36 Best Wedding Guest Hairstyles to Fall In Love With
Been invited to a wedding this year and starting to think about how you’ll wear your hair? In our experience, the best wedding guest hairstyles are those that make an impact without stealing the bride’s thunder (it is her big day, after all).
So to help you avoid any bridezilla scenarios, we’ve put together an edit of gorgeous wedding guest hair ideas that we think will be just right for you. Ranging from formal, elegant updos to dreamy boho half-up styles, whether it’s a big white wedding or something more low-key, these looks will work for everything.
Low Bun
If you usually wear your hair down, what better occasion is there than a wedding to try out an updo? A romantic low bun is a universally flattering style, especially with a few tendrils left loose and wispy to frame your face.
Double Dutch Braided Updo
Looking for braided wedding guest hair ideas? This whimsical braided updo captures all of the wedding vibes and will keep your hair in check from ceremony to reception.
Editor’s tip: Braids tend to work best on second-day hair but if you’d prefer to wash yours first, you can use sea salt spray (the TONI&GUY Sea Salt Texturising Spray is one of our go-tos), to give your locks more grit and texture.
Beachy Waves
Want to nail every wedding you attend this season? Whether you’ve got short or long hair, all you need to do is learn how to master beachy waves, and then you can focus your efforts on finding the perfect outfit.
Half-Up Beehive
Volume is the name of the game with this half-up half-down bouffant. Perfect for adding the glam factor, team it with curls for the perfect wedding guest style.
Tousled Updo
One of your favourite wedding guest hairstyles? This romantic tousled updo. It’ll help you look the part for spring/summer weddings, and also work for winter months (just imagine how amazing this will look when teamed with a turtleneck dress!).
Editor’s tip: Want your tousled look to stay in place longer, without worrying about hairspray leaving your hair stiff and crunchy? Try the VO5 Flexible Hold Hairspray. This innovative hairspray will do a great job of holding your tousled look while leaving you with a finish so natural you can run your fingers through it.
Crown Updo
You wouldn’t call this crown braid basic, would you? With all your hair out of the way, you’ll be able to avoid sweaty hair moments at any beach weddings, in the most stylish way possible.
Floral Twisted Half-Up
As we know, flowers are a key part of any wedding celebration. If you can find real flowers to accessorise your look, perfect! But if not, there are plenty of faux floral barrettes and hair slides that look just as pretty – and can be worn again and again.
Twisted Crown
Can’t braid? Don’t fret: this elegant, twisted crown is super easy to DIY and looks equally as impressive as its braided counterpart.
Waves with a Headband
Of all of the wedding guest hairstyles out there, the easiest by far has to be a headband. Adding a headband instantly transforms your look and will give it a more glamorous, occasion-worthy feel. Ruched and padded headbands are especially on trend right now and they’re a little more luxe, too.
Knotted Bun
When it comes to formal hairstyles for wedding guests, you can’t go wrong with anything sleek. And, this simple and sophisticated low bun won’t let you down!
Low Ponytail
Wearing quite a statement outfit and want to let you clothes do the talking? This low-key wrapped ponytail is simple yet chic and works really well with textured, wavy lengths.
Fishtail Braid
If there’s one wedding guest hair look that always gets people talking, it’s the fishtail braid. If you want to spruce up your long hair for the big day, we suggest you try weaving this pretty side fishtail plait.
Braided Ballet Bun
For an elegant look that lets you show off your amazing jewellery, consider a high ballerina bun. This braided version will look perfect in pictures and will give you an instant face lift too – bonus!
Messy Updo with Gold Detailing
You can easily give your go-to messy bun a Grecian feel with a golden laurel wreath hair accessory. Did we forget to mention this is the perfect hairstyle to pair with an open back dress?
Upside Down Braid
Want to wear your hair in a bun but looking for something a bit more special than the messy bun you wear on the daily? Try the upside down French braid bun – a chicer take on the regular top knot, you’ll be guaranteed a flurry of compliments thanks to the hidden braid detail.
Floral Wedding Guest Hair
Who knew straight hair could look this chic? And, if you’re looking for spring wedding guest hairstyles, you know what to do (copy this floral ‘do, stat!).
Wrap Around Braided Bun
This is a wedding guest hairstyle with a touch of Oscars glam. Start by Dutch braiding from one side of your head across to the other. Then gather the rest of your hair into a chignon and tuck the braid around it to secure, using bobby pins to lock it in place.
