A low bun at the nape suits nearly any neckline and holds through a long day, while a high ballerina bun opens up strapless or halter styles and sits securely through hours of dancing.
1. Low Bun
A bun gathered at the nape works for nearly any dress neckline and keeps hair off your neck in warm weather.
The sleek version suits formal weddings and structured gowns; the textured or loose version reads softer and pairs well with lace or flowing fabrics.
If your hair is fine or slippery, a texturizing spray before you start gives the pins something to grip. A low bun stays secure through a long day and leaves your shoulders bare without looking too severe.
2. Braided Updo
Braids woven through an updo add dimension and hold the style in place without extra product. You can wrap a single braid into a bun, stack several flat against the head, or pin loose sections around a central knot.
This style works on most hair lengths past the shoulders. Braids also disguise uneven layers and keep shorter pieces from slipping out during the reception.
If you are doing your own hair, start with a Dutch or French braid at the crown and pin the ends into a low bun. The braid anchors the updo and the whole thing holds longer than a plain twist.
3. Top Knot Bun
A bun set high on the crown opens up the neckline and suits strapless or halter dresses. The sleek version is formal; the loose, airy version softens the height and suits outdoor or garden weddings.
Hair needs to be long enough to wrap into a full bun, though teasing or extensions at the base can help with height.
If your hair is thick, secure the base with two crossing bobby pins before you wrap the rest around it.
A high bun puts weight at the top of your head, so pin it firmly or it will droop by the end of the night.
4. Messy Updo
Loose texture and deliberately imperfect pinning give a relaxed, romantic finish that suits boho or garden weddings. This style hides uneven ends and works on most hair types without requiring a perfectly smooth base.
Pull a few curls or waves loose around your face and neck after pinning the bulk of your hair up.
The messier the better, within reason: you still want it to hold through the ceremony and photos. If your hair is fine, tease the crown lightly before gathering it to add volume, then smooth only the surface with your hands.
5. Bubble Ponytail
Sections of a ponytail are gently pulled apart and secured with elastics spaced evenly down the length, creating rounded, bubble-shaped segments. This style suits medium to long hair and adds interest to a simple ponytail base.
After securing each section with an elastic, gently tug the hair between the ties outward to create the rounded shape.
If your hair is thick, pancaking each section gives more volume; if it is fine, teasing lightly before you secure each bubble adds fullness. The style holds well through a full day and suits casual or outdoor weddings.
6. Sleek Updo
Hair is smoothed tightly back and pinned into a low, controlled bun or twist with no loose pieces. This style suits formal weddings, structured gowns, and modern or minimalist settings.
Apply a smoothing gel or cream to damp hair, then blow-dry with a paddle brush to eliminate texture before gathering it into the updo.
A sleek finish shows off jewelry, an open back, or a high neckline. If your hair is curly or textured, this style takes more product and heat styling to hold the smooth surface through humidity or a long evening.
7. Low Ponytail
A ponytail worn at the nape leaves the face open and keeps hair secure without the effort of a full updo.
You can wear it sleek and straight, add soft curls for volume, or wrap a small braid around the elastic to hide the tie.
This style suits most necklines and works on shoulder-length to long hair.
If you have fine hair, curl it first or pull a few pieces loose at the crown to add fullness. A low ponytail holds through a long day and takes less time than most pinned updos.
8. Updo with Curls
Curls are pinned up loosely to show their shape rather than smoothing them into a tight bun. This style suits naturally curly or textured hair and skips the flat-iron step entirely.
Pin sections of curls at different heights rather than gathering everything into one spot. The result has volume and movement without looking overly styled.
If your curls are tight, you can stretch them slightly with a diffuser before pinning to get more length. A few curls left down around your face soften the look.
9. Dutch Braid Updo
A Dutch braid sits raised on the surface of the head and adds texture when pinned into a bun or wrapped into a crown. This style holds firmly and suits long hair with some weight to it.
