35 Easy Wedding Guest Hairstyles You Can Do Yourself
Gorgeous half-up, half-down and updo ideas to DIY from home (or your hotel room).
When it comes to weddings, whether you're facing seaside winds, mid-summer humidity or just a sweaty dance floor, you need a style that can withstand anything. You don't want to overdo it, but you'll want something more elevated than an everyday top-knot. When deciding on your perfect hairstyle, keep in mind the dress code and style of the wedding you're attending. For a casual daytime celebration, you may want to opt for soft waves, whereas an elegant evening affair might call for an extravagant updo. Keep in mind your wedding guest dress or outfit, too!
Whether your hair is curly, wavy, straight, thin, thick, short, medium or long, we have you covered with the best wedding guest hairstyles you can do yourself on any hair type, length and texture. From elegant updo hairstyles to relaxed beachy waves, you'll find the perfect match among this selection of hairstyles for every type of wedding, including knot buns, ponytails, half-up half-down styles and all-down hairstyles that will stay gorgeous all night long.
Full and Curly
Actress Halle Berry's black hair color is accentuated with light brown, gold highlights and voluminous curls. Sometimes a change in hair color or tone is just what you need to update your look before attending your next wedding!
Loose Bun with Long Strands
Opt to keep it pretty and simple, like singer and actress Selena Gomez, who is modeling a loose bun with long strands that frame her face. Plus, an updo means you can dance the night away without any worry!
Sleek Side Part
Want to keep it simple for your next DIY wedding guest hairstyle? Look no further than to actress Gina Rodriguez for inspo, whose pin-straight hair is accentuated with bronde money piece hair highlights and a deep side part.
Teased-Out Curls for Thick Hair
Let your curls run free, like model Tyra Banks: Nothing is sexier than bold hair. Keep your makeup neutral to ensure you don't outshine the bride with this eye-catching look.
Glossy Strands
For something more au natural, wear your natural hair texture all down with an almost-wet look, like TV personality Kim Kardashian. This works best for a casual wedding or to balance out a glam outfit.
Sleek Ponytail for Long Hair
An ultra-sleek ponytail looks downright regal at any wedding, particularly when it's paired with statement earrings and a bold cat eye like actress Lana Condor. Bonus: This is an simple wedding guest hairstyle to do yourself.
Thick Braid
Actress Emma Stone's side-swept braid is ideal for both sophisticated and low-key beach weddings. Consider removable hair extensions to give your braid extra volume.
High Pompadour
For extra drama at any wedding, a high pompadour like singer Dua Lipa's is a sure bet. To nail this style, start with unwashed hair (which will hold the style better) and tease the back section for the most volume.
Twisted Bun
Singer Saweetie's twisted bun will look sophisticated at any wedding. For defined sections, twist small strands of hair and wrap them around the base, securing each one with bobby pins.
Cascading Ponytail
For an elevated ponytail hairstyle with this much movement, the key is to actually secure your hair into two ponytails — one on the bottom to keep the length, and a larger one right above it for volume. Style your ends with a large barrel curling iron for a ponytail like singer and actress Jennifer Lopez's for the perfect wedding guest hairstyle.
Wedding Guest Hairstyle with Fascinator
Fascinators can seem intimidating, but with the right style, they look downright dreamy. Actress Yara Shahidi's elegant but simple updo is tied together with a lacy, feathery fascinator.
Updo with Curtain Bangs
If you've decided to take the plunge with curtain bangs, don't worry — you can still rock a sophisticated updo at a wedding. Take a cue from actress Priyanka Chopra and style your curtain bangs in soft waves before pulling the rest of your hair into a simple bun.
Over-the-Shoulder Curls
Consider defined curls like actress Zoey Deutch's, created with a large-barrel curling iron. Sweep your hair to one shoulder so you can show off glamorous earrings or a sparkly hair clip or barrette.
Wedding Guest Hairstyle for Short Hair
Actress Greta Gerwig's vintage-inspired short waves can accommodate a traditional church wedding yet still look hip and fun for an upbeat reception.
Perfect Curls for Medium-Length Hair
We trust the royals to know a black tie look, and the Duchess of Cambridge is no exception. Kate Middleton's elegant updo is flattering and even better, it's super easy to copy. It's the medium length wedding guest hairstyle inspiration you didn't know you needed.
Curly High Ponytail for Long Hair
There are plenty of ways to let your curls shine at a wedding, and actress Issa Rae's high ponytail is one great example. Secure your spirals in a ponytail with a braid wrapped around the base for an ultra-chic take.
Jeweled Updo
Perfect for both hot or cold months, a tight bun leaves room for both a scarf or fuzzy ear muffs at a frosty wedding. Emulate actress Zoe Saldana's simple look by adding a sparkly hair pin with pearls and crystals.
Glam Waves for Long Hair
Looser waves can work for any wedding, as long as they don't veer too far into boho territory. Keep things smooth like actress Jessica Chastain.
Slicked Down Short Hairstyle
It can sometimes be a challenge styling short hair like a pixie for formal occasions, but singer Janelle Monae shows us the way. Slick it down and accessorize with bejeweled barrettes to add interest.
Voluminous Low Pony
Issa Rae's epic green smokey eye is totally optional, but we can't recommend her pulled back, curly pony enough. It's sleek, simple and will give you all the sophistication you need for a wedding.
Katie Berohn is the Beauty Assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her Master’s Degree at NYU’s Graduate Program of Magazine Journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life Magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan, a digital editorial internship at New York Magazine’s The Cut, a social good fellowship at Mashable, and has freelanced for HelloGiggles. When she’s not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her endless search for the perfect shade of red nail polish, Katie can be found in a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York’s newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.
Marielle Marlys is a freelance writer at Good Housekeeping and Cosmopolitan who graduated from New York University with a degree in Journalism and Global Liberal Studies, and with a Master of Arts in International Relations and Affairs. Additionally, she has held internships at Modern Luxury, Good Housekeeping and Cosmopolitan magazines, CNBC, The Borgen Project, and Almost 30 podcast. Although Marielle is a proud Jersey girl, she has also lived in Florence, Italy and Madrid, Spain.
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