Vanessa is a hair and beauty blogger that focuses on natural hair and clean, natural and organic beauty practices. She is based in Canada has been blogging for over a decade.
Read full bio Editorial guidelinesFishtail braids are one of those hairstyles that appear super intricate and difficult, but in reality, they are quite easy to achieve and the payoff is absolutely gorgeous. This is definitely a wedding hairstyle for black women looking for a gorgeous style that will flow down her back and there are many types of accessories to choose from when looking to adorn your braid.
We can imagine your excitement and desire to look awesome on the big day. The choice of a wedding hairstyle is as important as the choice of your bridal gown. Besides, these two should be in harmony with each other and the style of your wedding.
Every bride has her own likings, preferences, individual hair texture, and length. Luckily, there are so many stunning black wedding hairstyles, that there shouldn’t be any problem for brides to choose something that will duly reflect their beauty.
Nowadays, you can really do with your hair whatever you like, as long as it’s healthy. Think of what kind of bride you’d like to be: traditional and elegant, innocent and romantic, chic and glamorous, unconventional and bohemian, beach and sporty? Look at some of the best African American bride hairstyles for your big day inspiration and get ready to bring any of these looks to life.
Chignons are synonymous with vintage glamor and formality. The simple elegance of this style means it will always be among the top contenders when it comes to wedding hairstyles for black women. Whether you have relaxed hair or natural hair, if you can pull your hair back to your nape, you can create the perfect chignon and if all else fails, there’s always extensions for that bit of extra length.
Cornrows are a favorite and popular hairstyle for black women the world over, especially those who choose to wear their natural curls. It is, therefore, no surprise that cornrows are a popular component in many wedding hairstyles for black women. This style is suitable for hair of all lengths and its simplicity and versatility means it will complement a variety of wedding gowns. It’s a great style for brides and bridesmaids alike, and you’ll have a hairstyle that you can rock post wedding as well.
Pulling your puff to the side is a great way to add flair to a familiar and well-worn afro hair style. It’s literally a new twist on an old favorite and pulling your hair to the side allows you more room and flexibility when adding your favorite wedding hair accessory.
Adding waves to the classic chignon is a great way to create texture and include a bit of vintage glamor to your wedding day hairstyle. This style is all grace and poise.
This elaborate pompadour hairstyle featuring a double chignon will definitely turn heads. It’s not your everyday look and is a great option for the bride who wants to her wedding to make a statement in every way imaginable.
Voluminous curls are also a contender when it comes to wedding hairstyles for black women. The style works great on relaxed hair but can also be achieved on natural and curly hair that has been stretched, with or without the use of heat.
Glamor and elegance are not just for medium length or long hair. This style is great for those with tapered cuts and creates the illusion of a perfect updo. Add your accessories and voila, the perfect bridal hairstyle for the perfect bride.
This sleek, low puffy ponytail is a great option for brides and bridesmaids alike. It’s fun and easy to do if you’re the kind of bride that has her heart set on doing her own hair. This style can be achieved on relaxed or natural hair, with or without extensions.
Fishtail braids are one of those hairstyles that appear super intricate and difficult, but in reality, they are quite easy to achieve and the payoff is absolutely gorgeous. This is definitely a wedding hairstyle for black women looking for a gorgeous style that will flow down her back and there are many types of accessories to choose from when looking to adorn your braid.
Oftentimes, brides have a difficult time choosing a hairstyle because they like more than one. This roll and tuck chignon shows that thinking outside the box and combining elements from different hairstyles you like to create something fresh, new and as unique as you are is totally worth it.
The perfect style for keeping your hair off your back and neck. Its elegant yet fun and is a great look for weddings with a more laid-back vibe.
Locs are amazingly versatile and when it comes to wedding hair styling, curling your locs is definitely a style worthy of consideration. Thes curly locs are lovely and the style is such that you could wear a variety of different hair accessories and your hair would still look fantastic.
Natural curls are a built-in hairstyle all on their own and there’s nothing quite like having a good curly hair day to make you feel yourself. Wearing your natural curls loose is always a great option when it comes to wedding hairstyles for black women. Of course, adding color is optional, but there are lots of ways to add temporary hair color without risking damage to your beautiful curls.
An excellent wedding day hairstyle for black women with medium length natural hair that want to rock their natural curls in a laid-back way that is still formal. If your natural hair doesn’t have a lot of definition, you can achieve this style on a braid out or twist out.
