Hi, I’m Lena — a salon stylist with over a decade of experience creating bridal and guest looks. In this post I share 24 curated wedding guest hairstyles, photographed and styled to suit everything from garden ceremonies to black-tie receptions. These looks work across lengths and textures: romantic updos for medium-to-long hair, soft curls for fine or straight hair, textured braids for thick or curly hair, and polished ponytails for short-to-mid lengths. I’ll also point out which styles best flatter different necklines and dress styles. My salon tips include prepping with a lightweight volumizing mousse, always using heat protection, and building texture with a sea-salt or texturizing spray so styles hold all day. Whether you’re a chic minimalist or want intricate detail, these 24 images give practical ideas and step-by-step styling cues to help you arrive confident and camera-ready.
Romantic Half-Up Braided Crown with Loose Natural Curls
This soft, romantic half-up braided crown suits medium-to-long hair and works best on naturally wavy or curly textures; straight hair can achieve the look with added texture. Start on second-day or slightly damp hair: apply a heat protectant and a lightweight mousse or curl-enhancing cream, then diffuse or air-dry to build body. Create two small French or Dutch braids from each temple toward the crown and secure with clear elastics; gently pancake the braids for width. Curl remaining lengths with a 1–1.25 wand in alternating directions for natural movement. Pin the braids into a low crown with bobby pins, tuck ends under, and pull a few face-framing tendrils loose. Tools: curling wand, diffuser or blow dryer, wide-tooth comb, rat-tail comb, sectioning clips, small elastics and bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, texturizing/sea-salt spray, curl cream or mousse, medium-hold hairspray and a light shine serum for ends. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 30–45 minutes. Maintenance: refresh with a water mist and curl cream, tighten slipping pins as needed, sleep on silk or loosely braid to preserve shape, and avoid heavy oils at the roots to maintain lift.
Textured Twisted Half-Up Ponytail with Loose Waves
This textured half-up ponytail works best on medium to long hair with medium to thick density — wavy or straight textures are ideal; fine hair benefits from volumizing products or clip‑in pieces, and very curly hair can be smoothed slightly at the crown before styling. Technique: create volume at the crown by backcombing the roots, take two side sections, twist them toward the back and secure with an elastic into a low/medium ponytail, then loosen the twists for softness and pull out face‑framing tendrils. Add loose, undone waves through the length for movement. Tools needed: 1–1.25” curling wand or flat iron, teasing brush, tail comb, hair elastics, bobby pins, and sectioning clips. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, sea‑salt or texture spray, lightweight smoothing serum for ends, and a flexible hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — requires basic curling and pinning skills. Maintenance tips: refresh texture with dry shampoo or a light mist of sea‑salt spray, retouch waves on day two with a curling wand, tighten any loose pins, avoid heavy oils near the crown to preserve lift, and trim ends every 8–12 weeks to keep the style looking fresh.
Romantic Side-Swept Textured Updo with Pearl Accent — Loose Curls & Volume
This romantic, side-swept textured updo suits medium to long hair and works best on medium to thick hair types; fine hair can achieve the look with added extensions or extra texturizing. Start by applying heat protectant and a volumizing mousse to damp hair, then blow-dry with a round brush for lift at the roots. Create loose, 1–1.25-inch barrel curls with a curling wand, leaving soft face‑framing pieces. Lightly backcomb the crown for height, then gather sections to the side and loosely twist and pin them into a low, cascading chignon, securing with U-pins and an accessory like a pearl comb. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, curling wand, teasing comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins/U-pins, elastic. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing or sea-salt spray, medium-hold hairspray, lightweight shine serum. Difficulty: medium — achievable at home with practice but quicker and more secure with a stylist for formal events (30–45 minutes). Maintenance: refresh curls with a travel curling iron, revive texture with dry shampoo or texturizer, re-pin loose pieces, and sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely wrap to preserve shape.
