When a girl’s big day arrives, her hairstyle takes center stage alongside her dress. Finding inspiration for stunning wedding hairstyles that complement short to mid-length locks can be a challenge. To avoid relying on hair extensions and opt for a natural look instead, here’s a comprehensive guide to get you started.
Messy Pixie Hairstyle + Headband
A versatile accessory, the humble headband can instantly elevate any look. For individuals with short hair, it provides an opportunity to experiment with more statement-making designs. When paired with a stylish updo or loose locks, it adds a touch of elegance and sophistication. Take for instance @mackenseyalexander’s effortless yet chic appearance, where a classic headband perfectly complements her messy pixie hairstyle, complete with curled tendrils peeking through.
This simple addition has undoubtedly won us over, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to add a dash of refinement to their everyday look.
Rolled Chignon + Hairpiece
Achieving a messy chignon hairstyle is a breeze, especially when working with medium-length locks. The process involves rolling the hair over and securing it in place, leaving a few loose strands to frame the face and add a romantic touch. This effortless look can be further elevated by incorporating a hair accessory, such as a brooch-style piece or even an heirloom brooch. Think of it as something old and borrowed, adding a personal touch to your overall aesthetic.
Vintage Hairstyle
Vintage weddings have captured the hearts of many, and this exquisite vintage wedding look is undoubtedly a showstopper. With its undeniable charm, it’s no wonder we’re eager to feature it in our collection.
While achieving pin curls may require some trial and error, the end result is well worth the effort – a refined, structured curl that exudes elegance rather than chaos.
What’s more, this timeless style can be adapted to suit any hair length, proving that beautiful curls are within reach of everyone.
Wavy Shoulder Length Hair with Flowers
When it comes to showcasing natural beauty at weddings, loose curls can be a stunning choice. This look from @hairbylaurenm is a great example, pairing effortless locks with beautiful flower accents that add a touch of whimsy without veering into tackiness. For beach-themed weddings in particular, incorporating flowers into your hairstyle can help create a sense of effortless romance and elegance.
Teased Updo
Emulating the effortless charm of bygone eras, the iconic beehive hairstyle exudes timeless sophistication on the wedding scene. This retro-inspired coiffure can effortlessly add volume to even the shortest locks with a bit of tousling and backcombing. As showcased by the talented @alex_haircraft, this classic look can be further enhanced with a hairpiece-turned-headband or a sleek chignon that beautifully encapsulates elegance.
Bob Hairstyle + Braid & Headband
Here, we’re revisiting the headband trend and its subtle yet effective combination with lace details. In particular, this look stands out when paired with a non-traditional veil alternative. The humble braid adds a touch of sophistication to the overall hairstyle, also cleverly concealing a larger forehead if that’s a concern for you. Moreover, this style shows that you have options beyond just bangs, as seen in the image source.
Simple & Romantic Hairstyle for Medium Length Hair
In a departure from the more elaborate wedding hairstyles we’ve featured, this effortless look is all about embracing a carefree, bohemian vibe. With the addition of delicate floral details, this simple yet romantic style is perfect for brides who want to keep things understated and natural-looking. For inspiration, take a cue from @heatherchapmanhair and opt for a sprig of fresh greenery instead of a show-stopping bloom.
This subtle approach adds a touch of whimsy to your overall aesthetic without overpowering the rest of your wedding day look.
Simple Updo with Sparkly Rhinestones
A wedding’s beauty is often enhanced by subtle yet striking details, such as rhinestones. This understated updo boasts delicate sparkles that add a touch of elegance to the overall look. The hairstyle itself remains uncomplicated, featuring straight strands and strategically placed tendrils that frame the face, while the bun is cleverly concealed beneath an ornate hairpiece or family heirloom.
Curly Short Hair + Flower Crown
When hair is too short to make a statement with a flowing mane on your special day, consider adding a touch of elegance with a floral halo or crown. This beautiful accent can be more than just a simple addition to your loose locks, making for a truly memorable look. Take inspiration from this lovely bride, who perfectly showcased her big-day beauty by incorporating flowers into her hairstyle.
And if you’re planning an outdoor wedding, don’t forget to take precautions against unwanted guests – like wasps and bees! As seen on greenweddingshoes. com.
Simple Half Up Hairstyle for Mid Length Hair
Don’t let the lack of lengthy locks deter you from showcasing your creative flair. This understated yet elegant half-up hairstyle is perfectly suited for mid-length hair, requiring minimal effort and time. The genius behind this look can be credited to @gen_chignon_urbain, who has beautifully embellished the style with delicate baby’s breath – not only a visual treat but also a fragrant delight.
Braided Pixie Hairstyle
For those seeking a bold and edgy look for their special day, we’re obsessed with the braided pixie hairstyle that’s making waves. The fusion of a trendy cut with a striking silver-gray tone is undeniably captivating. Without the need for frills or embellishments, this simple yet chic hairstyle speaks volumes about the beauty of understated elegance.
