39 wedding guest hairstyles so you can show up and show out (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.

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.

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.

For outdoor scenarios where wind is a consideration try to stay away from sleek finished styles and tightly pinned up-dos. Opt for loose up-dos, beachy waves, long loose curls, a pony tail, and half up/half down looks, all work brilliantly with the breeze.

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.

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.

But, there's a new beauty-focused change-up that's now going viral—a mid-wedding haircut. Often done as a surprise to guests and even their new spouse, a bride will steal away before the reception or cake cutting to take some length off their tresses and have a grand reveal.

Black tie wedding guest hairstyles for mid-length hair

A sleek, tamed bob can work well with all outfits. Keep flyaways to a minimum by spritzing a toothbrush with a lightweight hairspray and gently smooth down rogue strands.

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.

Defining 'Mid-Length' : “There are two camps of mid-length hair: Classic Mid-Length, which is below the jawline and above the collarbone, and Grown-Out Mid-Length, which is between the collarbone and the chest.

What is the best hairstyle for a wedding guest? ›

Gather all of your hair on top of your head; twist strands into a bun. Then, loosen the updo and pull out a few pieces to achieve that loosely-done, relaxed look. Consider this style for backyard nuptials or casual weddings by the sea.

Do NOT get a haircut right before your wedding. Or any other drastic hair changes or dye jobs, for that matter, as they're just too unpredictable. Instead, Brittany advises to plan ahead and get a tiny trim a few weeks before the big day for healthy looking hair.

Yes! The choice is real, girls! From messy buns to braided buns, there are a lot of options that a bride can opt for her wedding day.

As a rule of thumb, women who have long hair are best to put it up into a chignon when wearing a headpiece. This will generate a much neater look and allow you to fasten the headpiece with an elastic band behind the hair.

Semi-Formal: For daytime weddings, women can wear a knee-length or midi dress, while men can wear a lighter-colored suit. For evening events, opt for darker colors and more formal attire. Dressy Casual: Women can wear a casual dress or separates, while men should wear dress pants with a collared shirt and blazer.

Low ponytail

Like the low bun, the relaxed ponytail sits below the line of a floppy or wide-brimmed hat to finish your perfect mother of the bride look. Make sure the ends of your hair are well cared-for and healthy, and this hairstyle can look unique and classic at the same time.