Being asked by one of your closest friends or family members to be a bridesmaid is a huge honour. It's a great bonding experience, but it's also a lot of work. Between the bachelorette trip, the bridal shower, and the wedding itself, there are a lot of events to plan and details to keep track of. It's your job to ensure the bride looks her best for her special day, but you also want to look good, too, and that means picking the right bridesmaid hairstyle.
Once you have your dress, it's time to decide on your beauty look. Instructions for bridesmaids vary from bride to bride and typically go one of two ways. Some like to specify how each member of the bridal party should look, selecting the bridesmaid wedding hairstyle for you, while others give you free rein to pick whatever suits you. In the latter example, brides will occasionally give some light perimeters, but otherwise, the choice is entirely yours. This makes the experience all the more fun but can also leave you scratching your head — especially if it's your first time. Luckily, we reached out to a professional for some guidance.
"When deciding on a bridesmaid look, there are a few things to consider: the bride's vision, the wedding theme, and your personal style," celebrity hairstylist and salon owner Jennifer Korab tells POPSUGAR. There are a variety of different bridesmaid wedding hairstyles to choose from, ranging from elegant buns to simple, tousled waves. "I personally love a classic updo," Korab says. "Something sleek and elegant."
The style of your dress, such as the neckline and back, can affect what hairstyle you choose, as can the location of the wedding itself. If your friend is getting married on a windy beach, you may want to style your hair up or in a half-up, half-down look to keep it from blowing all over and out of your face. If you are wearing a dress with an asymmetric neckline, you might consider swooping your hair to one side to balance out your look.
Korab also has some suggestions for bridesmaids hairstyles to steer clear of. "Try to avoid overly flashy or attention-grabbing looks that might overshadow the bride," she says. "As a bridesmaid, you want to be simple yet elegant, not overdone." It's also thoughtful to weigh what hairstyle the bride is wearing. If they're opting for Old Hollywood-style glamour waves, you should consider going with something else.
It can't hurt to ask the bride or your fellow bridesmaids their thoughts on a particular look, and the wedding hairstylist is also a great resource if you're still on the fence when the big day arrives. Ultimately, Korab says, "From the bridesmaid's dress to the venue, I like to have everything flow."
Keep scrolling to see more examples of wedding hairstyles for bridesmaids. From protective Black hairstyles to bridesmaid hairstyles for short hair, there are a slew of options out there.