Romantic Textured Braided Crown into Low Twisted Bun
This soft, romantic updo suits medium to long hair and works best on fine to medium-thick textures; very straight hair benefits from a bit of heat-texture, while wavy hair can be enhanced by scrunching. Technique: start with lightly textured hair, create a loose French/Dutch braid along one temple toward the crown, pancake the braid for width, then feed the braid and remaining hair into a low twisted bun at the nape. Pull small pieces free around the face for softness. Tools needed: tail comb, sectioning clips, small elastic, bobby pins, 1–1.25 curling iron (optional). Products required: volumizing mousse on damp hair, texturizing or sea-salt spray for grip, heat protectant, light-hold hairspray and a smoothing serum or pomade for flyaways. Difficulty level: moderate — requires basic braiding and pinning skills but is forgiving due to its loose finish. Maintenance tips: style on second-day hair for better hold, refresh with dry shampoo and a few pins, re-curl face-framing strands as needed, and sleep with a silk scarf to reduce frizz.
Soft Romantic Low Bun with Face‑Framing Loose Waves
This soft, romantic low bun with loose face‑framing waves suits medium to long hair and works best on straight to wavy textures; fine hair will benefit from root lift and mousse, while thicker hair may need light layering or strategic thinning. Styling technique: prep damp hair with heat protectant and a volumizing mousse, blow‑dry with a round brush for lift at the crown, then create loose, 1–1.25 waves through mid‑lengths and ends with a curling wand. Gently gather hair at the nape into a loose twist and pin into a low bun, allowing a few front pieces to remain free for soft framing. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush, 1–1.25 curling wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, elastic, and bobby pins. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or salt spray, texturizing spray, light smoothing serum for flyaways, and a flexible‑hold hairspray. Difficulty level: moderate — achievable at home in 20–35 minutes with basic skill. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a loose pineapple or soft scrunchie, refresh with dry shampoo and texturizing spray, and re‑pin loosened sections or touch up face‑frames with a quick curl each morning.
Textured Messy Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils for Medium to Thick Hair
This relaxed, textured updo works best on medium to long hair and suits straight, wavy or loosely curled textures — thick hair holds shape most easily; fine hair will benefit from volumizing products or low-density padding. Start on second-day hair: apply a volumizing mousse at the roots and a sea-salt or texture spray through mid-lengths to ends. Rough-dry while lifting at the crown, then create soft bends with a 1–1.25 inch curling wand on random sections to add grip. Backcomb lightly at the crown for lift, gather hair into loose, twisted sections and pin each twist into a low, slightly off-center bun with medium bobby pins, leaving a few face‑framing tendrils free. Finish by pulling gently at the crown and sides to create a lived-in shape and secure with flexible-hold hairspray. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, curling wand, teasing comb, bobby pins and elastic. Products: volumizing mousse, texture/sea salt spray, flexible hairspray and small smoothing serum for flyaways. Difficulty: intermediate — requires basic curling and pinning skills. Maintenance: revive with dry shampoo and texture spray, re-curl and re-pin loose pieces, and sleep on a silk pillowcase or in a loose pineapple to preserve shape.
Textured Low Messy Updo with Face‑Framing Pieces
This relaxed, textured low updo with soft face‑framing pieces suits medium to long hair and flatters straight, wavy, and slightly curly textures. Best on medium to thick hair for natural fullness; fine hair will benefit from light teasing or clip‑in pieces. Start with washed or second‑day hair: apply heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at the roots, then blow‑dry with a round brush. Add loose waves with a 1–1.25 curling iron to create movement. Backcomb lightly at the crown for lift, gather hair at the nape and twist into a loose, low bun, securing small sections with bobby pins to build a soft, undone shape. Loosen face‑framing pieces and gently pull on loops for a lived‑in texture. Tools: curling iron, tail comb, sectioning clips, hair ties, bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, texturizing/salt spray, light‑hold hairspray, shine serum. Difficulty: Intermediate — allow 20–35 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh texture with dry shampoo and a texturizing mist, and tuck or repin stray pieces as needed; trim every 8–12 weeks to keep ends healthy.