Headband Hairstyle
Not a fan of flowers? Grab a headband and gently smooth your hair backwards, making sure to keep volume at the crown intact.
Braided Ponytail
Make the most of long hair by styling it into one of Blake Lively‘s go-to red carpet hairstyles, the braided pony. Secure with a clear hair elastic for a seamless and polished finish.
Tousled Quiff
From the white spaghetti strap dress to the tousled, swept-back quiff, this short hairstyle is major wedding guest style goals.
Bow Ponytail
Kick that wavy ponytail up a notch with some ribbon. This must-have hair accessory is great for giving a casual pony a wedding upgrade.
Beachy Curls
Excuse us while we swoon over these beachy, loose curls! We love the way the pinned tropical flowers complement these free-flowing curls.
Waterfall Braid
When you can’t quite decide between leaving your hair down and having it braided, this chic waterfall hairstyle delivers the best of both worlds.
Glossy Waves
Versatile enough for both the wedding day and night, this glossy take on beachy waves is one try when you want to feel extra sophisticated.
Editor’s tip: The secret to glossy locks? Serum, of course! And, the TRESemmé Colour Shineplex Serum is our latest obsession. It helps locks in moisture and amps up your mane’s natural shine with camellia oil, plus it’s also great for coloured tresses.
Sleek Bob
For a short wedding guest hair look worthy of the runway, look no further than this sultry, polished bob.
Milkmaid Braids
Milkmaid braids are one of the easiest hairstyles for wedding guests, even though they may look hard to do. They’re actually just two simple pigtails secured together on top of the head to create an updo. Clever, huh?
Remember to leave a few tendrils of hair loose around the face (you can even curl them if you like), as this will give the look a softer, more effortless finish.
Messy Bun
It might not be the first hairstyle that comes to mind for a party but you should never underestimate the versatility of a good messy bun.
Styled right, they can look elegant and stylish while still retaining a healthy dose of laid-back charm. Plus, there’s nothing better for showing off any back detailing in your outfit!
Folded Half Updo
If you like to wear your hair straight, a folded half-updo like this will help make your mane look that bit more special. It’s still simple and understated, but the origami-style fold adds an extra detail and intricacy to the look.
Braided Half Updo
If ever there’s an occasion to make an effort and try out braids, it’s a wedding. This braided half-up, half-down style is absolutely stunning and as you’ll be leaving half your hair down, you’ve got the freedom to choose whether to go straight or curly – whatever makes you most comfortable on the day!
Twisted Bun
We’ve already covered the messy bun but buns are a wedding favourite, so you can never have too many! For more formal nuptials, this twisted bun is a sophisticated way to make a regular bun more standout.
If you’re a bride-to-be yourself, this would actually be a really pretty bridesmaid look to consider, too.
Side-Swept Curls
With its deep side parting and big cascading waves, this Hollywood-inspired look would make the ideal hair for a wedding guest. Fit for both the red carpet and the church pews, you’ll be radiating old-school glamour vibes.
Reverse French Braid
Reverse French braids (AKA Dutch braids) are simple yet elegant and oh-so-feminine – making them beautiful hairstyles for a wedding guest with long hair.
Ladies with medium-length or long hair who want a style that’ll hold all night can rest assured that this will keep their hair in check. Plus even if it does start to fall loose, it will only add to the romantic feel.
Twisted Half-Updo
Easy enough to DIY yet still ultra-stylish, this twisted half-up style has a relaxed yet put-together feel about it, making it a great one for outdoor garden or beach weddings.
And what’s more, it will also allow you to keep a relaxed look if you don’t want all of your hair swept off your face. It ticks all the boxes.
Finger Waves
When in doubt, just channel the roaring ’20s with finger waves. Topped off with golden bobby pins, this dazzling wedding guest hair ‘do might actually inspire your own wedding look.
Pearly Ponytail
The hair accessory Instagram and the runway can’t seem to get enough of? Pearls! Luckily, they can work well for weddings, too. Place a pearly headband atop loose waves or sleek ponytail, and you’ll have everyone at the reception asking you for style advice.
Smooth Braided Updo
Like sleek hairstyles? You’ll adore this smooth braided updo, especially if you pair the look with cute statement earrings.
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