sultry low backs. Pair with a bold hair cuff like this one from RPZL ($24) for maximum wow factor. Celebrity hairstylist Eddie M. Parra suggests using a hair paste to smooth out the hairline for a seamless finish.
Half-Up Half-Down
Luis loves a half-up, half-down style on medium-to-long hair—“the style is polished and easy, and looks beautiful with subtle braids or twists,” he says. Hilary Duff kept the look sleek with a soft wave and a few shorter pieces loose in front of the ears.
Wind-Swept Chignon
Elevate a messy bun with a twisted chignon style, complete with fame-framing layers and a piece-y crown. Gracie Abrams’ perfectly undone bun is wedding-appropriate without feeling too stiff or styled. Remember, the messier the better.
Soft Waves
Parra suggests using a 1.25-inch curling iron and holding it parallel to the ground for a subtle bend like the ones seen on Rosie Huntington-Whitely. The style is timeless and universally flattering, and works especially well for beachside and outdoor weddings.
Low Bun With Texture
A low bun with face-framing tendrils and some lived-in texture is a classic for a reason: it’s really chic. Best of all, it keeps your hair off your back and out of your face, so you can dance the night away without worrying about that warm weather.
Sleek Midi Ponytail
Pairing a ponytail with an elevated gown is one of Angelone’s favorite styles. For this with mid-length locks like Ariana Grande, try flicking out your ends for a fun finish that adds movement and depth.
Romantic Braids
Hairstylist Nellyvette Rodriguez loves a braided crown detail, like this one on Lucy Boynton. It “adds whimsy and youthful sweetness,” without feeling childish or too casual, she says. Don’t be afraid to let your natural hair texture come through—that’s what helps ground the playful style.
Clean Blowout
Just because it’s a wedding doesn’t mean things have to be complicated. A classic blowout with a little bit of bounce and a little bit of volume always does the trick. It’s versatile and pairs well with any style of dress. For a subtle wind-swept effect, be sure to blow-dry each section away from the face.
Luxe Shiny Bob
Add some wow factor to a sleek bob with a deep side part and an ultra-shiny finish. The result is elegant and chic, and surprisingly easy to DIY. For an added tasteful touch, try flipping out the ends of your bob with a straightening iron.
Tousled Texture
There’s nothing sexier than a blowout with some tousled texture. Apply your favorite dry texture spray and a little bit of mousse to freshly blown hair. It’ll give hair a lived-in feel and a natural bounce without feeling totally undone. Be sure the face-framing pieces stay intact for an eye-catching look, like the one on Jenna Ortega.
Curls With a Braided Headband
We’re all about a hair accessory that elevates your style without stealing the show. Enter the braided headband. Pair with voluminous curls and a beautiful gown. We suggest finding one online in your hair color for maximum ease. Trust us, no one will ever know it’s not your real hair.
Sleek Midi Knot
The art of the slick back requires a great hair gel, a boar bristle brush, and some well-exercised patience. To really nail this style, you need to perfect that part. Then, smooth down the sides of your hair before securing your bun with a ponytail holder and a couple of bobby pins—be sure to hide them within the hair.
Pincurl Blowout
Jennifer Lopez has the perfect bouncy blowout. The key, according to Angelone, is setting each small section of hair with pincurls while still hot from the heat. Leave until the entire head is cool before taking down each pin and gently brushing out your curls. The result is a soft, voluminous, bouncy blowout.
Mermaid Waves
Lived-in, effortless mermaid waves soften long hair by creating movement and definition. Celebrity stylist Joseph Maine suggests using a double-barrel waver like this one from Trademark Beauty ($89) to easily create relaxed bends on all hair lengths.
Bouffant-Inspired Half-Up
A wedding is the perfect time to try a style out of your comfort zone. Though Garcia suggests a trial run so you know your style will hold—plus, you can tweak your approach on the wedding day to really perfect the look.
Accent Braid
“Adding a simple braid along the hairline or through a half-up style gives a playful touch that’s ideal for daytime weddings,” Luis says. “Keep the braid slightly loose for a softer, more romantic feel.” For maximum impact, consider adding some fun clips throughout the braid like Ashley Park’s.
Curled In
You can’t go wrong with a sleek, glossy straight style with ends that curl in ever so slightly at the bottom. Consider playing around with your part for some visual interest, and try sticking hair behind the ear on one side to let your earrings shine.
Piled-High Updo
There’s something about hair worn piled high on the head that’s undeniably sexy. It feels undone and effortless, especially with those loose hanging tendrils.
Lived-In Waves
“Perfect for a wedding in cooler weather, these waves are loose, undone, and give the impression of being effortless and relaxed,” Maine says. And he’s right: There’s something about those tousled, easy waves that just works.
Pulled-Back Braids
I love this clean, swept-back look for a wedding. The face-framing braids add a warmth to the style, while the sleek braided bun keeps the look elevated and chic.
Ponytail With Volume
Garcia often looks to Zendaya’s ponytail for wedding hairstyle inspiration—and this one is no exception. A twist on the classic slick-back pony, this one’s just as sleek with the bonus of a little volume. Keep the rest of the hair simple with ends that curl outward and a clear ponytail holder.
Classic Curls
Curls like this feel as classic as it can get—and don’t mistake classic for boring! Somewhere between a wave and a curl, this style will last all night long. Set your look with some dry texture spray to add body and grit.
Half-Up With Natural Curls
There’s something so stunning about the juxtaposition between a tight, sleek half-up style and the explosion of volume from natural, zhushed up curls. It’s a polished and easy-to-achieve look that always impresses—and keeps pesky flyaways out of your face.
Low Twisted Bun
A twisted low bun is “simple yet so sleek and polished,” stylist Raven Hurtado says. “And it’s easy to achieve. All you need is a gel or hair wax to slick hair down while using a small comb.”
Low Pony
When creating a ponytail, Parra suggests leaving a few tendrils around the face for a softer effect, as seen here on Sarah Hyland. Finish off a low ponytail with waves throughout the lengths and a healthy dose of hairspray for all-night hold.
Tousled Top Knot
For a more casual approach to the classic top knot, leave some face-framing pieces of hair down. Give them a subtle wave or bend with a straightening iron, and tuck one side behind the ear.
Bombshell Blowout
A bombshell blowout, like this one on Keke Palmer, never goes out of style. It’s clean and fresh, and Luis says it pairs perfectly with any dress, making it the perfect hairstyle to master on yourself—it’s gloriously versatile.
Double Half-Up With Cascading Waves
To differentiate from the other half-up, half-down styles, try doubling it. Start with one a bit lower, around the line of your ears, and then hide it with another half-up style where you’d usually place it. This will give the illusion of a fuller, longer updo.
Deep Side Part Bun
Zendaya can do no wrong—she perfectly paired her plunging neckline with an equally dramatic side part. To keep the focus on the dress, she kept the rest of the hair up and out of the way, letting her deep part and low-cut neckline do the talking.
Ultra-Slick Bun
As versatile and chic as it is easy to recreate, there’s a reason an ultra-sleek bun never goes out style. Be sure to leave some of the part visible as you collect the hair up into the bun to create a bit of visual interest.
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