Skeptical? Think about it: A breezy, tropical destination wedding won’t have the same feel as, say, a formal church wedding during holiday season. The best part of it all is Mother Nature has already done half the work—all that’s left is to go with the flow. Ed’s note: The opposite will drive you crazy anyway, and the last thing you need on your big day is to stress about the weather not cooperating with your look! Read on to check out some fun suggestions for bridal updos for long hair curated by season:
30 Long Hair Updos for Wedding Ceremonies, Per Season
SPRING
It’s easy to fall into all the pretty trappings of being a spring bride, what with the blooming flowers and overall romantic feel. We say embrace it—yes, flower crowns and all—but perhaps elevate it to a more modern level with smaller garlands and daintier, nymph-inspired touches. However, remember that one of the biggest draws of a spring wedding is the mild climate, which means although outdoor locations may seem appealing, fickle changes in weather are a reality of this time of the year. With wedding updos long hair tends to fare better in soft, wispy buns, and braids always help keep the frizzies in check.
1. Sprigs
Small accent florals, like baby’s breath, are an on-theme touch, especially when woven into a loose side braid.
2. Spring Bunch
Peonies, twigs and other seasonal flowers tuck flawlessly into the seams of an upwards roll.
3. Rosette Pins
Love is in the hair! Tiny faux (or real, up to you) rosebuds are a pitch-perfect add-on to a fuzzy braid.
4. Chiffon Floral Crown
Entirely customizable to match your entourage or theme, this faux floral crown is an elegant, tasteful uptick to the garden-variety version.
5. Ribbons
Ribbons and pearls are also a spring and daytime-ceremony pick. Accentuate a high bun with a dainty trail of ribbons at the base to complete the look.
6. White Buds
Using white flowers is the bridal version of the popular fairy-princess look. The platinum blonde is also a trendy touch and adds to the all-white glow.
7. Florals with Red Hair
Pink-red hair is oftentimes associated with spring. Its cool undertone goes swimmingly with pastels and is still light enough to show the details in a romantic great braid. Prolong your color with a pre-primer before styling, like Nexxus Color Assure Pre-Primer, to keep that strawberry blonde color looking super sweet.
SUMMER
Ah, the fresh, fun days of summer! Warm, sunny and yes, sometimes kind of terribly humid, the ideal wedding updo long hair look for the season is definitely something unfussy and frizz-proof. Whether that comes in the form of a simple bun or a sleek, shellacked-within-an-inch-of-its-life wet look is up to you—and the limitations of the weather, or perhaps the availability of a hairstylist at your destination venue. Keep it sweet and simple… and maybe throw in a few local flora or detailing for a cute, beachy nod.
8. Top Knot with Unicorn Braid
A top knot with studded hoops and a kicky accent braid is so much fun, not to mention on-point for a tropical wedding.
9. Soft Center Part
No hairstylist? No problem: A soft, natural, middle-parted bun is chic and easy to achieve, even for the novice.
10. Sleek Center Part
Take it one notch higher with some gel (we like TRESemmé TRES Two Extra Firm Control Gel) to give a simple look some polish and protection from sudden wind gusts.
11. Deep-Side Part
Sexy summer brides can opt for a deep-side part for their wedding day. It looks great with off-shoulder and halter silhouettes and stays photogenic even till the reception.
12. Pancaked
For those who want to flex their Pinterest and YouTube muscles, this one’s for you. A flattened braid that snakes down from your center part that’s accented with light sprigs is a foolproof option for beach and garden ceremonies.
13. Side Flowers
Consider this the bridal version of having a flower tucked behind one ear.
14. Pulled Back
Fresh, clean and sweat-resistant, a simple gelled bun is as runway-worthy as it is practical.
15. Princess Roll
Split hair into two and roll each side upwards towards the scalp for a pretty, queen-inspired look that also keeps your neck un-sticky!
FALL
With kitschy barnyard weddings and hipster themes being all the rage these days, and of course set against flaming foliage this time of the year, warm, earthy accents are the best foils for ceremonies under the harvest moon. Not saying you should automatically substitute the big bouquet for a basket of produce, but cozy accents, like wheat garlands or even a basket braid can get the point across rather tastefully. Boho details inspired by the hearth together with looser updos are a welcome (and uncorny) sight. Bonus: They hold their own in perfect autumn weather, which, as we know, is certainly something to be thankful for.
16. Gold-Foiled Hairline
Ingenious, easy and very straight-off-the-runway. Pair with a sleek ponytail or low chignon and you’re all set.
17. Three-Twist Buns
This sensual, unique look stars with splitting hair into three sections, then creating a rope twist on each. Coil each rope twist into a bun and connect with pins to the next bun.
18. Messy Bun
What’s not to love with messy hair and a wild spirit? Tame this unfettered, folksy look with some medium-hold hairspray, like Dove Style+Care Flexible Hold Hairspray, for a bit of control.
19. Feeder Braids
Two skinny French braids combine at the crown and anchor a high bun, as well as give your veil a solid anchor.
20. Crown Braid
Leave the floral crown to the spring brides and work an actual crown braid. Lighter hair, in particular, simulates a nice wheaty texture without being too over-the-top.
21. Braid with Bun
With abundance being the theme of the fall season, we figure this thick, lush-looking bun that’s secured at the seams with a simple weave falls right in place.
22. Basket French
A one-sided French braid creates a clever basket-like weave on the sides, and culminates in a neat, on-theme (and weather-proof) bun at the back.
WINTER
With winter updos for long hair, wedding looks and accessories that echo the glitz of the holidays, along with a certain uptown formality, are always a splendid choice. Sparkly tiaras and rhinestone-studded barrettes pick up the ice-princess vibe of a snow bride and are the ideal punctuation marks to curls worthy of the red carpet. There’s no holding back here: More is definitely more fabulous with a white-on-white wedding, and what you lose in kicky outdoor festivities, you can make up for with unapologetic, champagne-clinking, fur-donning glamour.
23. Wrapped Bun
Similar to a French twist but way more secure, this look features a donut bun with a deep side part, with the seams hidden with an extra section (extensions are your friend!).
24. Classic Tiara
This classic look—the fringe swoop! The red lips! The drop earrings!—are all textbook Hollywood glamour.
25. Princess Tiara
Another precious filigree version matches the ornate detailing in baroque-style gowns.
26. Soft Curls
Unabashedly romantic, soft, fully defined spirals bumped up with a mini-beehive go with virtually almost any theme or dress (but we think it’s most on-trend with a sweetheart neckline, no biggie).
27. Low Side Bun
Old souls and those with a proclivity for vintage hairstyles always have a thing for darkly opulent looks. They can infuse their aesthetic into their winter wedding with a 1920s-inspired side-parted low bun, paired with Art Deco jewelry for good measure.
28. Florettes
Floral accessories rendered in porcelain or Lucite lend a precious, figurine-inspired feel to a ’60s round bun.
29. Crown
Where else but at your wedding (disregard if you’re royalty) can you legit rock a crown? Maximize this queenly moment with runway-approved details, such as pearls (the gem of the moment), scalloping (the front of the crown, the neckline) and one of fall’s biggest trends, ’80s earrings.
30. Rhinestone Barrette
Ornate hairpins, such as lace-covered floral accessories or a gem-encrusted barrette as above, pick up the gorgeous detailing from an embellished dress without going overboard. Which of these wedding updos for long hair are you loving right now? Let us know on @AllThingsHairUS.
