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Planning on attending a wedding? You’ll need a hairstyle that looks elegant without taking the spotlight. This can be a tough balance to strike, so we’ve handpicked 15 wedding guest hairstyles to give you some inspiration.
Looking for Wedding Guest Hairstyles?
Attending a wedding is a big deal. They don’t happen too often, so it makes sense to dress up for the occasion. The same is true for your hair—you’re not going to go to a wedding without a nice hairstyle.
But how do you choose a hairstyle that’s subtle enough? You don’t want to take the attention away from the bride. Plus, fancy and intricate styles are generally harder to pull off in general.
A good wedding guest hairstyle needs to be quietly elegant. It needs to strike a balance of being stylish and being understated. This can be pretty hard to achieve, especially if you haven’t attended many weddings in your time.
15 Wedding Guest Hairstyles We Love
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of wedding guest hairstyles. There’s something here for everyone, no matter what your hair type is or what kind of ceremony you’ll be attending.
Without further ado, here’s our list of the 15 best hairstyles for wedding guests.
1. Simple & Elegant
This is a great wedding guest hairstyle for any type of ceremony. It’s stylish but reserved, and it also works with almost any hair type.
You can tell effort went into this style. But it’s not too loud, so it doesn’t draw attention to itself. This hairstyle is great for all kinds of formal events where you want to look nice without standing out.
2. Bridesmaid Updo
The updo is an insanely popular wedding guest hairstyle because it’s so versatile. You can get just about any kind of updo, and you can modify the style to suit your needs.
The updo shown here is a gentle and relaxed look that features flowing hair on both sides. The back is tied up and pinned with a pearl pin for an added touch of elegance.
3. Updo With Braid
Here’s another take on the wedding guest updo. This lovely look features braids on both sides that wrap around the back and seem to hold the hair together. It’s subtle from a distance but reveals its depth when you look at it closely, so it’s a good choice if you’re after a slightly fancier hairstyle.
4. Fancy Updo
Want an updo that’s really fancy? This tousled updo might be the one for you. Reminiscent of how women wore their hair in the 1800s, this style features a large, flower-like bow at the back of the head. The longer your hair is, the bigger your updo will be, so you can get pretty creative with this one.
5. Wraparound Updo
For a different flavor of fancy, try this updo that showcases long corkscrew curls on either side of the head. The updo itself is essentially a large braid, though you can use any updo style you like. Teasing the hair in the front like this is a great way to add to any updo.
6. Neat Bun
This is about as perfect of a mix between understated and stylish as you can get with a wedding guest hairstyle. It’s a neatly formed bun that has no loose ends at the back for maximum formality.
At the front, a few strands of hair hang loose for a whimsical touch. Of course, you can omit the loose strands if you want a more conservative look.
7. Messy Bun
If neatness doesn’t concern you that much, you can go with a messier bun that’s not as neatly formed. This is still definitely a formal hairstyle, but it’s just a touch more casual than the neat bun shown above. In addition, this style features two simple plaits that lead from the front of the head to the bun.
8. Side Bun
Asymmetrical looks can be just as formal as symmetrical ones. Just take a look at this style that positions the bun to the left. It’s essentially a standard messy bun that’s shifted off center. It’s fresh and different, but it also won’t stand out in a crowd.
9. Loose Twisted Bun
Yet another way to style a bun is to make it super loose. Basically a half bun, this unique hairstyle provides the neatness of a bun with the carefree vibe you get when you let your hair down. The hair that hangs loose and twists around the bun is an integral part of this style.
10. Wedding Bob
After a shorter wedding guest hairstyle that’s not an updo or a bun? The bob is a nice option that offers a balance of easy maintenance and low-key grace. The secret of this look is to set waves into the hair, which elevates the classic bob look and makes it ideal for a wedding.
11. Large Braid
This rustic hairstyle is ideal for a countryside ceremony or farmhouse-style wedding. Two small braids wrap around the head and flow into one large braid that goes all the way past the shoulder blades. This look is just as good for bridesmaids as it is for wedding guests.
12. Curly Tresses
With long curls, loads of texture, and a floral decoration, this wedding guest hairstyle has a lot going for it. This is definitely on the fancier side, so it’s probably best to save this for occasions where you’re either a bridesmaid or a guest at a really ritzy ceremony.
Of course, you can tone it down a bit if you want to. There’s a lot of room to experiment and make sure it’s exactly what you need.
13. Decorated Bow
Here’s another fun style that’s perfect for more formal weddings. The star of the show is obviously the large bow that sits atop the updo, though it’s not as eye-catching as you’d think since it blends nicely into the hair. The corkscrew curl helps to frame the bow (and it’s also just fun).
14. Drawstring Ponytail
If you’re attending a dressier ceremony, then you might consider a drawstring style. Since this is a long style with a lot of body, it will stand out more than some of these other hairdos. While you can achieve this look naturally if your hair is long enough, it’s usually achieved with hair extensions.
15. Fancy Swirled Braid
This is a really unique look that features a large, thick braid that sits coiled on top of the head. Another great choice for formal and dressy ceremonies, this plaited style is unlike anything else on this list. If you usually braid your hair, this is a nice option that allows you to keep your style while elevating it at the same time.
Things to Consider
Choosing a wedding guest hairstyle can be fairly stressful. You have to make sure to walk that line of style and modesty, but you also want to match the style and formality level of the particular ceremony you’re attending.
It can also be intimidating if you’ve only attended a couple of weddings before (or none at all). You can find all kinds of crazy wedding guest hairstyles on social media, but that doesn’t mean that everyone is wearing those to weddings.
There are a lot of factors in play here, so it pays to spend some time thinking carefully about the kind of style you want. Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking at possible wedding guest hairstyles.
- Consider the specific ceremony and event details. This is one of the most important things to consider. What type of wedding are you going to? Are you attending a casual countryside wedding or an elaborate ceremony in an ornate church? Who will be there? This will provide the context in which you can choose a hairstyle.
- Work with a professional. Unless you’re attending a more casual wedding or you’re extremely confident in your hairstyling skills, visit a professional hair stylist. They’ll be able to make sure your finished look is wedding-ready.
- Take your hair type into consideration. If you want an elegant, natural look, you should work with your hair, not against it. The last thing you want to do is force your hair into a complicated double-bun style that just doesn’t work for you.
- Don’t be shy to ask around for help. If you’re really anxious about choosing a hairstyle, try asking for advice from someone else who’s going.
What’s Your Favorite Wedding Guest Hairstyle?
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Take your time when browsing wedding guest hairstyles. This isn’t something you want to rush into, so make sure you plan as far ahead of time as you can.
By doing research and consulting a professional, you’ll ensure that you have an appropriate style for the kind of wedding you’re attending. Keep these considerations in mind, and you’ll set yourself up for hairstyle success.