21 must-see wedding hairstyles for long hair

Happily ever after wedding hairstyles for long hair.

Forget choosing the dress, deciding how to wear your hair is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your wedding. And when it comes to wedding hairstyles for long hair, it’s made even harder because there’s a bazillion different looks to pick from.

To make your search more manageable, we’ve put together the best bridal hairstyles for long hair. Plus, there’s plenty of wedding guest hairstyles for long hair, too.

Whatever part you’re playing in the nuptials, we promise there’ll be something for you.

21 perfect bridal hairstyles for long hair

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Brunette with her hair in a big bun updo with loose curly strands
Pro tip: Keep a few face-framing strands of hair loose around your face for extra romance. Credit: Instagram.com/juna_limani

1. Big bun

Pretty, simple buns will always be a bridal staple but they work especially well on long wedding hair. Why? Well, the more hair you have, the fuller your bun will be and we don’t know about you, but we’re never ones to turn down extra volume. Credit: @juna_limani

TRESemme Ultimate Hold Hairspray

Editor’s tip: Whichever one of these long wedding hairstyles takes your fancy, hairspray is an absolute wedding day must.

We rate the TRESemmé Ultimate Shine Hold Hairspray, which doesn’t feel heavy or stiff on the hair but provides just the right amount of hold and shine to maintain picture-perfect hair all day.

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Auburn hair in a half-up bow curly hairstyle
The perfect bow for the perfect wedding hairstyle. Credit: Instagram.com/jostringerbridaloccasions

2. Half-up bow hairstyle

This cutesy bow updo is an easy way to add a bit more detail to a traditional half-up style, while the curly lengths give an extra romantic touch. Credit: @jostringerbridaloccasions

Next read: How to get a bow hairstyle.

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Brunette with curly long hair in a braided ponytail
Braids, curls, flowers – is there anything this look DOESN’T have? Credit: Instagram.com/pswithlov3

3. Braided ponytail

Need long hair wedding styles that’ll let you wear your hair up for the big day? A braided ponytail is a stunning way to wear your hair off of your face if you’re not a fan of traditional, full-on updosCredit: @pswithlov3

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Woman with light brown/dark blonde hair in a French braid into a chignon bun
If it were possible to marry this hairstyle, we would. Credit: Instagram.com/julia_alesionok

4. Braid into chignon style

An elegant chignon which shows off your shoulders and décolletage will always be a winning wedding style, and combining it with a French braid makes it even more special.

Pair with low back dresses and delicate jewellery for a look that’s completely captivating. Credit: @julia_alesionok

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Woman with shiny brunette hair in a sleek bubble ponytail
Inject some fun with bubble braids. Credit: Instagram.com/jessivaleri

5. Bubble ponytail

Already been to multiple weddings this year and getting bored of all of the usual wedding guest hairstyles for long hair? Pull yourself out of your hair rut and go for something more playful, like this fun bubble pony look – you won’t regret it! Credit: @jessivaleri

Psst… Discover more ways to channel the bubble pony trend, here!

Editor’s tip: One of the things we love about this look is the contrast between the super sleek roots and the puffed-up ends.

To emulate this yourself, try using the TONI&GUY Shine Gloss Serum just at the roots – it’ll give you a slick, ultra high-shine finish but don’t worry, it won’t look greasy.

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Smiling bride with long brunette hair in a side braid with voluminous roots and a headband
Fall in love with this pretty side braid. Credit: Instagram.com/sassyhairbyjenn

6. Side braid

The best wedding hairstyles for long hair should make you feel like the most beautiful version of yourself, without you feeling over done.

For more casual brides, a loose side braid is ideal and it’ll get only get better as the day goes on and it starts to look more lived-in. Credit: @sassyhairbyjenn

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Woman with light brown hair in a half clipped up updo with curly lengths
Red carpet or wedding, this look can do both. Credit: Instagram.com/hairbylinbuck

7. Clipped half-updo

Blur the lines between aisle and red carpet with A-lister inspired clipped half-up hair, as seen on stars like Gigi Hadid. Besides, if not on your wedding day, when else are you going to get this glammed-up? Credit: @hairbylinbuck

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Back view of a woman with warm-toned brown curly hair in a twisted braid with floral accessories
Enhance braids with natural textures. Credit: Instagram.com/tmy_o3.pugmi

8. Curly twisted braid

Thought you couldn’t braid curly hair? Whether they’re natural or styled, curls and braids actually make the dream hair pairing, adding an extra dimension to any long wedding hairstyles.

Just make sure your curls are well combed through beforehand, as any tangles will make it harder to braid. Credit: @tmy_o3.pugmi

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Back view of a woman with dirty blonde wavy long hair in a half-up fishtail hairstyle
Mermaid waves and beachy waves. Credit: Instagram.com/bohohairsalon

9. Beachy fishtail

The name alone makes fishtail braids an obvious choice for beach-bound brides. Complete the look with salty-looking tousled waves for added boho charm. Credit: @bohohairsalon

Next read: How to create a fishtail plait.

