WEDDING GUEST HAIRSTYLES

If you're trying to decide on a hairstyle for a friend or family member's wedding, and it's proving a little tricky, we're on hand to help.

When it comes to choosing the right hairstyle for a wedding, the best way to start is to consider your whole look, from your dress to your shoes, and any accessories. What's the neckline of your dress like? What's the overall style of the wedding - is it a relaxed affair or more polished? Finally, what do you think the weather will be like?

Once you start to pull together some ideas using your overall look as context, ideas will start to fall in place. With this in mind, we’ve collated the best ideas for wedding guest hair for 2025.

Easy wedding guest hairstyles

Wedding guest hairstyles for short hair

We'll start by stating the obvious - creating any kind of ‘knot’ or elaborate updo is clearly not an option if you have short hair, so it's time to get creative. Instead, think about adding some texture in - use a good hair texturiser or even dry shampoo to give your hair some grit and drama.

Elevate your style by adding in a deep side parting, and if you have the tools to do it, tease out some soft, romantic curls and then clip them in place, keeping the hair away from your face.

Our five favourite wedding guest hairstyles for short hair:

• Textured waves with a deep side part
• Sleek side tuck
• Accessorised bob
• Faux updo with twists
• Slicked-back wet look

Wedding guest hairstyles for medium length hair

Your dress neckline can provide a vital clue to potential wedding hairstyles. Generally, high necklines should be showcased by wearing your hair up, and low necklines are offset by loose, free-flowing hair. If you're after a simple style, low ponytails are both simple and sophisticated and usually work with anything.

Depending on the styles you normally wear and what you're comfortable with, you may find a look that's less polished and more minimal works better - severe styles that are fussy or rely on pulling your hair back may look too stuffy.

To give mid-length hair a glamorous boost and get your wedding ponytail just right, start adding texture in using a curling tong to create tousled and very loose waves. Then, gather the hair at the nape of the neck using your hands or fingers only and secure gently into a low ponytail. You can accessorise with a velvet bow or a magpie-style jewelled clip to finish the look. Avoid using a brush to create your low pony - it'll just create additional bumps, and crush any volume you've worked to add.

Our five favourite wedding guest hairstyles for medium length hair:

• Low chignon
• Half-up twist
• Braided crown
• Loose waves with clips
• Polished ponytail

Wedding guest hairstyles for long hair

Long hair doesn't have to mean intricate, fiddly styles that'll fall flat as soon as the 'I dos' are over. Like with mid-length styles, think about how to link your hair with the dress you’re wearing. As a failsafe, a sophisticated bun usually works across all styles. You can add in intricate details if you want a little bit of extra sparkle, or keep things simple.

If in doubt, downplay this look to keep it interesting without coming across as too polished. A low bun with loose, free-flowing tendrils is a pretty, sophisticated style for summer weddings - and your purposefully-created flyaways will add an ethereal, romantic edge.

Our five favourite wedding guest hairstyles for long hair:

• Hollywood waves
• High or low bun
• Boho braid
• Half-up half-down
• Low ponytail with wrap

Boho and countryside wedding hairstyle ideas

This is the kind of wedding where you can really let your hair down. Imagine relaxed styles, waves, and a certain undone-ness to keep with the spirit of things. Think French – you want to look like you haven’t tried too hard, but your hair should still look touchable, structured and semi-polished.

Country wedding guest hairstyles for short hair

Short, textured hair looks great, so try adding some oomph with root booster or thickening spray to amp up short, fine hair for lasting volume with minimal weight. If you have a pixie cut that’s too short for accessories, try adding flakes of gold, metallic paint or even some super-sized glitter to make a statement.

It’s always worth checking with the bride to see what the colour scheme is - if you can match with the rest of the wedding party, you may get extra brownie points. If you’re looking for boho accessories, go for floral garlands, pretty barrettes, or a jewelled headband.

Country wedding guest hairstyles for mid-length hair

For long fringes and side layers, you can work a romantic half-up twist. It’s a great alternative to a plait, and it keeps hair out of your face if the weather’s warm or windy.

This style works well on kinky, wavy hair, as you’ll get the volume you need at the back to pull this look off.

Country wedding guest hairstyles for long hair

Try fishtail plaits, side braids, and half up half down styles with a wave or some movement to give long hair the countryside treatment. Your look will work best if it’s relaxed and informal, slightly-textured and un-done with dewy skin and blotted, matte lips.

If your hair texture is fine to medium, you can add touchable volume with a thickening mousse.

Black tie wedding hairstyle ideas

Black tie weddings are normally a post-6pm evening affair, so you’ll need to think about a hairstyle that will complement a cocktail dress or full-length gown.

Black tie wedding guest hairstyles for short hair

The key to a black tie hairstyle is looking sharp, controlled and glossy. Try a slicked down, severe side part with a super high-shine wet finish.

Use hair serum sparingly to add hydration and shine - and consult our guide to finding the right hair serum if you’re unsure which one will work for you.

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. Bring out the pearls, sparkly slides and clips for added glamour - and remember that less is more when it comes to black tie accessories.

Black tie wedding guest hairstyles for long hair:

It’s time to tame frizz and embrace your inner A-lister. Think swingy, shiny hair, either poker straight or a Hollywood wave. Alternatively, try slicking hair back in a high or low ballerina bun for an uncomplicated, effortless ‘do.

Black tie events aren’t the time to try voluminous, 80s-style volume - keep your style chic and toned-down to let your outfit do the talking.

Wedding guest hair etiquette

With the rise of non-traditional weddings and the relaxing of certain conventions, the rules around wedding guest hair dos and don'ts are trickier than ever. Here's our guide to staying on the right side of hair etiquette.

Are hats appropriate for weddings?

While it’s true that a hat can elevate an outfit, many people simply prefer not to wear one except family members close to the couple, including the mothers of the bride and groom. Some people also feel that a hat can be a bit 'much', and they'd prefer to let their outfit do the talking.

Traditional wedding hats aren’t as popular as they used to be, but they can still take your outfit to the next level if you've found the right one. Just be sure to take your hat off when you're indoors and spritz some hairspray lightly across your style beforehand to avoid the dreaded ‘hat hair’.

Can I wear my hair down to a wedding?

You can definitely wear your hair down to a wedding - as long as your finished style looks smart and complements your outfit. This is not the day for trying out a grungy ‘bed head’ look.

If you want to wear your hair down, consider classic half-up, half down styles, including half-up hair twists, or half-up claw clips with a delicate, sparkly accessory.

Can wedding guests wear hair accessories?

You certainly can wear hair accessories to a wedding - but make sure they reflect the theme of the day and they don’t detract from other members of the wedding party, e.g. the bride. Subtle, diamante clips, pearl-studded slides and anything which looks classy and discreet should be fine.

Fascinators are fine at more formal weddings but may look slightly overdone at semi-formal occasions.