Who doesn’t love a great bun! This style adds not just sophistication and elegance to the bun, but the pinned curls create added visual interests that make you feel like you could look at it all day. This style is sure to wow with or without the bangs since the huge bun is really the star of this show.
This huge high bun hairstyle is simply gorgeous and definitely deserves to make any list that features wedding hairstyles for black women. It’s simple and stylish, but is also easily modified by changing the size, style and texture of the bun. The addition of the side cornrows details takes the look to new heights that is truly worthy of appreciation.
Not every black woman looking for a wedding hairstyle is the bride. You could be the mom of the bride, a member of the wedding party or even a guest. Whatever your role, you deserve a great hairstyle, as long as you are mindful of not upstaging the bride on her big day. This hairstyle featuring long loose waves is quick and easy to achieve and works well for guests and bridesmaids. You can achieve this look with a wig or extensions for added length if desired.
The natural hair faux hawk and pompadour are as perfect a combination as peanut butter and jelly. This look is all about showing off the texture of afro hair and is sure to increase the elegance factor of the bride on her big day.
Wedding hairstyles for black women with short hair can be hard to find, but we’ve got your back. Finger waves are the perfect hairstyle for those with short curls and pixie cuts. It is an excellent choice for black women who love all things vintage and is a great style to not only frame the face and highlight your makeup, but to show off popular hair accessories to their full advantage.
Rolling and pinning hair in place is an easy way to create interesting updos on natural hair. This technique creates versatile looks and styles on afro hair of almost any length. This rolled and pinned updo is sophisticated and is sure to complement the most elegant wedding dress. It’s also cool enough to be worn after the wedding without worry that it may be too fussy for casual, everyday occasions.
Loose curls are fun, but they can be hard to wear with a hair accessory if you want it to be noticed. By only pinning the bottom of your curled look, you create a shape and place to pin a jeweled flower. The best part is that the front still maintains volume and individual curls so that it doesn’t look flat.
Hair accessories always help to make a wedding ‘do feel a bit more special. This curly updo is romantically enhanced with a white flower barrette clipped on one side. Who needs large earrings when you have a hair clip like that?
Braids and twists are always popular when it comes to black wedding hairstyles. They are great for black hair, whether you prefer natural hairstyles or updos and downdos for straightened hair. The standard halo braid updo gets an upgrade here thanks to the addition of two thick twists down the crown. All the braids twist together to form a cohesive look.
If you have chemically straightened your hair or wear a weave, try this look on your big day. Super sleek hair swirled into perfect circles gives a glamour retro feel. The jeweled hair clip adds a bit of bling to the elegant updo.
We often think about having the focus on the face, but this updo brings it to the back of the head. Her hair has been twisted from the neck up into a multi-strand braid. The sparkly hair accessory that’s just visible is a lovely accent that compliments the updo but doesn’t take all the attention.
Wedding hairstyles for black women can often be complicated and extravagant, but there is something to be said for a classy minimal look like this one. Black ladies with long hair can take advantage of their locks by forming them into a beautiful full chignon at the base of the neck.
Skip the extensions in favor of a pretty short hairstyle. This look celebrates the natural texture of your hair. For a romantic touch, add a cluster of real flowers above your ear.
Updos are no-fail wedding hairstyles for black women. If you fancy yourself more of a fashion-forward bride, try this asymmetrical goddess braids updo. The part curves around the head, and the double chunky braids flare from it.
Birdcage veils will never go out of style. A compact updo paired with a veil is a timeless look, but adding a thick twisted braid up the back of your head puts a more modern spin on things. Pin the veil asymmetrically to complete the dynamic look.
There are a few different eye-catching elements going on with this updo, but everything ties together. Her hair has been pinned back into a low bun. A few front layers were braided while some other tendrils were curled and left loose. A hair accessory completes the look.
Take your hair to new heights with a teased style. An asymmetrical voluminous updo pairs best with an asymmetrically cut dress. Highlights in curly hair look wonderful with lace.
This is another look that is perfect for brides who want to showcase their natural hair. To copy the hairstyle, slick your locks completely up and off your face. Gather them into a spectacular puff. Think of highlights that will compliment you skin tone beforehand.