Finger Waves + Headband
For a touch of nostalgia and glamour, consider incorporating finger waves into your hairstyle. This vintage-inspired look has been around since the 1920s and 1930s, making it perfect for those planning a Great Gatsby-themed wedding or a traditional, vintage-inspired celebration. As cited by @mirandabrooke, this style doesn’t require any specialized curling tools – instead, you’ll need wet-look gel, a comb, and your fingers to tease and set the waves into an S-shaped formation.
Retro Bridal Hair
A vintage-inspired wedding hairstyle continues its retro vibe with a 60’s or 70’s twist, incorporating a hair brooch or grip that perfectly complements those luscious, short curls. The effortlessly natural texture and varied curl sizes add to the look’s charm, while a side-parting brings everything together. For added convenience, another hair accessory could be used to tuck away stray bangs and keep them out of your face, as seen in this lovely inspiration from @foxanddoll.
Edgy Hairstyle for Bold Brides
For the bold bride who dares to be different, why not consider an edgy color palette, paired with a striking hairstyle and an unexpected yet impressive super-slim braid? This look deviates from traditional wedding day styles by incorporating a sleek, modern aesthetic. Not everyone wants to adorn their locks with delicate flowers or dainty accessories – this edgy take on wedding hair is perfect for the unconventional bride.
Messy Updo
This stunning messy updo is a far cry from the sleek, polished styles we’ve seen so far. With a simple ponytail as its foundation, this look requires a fair amount of practice to achieve the perfect level of undone-ness. To create this hairstyle, start by securing your hair with bobby pins and then swoop up tendrils, pinning them in place while leaving loose strands framing the face for added visual interest.
The curled ends add a touch of elegance, making it the perfect complement to statement pieces like chandelier-style earrings. Ultimately, every wedding deserves a little bit of vintage glamour, and this hairstyle delivers.
Cute Hairstyle for Brides with a Bob Haircut
When it comes to styling short bobs like the neck-nape skimming style, finding inspiration can be a challenge. However, with a little creativity and some basic styling tools, you can recreate a look that’s both effortlessly messy and elegantly understated. Take for example the beautiful hairstyle showcased by @m_k_bridal, which requires only a few simple braids and some strategically placed bobby pins to achieve its undone charm.
The finishing touch is added with a pair of pearl earrings, giving the overall look a refined and sophisticated air.
Long Pixie Cut + Beautiful Headband
If you’re blessed with a pixie cut, why not revive the headband trend by opting for a full-circle design that lets you showcase it from all angles? This clever styling trick allows you to wear your hair in a more unconventional way, adding a touch of whimsy and playfulness to your overall look. Another ingenious idea to bring back the charm of the traditional headband is to repurpose something borrowed – like a pearl necklace – as a hair accessory.
Imagine wearing it around your head rather than as a traditional necklace. The result is a stylish and unique updo that’s sure to turn heads.
Curly Updo for Short Hair
For those with short hair that’s been growing out for a while, curls can be a fantastic styling option. As long as you opt for loose, bouncy waves rather than tight spiral perms, you shouldn’t worry about losing too much length in the process. When it comes to this particular look, some of the soft curls have been subtly pinned back by pulling random strands behind the ear and securing them with blonde-colored bobby pins.
However, there’s no rule that says you can’t leave the style loose – we think it would be just as adorable either way.
Modern Vintage Hairstyle
This captivating hairstyle exudes a certain Latin flair, don’t you agree? The carefree curl or wave framing the face has an undeniable sassiness to it. Imagine Jessica Rabbit with short hair, and this style is exactly what she’d look like – sassy, sophisticated, and utterly charming.
For those familiar with @cheri_chung’s work, it’s no surprise that we’re smitten with this look.
To complete the ensemble, we envision a wedding dress that accentuates the shoulders, perhaps a bodice or corset-inspired design leaving the arms free to move naturally. What do you think pairs perfectly with this hairstyle?
Braided Headband
For those brides who prefer a more understated, natural look, incorporating their own locks as a hair accessory is a beautiful option. Take inspiration from this stunning braided headband, which uses the bride’s own hair to create a gorgeous updo.
To achieve this look, start by selecting a section of hair that falls just below your ear (if you have long enough locks). Begin braiding, then gently guide the braid over the top of your head as you add more hair to it.
Keep the braid loose and flowing, rather than tight and sleek.
Once you’ve reached the desired length, secure the end with a small pin or bobby pin on the opposite side of your head from where you started. To add some romance and whimsy to the look, gently pull out and tease loose tendrils to create soft, flowing waves.
