Length and texture decide which of these updos will work on your hair, so start there before you settle on a favorite.
Short hair belongs in the Short Hair Updo, curls suit the Curly Updo or the Pearl-Pinned Updo, and straight, slippery hair holds a Sleek Updo or a French Twist well.
The list runs from the Half-Up Half-Down, which leaves hair loose around the shoulders, to the Sculptural Updo, so effort ranges as widely as style.
1. Braided Updo
A braided updo works best low, where the braid can wrap into a bun at the nape and the weave stays visible from behind.
That placement suits jeweled earrings and a neckline cut low in the back, because nothing sits above them to compete.
Braids also give fine or slippery hair something to grip, so the style holds without heavy product.
I’d choose a low braided bun over a high one for a long ceremony, since the weight sits close to the neck and stays steady.
Ask your stylist to keep the braid tidy at the surface, and add a few small pins at the base.
2. Chignon
A low bun at the nape, smooth and twisted, is the version I’d pick for a bride who wants one shape that never dates.
Sitting low, it leaves the back of a gown or a veil clear and gives a flower or small clip a flat place to rest.
Twisting the hair before pinning gives the knot more body than a plain coil. A smooth finish looks polished, while pulling the twist out slightly gives a textured chignon that reads softer in person.
If the bun starts to slip, add pins at the base instead of tightening the hair.
“Always make sure that you feel beautiful and confident but never take away from the bride,” says hairstylist Ricky Fraser. “A wedding guest should always follow the lead of the bride and the setting of the event.”
— Vogue
3. Half-Up Half-Down
Securing only the top section and leaving the rest loose gives you an updo’s polish with hair still down around the shoulders. Long hair in loose curls suits it well, since the curls fall evenly over the pinned section.
I’d curl everything first, then pin the top section back so the curls underneath stay intact. A light hairspray keeps the shape without stiffening the waves.
This is the easiest style on the list to wear if you dislike feeling pulled or pinned up all day.
4. Sculptural Updo
A sculptural updo treats the bun as a shape to build, not a place to stash hair. Here the glossy, swept-back sides set off a looped bun, so the loops get all the attention.
I’d keep the surface smooth and shiny, since any frizz blurs the edges of the loops.
A loop stays upright only if it has its own pin, so anchor each one individually, then mist the smooth sections with a firm-hold spray to lock the shape.
Dark, straight hair shows the shine best. Textured hair needs smoothing first to get the same glossy finish.
5. Short Hair Updo
Short hair can still go up. Pinned into a soft, textured shape, the length that won’t reach a full bun becomes a loose cluster at the back of the head, with no extensions or padding.
Texture does the work here, since short strands slip out of anything smooth.
Work a texturizing spray through dry hair so the pieces grip each other, then pin them in small groups instead of one big gather. Bobby pins crossed in an X hold better than single ones.
I’d keep the finish a little rough. Short ends that stick out read as intentional, and a tight, tidy version tends to look fussy on this length.
6. Curly Updo
Natural curls pinned up with small white flowers let the texture do the decorating. The curls stay defined and dimensional, so the updo reads as a celebration of the hair instead of a way to tame it.
Keep the pins small and tuck them into the deepest part of the curl clusters, where they catch without sliding.
I’d skip heavy smoothing products and let the pattern show. Curls tend to look best when you shape them with your fingers while the hair is still slightly damp.
This one suits curly and coily hair of nearly any length, as long as there’s enough to gather.
7. Sleek Updo
Hair gelled back tight and secured into a low bun gives the sleekest finish. It works on straight hair or hair that can hold smooth with product, and it keeps the focus clean for heavy earrings or a high neckline.
Use a strong-hold gel on damp hair, brush it back flat with a fine-tooth comb, and pin the bun at the nape.
A light hairspray holds it through the ceremony. If your hair is naturally textured, this look takes a straightening iron first and a bit more gel at the roots.
One loose curl at the front softens the severity without losing the polish.
8. Cascading Curl Updo
Curls gathered at the crown and left to fall down in loose spirals keep volume without full height. This suits natural curl patterns and works well when you want movement but still need hair off your shoulders.
Pin the top section into a base at the crown, then let the curls hang freely. A curling wand shapes any pieces that need definition, and a light mousse holds the texture without stiffness.
The cascading section can sit at the back or fall to one side, depending on where you place the base. It photographs well from every angle.