A lot of updos for black hair focus on braids or twists, but this one lets the curls be the star. The well-placed braids on the side of the head help break up the curls with a unique touch. African American brides will appreciate.
Will you take a look at these waves? Of course! You are likely to do a double take – so perfect they are! This is also a very romantic updo because of the way all of the defined curls twist and turn around each other to form one uniform vintage hairdo.
Most brides make their wedding dresses the focal point of their look, but why not make your African hair the standout feature? Bold and beautiful black wedding hairstyles like this one deserve the chance to shine. This mohawk features an extra long coiled braid and tight sides for a super sleek glamorous finish.
Similar to the look above, this hairdo also uses pin curls as the basis for the wedding style. The result is the soft, almost wave-like hairdo that is incredibly romantic. Don’t style with too many hair accessories or a veil – you do not want to hide those cuties, right?
Curly hair already has a fair amount of texture, especially when it comes to tight curls. If you want to add something special on top of that, it’s important to make sure it doesn’t argue with what is on the bottom. A waterfall braid easily accents your curly style without taking too much away from it.
The only downside about fancy braided and twisted updos is that all the spice of the look can sometimes appear hidden when glancing at the wearer from the front. To combat the flat look, you need a style that is thick enough to be seen from all angles. From the front this looks like a beautiful braided crown and from the back it is an elaborate twisted pin-up.
There is nothing low key about this hairstyle—you are the bride and everyone will know it. If the white dress isn’t enough, elevate your double roll black wedding hairstyle with pearl pins and a frilly headband. It’s a memorable look for your fairytale nuptial day.
A half-up half-down hairdo is always showy on women with long hair, but it may be a bit too reserved for a more outspoken bride. This is where accessories come into play: a jeweled headpiece helps you look like a bohemian princess, and the finished style comes out to be anything but ordinary.
Your wedding day should feel like a fairytale, so why not to choose a princess-inspired black updo hairstyle for your ceremony and celebration? The roll on its own is very polished and minimal, so if you want to elevate it, try incorporating a few bedazzled combs.
While many women use box braids as a protective style in the summer, they can also be worn as a fun look all year long. The thick style allows you to make a full bun that can be easily accented with a jeweled band and veil. With no hair in your face, a high bun will let your beautiful makeup truly shine.
A side bun is definitely one of the most popular wedding hairstyles for black women because it is polished, but also can last throughout a night of partying and fun without coming undone. Pair with a red lip color and plenty of bling to make it more formal.
Black hair in twists and braids is a miracle! The hairstyle looks compact, but the twists appear chunky and generous. The star-like parting is the wow factor of this hairstyle. African American ladies can afford eye-catching accessories to complete such a bright updo without a fear to look too gaudy.
Brides with relaxed black locks can pick up the trend towards messy updos. The wispy texture of this hairstyle makes it breathe with lightness. A cluster of snow white flowers instantly increases the degree of its festivity. Let them be different in size and slightly different in design. Choose floral earrings to complete the look.
Contrasts are another popular “theme” of black wedding hairstyles. Such breathtaking updos as this one make an impact thanks to the contrast of micro braids on the sides and statement twists piled on top. The chunkier twists or braids are achieved with extensions.
Speaking of the latest trends in wedding hairstyles for black women, romantic curly updos are among favorites. To look beautiful, your hairstyle doesn’t have to be too complicated. The tender ringlets at the nape, adorned with creamy white flowers are not very hard to re-create, but they are extremely beautiful and feminine. The contrast of sleek hair and large round curls give a miraculous effect!
Wavy wedding hairstyles are as popular in 2025 as ever before. These look most feminine, and we regularly observe them in celebrity looks. To achieve the effect of hair, flowing like silk, is the top of hairdressing skills.
This twisted updo is so accurate, genuine and flawless that it’s hard to come up with a more perfect wedding hairstyle. Although it seems intricate, it’s not extremely difficult to do: there are 2 sections with the upper bun that is joined with the lower skilful twists.
Concise forms and accurate lines are flawlessly classic. This is an image of a bridal hairstyle that will never be out of fashion. The hair flowers compliment this look miraculously. Note that you can also use natural fresh flowers.
Well, dear brides-to-be, we hope you have found here an idea for your wedding hairstyle. Remember to do a trial of your hairstyle before the big day to ensure that your choice is perfect. We wish you to be dazzling on your wedding day and always especially gorgeous for your future husband.
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