Wedding updos stay popular for a reason. They keep hair secure through a long day, open up the face, and make room for veils, earrings, and dress details to stand out. Recent bridal coverage still treats updos as one of the most versatile wedding-hair categories, with options ranging from soft buns to sleek twists and textured ponytails.
A useful way to think about 2023 and 2024 bridal hair trends is this: 2023 leaned hard into polished, slicked-back buns, while 2024 swung toward softer, higher, slightly messy chignons with face-framing tendrils. At the same time, editors kept returning to classics like low buns, braided buns, twists, and ponytails, which is a good reminder that the best wedding hairstyle is the one that fits your dress, your hair texture, and your comfort level.
Recent bridal roundups keep circling the same winning shapes: low buns, textured twists, braided details, natural curl updos, pearl accents, and polished or braided ponytails. The 20 ideas below build on those shapes, but keep the descriptions practical so they are easier to discuss with your stylist. Read more.
1. Sleek Low Bun
This is the minimalist bride’s safest bet. It is clean, balanced, and elegant without trying too hard, and it pairs especially well with a veil or statement earrings.
2. Soft Low Chignon
A low chignon gives you the polish of a bun with a little more softness. Add a few loose pieces around the face and it instantly feels more romantic.
3. High Messy Chignon
If you love the 2024 shift toward a less rigid bridal look, this is the style to screenshot. It has shape and height, but the looseness keeps it from feeling too formal.
4. Wrapped Nape Knot
This is one of the easiest ways to look put together. Hair is gathered low, wrapped over itself, and pinned into a knot that looks refined from every angle.
5. Classic Ballerina Bun
Smooth, centered, and timeless, the ballerina bun works beautifully for black-tie weddings or dresses with strong architectural lines.
6. Braided Crown Into a Bun
A braid around the head softens the whole hairstyle and adds interest before the hair gathers into a low bun. It is a strong choice if you want texture without going full boho.
7. Loose Side-Braid Updo
This version feels more relaxed and effortless. The braid creates movement, while the pinned-up back keeps the style bridal and practical.
8. Braided Low Bun
A braid folded into a bun gives you a little more detail without needing a lot of accessories. It is especially pretty for garden, barn, or outdoor weddings.
9. Fishtail Detail Updo
A fishtail section woven into a bun or knot gives the hairstyle a more intricate, editorial look. It reads special right away, even if the overall shape stays simple.
10. Twisted Low Bun
Twists are ideal for brides who want dimension but not too much fuss. They also photograph well because the hair catches light from different angles.
11. French Twist
The French twist is one of the cleanest formal options on the list. It works best when you want something elegant, vertical, and slightly old-Hollywood.
12. Knotted Updo
This version looks modern and a little less expected than a standard bun. It is a good fit for contemporary dresses, city weddings, or minimalist styling.
13. Curly Pinned Bun
If your stylist starts with curls, this updo gets instant softness and volume. It is a great middle ground between polished and undone.
14. Natural Curl Updo
Rather than forcing natural texture into a super-slick shape, this style lets curls do some of the work. The result feels softer, fuller, and more personal.
15. Textured Updo With Pearls
Pearls can make even a simple bun feel finished. Tuck in a few pearl pins or a pearl comb if you want something classic that still feels current.
16. Side-Swept Bun
A side part and side-swept shape add glamour fast. This is a strong option if you want a bridal look that feels a little more dramatic without being overdone.
17. Braided Ponytail
A braided ponytail gives you the comfort and movement of a ponytail with more structure and visual interest. It works especially well for modern brides or for a reception look.
18. Sleek Ponytail With Wrapped Base
This style is simple, fashion-forward, and surprisingly formal. A wrapped section over the elastic keeps it looking bridal instead of casual.
19. Bubble Ponytail
For brides who want something trend-forward, a bubble ponytail brings shape and volume in a fun way. It can also make finer hair look fuller.
20. Twist-and-Pin Updo for Short or Medium Hair
Not every bridal updo needs long hair. A good stylist can build a beautiful updo on shoulder-length hair with twists, pins, padding, or a few well-placed clip-ins.
Which updo works best for your wedding style?
If your dress is sleek and structured, cleaner shapes like a low bun, French twist, or wrapped knot usually make sense. If your dress is softer or more romantic, textured buns, braids, curls, and tendrils tend to feel more natural. Ponytails and knotted styles can lean especially modern, while chignons and side buns almost always read timeless.
Venue matters too. Outdoor weddings usually benefit from styles that are pinned securely and do not rely on perfect smoothness all day. Formal indoor weddings can carry more polish. And if you know you will be dancing hard, comfort should count just as much as aesthetics.
A few smart bridal-hair tips before you decide
A hair trial is worth it. It gives your stylist a chance to see your hair type, understand your gown, and recommend shapes that actually work for your length and texture. It also lets you test accessories, check comfort, and rule out anything that looks good in theory but feels wrong on you. The Knot also recommends narrowing down what you like, bringing screenshots, and using the trial to spin through a few realistic options before the wedding day.
Do not assume you need very long hair for an updo. The Knot notes that shoulder-length hair can still achieve bridal updos, including slicked-back buns and braided styles, and that stylists can add clip-in pieces or hair accessories when needed. Medium-length hair also works especially well for textured twists, face-framing updos, natural curl styles, and pearl-accented ponytails.
Most of all, choose a hairstyle that feels good to wear. One bridal expert quoted by The Knot puts it simply: comfort matters, because no one is fully present when they are in pain. Your wedding hairstyle should make you feel like yourself at your best, not like you are counting down until the pins come out.
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