30 Gorgeous—and Fresh—Wedding Guest Hairstyle Ideas (2024)

FAQs

How should I wear my hair as a guest at a wedding? ›

Formal wedding guest hair etiquette

Hair should be well groomed. You want to look dressy, sleek and polished - aim for short, slick side partings, barrel tonged waves, ballerina buns and textured updos.

Medium Length Hairstyles for Wedding Guests

Try a half-up, half-down style, but instead of pulling some of the hair back, braid it instead. It will still show off your length while giving you plenty of textured goodness.

Half Up, Half Down Hair

Half up, half down hair is one of the most popular wedding hairstyles for short and long hair. This timeless look will never go out of style. Half updos are the perfect fit for veils and other accessories. It can also be paired with all the styles mentioned above.

Among the anti-prim hairstyles we love are slick high ponytails, ultra-sleek, ultra long plaits, braids and pigtails, '90s loose updos worn with a modern spin, cute baby braids, mussy, sexy texture (or sexture) and accessories: the more the merrier.

You can wear straight hair down, up, or in braids to show off the highlights and dimensions in your hair color. Straight wedding hairstyles can be glamorous and chic, or effortlessly laidback and low-key. Whatever look you're going for on your big day, there's a straight wedding hairstyle to match.

Go with Your Gut. At the end of the day, it really is all about what you want, so trust your instincts and choose the hairstyle you love, regardless of your gown's neckline or what you usually do with your hair. If you've always envisioned yourself with long, flowing waves on your wedding day, go for it.

Medium-Length Cut with Long Layers

Hemple says long layers always give off a youthful appearance. She adds that off-center or side parts that "fall naturally in place can make the eyes seem wider to give you a more youthful appearance."

While this may be a bit intimidating, look at it as an opportunity to pretend you're royalty for an evening. Women wedding guests should wear full-length dresses, be it a ballgown, a sheath or an A-line dress.

For your typical wedding hair, allot this time for each party member or guest: Brides: 60 to 90 minutes. Bridesmaids: 30 to 45 minutes. Mother of the Bride and Mother-in-Law: 30 to 45 minutes.

What Are the Numbers in Haircuts? If you ask your barber for a number one cut, you are asking them to cut your hair so it is an eighth of an inch long. If you ask for a number eight cut, the hair left on your head will be one inch.

What hairstyles suit round faces for wedding guests? ›

As a general rule of thumb, the best hairstyles for women with rounder faces include styles that keep the sides of your hair short or close to the face. Add curls around the top of your head to create height (bangs, a graduated shag, or layers work, too), so that the face and the neck are elongated.

The Italian Bob

'I feel the biggest bob trend will be a nod to Italian chic style bobs, with more volume and movement. As it's cut from the collarbone to the chin without layers, it's the sweet spot for a more polished look with body and movement,' says Dom Seeley.

“Always make sure that you feel beautiful and confident but never take away from the bride.” Fraser suggests avoiding extravagant or over-the-top styles in favor of romantic classics like a low ponytail or a chic chignon.

The Answer: It Depends. There's no definitive answer of who foots the bill on bridal party glam. That said, the bride or the bridesmaids will pay for the bridal party's hair and makeup. Some brides cover the cost of glam as a “thank you” to their friends for supporting the wedding.

Arguably the biggest trend of the spring 2025 bridal season was drop waist silhouettes — a nod to the midcentury couture volumes prominent in the actual couture shows in Paris. Monique Lhuillier and Lein showed options with full skirts in tulle, while Lihi Hod used lace for a pannier-like design.

A pitch perfect ponytail is always the right choice. To help make it wedding-worthy, opt for slicked texture at the crown, a midi positioning, and a brushed, polished ponytail. (And when it doubt, add a ribbon!)

There's nothing more classic than a little black dress. If you're going to a formal function then updos will work perfectly. They're elegant, sophisticated and classy. But if you want to stand out for a co*cktail party, go with something that lays low as most other people will have gone up.

It's a rule that only a bride wears a tiara at a wedding or any kind of crown in her hair (like flowers).

DO: SHAMPOO AND BLOWDRY YOUR HAIR THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING: Shampooing your hair the night or day before the wedding will ensure your hair is clean and free of oil or build up. If your hair is very oily, you can wait until the morning of, to complete this step. Your hair MUST be blow dried after shampooing.