Romantic Textured Side-Swept Curls with Volume and Face‑Framing Tendrils
Perfect for medium-to-long hair, this romantic side-swept style is ideal for naturally wavy to curly textures; fine hair will benefit from volumizing products or light extensions, while very coarse hair may need smoothing serum before styling. Start on clean, towel-dried hair: apply heat protectant and a lightweight volumizing mousse, then blow-dry with a round brush or diffuse to enhance body. Work in 1
Soft Half-Up Voluminous Curls for Long Hair
This romantic half-up style works best on long hair and medium to thick textures; fine hair can also achieve the look with root-lifting products and light backcombing, while very curly hair benefits from a quick smooth blowout first. Start on clean, towel-dried hair: apply a heat protectant, volumizing mousse at roots and a light leave-in conditioner through the lengths. Section the top crown and lightly tease for lift, then secure the top half at the back with pins, leaving face-framing pieces loose. Create uniform, S-shaped curls with a 1–1.25 curling iron or wand, alternating barrel direction for natural movement. Tools needed: curling iron/wand, tail comb, teasing brush, sectioning clips, bobby pins, and a paddle brush. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or spray, medium-hold hairspray, texturizing spray for grip, and a small amount of shine serum for ends. Difficulty: moderate — salon-friendly but achievable at home with practice. Maintenance tips: refresh with dry shampoo and light mist of texturizer, re-curl dropped pieces as needed, sleep on a silk pillow or loose braid, and use weekly deep-conditioning treatments for bleached blonde hair.
Textured Romantic Messy Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils
This soft, textured messy updo with loose face‑framing tendrils suits medium to thick hair best and can be adapted for fine hair with added texture. Start on towel‑dried hair: apply a volumizing mousse at the roots and a light sea‑salt or texturizing spray through the lengths. Blow‑dry with a round brush to build root lift, or diffuse for natural waves. Create gentle waves in the lengths with a 1
Textured Low Ponytail with Soft Side-Swept Fringe
This textured low ponytail with soft side-swept fringe suits medium to long hair and works well on fine-to-thick textures; very fine hair may benefit from temporary extensions or root powder for added density. Start on damp hair with a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse, then blow-dry with a round brush to build lift at the crown. Create loose waves with a 1 curling iron or wand, alternating directions for natural movement. Lightly backcomb the crown for volume, smooth the top layer, and gather hair into a low pony at the nape. Leave a few face-framing pieces out, then wrap a small section around the elastic and pin underneath to hide it. Finish by misting a texturizing spray through mid-lengths and a medium-hold hairspray for hold and separation. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, 1 curling iron/wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, elastic. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing spray, medium-hold hairspray, lightweight shine serum. Difficulty: intermediate — requires basic curling and pinning skills. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and re-spray texture the next day, re-curl loosened pieces, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to preserve shape.
Romantic Textured Curly Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils
Suitable for medium to thick, shoulder‑length to long hair, this romantic textured curly updo features soft face‑framing tendrils and a low tousled chignon. To achieve it, prep hair washed the day before or with a volumizing mousse on damp hair, blow‑dry with a round brush for lift, and apply heat protectant. Create 1–1¼ barrel curls with a curling iron or wand, working in alternating directions to build texture; let curls cool in your hand to set. Backcomb lightly at the crown for height, then loosely gather sections and pin them into a low, irregular bun, securing with bobby pins and clear elastics — leave a few tendrils out and tug for softness. Tools: curling iron, clips, tail comb, bobby pins, elastic bands, and a vent brush. Products: heat protectant, texturizing spray or sea‑salt spray, flexible‑hold hairspray, lightweight serum or shine spray. Difficulty: moderate — 30–60 minutes depending on skill. Maintenance: refresh with a light mist and touch‑up curls, use dry shampoo to absorb oils, sleep on a silk pillow or loosely wrap to preserve shape, and avoid heavy oils at the roots to maintain volume.
