20 Natural Wedding Hair Ideas to Swoon Over (2024)

Straight hair? Not over here.

By Janell M. Hickman-Kirby
20 Natural Wedding Hair Ideas to Swoon Over (1)

Getting married allows brides (and grooms) to customize their vision down to the nitty-gritty—and that personalization is that much more apparent when it comes to your wedding-day fashion and beauty. Gone are the days of what you're "supposed to do" or friends and family dictating how and what you'll wear; long overdue, now, and forever: Brides can and should chose exactly how they want to look when walking down the aisle.

When it comes to bridal hair and makeup, gone are days of Eurocentric beauty standards—not to mention the pressure of straightening your hair to conform to outdated norms. "Natural hair is essential to the identity of women of color," explains celebrity stylist, Cheryl Bergamy, who works with Ashleigh Murray, Ruth Carter, Essence Atkins, Kat Barrell, and Leslie Odom Jr. "Now, more than ever, women are embracing their God-given texture and whipping it out in the world, displaying the beauty and uniqueness of their curls." And with that comes endless styling options‚ "From braided up-dos to twisted soft cluster curls, there are so many elegant styles to choose from," Bergamy explains. "For many, the wedding day is not just about loving the partner you are going to marry, but loving every inch of yourself—and that includes your hair!"

While there are still many obstacles to overcome to normalize natural hair in the workplace (and thankfully, legislation like The Crown Act is changing that for the better), celebrities continuing to push the needle when it comes to styling natural hair for the red carpet has provided endless inspiration. And as women continue to embrace and celebrate all standards and styles of beauty, "The question is not why are women choosing to wear their natural hair, but why not?!" adds international celebrity hairstylist, Nafisah Carter, who works with Michelle Williams, Tinashe, Erica Mena, Debbie Allen, and Misty Copeland. "Wearing your natural texture can mean different things to people, but I feel on a deeper level and especially on your wedding day, it’s more about showing people that 'I I love me, this is me, this is who I am,' she says. "It’s about embracing life, your skin, your hair, and who you are as a beautiful woman of color," she continues.

As you navigate finding your ideal wedding look, we’ve collected tons of natural hair inspiration for your big day—and all the events leading up to it.

1

Low-Maintenance Bun

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Let your baby hairs out to play with this wispy low-bun.

Get The Look: Make your hairline intricate by using a bit of edge control.

2

Loc'ed & Loaded

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Who says you can't shave the sides of your hair on your wedding day? There are no rules; reimagine the classic bob with this edgy remix that will turn heads as you make your way down the aisle.

Get The Look: Keep your locs looking healthy and hydrated with a super-moisturizing butter.

3

Let It Flow

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Let loose curls fly free with this flow-y, brushed-out look.

Get The Look: Use a paddle brush to break down some of your tighter curls for a wispier, wind-swept vibe.

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4

Blonde Beauty

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Serving a short cut? Consider going for a classy platinum blonde, which will make all your pictures pop.

Get The Look: If you're planning to dye your hair before the big day, keep your hair's tone intact with a purple shampoo.

5

Deep Braided V

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Leaving your hair down is always an option, and this deep braided V at the side part adds a bit of flair to your loose-ends look.

Get The Look: Prevent itching, damage, and ruining your braids with a castor oil scalp treatment.

6

Messy Top Knot

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You can't go wrong with a classic, sleek topknot. Not only does it keep your hair camera-ready, but it makes your pretty face the star of the show.

Get The Look: Not only will this hairspray keep your hair in place, but it also smells incredible—trust us.

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7

Pixie Power

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If you've got super short hair, try out this slicked-back style that plays up the drama with a deep side part.

Get The Look: Take a dollop of gel for styling your hair, and for keeping down flyaways.

8

Volume, Volume, Volume!

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We love voluminous wedding hair, and an afro is the ultimate when it comes to super-full texture. It begs the question: Why not don one for the aisle?!

Get The Look: This dry shampoo is arguably the best one out there. Spray it on your roots to keep the volume going all day long.

9

Updo with Curly Bangs

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Pin your hair up and create a bang-centered twist on this classic updo—featuring your natural curls.

Get The Look: Add a touch of shine with this golden bobby pin set.

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10

Braided Crown

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This elegant braided crown is anything but boho; it's sophisticated and sleek, and makes way for statement earrings.

Get The Look: A taunt, tight style is ideal for a long day with limited touch-ups—but consider spraying a finishing mist to lock in moisture pre-ceremony.

11

Short & Sweet

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This close-cut style may seem on the simple side, but it's anything but. This look accentuates and complements your gorgeous facial features—and keeps all eyes on you.

Get The Look: Make sure your head looks flake-free and fresh by using this scalp massager on the closest wash day to your wedding day.

12

Half Up, Half Down

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If you want the flowy, classy elegance of a hair-down look without the pesky front in your face, try out this natural riff on half-up-half-down.

Get The Look: Keep your curls hydrated and shiny for the big moment with a glossy hair oil.

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13

Up And At 'Em

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This big, bold updo is great for those who want to make a serious impression—in your photos and with your guests alike.

Get The Look: There's (admittedly) a lot going on here, so make sure it stays put with a weather-blocking humidity shield.

14

Looped Twists

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If you've got the length (or are open to extensions), this knotted-loop look is a statement hairstyle for those who'd dare to style their look outside the box.

Get The Look: A matted pomade will keep your edges locked down without adding glare or shine.

15

Big Swoop

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When in doubt, keep it simple. Hair down, a deep side part, and your signature texture is foolproof.

