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 [1] 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 [2] 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 [3] tells POPSUGAR. There are a variety of different bridesmaid wedding hairstyles to choose from, ranging from elegant buns [4] 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.
Tousled Updo Bridesmaid Hairstyle
Not into the slicked-back bun look? Try a tousled updo with curled, long pieces of hair framing the face and hanging from the bun.
Half-Up Bridesmaid Hairstyle For Long Hair
Whether you have thick or thin hair, this half-up, half-down bridesmaid hairstyle with a twist is a classic choice.
Goddess Stitch Braids Protective Bridesmaid Hairstyle
Looking for a Black bridesmaid hairstyle? Try this stunning look featuring goddess stitch braids and tight curls around the face.
Sleek Chignon Hairstyle for Bridesmaids
As a bridesmaid, you can't go wrong with an elegant sleek low bun.
A Messy Bun For Your Bridesmaid's Hairstyle
This romantic, messy bun hairstyle is perfect for a garden party wedding or laid-back beach affair.
Twisted Locs Bridesmaid Hairstyle Idea
This twisted locs style is a beautiful bridesmaid hairstyle for natural hair.
Bubble Ponytail Trendy Bridesmaid Hairstyle
Elevate a simple low ponytail with bubble detailing for your bridal party look.
Low Bun for Simple Bridesmaid Hairstyle
This voluminous low bun hairstyle features curled, face-framing pieces and some body at the crown of the head.
Wavy Bridesmaid Hairstyle for Short Hair
Glamorous waves parted on the side and tucked behind one ear is a simple and easy bridesmaid hairstyle.
Bantu Knots for Black Bridesmaid Hairstyles
Bantu knots are a great bridesmaid hairstyle for Black hair if you want to keep your ends tucked and out of your face while you dance the night away.
French Twist For Quick Bridesmaid Hairstyle
Put a spin on the classic wedding updo by making it a french twist hairstyle.
Hollywood Waves for Classic Bridesmaid Hairstyle
Old Hollywood glamour waves are a great choice for an upscale wedding, like a black tie event.
Simple Yet Elegant Ponytail Hairstyle for Bridesmaids
When in doubt, go for a curled ponytail with face-framing pieces if you have long, thick hair.
Half-Up Bridesmaid Hairstyle For Short Hair
The classic half-up bridesmaid look works great on short hair.
Half-Up Braids Hairstyle For Bridesmaids
Add some flare to your half-up style by incorporating a braid or two.
Braided Bun Hairstyle For Bridesmaids
If you have long braids, you can pull them up into a twisted bun for an easy wedding hairstyle for Black hair.
Half-Up and Wavy Bridesmaids Hairstyle For Long Hair
For a polished take on the half-up look, opt for smooth glamour waves with two neat sections pulled back.
Side-Parted and Half-Up Bridesmaid Hairstyle
If the wedding is taking place during the summer and you want to stay cool without having to wear an updo, try pulling most of your hair back into a half-up style and leave one section of hair curled around your face.
Curled Ponytail on Thick Hair for Bridesmaid Hairstyle Ideas
If you have long, thick hair, consider pulling it back into a twisted curled ponytail to keep it off your neck.
Braided Low Bun For Simple Bridesmaid Hairstyle
You can't go wrong with a low braided bun for any wedding, no matter the season or vibe. To add some intrigue, this style features corn rows of varying sizes.
Half-Up, Half-Down Curls Bridesmaid Hairstyle Idea
This voluminous half-up, half-down style features big curls and some teasing at the crown of the head.
Half-Up Bridesmaid Hairstyle With Micro Braids
This half-up, half-down hairstyle incorporates micro braids and perfectly styled baby hairs to make it feel even more classy.
Jessica Harrington [6] is the senior beauty editor at POPSUGAR, where she writes about hair, makeup, skin care, piercings, tattoos, and more. As a New York City-based writer and editor with a degree in journalism and over eight years of industry experience, she loves to interview industry experts, keep up with the latest trends, and test new products.
