30 Wedding Updos for Long Hair, for Brides of All Seasons

Save the date, and the rest will follow! We've put together the best, most on-trend bridal updos for long hair to fit every season of the year.

One of the first things brides-to-be lock down when planning a wedding is the actual date of the ceremony. Everything may still be in flux, but as soon as you send out those Save the Dates, it’s suddenly official: You’re actually getting married! The next months may pass by in a blur, and before you get caught up in a whirlwind of activity, it’s best to take stock of the details early on to avoid getting overwhelmed with it all (we know, we know… but it’s worth a shot anyway). And a lot of these said details, such as the theme, dress, even opting for having your hair down or choosing wedding updos for long hair, can easily fall into place once you’ve established the season and locale for the big event.

Skeptical? Think about it: A breezy, tropical destination wedding won’t have the same feel as, say, a formal church wedding during holiday season. The best part of it all is Mother Nature has already done half the work—all that’s left is to go with the flow. Ed’s note: The opposite will drive you crazy anyway, and the last thing you need on your big day is to stress about the weather not cooperating with your look! Read on to check out some fun suggestions for bridal updos for long hair curated by season:

30 Long Hair Updos for Wedding Ceremonies, Per Season

SPRING

It’s easy to fall into all the pretty trappings of being a spring bride, what with the blooming flowers and overall romantic feel. We say embrace it—yes, flower crowns and all—but perhaps elevate it to a more modern level with smaller garlands and daintier, nymph-inspired touches. However, remember that one of the biggest draws of a spring wedding is the mild climate, which means although outdoor locations may seem appealing, fickle changes in weather are a reality of this time of the year. With wedding updos long hair tends to fare better in soft, wispy buns, and braids always help keep the frizzies in check.

sprigs wedding updos for long hair
Wedding updos for long hair: Sweet and innocent, like a breath of fresh spring air. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

1. Sprigs

Small accent florals, like baby’s breath, are an on-theme touch, especially when woven into a loose side braid.

spring bunch wedding updos for long hair
Match to your bouquet for a seamless look.

2. Spring Bunch

Peonies, twigs and other seasonal flowers tuck flawlessly into the seams of an upwards roll.

rosettes wedding updos for long hair
Blush pink + roses: The prettiest bridal look we ever did see. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

3. Rosette Pins

Love is in the hair! Tiny faux (or real, up to you) rosebuds are a pitch-perfect add-on to a fuzzy braid.

chiffon floral crown wedding updos for long hair
Stay on theme with your bridesmaids, or make this your “something blue.” Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

4. Chiffon Floral Crown

Entirely customizable to match your entourage or theme, this faux floral crown is an elegant, tasteful uptick to the garden-variety version.

rear view of a woman on a runway with ribbon on her hair
Ribbons and pearls provide a Marie Antoinette, rococo-like aesthetic. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

5. Ribbons

Ribbons and pearls are also a spring and daytime-ceremony pick. Accentuate a high bun with a dainty trail of ribbons at the base to complete the look.

white buds wedding updos for long hair
Nothing beats a fresh spring white, from the hair to the floral detailing. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

6. White Buds

Using white flowers is the bridal version of the popular fairy-princess look. The platinum blonde is also a trendy touch and adds to the all-white glow.

flowers with red hair wedding updos for long hair
Strawberries and cream, always a sweet, delightful combo. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

7. Florals with Red Hair

Pink-red hair is oftentimes associated with spring. Its cool undertone goes swimmingly with pastels and is still light enough to show the details in a romantic great braid. Prolong your color with a pre-primer before styling, like Nexxus Color Assure Pre-Primer, to keep that strawberry blonde color looking super sweet.

SUMMER

Ah, the fresh, fun days of summer! Warm, sunny and yes, sometimes kind of terribly humid, the ideal wedding updo long hair look for the season is definitely something unfussy and frizz-proof. Whether that comes in the form of a simple bun or a sleek, shellacked-within-an-inch-of-its-life wet look is up to you—and the limitations of the weather, or perhaps the availability of a hairstylist at your destination venue. Keep it sweet and simple… and maybe throw in a few local flora or detailing for a cute, beachy nod.

top knot with unicorn braid wedding updos for long hair
Wedding updos for long hair: You can also tuck in a tiny handpicked flower in the seam for additional flair. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

8. Top Knot with Unicorn Braid

A top knot with studded hoops and a kicky accent braid is so much fun, not to mention on-point for a tropical wedding.

soft center part wedding updos for long hair
Mimics that soft-focus glow you get during summer sunsets. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

9. Soft Center Part

No hairstylist? No problem: A soft, natural, middle-parted bun is chic and easy to achieve, even for the novice.

sleek center part wedding updos for long hair
Use a non-sticky gel for no untoward bug accidents!

10. Sleek Center Part

Take it one notch higher with some gel (we like TRESemmé TRES Two Extra Firm Control Gel) to give a simple look some polish and protection from sudden wind gusts.

deep side part wedding updos for long hair
We love the contrast of a sleek, architectural gown with a beachy setting. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

11. Deep-Side Part

Sexy summer brides can opt for a deep-side part for their wedding day. It looks great with off-shoulder and halter silhouettes and stays photogenic even till the reception.

pancaked wedding updos for long hair
Wedding updos for long hair: Wispy braids echo the softness in pleated flowy dresses.