Start the braid at your hairline and pin the end into a low bun or twist it around the back of your head.
The raised braid adds interest without needing curls or loose pieces. If your hair is layered, a Dutch braid catches shorter sections better than a standard braid.
10. Ballerina Bun
A bun set high and smoothed tightly into place gives a polished, formal finish. This style suits structured gowns and shows off the neckline and shoulders cleanly.
Pull hair into a high ponytail, twist it tightly, and wrap it around the base before pinning.
Use a hair donut if you want more volume or if your hair is fine. A ballerina bun sits securely through hours of dancing but can feel heavy if your hair is thick or long.
11. Boho Braided Bun
Soft braids are pinned into a low bun with a few loose pieces left around the face for a relaxed, textured finish. This style suits outdoor or garden weddings and pairs well with flowing fabrics.
Braid one or two sections loosely before gathering the rest of your hair into a low bun.
Leave the braids slightly messy rather than pulling them tight. If your hair is fine, texturize it first so the braids have more grip and the bun looks fuller.
12. Side Bun
Gathering the bun off to one side rather than centered opens up one shoulder and suits asymmetric necklines or dresses with detail on one side. I like it sleek for formal weddings and textured for something more relaxed.
Secure a low ponytail to one side, then twist or braid it before wrapping it into a bun.
Pin it firmly since the off-center weight can shift during the day. A side bun also works if your dress has a zipper or buttons down the back that a centered bun would sit on.
13. Twisted Bun
Sections of hair are twisted rather than braided before wrapping them into a bun. The twist holds shape without needing texture spray and suits hair that is too short or fine to braid cleanly.
Twist each section tightly as you gather it, then pin the twisted lengths around a central point or wrap them into a coil.
The tighter you twist, the longer the style holds. A twisted bun works on most hair types and takes less time than a braided version.
14. Updo with Face-framing Pieces
Pinning most of your hair up while leaving a few strands loose around your face softens the overall look and suits oval or heart-shaped faces.
The loose pieces can be curled, left straight, or waved depending on the rest of the style.
Pull out one or two thin sections at your temples after securing the updo, then curl them if you want.
If your hair is very thick, the face-framing pieces add softness without making the updo feel too heavy. This style works for formal or casual weddings.
15. Voluminous Updo
Teasing the crown before pinning or adding extensions at the base creates height and fullness. This style suits thin or fine hair that would otherwise flatten against the head in a standard updo.
Backcomb the hair at your crown in small sections, smooth the surface lightly with a brush, then gather and pin everything into place.
The volume stays visible through photos and holds through a long day if you set it with enough pins. If your hair is thick, you can skip the teasing and just pin sections loosely for natural height.
16. Half-up, Half-down
The top section is gathered and pinned back while the rest hangs loose, giving the security of an updo with the movement of hair left down.
Pin the top half with a twist, a small braid, or simply gather it straight back.
If your hair is fine, curl or wave the loose section first to add body. A half-up style is comfortable for all-day wear and gives you the option to adjust it if pins start to slip.
17. Low Knot
Hair is gathered at the nape and tied into a knot rather than wrapped into a bun. The knot sits flat and structured, and suits sleek, formal weddings.
Secure a low ponytail, divide it into 2 sections, tie them once, then tuck and pin the ends under the knot.
This holds firmly on straight or slightly wavy hair. If your hair is curly, smooth it with a flat iron first or the knot will loosen as the day goes on.
18. Updo with Floral Accents
Small fresh or silk flowers are pinned into the updo for a garden or outdoor wedding. The flowers add color and suit boho or romantic dress styles.
Pin flowers individually after the updo is finished so you can place them where they balance the shape.
Fresh flowers need to be added the day of the wedding and will wilt in heat. Silk flowers hold longer and come in more colors, but they look less natural in close-up photos.
While the best bridesmaid hairstyles should obviously complement whatever they will be wearing—as well as the wedding’s overall style—every bridesmaid need not wear the exact same hairstyle.
