I’m a chronically online beauty editor, and over the last few weeks, I’ve been submerged in a social media debate about what hairstyles you should (and shouldn’t) wear to a wedding. So, as wedding season approaches, I spent hours looking through red carpet photos and turning to the most famous celebrity stylists to find all the best wedding hairstyles to choose from.
If you want something a little more elevated than a classic bouncy blowout, I’ve got you covered with all the chicest updos to wear to any type of wedding. From sculpted buns that can pretty much double as art to loose, piecey styles, there’s no shortage of inspiration from our celebrity hair muses to get us through wedding season. So, save this for your next salon visit, or when you’re pulling out your Dyson Airwrap and don’t know where to start.
Ahead, all the best updo inspiration for your upcoming weddings—no matter the dress code.
A low bun with loose pieces
A low bun with loose, face-framing pieces is the kind of effortless style that looks even better the less perfect it is. Smooth the crown of the head for a polished base, then let the front pieces and the bun stay soft and undone.
A curly updo
I love a curly updo with tight curls piled high atop the head—it feels bold, sculptural, and chic for even the fanciest of occasions. You can use a small wand to create tight curls, or let your natural hair texture take the spotlight. This look is ideal for a beachy wedding where you want to look breezy, yet still elevated.
A sculpted, slicked bun
This photo of Margot Robbie’s perfect updo is forever ingrained in my mind. Sculpted buns are all about precision, with every piece layered and placed intentionally to create a unique bun shape. I love this style for a fancy black tie affair.
A face-framing bun
If you have layers or bangs, a face-framing bun accentuates your facial features and adds a sweet, romantic finish. Leave out just a few wispy pieces or let all your front layers fall.
A braided bun
A tight, face-snatching bun finished with textured braids creates a sculpted and elevated look that’s ideal for any occasion. Plus, you can add hidden pins throughout the style so you can dance all night, knowing the gorgeous look will stay in place.
Half-up half-down
This hairstyle is extremely versatile, making it perfect for any occasion—especially a weekend-long wedding with multiple events when you don’t want to keep washing your hair. You can pull the top section into a sleek bun for formal moments, or a loose ponytail and let the rest flow freely for a more relaxed look.
A voluminous ponytail
You can never go wrong with a high ponytail. Keep the base smooth and polished, then let the tail cascade with body and movement for a look that’s equal parts sophisticated and playful.
An effortlessly loose updo
This look is all about effortless elegance with plenty of volume and texture. Pulled-back sections create a romantic and airy shape, while a few strategically placed pieces around the face keep the look natural and soft.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