12. Pancaked

For those who want to flex their Pinterest and YouTube muscles, this one’s for you. A flattened braid that snakes down from your center part that’s accented with light sprigs is a foolproof option for beach and garden ceremonies.

side flowers wedding updos for long hair
Island or resort ceremony? Try this festive yet elegant accessory for your big day. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

13. Side Flowers

Consider this the bridal version of having a flower tucked behind one ear.

pulled back wedding updos for long hair
All-weather, all-occasion, all-situation proof. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

14. Pulled Back

Fresh, clean and sweat-resistant, a simple gelled bun is as runway-worthy as it is practical.

princess roll wedding updos for long hair
Leave bare or accessorize with some small laurels for an updated Greek goddess vibe.

15. Princess Roll

Split hair into two and roll each side upwards towards the scalp for a pretty, queen-inspired look that also keeps your neck un-sticky!

FALL

With kitschy barnyard weddings and hipster themes being all the rage these days, and of course set against flaming foliage this time of the year, warm, earthy accents are the best foils for ceremonies under the harvest moon. Not saying you should automatically substitute the big bouquet for a basket of produce, but cozy accents, like wheat garlands or even a basket braid can get the point across rather tastefully. Boho details inspired by the hearth together with looser updos are a welcome (and uncorny) sight. Bonus: They hold their own in perfect autumn weather, which, as we know, is certainly something to be thankful for.

gold-foiled hairline wedding updos for long hair
Gold foil is edgy without being too out there, and pairs extremely well with a warm, well-curated wedding theme. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

16. Gold-Foiled Hairline

Ingenious, easy and very straight-off-the-runway. Pair with a sleek ponytail or low chignon and you’re all set.

three-twist bun wedding updos for long hair
Connect the dots for a more polished take.

17. Three-Twist Buns

This sensual, unique look stars with splitting hair into three sections, then creating a rope twist on each. Coil each rope twist into a bun and connect with pins to the next bun.

messy bun wedding updos for long hair
I’m not a regular bride, I’m a cool bride. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

18. Messy Bun

What’s not to love with messy hair and a wild spirit? Tame this unfettered, folksy look with some medium-hold hairspray, like Dove Style+Care Flexible Hold Hairspray, for a bit of control.

feeder braids wedding updos for long hair
Wedding updos for long hair: Leave some sideburns or temple tendrils free to soften the look.

19. Feeder Braids

Two skinny French braids combine at the crown and anchor a high bun, as well as give your veil a solid anchor.

crown braid wedding updos for long hair
In case anyone actually wondered whose day it really was…

20. Crown Braid

Leave the floral crown to the spring brides and work an actual crown braid. Lighter hair, in particular, simulates a nice wheaty texture without being too over-the-top.

braid with bun wedding updos for long hair
A dad joke fit for that wedding toast: A”bun”dance, with a capital B.

21. Braid with Bun

With abundance being the theme of the fall season, we figure this thick, lush-looking bun that’s secured at the seams with a simple weave falls right in place.

basket french wedding updos for long hair
Get that nice waterfall effect on the sides by spacing your links equally.

22. Basket French

A one-sided French braid creates a clever basket-like weave on the sides, and culminates in a neat, on-theme (and weather-proof) bun at the back.

WINTER

With winter updos for long hair, wedding looks and accessories that echo the glitz of the holidays, along with a certain uptown formality, are always a splendid choice. Sparkly tiaras and rhinestone-studded barrettes pick up the ice-princess vibe of a snow bride and are the ideal punctuation marks to curls worthy of the red carpet. There’s no holding back here: More is definitely more fabulous with a white-on-white wedding, and what you lose in kicky outdoor festivities, you can make up for with unapologetic, champagne-clinking, fur-donning glamour.

wedding updos for long hair wrapped bun
Wedding updos for long hair: A wrapped bun mimics the glam of a French twist, but with more stability.

23. Wrapped Bun

Similar to a French twist but way more secure, this look features a donut bun with a deep side part, with the seams hidden with an extra section (extensions are your friend!).

classic tiara wedding updos for long hair
Gets you closeup-ready the entire night. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

24. Classic Tiara

This classic look—the fringe swoop! The red lips! The drop earrings!—are all textbook Hollywood glamour.

princess tiara wedding updos for long hair
The icicles on Central Park have nothing on your bling. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

25. Princess Tiara

Another precious filigree version matches the ornate detailing in baroque-style gowns.

soft curls wedding updos for long hair
Create perfectly defined corkscrews with pins hidden at the bottom seams.

26. Soft Curls

Unabashedly romantic, soft, fully defined spirals bumped up with a mini-beehive go with virtually almost any theme or dress (but we think it’s most on-trend with a sweetheart neckline, no biggie).

low side bun wedding updos for long hair
Make like a modern-day Flapper with a vintagey low bun.

27. Low Side Bun

Old souls and those with a proclivity for vintage hairstyles always have a thing for darkly opulent looks. They can infuse their aesthetic into their winter wedding with a 1920s-inspired side-parted low bun, paired with Art Deco jewelry for good measure.

florettes wedding updos for long hair
Like frosting for your hair!

28. Florettes

Floral accessories rendered in porcelain or Lucite lend a precious, figurine-inspired feel to a ’60s round bun.

crown wedding updos for long hair
Make like the actual royals and keep all jewels coordinated. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

29. Crown

Where else but at your wedding (disregard if you’re royalty) can you legit rock a crown? Maximize this queenly moment with runway-approved details, such as pearls (the gem of the moment), scalloping (the front of the crown, the neckline) and one of fall’s biggest trends, ’80s earrings.

rhinestone barrette wedding updos for long hair
For a well-proportioned hairstyle, nestle a hair barrette on the minor side of a side-parted curl. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

30. Rhinestone Barrette

Ornate hairpins, such as lace-covered floral accessories or a gem-encrusted barrette as above, pick up the gorgeous detailing from an embellished dress without going overboard.

Which of these wedding updos for long hair are you loving right now? Let us know on @AllThingsHairUS.

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