— Vogue
19. Low Looped Updo
Sections of hair are rolled horizontally and pinned to create soft, continuous loops across the back of the head. The style works on medium to long hair and holds shape without a tight pull at the scalp.
Start by curling your hair lightly, then gather it in horizontal sections and roll each one under before pinning it in place.
The loops overlap slightly and build volume without teasing. If your hair is fine, curling it first gives each loop more body and holds the shape longer.
20. French Braid Updo
A French braid starts at the crown and transitions into a bun or pinned base, blending structure with softness. The braid lies flat and holds shorter layers in place while the rest gathers loosely at the nape.
The braid adds definition to the top while the loose lower section stays soft and romantic.
21. Greek Goddess Updo
Multiple loose loops are stacked and pinned to create height and movement at the back of the head. The style has a romantic, textured finish and suits flowing gowns or outdoor weddings.
Curl your hair first, then gather it in sections and loop each one back on itself before pinning.
The loops sit at different heights rather than forming one solid mass. If your hair is thick, this style shows off volume naturally; if it is fine, teasing the roots before looping adds fullness without deflating the texture.
22. Braided Crown Bun
A braid wraps around the head like a crown while a second thick braid and a low bun anchor the rest of the hair, creating layers of detail.
Small pearl and gold accessories are tucked along the braids for a polished finish.
This style works best with long, thick hair since multiple braids and a full bun take length. Pin the crown braid first, then braid a second section and wrap it horizontally before gathering the remaining hair into a bun.
23. High Sculpted Updo
Hair is pulled tightly up to the crown and pinned into a smooth, controlled shape.
Gather your hair into a high ponytail, smooth any flyaways with gel, then twist or wrap it into a compact bun.
Pin the base firmly since the height puts weight at the top of your head. If your hair is thick, divide the ponytail into smaller sections before wrapping to keep the silhouette sleek rather than bulky.
24. Intricate Textured Updo
The overlapping pieces create a sculptural finish that works for formal or semi-formal weddings.
The more you layer, the more detail shows in photos. This style takes time and several bobby pins to hold through the night, so secure each section firmly as you build the shape.
If your hair is long, you will have enough length to create deep folds without pulling too tight.
25. Braided Updo
Braids run through the updo to add detail without leaving the hair loose. You can weave a single braid from the crown to the nape or braid multiple sections before pinning them together at the back.
This style holds shorter layers in place and suits most hair lengths. The braids hold through dancing and photos, and the style reads formal in a ballroom or relaxed at a barn venue.
26. Crown Braid Updo
One thick braid wraps around your head from ear to ear, with the ends tucked and pinned at the back.
The braid sits like a band across the crown while the rest of your hair is gathered into a low bun or pinned loosely underneath.
A few loose strands left around your face soften the look.
27. High Curly Updo
Curls are gathered high at the crown and pinned to create volume and height.
I pin curls at staggered heights instead of gathering them all in one place, which stops the volume from collapsing by the reception.
Choosing by Hair and Setting
Hair texture decides which styles hold and which slip.
Fine hair needs texture spray or light teasing before pinning so bobby pins have something to grip. Thick or coarse hair holds pins easily but can look bulky in tightly wrapped styles; looser pinning or braids distribute the weight better.
Curly hair suits styles that work with the curl rather than fighting it, though some structured updos hold better when smoothed first.
Length matters past the shoulders: most updos need enough hair to wrap or pin securely. Shorter cuts limit your options to styles that gather at the nape or rely on twists rather than braids.
Outdoor summer weddings call for styles that keep hair off your neck and hold through heat and humidity. Indoor or winter weddings give you more flexibility, but a style that needs frequent adjusting will show it in photos.
Talk to the bride about the overall look she wants and whether a stylist will be available the day of the wedding. If you are doing your own hair, pick something you can practice ahead of time.