Romantic Side‑Swept Textured Waves with Loose Braid Detail
This romantic, side-swept style suits medium to long hair and works well on straight, wavy, or relaxed curly textures; fine hair will benefit from light padding or clip‑in pieces for volume, while very coarse hair may need smoothing. Start on dry hair with a heat-protectant spray. Create loose waves with a 1
Textured Romantic Side Fishtail Braid with Tousled Volume
This soft, textured side fishtail is ideal for medium to long hair and works best on naturally wavy or loosely curled hair; straight hair will need a bit of heat-styled wave for grip, and very tight curls should be gently stretched for the same look. Start on damp or second-day hair: apply a lightweight mousse or texturizing spray, blow-dry for volume, and create loose waves with a 1–1.25 inch wand. Backcomb lightly at the crown to build lift, gather hair to one side and create a loose fishtail (or rope) braid, securing with an elastic. Pull gently on braid sections to pancake for fullness and tug small face-framing pieces free. Tools needed: tail comb, sectioning clips, curling wand, elastic bands, bobby pins. Products required: heat protectant, texturizing spray or sea-salt spray, light-hold hairspray, smoothing serum for flyaways. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 20–35 minutes. Maintenance tips: refresh texture with dry shampoo or spray, re-tug braid sections each morning, sleep with a silk scarf to reduce frizz, and re-pin any loosened strands rather than over-brushing to preserve the style.
Half‑Up Romantic Curls with Soft Volume — Bridal/Prom Hairstyle
This half-up romantic curl style suits medium to long hair and works well on straight, lightly wavy or relaxed curly textures. For fine hair, add a volumizing blowout and root‑tease at the crown; for thick hair, smooth and work in smaller sections to reduce bulk. Start on clean, dry hair with a heat protectant. Create loose S‑shape curls using a 1–1.25 inch curling iron or wand, alternating direction for natural movement. Backcomb a small crown section for lift, sweep sides back into a soft twist or loop, and secure with U‑pins and matching bobby pins; leave face‑framing pieces to soften the look. Tools: curling iron/wand, round brush or blow dryer, tail comb, sectioning clips, teasing brush, assorted bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or spray, light smoothing serum on ends, texturizing spray for grip, and a flexible‑hold hairspray to set. Difficulty: moderate — achievable at home with practice; expect 30–45 minutes. Maintenance: carry extra pins and a mini hairspray, avoid heavy oils at the roots, and refresh loose curls with a touch of heat or texturizer between photos.
Loose Twisted Half-Up with Braided Detail for Long Wavy Hair
This soft, romantic half-up combines a loose side twist and a pulled-apart braid into a low, textured cascade — ideal for long hair with natural waves or those willing to add waves. Best suited to medium to thick hair for fullness; fine hair benefits from light teasing or clip-in pieces for volume. Start on towel-dried hair with a volumizing mousse through roots and a heat protectant mid-length to ends. Create a deep side part, twist and feed small sections into a loose three-strand braid on one side, gently pancake the braid for width, then wrap or loop it into a low half-knot and secure with elastics and long bobby pins. Finish by curling remaining lengths with a 1
Textured Low Chignon Updo with Face‑Framing Wisps
A soft, textured low chignon designed for medium to thick hair and relaxed waves; fine hair can achieve the same look with lightweight extensions or added volumizing products. Prep hair with a heat protectant and a root‑lift mousse, then blow‑dry with a round brush or diffuse to build body. Create loose waves with a 1–1.25 inch curling iron, lightly backcomb the crown for lift, and gather hair into a low twisted chignon, securing with bobby pins and a small elastic. Pull out delicate face‑framing strands and loosen the chignon slightly for a lived‑in finish. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, curling iron, teasing comb, sectioning clips, elastics and bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, texturizing/salt spray, flexible‑hold hairspray and a tiny amount of lightweight shine serum. Difficulty: moderate — typical salon timing is 20–35 minutes; at home plan 30–45 minutes if pinning is new to you. Maintenance tips: refresh with dry shampoo and light texturizer, retuck or replace any loosened pins, sleep on a silk pillowcase or rewrap in a loose scarf, and avoid heavy oils near the roots to maintain volume.
