Wedding Updo Hairstyles: Elegant Ideas

TLDR: A wedding updo is the most classic bridal hairstyle, keeping hair elegantly off your face while showcasing your neckline, earrings, and dress details. From sleek chignons and romantic low buns to textured French twists and voluminous top knots, there is an updo for every hair type, face shape, and wedding style. ThePerfectWedding.com's bridal beauty experts share the most flattering updos and what to tell your stylist at your trial.

Key Facts at a Glance

• 72% of brides choose some form of updo for their wedding day (Source: The Knot, 2025)
• A professional bridal updo costs $150 to $400 depending on complexity and stylist experience (Source: WeddingWire)
• Book your hair trial 2 to 3 months before the wedding and bring photos of 3 to 5 styles you love (Source: Brides.com)
• Updos work best with second-day hair or hair with light texture spray, not freshly washed hair (Source: Zola)
• Browse all bridal hair inspiration on our bridal hairstyles page on ThePerfectWedding.com

The Perfect Updo for Your Style

Are you more of a romantic type? Then a loose updo, possibly with braided sections, suits you. Are you more of a classic type? Then a simple updo suits you better. It's best to bring a picture of your wedding dress to the hairdresser, so they can advise you better. Whatever you decide, it's important that you feel comfortable. On your big day, you want to shine and have all eyes on you. We show you the options you have for wearing your bridal updo.

Bridal Updo with Veil

Do you want to wear your bridal updo with a veil? Then we have good news. Hair accessories can be best integrated and secured in an updo. For most bridal updos with veils, the veil is placed above the updo. However, it can also be placed below. Once you've decided on a hairstyle for your wedding, it's best to discuss with your hairdresser how to beautifully incorporate your veil. Be sure to bring it to your bridal updo trial.

You might also be interested in: How Much Does the Bridal Hairstyle Cost?

Updo & Braided

With a braid or a single braided section, you give your updo a playful twist. Braided bridal hairstyles are also totally in trend. You can braid a large, loose braid and then twist and pin it up, or you can enhance your simpler updo with small, side braids. The bold can even try a braid crown. For this, the hair is divided into two parts, two braids are made, and these are then laid over the top of the head towards the center, with the ends tucked and pinned under the other braid.

Simple Updo

You wouldn't feel comfortable with a striking bridal hairstyle and you want to leave all the attention to your wedding dress? Then a simple updo is just right for you. With a few hairpins, you can quickly twist and loosely pin up your hair. If you often wear a bun in everyday life and don't want to change too much for your wedding, a beautiful, classic chignon is also a great idea. You can wear it low, in the middle of the back of your head, or even on the side.

Half-Up Bridal Hairstyle

Completely pinned up is too strict for you? Then let a few strands of hair fall from your bridal hairstyle to loosen it up. You can also choose to only gather and pin up your top hair. Leave the rest simply open. A half-up bridal hairstyle is especially beautiful when you style the open hair into soft waves. To finish, you can also make this hairstyle the absolute highlight of your wedding outfit with a hair wreath of real flowers or leaves.

Updo with Flowers

Totally trendy: (real) flowers as an accessory for the bridal hairstyle. Very romantic and you can vary endlessly with it. Make a statement with a large flower or choose smaller blossoms. Whether placed on the side, at the back of the head as decoration for your bun, or in the form of a hair wreath around your upper head, go wild! White flowers give you an innocent freshness, green emphasizes your naturalness, and colorful flowers are perfect for a casual Boho Wedding.

Expert Tip: "The updos that last all day and night have one thing in common: the bride did not wash her hair that morning. Day-old hair with a little dry shampoo or texture spray holds pins, shape, and volume so much better than freshly washed hair. Tell your bridesmaids the same thing. It sounds counterintuitive, but your stylist will thank you."

Sarah Glasbergen, Founder at ThePerfectWedding.com

How long does a bridal updo take?

45 to 90 minutes depending on hair length, thickness, and complexity. Factor this into your wedding day timeline. Most stylists recommend starting 3 to 4 hours before the ceremony for the bride plus bridal party.

Will an updo work with short hair?

Yes, with creativity. Textured faux updos and pinned-back styles work with chin-length bobs and longer. For very short hair, see our short hair bridal guide. Extensions can add length specifically for an updo.

How do I make sure my updo survives dancing?

Three things: strong-hold professional hairspray, plenty of bobby pins (a good stylist uses 30 to 50), and a touch-up kit with extra pins and spray in your emergency bag.

Find Bridal Hair Inspiration on ThePerfectWedding.com

Browse all styles on our bridal hairstyles page. See options for shorter hair with our short hair bridal guide. Complete your look with wedding dress styles, bouquet inspiration, and color palette ideas. Build your beauty timeline with our 12-month planning checklist. Find hair stylists on our vendor directory.