Get The Look: Keep your curls shiny and defined with a frizz-combatting curly hair gel.

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16

Side Loc Sweep

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See yourself wearing long twists or going for locs? This waterfall look feels formal, dramatic, and aisle-appropriate.

Get The Look: Spice up your hair by adding barrettes to the side or dainty golden hoops throughout your strands.

17

Pretty And Pulled Back

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This pulled back pony is, as they say, business in the front—party in the back.

Get The Look: Use a pretty headband to separate your hair, and give the look a pop of color.

18

The Line Up

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Let your style and good taste speak for itself with some fresh lines on your sides.

Get The Look: If you want access to touch-ups before the big day, consider investing in a quality trimmer of your own.

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19

Middle-Part Madness

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A sleek middle part and low-bun work for straightened and natural hairstyles alike, and are a chic, minimal way exude evening (and wedding) vibes.

Get The Look: Make sure your middle part is perfectly clean by using a fine-tooth, tailed comb.

20

Flower Crown Fun

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An ethereal, flower-covered crown is basically a dream wedding hairdo.

Get The Look: Design the flower crown yourself or opt for a pre-made headband instead.

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Janell M. Hickman-Kirby

Janell M. Hickman-Kirby is a writer and editor based in New York.

20 Natural Wedding Hair Ideas to Swoon Over (2024)

FAQs

How should brides wear their hair? ›

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.

How can I put my hair up for a wedding? ›

Soft Chignon

“Brush through to soften and leave front pieces out to frame the face,” he says. “Create a soft, loose ponytail and secure with a bungee. Then twist into a chignon—pinch pieces of the ponytail twist to loosen, and wrap and secure with hair pins.”

How can I make my wedding hair look fuller? ›

Select a professional range of shampoo & conditioner that has volumizing or thickening benefits, as they are often less likely to weigh the hair down or make it oily making the hair look thicker and fuller.

What should I do with my hair before my wedding? ›

"For most hair types, you should wash and air dry your tresses the night before your wedding," says Davis. This rule also applies if you have wavy or curly hair that you want to heat style.

What is more elegant hair up or down? ›

If you're having an evening wedding, an updo can create a more formal and elegant look. If you're having a daytime wedding, a down hairstyle can create a more natural and relaxed look that is perfect for the daytime.

Do most brides wear their hair up or down? ›

A lot of brides I photograph choose to wear their hair down during the summer months but for autumn and winter weddings updos are still more popular. The reasons are pretty obvious: you want your hairstyle to last well into the night, for 8 or maybe 12 hours.

Should hair or makeup be done first for wedding? ›

Applying makeup before your get your hair done has its own share of advantages, take a look: Your wedding day hair remains intact and fresh plus it saves your stylists rushing. More time for makeup before the photographer arrives. Better getting-ready photos with a full face of makeup.

Who pays for wedding hair? ›

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.

How do you coordinate wedding hair and makeup? ›

First, start with 30 minute time increments and then add columns to match the number of artists you have. You can then start plugging in names and figuring out who should go first, second, third etc. Make sure you decide if you would like to go first versus last and add yourself in.

How can I make my thin hair look thicker for my wedding? ›

Braided “Headband”

This fun and flirty look is sure to make your hair look thicker. Simply braid your hair, wrap around the top of your head, and pin. Accessorize with flowers for an extra romantic 'do. Apply Toppik Hair Building Fibers with a Spray Applicator on any areas where your scalp is exposed.

How can I make my thin hair thicker for my wedding? ›

How Can I Make My Thin Hair Look Thicker?
  1. Make the Chop. ...
  2. Change Your Part. ...
  3. Use a Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner System. ...
  4. Try a Voluminous Blowout. ...
  5. Air-Dry Your Hair. ...
  6. Consider Getting Hair Extensions. ...
  7. Use a Thickening Hair Paste. ...
  8. Use Dry Shampoo on Your Roots.

How can I make my natural hair look fuller? ›

To increase volume, try pulling your hair upwards and outwards. This technique releases clumps of hair that naturally form and weigh down your hair. By pulling them out, your hair will appear fuller.

How many hours before your wedding should you get your hair done? ›

For the bride and a bridal party of four, we suggest starting to get ready four to five hours before the ceremony begins. This will provide ample time for hair, makeup, and photos. Add an hour and a half for each additional bridal party member (or subtract the same amount of time for smaller wedding parties).

Is it OK to wear your 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.

Can you wear your hair down for wedding? ›

Hair-down looks work great with strapless gowns or spaghetti straps. If your dress has a detailed back or a high neck, you may want to consider an updo or a half-up, half-down style. Be sure your stylist knows what your dress looks like, and they can help you find a hairstyle that works from all angles.

Should I wear my hair up or down for my daughters wedding? ›

Unless the bride has made specific demands of her guests/bridal party, you are free to wear your hair in any style that makes you feel beautiful. The only thing you need to avoid is any outfit/hairstyle/makeup that could possibly outshine the bride. Keep it tasteful and simple, and you'll be just fine.

Why do most brides wear their hair up? ›

For many brides, their reason for wanting to wear their hair up is that it was more like their everyday style and they wanted their guests and their husband to be to see them as themselves and not overly styled, for others it can often be because it feels easier – once it's up, its up, and there's no further ...

Is it better to wear your hair up or down? ›

Reducing Hair Breakage: Tying your hair up in a tight bun or ponytail can lead to hair breakage and damage. Wearing your hair down can prevent this damage and keep your hair looking healthy and strong. Preventing Tension Headaches: Wearing your hair up in a tight style can cause tension headaches and pain.

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