Soft Textured Romantic Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils
Technique in the chair: rough‑dry for body, section and curl hair loosely with a curling iron or wand, then lightly tease at the crown for lift. Gather hair into a low, loosely twisted bun or series of pinned twists, leaving two or three face‑framing tendrils. Secure with long bobby pins and U‑pins, pulling pieces gently to create a lived‑in, romantic shape. Finish with a flexible, medium‑hold hairspray and a light texture spray to keep movement. Salon difficulty is intermediate — expect 30–45 minutes once comfortable with sectioning and pin placement. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a loose silk wrap, refresh shape next day with dry shampoo and a spritz of texture spray, and tuck loose pieces back with spare pins. Avoid heavy oils near the roots to preserve lift, and schedule regular trims to keep ends soft and easy to style.
Romantic Half‑Up Braided Crown with Loose Curls for Medium to Long Hair
Suitable for medium-to-long hair, this romantic half-up braided crown with loose curls flatters medium to thick textures but can be adapted for fine or naturally curly hair. Begin on towel-dried hair with a volumizing mousse, then blow-dry with a round brush and lightly backcomb the crown for lift. Create two small Dutch or French braids from each temple and secure them at the back with a small elastic, tucking and pinning ends with bobby pins to form a soft crown; leave face-framing pieces unpinned. Use a 1 curling wand to form loose S-shaped curls through the lengths, alternating directions, then gently finger-comb for a relaxed finish. Tools: 1 curling wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, round/paddle brush, bobby pins and small elastics. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lifter, salt/texturizing spray, light-hold hairspray and a small amount of shine serum. Difficulty: Intermediate — 25–40 minutes depending on density. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo and a texturizing mist, re-curl any collapsed ends, re-pin loosening braid sections as needed, and sleep on a silk pillowcase or in a loose braid to preserve shape.
Textured Messy Updo with Face‑Framing Tendrils
This soft, textured messy updo with face‑framing tendrils suits fine to medium hair best for achieving lifted volume, and works beautifully on thick or naturally wavy hair with slightly different prep. Start on towel‑dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse or sea‑salt spray at the roots. Blow‑dry while lifting the crown with a round brush or use a diffuser for natural waves. Create loose 1
Romantic Textured Low Ponytail with Loose Curls and Face‑Framing Tendrils
Suitable for medium to long hair with natural waves, loose curls, or fine-to-medium thickness. Very long straight hair can be pre-curled to hold the shape; very coarse hair may need smoothing before styling. Styling technique: start on towel-dried hair with a volumizing mousse and a heat protectant. Blow-dry with a round brush to build lift at the crown. Work in 1–2-inch sections and use a 1–1.25-inch curling iron or wand to create loose curls, alternating direction for texture. Lightly backcomb the crown, then gather hair into a low, slightly off-center ponytail, leaving a few face-framing tendrils. Release and pin sections of the ponytail upward and inward with bobby pins to form a soft, piled effect; gently pull pieces to loosen for a lived-in look. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush, curling iron/wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, elastics, and bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or spray, salt/texturizing spray, medium-hold hairspray, and a lightweight shine serum. Difficulty: moderate — 30–45 minutes. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo or texturizer, re-curl stray pieces, sleep on silk, and avoid heavy oils that weigh curls down.