9. Pinned Curls Updo
Individual curls pinned into a gathered shape at the nape give a softer version of the high-volume bun. It suits medium to long hair and works best when your hair holds a curl well or has natural wave.
Curl small sections with a curling iron, let them cool, then pin each curl individually into a loose cluster.
Bobby pins go in vertically so they stay hidden. The bun sits low and full, not tight.
This one takes time but holds all day without much product. A few face-framing pieces left out keep it from looking too formal.
10. French Twist
The French twist rolls hair vertically up the back of the head and tucks the ends inside. It sits flat, keeps everything secure, and works on shoulder-length hair or longer.
Brush hair back, twist it tightly from the nape upward, and pin the twist vertically along the seam.
A few bobby pins at the base anchor it, and a decorative pin or clip covers the top. Straight or slightly wavy hair holds the shape best; very curly hair needs smoothing first.
It pairs well with a veil or a structured neckline, and it stays put without constant checking.
11. Textured Low Updo
A low bun built from loosely curled strands gives a softer, less structured finish than a sleek version.
The texture stops it feeling too polished, and it flatters most face shapes because the volume sits low rather than pulling everything tight.
Curl hair in large sections, backcomb lightly at the roots for lift, then gather and pin into a loose bun at the nape.
Leave a few pieces slightly undone so the shape stays soft. A texturizing spray adds grip without making it look stiff.
This one works for both church ceremonies and backyard receptions, and it holds well in humidity.
12. Tousled Front-Strand Updo
Hair gathered into a loose, textured bun with 2 curled strands left out at the front keeps the updo relaxed.
The front strands soften the face and bring down the formality, so it reads less rigid than a full updo but still holds hair secure.
Curl the front sections first, then gather the rest into a low or mid-height bun.
Pin the bun loosely so it has some movement, and curl the loose strands with a medium-barrel iron. A light hold spray keeps the curls soft.
This suits oval and heart-shaped faces especially well, and it works whether you are the bride or a guest.
13. High Bun
A bun positioned at the crown lifts the face and shows off earrings or a statement neckline. Height can be sleek and polished or textured and full, depending on how you secure it.
Gather hair into a high ponytail, twist or coil it around the base, and pin it firmly.
For more volume, tease the ponytail before wrapping it. A strong-hold spray keeps everything in place through dancing.
This suits long hair best, though shoulder-length can work with some backcombing. It pulls attention upward, so balance matters if you have a long face.
14. Face-Framing Tendrils
Pulling a few strands loose at the temples or cheekbones relaxes the formality a notch, and the updo itself stays exactly as pinned. The tendrils can be straight, wavy, or curled to match the rest of the style.
Once the updo is pinned, pull out thin sections near the hairline and curl them with a small-barrel iron for more definition. Leave them slightly imperfect so they don’t look like an afterthought.
This works on any updo and suits most face shapes, especially when a softer look matters but the structure should stay intact.
15. Twisted Updo
Twisting sections of hair before pinning them into a bun or knot adds visible texture and holds the shape without a lot of product. It works on medium to long hair and suits most textures.
Divide hair into 2 or 3 sections, twist each one tightly, then coil or pin them together at the nape or mid-height.
Bobby pins go in at the base of each twist, which locks it in place. The finish can be smooth or deliberately loose.
This takes less time than braiding and holds well in fine hair that tends to slip.
16. Loose Ends Updo
Instead of tucking the ends into the bun, let them stick out for a more undone, intentional look. The loose ends can be curled or left textured, and they add movement without unraveling the style.
Pin the updo as usual, but leave the last few inches of hair free.
Curl the ends with a medium-barrel iron if they need shaping, and use a light spray to hold the texture. The bun itself can sit low or high.
This suits hair that holds curl well, and it works best when the ends are in good enough shape to be seen.
17. Space Buns
2 buns positioned symmetrically at the back or sides keep hair completely off the neck and hold securely through long events. They can be tight and neat or loose and textured, depending on the look you want.
For a softer finish, leave a few pieces out at the front or curl the sections before pinning.
This works on most hair lengths and suits casual or outdoor weddings better than formal ceremonies.
18. Side Bun
Moving the bun off-center to one side opens up one shoulder and suits asymmetrical necklines or hair worn over one side. The bun can be low near the nape or higher behind the ear.
Gather hair to one side, twist or pin it into a bun, and secure it with bobby pins.
