35 Lovely Wedding Guest Hairstyles

While the bride and the members of her party obviously put a lot of thought into how they are going to look on the big day, wedding guests have a special responsibility to show up looking beautiful, too. Especially if the ceremony and reception are formal or held in the evening, you will want a lovely yet unique look to stun the crowd of well-wishers. Read on for 35 wedding guest hairstyle ideas that really deserve your attention.

Best Hairstyles for Wedding Guests

A wedding guest hairstyle should look fancy, but definitely not too pretentious, as trying to overshadow the bride is quite a mauvais tone. The following updos, down dos and half up styles are just the ticket. Find the best ideas for short, medium and long hair.

1. Soft Glam Wavy Ponytail with Pearls

Is hair up too formal for you, whilst hair down won’t make you look special enough for your friend’s wedding? Look no further! A soft, wavy ponytail with loads of volume is one of the most trending wedding guest hairstyles. Finish it with pearl or crystal pins to add a striking accent.

2. Afro Textured Bangs with a Flower Accent

Sleek and smooth on one side, curly and full on the other – we love the contrasting combination of different textures in this hairstyle. Add a bright bloom to match the shade of your dress or your makeup color scheme. This look is superb for short and medium-length curly hair.

3. Tousled and Textured Crown Braid

Crown braids, also known as milkmaid braids, is a perfect wedding guest hairstyle to wear to a boho or rustic wedding. Leave some loose waves down to frame your face and create a softer feel to your look. If your hair isn’t long or thick enough for this hairstyle, clip in extensions would help to add some volume.

4. High, Textured Bun

Elegant and chic, a high messy bun is an utterly statement-making hairstyle that won’t be unnoticed. Thick, long hair can feel too hot and heavy on a summer wedding day, and having it all out of your way feels like a breeze. This wedding guest hairstyle would suit oval and round face shapes; however, it’s not the best choice for those with elongated faces.

5. Side Swoop Bangs to Swoon

If wearing hair up feels too formal for you, opt for a simple blowout. Effortless and relaxed, this is one of the most popular wedding guest hairstyles. You will need a volumizing spray or mousse, a round brush and a hair dryer to create this look. Blow dry all your hair up and forward, then change the direction and move it backward. This way you will get that lovely feminine side-swept fringe look.

6. Textured Wavy Mermaid Braid

A mermaid braid is a bet for those who have long and thick hair that doesn’t hold curls very well. This hair do is perfect for showing off your long locks, whilst some hair pins here and there will keep the waves in place. If your dress has a low back, you definitely must go for this look.

7. Twisted Half Updo

Half up half down is one of our favorite wedding guest hairstyles. Thanks to its versatility, this style looks flattering on any hair type and texture. Wear it with a cocktail dress or a floor-length gown – a twisted half up style is a great choice to match any outfit.

8. Intricate Afro Chignon with Twists

This elegant and classy hair updo features the striking combo of skin-tight rope braids and teased out afro texture. If you plan to opt for a simple, understated gown, this is a perfect hairstyle to elevate your wedding guest look.

9. Sleek Hollywood Waves

When thinking about different choices of wedding guest hairstyles, soft, brushed-out waves are an absolute no-brainer. More relaxed than regular ‘party curls’, Hollywood waves virtually channel a laid-back vibe. Use a medium-sized curling wand and curl all your hair in the same direction, let them cool down, and brush the curls out. Voila, you are ready to party all night long.

10. Twisted Low Bun with Loose Curls

Impeccably balanced and neat, boasting plenty of texture, a low twisted bun is a perfect wedding hairstyle that will make you look classy and put together. Often, hair up can look too traditional. To avoid this feel, leave some curls around the front to frame your face and get that relaxed look.

11. Wavy Half Updo with Chunky Fishtails

Are you heading to a beach wedding? This free-spirited half up half down hairstyle with voluminous fishtail braids is ultimate hair envy. A side braid that comes across the back and joins with another fishtail braid looks both intricate and laid back. Use some sea salt spray to nail that tousled beachy waves finish.

12. Wedding Guest Hairstyles for Short Hair

We need to admit that creating short wedding hairstyles can be a challenge, especially if you consider putting your short hair up. Just look at this messy bun, can you believe this lady’s hair is a short bob! Apparently, nothing is impossible if you get the right hairdresser on board.

13. Vintage Waves for a Wedding Guest

Smooth, subtle waves will look great both at a formal wedding reception and later, at the after party. Ideal for shoulder-length hair, this simple wedding hairstyle is a perfect canvas for a sparkly hair accessory. If you already wear some statement jewelry, it can be a bit of an overkill though. To mute it down, just clip a few bobby pins on one side.

14. Low Ponytail with a Fishtail Braid

Braids are certainly one of the best wedding guest hairstyles of all times. Twist the top half of your hair and pin it with some bobby pins, then make a fishtail braid out of the rest of your hair and make a low ponytail. The same look can be created with a Dutch braid or a French braid, whatever you prefer.