Curly Bob Hairstyle with Wedding Hair Accessory
While the traditional wedding veil may be losing popularity, brides continue to push the boundaries of their big day hairstyles. One trend that’s gaining traction is the use of elegant headbands that beautifully complement a floral theme.
In fact, this style has become so popular that it’s not uncommon for couples to opt out of traditional veils altogether and instead choose more modern alternatives like headbands, tiaras, and other hair accessories to add a touch of glamour to their special day.
Pixie Cut + Side Braid
For a big white wedding, simplicity can be just as stunning as complexity. Take Emily Anderson’s styling work, for instance, where a pixie cut and side braid combination creates a bold yet understated look. By keeping the overall style straightforward and sans hair accessories, this elegant coiffure lets the natural beauty of the hair shine through. The subtle addition of a braid underneath the top section adds an edgy touch without overpowering the simplicity of the rest of the style.
Would you opt for this braided look or do you prefer to add some extra flair with hair accessories?
Old Hollywood Waves on Short Hair
The essence of Old Hollywood glamour is perfectly captured in this striking hairdo, exuding elegance and sophistication. To achieve this look, one must master the art of creating large waves using large rollers during drying, followed by subtle teasing with fingers or a comb when styling. This timeless aesthetic pairs effortlessly with classic eyeliner flicks and bold red lipstick, evoking the golden age of Hollywood cinema.
Braided Updo for Short Hair
For outdoor weddings, a hairstyle that can withstand the elements is crucial. A short, braided look with added flair from cute hair accessories like feathers or flowers offers a simple yet effective solution. This style allows for minimal frizz and prevents loose locks from getting tangled in lip gloss or eyelashes. By securing your tresses, you’ll be free to focus on enjoying the big day without worrying about your hair.
Elegant Updo
With just a few effortless moves, this stunning updo demonstrates the perfect blend of simplicity, elegance, and timelessness. The subtle twist and flick are expertly showcased by the model, whose hairstyle is essentially a creative reinterpretation of a classic chignon. By twisting the hair around and adding subtle curls to the face-framing tendrils using tongs, the overall effect is nothing short of captivating.
Cute Curly Hairstyle with Fresh Flowers
Fresh flowers bring a touch of elegance to any hairstyle, but it’s not just about grand arrangements. Simple sprigs of small woodland florals can make a statement too. When paired with loose braids and subtly curled strands, the result is a charmingly effortless look that’s perfect for a natural wedding. The delicate beauty of these tiny blooms adds a romantic touch to any hairstyle, making them an ideal choice for a special day.
Lovely Updo with Headpieces
Transform your wedding hairstyle into a glamorous masterpiece by incorporating stunning hair pieces. For an added touch of sparkle, consider this show-stopping updo. To recreate the look, start by creating a parting and twisting back the face-framing hair onto itself, securing it with bobby pins as needed. Continue curling the hair upwards to form a chignon at the base of the neck, securing it with blonde bobby pins (if you have blonde hair) for added hold.
Add your sparkling flowers and leave a few loose strands framing the face for a romantic, whimsical finish that’s sure to impress on your special day.
Perfect Look for Brides with a Pixie Cut
When it comes to styling short hair, many people believe it’s a limiting factor when it comes to creativity. However, this stunning look proves just the opposite. By pairing a headband with delicate lace and adding a touch of whimsy with fresh flowers, we’re able to combine multiple styles into one cohesive look that’s anything but boring.
Simple Vintage Waves
Sweeping up the nostalgia once more, we couldn’t help but swoon over this effortlessly chic hairstyle – a masterclass in understated elegance. The simplicity of these vintage-inspired waves is nothing short of captivating, with not a single frill or embellishment needed to elevate its sophistication. As a vision of classic beauty, it’s little wonder why this look has captured our hearts, embodying the essence of a timeless and romantic wedding day.
Cute Bun Updo
The humble bun often gets overlooked as a wedding hairstyle option, but it’s exactly this understated nature that makes it so charming. When you’re looking for a quick and effortless updo, there’s no denying the appeal of slipping your locks into a sweet little bundle. What’s more, with the addition of an oversized hair accessory, this classic style can be given a fresh new lease on life.
In fact, when done right, the bun can be one of the most perfect wedding hairstyles for short to mid-length hair.
Retro Waves
As we wrap up our exploration of retro waves, let’s make a lasting impression with this timeless style. For those blessed with luscious locks, whether long or short, in great condition and gleaming with gloss, the key is to let your natural wave shine through. Ditch the buns and chignons – let your hair do the talking! This effortless look is perfect for the bride who wants her dress to be the focal point on her special day.
And there you have it – 31 stunning wedding hairstyles suitable for short to mid-length hair. Which ones caught your eye? Are any now on your radar for the big day? We’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to share them in the comments below or join the conversation on our Facebook page for more inspiration and ideas for any occasion.