A few loose pieces at the front balance the asymmetry. Texturizing spray gives grip if your hair is slippery.
This photographs well from the side and suits round or square face shapes especially, since the diagonal line adds length.
19. Bohemian Updo
Hair wrapped loosely around itself and pinned in soft layers gives this updo its handmade, undone look. I prefer the wraps kept relaxed, with a few pieces escaping, because tight wrapping flattens the texture that makes the style work.
Shape it with your fingers instead of a brush. A texturizing spray gives slippery hair some grip before you start wrapping.
Hoop earrings or bare ears suit it, since nothing in the hair competes with them.
20. Hair Accessories
Small pearl pins pushed into a curly, twisted updo add polish without hiding the curls. Space them unevenly through the twists, where the texture is deepest, so they look scattered instead of lined up.
Clips, flowers, ribbons, and a veil all work the same way as add-ons. I’d pick one type per look, because 2 or 3 competing accessories pull attention from the hair itself.
21. Figure Eight Bun
The double loop is what separates this from an ordinary bun: it reads as a deliberate shape, not a knot. Keep the surface smooth so both loops stay clean and the crossing point shows.
I like it at mid-height, between the nape and the crown. Pin each loop separately so one can’t sag and pull the other out of line.
22. Messy French Pleat
Texture is what separates this from the classic French twist. The vertical roll is the same, but the surface stays rough and strands fall loose along the sides.
Pin the pleat first, then pull pieces free with your fingertips.
Fine, slippery hair won’t grip pins on its own, so a few spritzes of texturizing spray at the roots and through the lengths give the pleat something to hold onto.
I’d choose this over the polished version when a sleek twist feels too stiff for the dress.
23. Modern High Updo
Smooth sides with curled loops at the crown make this the most architectural high updo on the list. Keep the sides flat and tidy, and let the loops carry all the texture.
That contrast is the whole look, so don’t soften the sides with loose strands.
Curl the loops first with an iron, then pin them upright. A strong-hold spray on the smooth areas keeps them from frizzing.
24. Faux Hawk Curls
Curls swept up and back into a raised ridge make the hair itself the feature. Define the curls rather than brushing them out, since a faux hawk depends on the curl pattern to hold its shape.
Pin along both sides to keep the sweep high above the nape. I’d pick this over a smooth updo if your curls are your favorite thing about your hair.
25. Dutch Braid Updo
A Dutch braid sits on top of the hair instead of underneath, so it reads as a raised ridge and gives a bun real definition.
Worked around the head and pinned into a low bun, a Dutch braid keeps every strand off your face and neck.
Wrap the braid into the bun and pin the end underneath. Or shape it as a headband and leave the rest of the hair down, which I’d choose if you want a lighter look.
Pull the braid’s edges gently apart to make it look fuller.
26. Pearl-Pinned Updo
Small pearl pins turn a textured updo into something unmistakably bridal. The curls and loose texture do the styling, and the pearls just finish it.
Set the pins after the updo is secure, so they decorate the shape and don’t hold it.
I’d use pearls of one size and tuck them into the deepest curls, at uneven distances, so the pins look scattered, not lined up.
Keep the pearls small. The hair is the star, and the pins should catch light only when the head turns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to wear hair up for a wedding?
Match the placement to your neckline and hair type, then anchor it with bobby pins at the base.
Setting the bun low at the nape keeps a gown’s back and a veil free of snags, while a high bun opens up the face and puts earrings on display.
Short hair can still go up as a loose, textured cluster, finished with a flower comb or a similar accessory.
Over a long ceremony, a braided bun worn low is my pick: the weight rests against the neck and doesn’t slide as the hours go by.
What are the updo trends for 2026?
High buns are the one to watch, usually big, textured and a little messy instead of slick. Teasing the ponytail before wrapping it builds that volume, and a strong-hold spray keeps it up through dancing.
Shoulder-length hair can get there with backcombing, and finer or shorter hair may need padding or extensions. Tight curls piled high on top are the other bold option.
Is it better for photos if you do an updo for a wedding?
Not automatically, but an updo puts your neckline, earrings and the back of your head in clear view.
Seen from behind, a braided bun puts its weave on full view, so it holds up well in the shots taken as you walk away down the aisle.
Pinned at the crown with the ends left loose, curls look full and soft whether the camera is in front, beside or behind you.
If you’d rather keep hair down, a half-up style adds polish with length still around your shoulders.