15. Bubble Braid Wedding Guest Hair

If you are looking for wedding guest hair ideas for longer hair, a bubble braid is a perfect style for that special occasion. Also, it’s one of those easy updos that you can do yourself. Start with a low or high ponytail, wrap the elastic band with a hair strand and pin it with a hair pin, then place two to three more bands and fan out the hair in between them.

16. Low Bun with a French Braid

You can’t go wrong with a messy bun, particularly when it comes to picking a hairstyle for a summer wedding. Whether you have short or long hair, put it up for an elegant yet effortless look. You can wear it with a floral clip on one side, even though it looks good without hair accessories too.

17. Wavy Tendrils

Ringlets are timeless, and when it comes to wedding guest hairstyles, it doesn’t get much simpler and lovelier than this. Just tease the under layer of the crown section and pull back a few side locks into a twist around the bouffant. Secure with bobby pins and then curl the remaining locks with a medium barrel iron.

18. Curly Twisted Updo

If you can’t decide on a look, this is one out of many wedding guest hairstyles that sort of incorporates it all. A braid, side twist, pinned curls and tendrils – what more could you possibly want out of a hairstyle? This will work best on longer hair.

19. Curved Twist

Sometimes simply pulling the hair straight back is too severe – instead, try a side twist that wraps around the head and rests at the nape of the neck. This works well on medium to thick hair that is at least shoulder length. You will need plenty of hair pins for this one!

20. Classic Glamour

A sleek chignon is a timeless hairstyle that always wins in wedding season. Perhaps it’s the simplicity, or maybe its vintage vibe, but long-haired beauties will pull off this simple style beautifully.

21. Braided Crown Bun

This look will be a great wedding guest hair idea if you have at least shoulder-length hair. Crown the head with a braid and then gather hair into a messy low bun. This style doesn’t have to be perfect, which makes it even more inviting to girls with stubborn locks.

22. Bright and Beautiful

This day glow hair will be the talk of the wedding guest hairstyles that are seen on the big day. The style itself is a simple updo, but the vibrant red hue is what makes it so memorable.

23. French Braid Crown

French braids are back and in trend and serve as inspiration for many wedding guest hairstyles. Create this loose waterfall braid that ends with a knotted gathering in the back for a beautiful half up half down style that works even on short hair.

24. A Little Bit Country

If you’re attending a casual wedding, especially one outdoors, it can be a great time to try out this low bun with curled side tendrils. Simple, romantic and reminiscent of a warm country night, you will love this wedding guest look and how simple it is to pull off.

25. Faux Hawk Glam

This edgy and gorgeous hairstyle combines small side braids with a faux hawk top that is fun to wear and still formal enough for a fancy occasion. When it comes to hairstyles for wedding guests, there really aren’t hard and fast rules to follow, anyhow.

26. Twisted Braid Hold

Thinner tresses or those that are “growing out” can really rock this hairstyle with a braid wrapped around a curly ponytail. Simple, but cute and fun!

27. Edgy and Free

Not all brides are gushy and girly, and, certainly, their guests aren’t always either. If you tend to fall more on the edgy side of fashion, try this hairstyle when an occasion calls for some fancy rebellion.

28. Thickly Curled Updo

Thick-haired girls rejoice! There’s a wedding guest hair idea for you that is both fancy and easy to achieve. Gathering chunky curls into a high updo, the front of the hair is slicked down to be super straight. If you don’t have long or thick hair, you can also get a hairpiece to achieve this look.

29. Romantic Updo

When it comes to wedding guest hairstyles, this one is classically romantic. While it seems very fancy and intricate, it’s actually quite simple and still casual enough to wear to the after party.

30. Mermaid Braid

This thick inverted braid is lovely for a special occasion – it’s also boosted big time with the fun hair color. Try a mahogany or magenta hue when you’re ready to try something different.

31. Fancy Hair Embellishments

Creative hair embellishments are not reserved exclusively for brides. Pearls, flowers and rhinestones are all acceptable for wedding guest hair, and they will make you feel more confident and lovely, too.

32. Pin Curled Style

Taking a cue from 1940s pin curled styles, this wedding guest loose updo is perfect for girls who have long hair, but not long enough for stunning romantic tresses. You will want to use a strong hold spray on this style to ensure it holds all day. Hairstyles for wedding guest gals don’t have to be modern all the time – this is a perfect example of an alternative.

33. Bubble Braid

A style that has been around for a while but hasn’t been used very often in terms of wedding guest hairstyles is the bubble ponytail. Involving a lot of hair elastics and pins, this style is stunning on very long locks.

34. Twisted Layers

A new take on wedding guest hairstyles, this coif involves rows of twists cascading down into a low half pony.

35. Swirling Beauty

These gorgeous locks are professionally styled, which is perfectly appropriate for a wedding guest. Get fancied up at the salon and ask for solid pin curls to get this look.

Wedding guest hairstyles don’t have to be simple or dowdy. There’s nothing wrong with getting a bit fancy and enjoying the day, even if you’re there to celebrate someone else’s happiness.