Half-Up Twisted Crown with Loose Waves
A romantic half-up twisted crown finished with loose, textured waves — ideal for bridal or everyday wear. Suitability: best on long hair (collarbone length and longer) and works well on medium-fine to thick textures; straight hair can be pre-textured with a curling tool and fine hair benefits from mousse or root lift. Styling technique: start with clean, towel-dried hair and apply a heat protectant and light volumizing mousse. Blow-dry with a round brush for lift at the crown. Create loose S-waves using a 1–1.25 curling wand, alternating directions and leaving ends slightly undone. Lightly backcomb the crown for volume, take two face-framing sections, twist them toward the back and secure with U-pins or small elastics, tucking and pinning to form a soft crown. Tools needed: hairdryer, round brush, curling wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins/U-pins. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing/root spray, texturizing spray, light shine serum, flexible-hold hairspray, and an optional bond-repair treatment for color-treated hair. Difficulty: moderate — a salon finish is achievable at home with practice (30–45 minutes). Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely braid to preserve waves, refresh with dry shampoo and a quick re-curl of dropped pieces, and avoid heavy oils at the roots to keep lift.
Textured Romantic Dutch Braid into Loose Bubble Ponytail
This soft, romantic style works best on medium to long hair and flatters straight, wavy, or slightly curly textures—thicker hair yields the fullest look; fine hair benefits from light extensions or a texturizing powder for grip. Technique: prep dry hair with a volumizing mousse and heat protectant, create loose waves with a 1–1.25 wand for movement, then start a slightly off-center Dutch braid from the hairline to the nape. Secure with a small elastic, pancake (gently pull) the braid for volume, then create a low bubble ponytail by adding 2–3 small clear elastics down the length and tugging each section to form rounded bubbles. Pull a few face-framing tendrils softening the hairline and hide elastics with wrapped hair or bobby pins. Tools needed: tail comb, sectioning clips, curling wand, teasing brush, small elastics, bobby pins. Products required: dry shampoo or texturizing spray, light- to medium-hold hairspray, smoothing serum, heat protectant. Difficulty: intermediate (20–45 minutes). Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh texture with dry shampoo or spray, tighten elastics and re-pancake if needed, and avoid heavy brushing to maintain shape.
Textured Romantic Updo with Loose Face-Framing Tendrils
Suitable for medium-to-long lengths and fine-to-medium density hair; can be adapted for thick hair after texturizing. Technique: start on clean, towel-dried hair with root-lift mousse and blow-dry while lifting the roots. Create loose curls with a 1 curling iron or wand, alternating directions for natural movement. Backcomb the crown lightly for height, then gather hair into a low-to-mid back section. Twist and loosely pin sections with U-pins and bobby pins, leaving some curls free for texture. Pull small face-framing tendrils and gently loosen the top for softness. Tools: 1 curling iron or wand, blow-dryer, round brush, teasing comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins, U-pins and small elastics. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing spray or powder, flexible-hold hairspray and a light shine serum. Difficulty: moderate — salon-level finish but achievable at home with practice; allow 30–45 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a loose hair net, refresh with a light mist and texturizer, re-pin slipped pieces, and avoid heavy oils at the roots to preserve lift and texture.
Choosing the right wedding guest hairstyle is about matching your hair texture, dress silhouette, and the event’s formality. As a pro stylist, I recommend scheduling a quick trial or consultation, especially if you plan extensions or elaborate accessories. On the day, prep with a clarifying shampoo two days before, use a strengthening leave-in, and protect with heat spray right before styling. Anchor styles with quality pins and a flexible-hold hairspray so the look moves naturally but stays put. For humid conditions, add an anti-frizz serum and use a humidity-resistant finish. After the event, treat colored or heat-styled hair to a deep-conditioning treatment to restore moisture. Bring reference photos and any hairpieces to your appointment — clear communication saves time and ensures the finished look complements your outfit. If you’d like, book a consultation with me — I’ll help tailor one of these 24 styles to your hair and the wedding day timeline.