39 wedding guest hairstyles so you can show up and show out (2024)

FAQs

How should I wear my hair as a guest at a wedding? ›

Formal wedding guest hair etiquette

Hair should be well groomed. You want to look dressy, sleek and polished - aim for short, slick side partings, barrel tonged waves, ballerina buns and textured updos.

Among the anti-prim hairstyles we love are slick high ponytails, ultra-sleek, ultra long plaits, braids and pigtails, '90s loose updos worn with a modern spin, cute baby braids, mussy, sexy texture (or sexture) and accessories: the more the merrier.

Medium Length Hairstyles for Wedding Guests

Try a half-up, half-down style, but instead of pulling some of the hair back, braid it instead. It will still show off your length while giving you plenty of textured goodness. Look for medium-length wedding hairstyles for guests.

Half up, half down hair is one of the most popular wedding hairstyles for short and long hair. This timeless look will never go out of style. Half updos are the perfect fit for veils and other accessories. It can also be paired with all the styles mentioned above.

Consider Your Wedding Dress Neckline

"If you are wearing a strapless dress, either hair down or half up, half down will look pretty and feminine while still showing off the neckline," advises Mar. Loose waves and a soft, flowing style is key. If your dress has a higher neckline, our pro says to consider an updo.

It depends on what am I planning to wear as well as what kind of a wedding is it that I am attending. Usually, if I am wearing any outfit (saree, lehenga or gown) with heavy embellishments or bright shades, I prefer to tie my hair in a bun. A simple tight bun will make sure a clean look.

Often done as a surprise to guests and even their new spouse, a bride will steal away before the reception or cake cutting to take some length off their tresses and have a grand reveal.

Consider your everyday hairstyles.

"If you usually wear it down, look for bridal blowouts. If you wear it up, look into updos or a formal ponytail. This way, when you look back at the photos from your wedding, you look like yourself, albeit a more formal version."

Black tie wedding guest hairstyles for mid-length hair

A sleek, tamed bob can work well with all outfits. Keep flyaways to a minimum by spritzing a toothbrush with a lightweight hairspray and gently smooth down rogue strands.

That said, the bride or the bridesmaids will pay for the bridal party's hair and makeup. Some brides cover the cost of glam as a “thank you” to their friends for supporting the wedding. However, this isn't always the case. Weddings are expensive, and some brides can't afford hair and makeup for a large bridal party.

What does mid length hair look like? ›

Defining 'Mid-Length' : “There are two camps of mid-length hair: Classic Mid-Length, which is below the jawline and above the collarbone, and Grown-Out Mid-Length, which is between the collarbone and the chest.

What Are the Numbers in Haircuts? If you ask your barber for a number one cut, you are asking them to cut your hair so it is an eighth of an inch long. If you ask for a number eight cut, the hair left on your head will be one inch.

If your face shape is round, go for a long bob with a center part to break up the roundness and elongate the face shape. Try to avoid haircuts that hug the face, as these will only accentuate the roundness. Another option, is to go for a long side swept bang or an asymmetric cut. This also breaks up the round shape.

It's a rule that only a bride wears a tiara at a wedding or any kind of crown in her hair (like flowers). You may love that festival look and want nothing more than to wear a crown of flowers to your best friend's wedding but leave that part up to her.

You can, of course, wear your hair down - it really depends on the wedding and look you're trying to achieve. If the dress code for the wedding is formal, then you might want to follow suit with your hairstyle and go for an up-do.

Women should embrace wrap dresses, midi dresses or elegant jumpsuits. For men, if it's a daytime wedding, a light sport jacket, button-down shirt and relaxed chinos fit the bill. In the evening, go for darker colors, as later weddings tend to be more formal.