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Back view of a blonde woman with her hair in a French fauxhawk updo hairstyle
Who knew a mohawk could look so demure? Credit: Instagram.com/alex_haircraft

10. French hawk updo

For brides wanting to go down an edgier route with their big day beauty look, let us introduce this rocking French braided faux mohawk. It’s just what you need to balance out an ultra feminine dress without going too wild. Credit: @alex_haircraft

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Back view of a woman with bronde hair in a curly half-up French twist
Gorgeously simple. Credit: Instagram.com/hanna_does_hair

11. French twist half-updo

Traditional French twists are a go-to wedding hairdo but for something more modern, look no further. This look has all of the elegance of the classic updo, in a fresh, undone way. Credit: @hanna_does_hair

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Red haired woman in a white lace wedding dress with her long hair in side-parted Hollywood waves
An Oscar-winning look. Credit: Instagram.com/zivamsalem_official

12. Hollywood waves

There’s no denying that Hollywood waves are the epitome of glamour. And the good news is, they also make the ideal wedding guest hairstyles for long hair – particularly if you want to channel a sophisticated, vintage-inspired vibe. Credit: @zivamsalem_official

Editor’s tip: For voluptuous film star waves, spray each section of hair with the VO5 Wave Creation Hairspray before curling to help create the wave from root to tip.

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Back view of a woman with medium-long curly light brown hair in a half-up half-down knot hairstyle
Giving a whole new meaning to “tying the knot”! Credit: Instagram.com/ashfrankestyles

13. Knot half-updo

Wedding guest hairstyles for long hair need not be predictable. Taking classic looks and adding new details, like this twisted knot, gives them a new lease of life and a more unique style. Credit: @ashfrankestyles

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Back view of a woman with dark brown almost black hair in a low pinned updo style
Add vintage flair with a pinned updo. Credit: Instagram.com/evalynparsonsweddings

14. Vintage pinned updo

Vintage bridal hairstyles for long hair are having a resurgence right now, and they really add something more to your wedding look.

This pinned updo is calling out to be worn with a lace dress and art deco earrings. Credit: @evalynparsonsweddings

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Back view of a woman with golden brown hair in a voluminous pull through braid accessorised with small flowers
Statement braids are always a good option. Credit: Instagram.com/laura_hair_norwich

15. Pull-through braid

You may be surprised to find out that many of the braided wedding hairstyles for long hair that you’ve seen online might not actually be braids at all, but ponytails.

It’s true! Pull-through braids like this pearl-adorned version are actually just ponytails masquerading as braids, so they’re easier than you think. Credit: @laura_hair_norwich

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Back view of a woman with long curled chestut brown hair with a floral rose braid detail and a gold leaf clip
Every wedding needs flowers. Credit: Instagram.com/gulnazismayilova_

16. Rose ponytail

If flowers are a key part of your wedding day, why not tie the theme together with an accent flower braid? They can be added to all kinds of ponytails and half-up styles to add a whimsical flair. Credit: @gulnazismayilova_

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Side view of a woman with straight long dark hair with a bouffant
Bump it up for extra volume. Credit: Instagram.com/hairbyclouise_

17. Straight and sleek

In some cases it’s best to let the wedding dress do the talking but that doesn’t have to mean neglecting your hair. Bumped-up and tucked behind the ears, this sleek style is the ultimate example of straight hair styled well. Credit: @hairbyclouise_

Editor’s tip: The VO5 Flyaway Touch-Up Wand is fantastic for popping in your clutch bag for on the go touch-ups and smoothing down flyaways.

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Back view of a woman with soft ash brown hair in subtle waves with a sparkly barrette
Keep things natural with soft, subtle movement. Credit: Instagram.com/nofar_gerichter_makeup_hair

18. Barely-there waves

Soft, touchable waves are well-suited to brides looking for a minimal approach to their wedding day beauty. If you’re thinking about getting your hair coloured too, consider getting ombre – the waves flow beautifully from the dark to light shades. Credit: @nofar_gerichter_makeup_hair

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Back view of a blonde woman with her hair in a wrapped textured low ponytail
The prettiest ponytail you ever did see. Credit: Instagram.com/headds_up_wedding_specialist

19. The textured pony

Bored of intricate wedding guest hairstyles for long hair? If you want an effortlessly undone look that’s still wedding-worthy, why not try this ultra chic messy ponytail?

With lots of volume and tonnes of impact, this look is great to rely on when you don’t want a tight updo. Credit: @headds_up_wedding_specialist

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Back view of a brunette woman with waist-length hair in a bridal topsy turvy ponytail style
Happily ever after hair. Credit: Instagram.com/ulyana.aster

20. Topsy turvy ponytail

We’re not sure whether it’s the topsy turvy twisted details or the dainty hair vine accessories that make this look so gorgeous, but it’s surely a fairy tale hairstyle if ever we’ve seen one. Credit: @ulyana.aster

Wedding hairstyles for long hair: Close-up shot of a woman with curled dark hair in a waterfall braid
All you need is love (and braids). Credit: Instagram.com/deanna_khair

21. Waterfall braid

Waterfall braids look best when paired with undulating curls and their ability to look so good on their own takes away the need for any fancy accessories. Credit: @deanna_khair

Next read: Master the waterfall braid.

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