34 Gorgeous Short Wedding Hairstyles and Bridal Hair Ideas

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Pictures of wedding hairstyles for short hair
Cindy Marcus
Cindy Marcus Hairstylist, Editor-in-Chief

Get ready to celebrate your big day with these sweet wedding hairstyles for short hair! Short hairstyles for a wedding are best kept simple with a gentle wave or an accent on texture. Play up your volume, but keep your look neat. Accent your wedding style with hair jewelry, an embellished headband, or a sparkly barrette. Be sure to pin these short bridal hairstyles to your wedding mood board today. Try a few out and discover your dream wedding hairstyle for your short hair!

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Beautiful subtle braid on short wedding hair

#1 Beautiful Subtle Twisted Braid

This beautifully twisted braid is one of the best short hair wedding styles to wear. I love this updo because it starts as simple as twisting the sides at the front and having freedom and creativity in the back! Plus, you can easily customize it for each woman.

This look was made for above-the-shoulder-length hair and designed to give the illusion of loose and beautiful yet put-together short hair. All you need are some bobby pins and a little hairspray to finish.

#2: Short and Stunning with a Braid

Short hair is also suitable for occasions like weddings. One great style to consider is the half-updo, which adds height to the top. For a feminine touch, add a whimsical braid. Add waves to elevate the look.

Neat Side Braid for Mother of the Groom with Short Bob Cut
Instagram @suzpaluz

#3: Neat Side Braid for Mother of the Groom

If you need a short hairstyle for an event such as a wedding, consider a neat side braid. This can be an option for your mother of the groom hairstyle. If your hair seems too short for an elaborate hairstyle, adding a braid can create a unique touch. For special event hairstyles, you can consider two types of braids: a traditional French braid or a Dutch braid.

Short-Length Textured Waves and Twists for Mother of the Bride
Instagram @leanna.hmua

#4: Textured Waves and Twists for Mother of the Bride

For special events like a wedding, it might be challenging to find a suitable hairstyle. However, textured waves and twists could be a great inspiration for the mother of the bride. The soft beachy waves give a bohemian feel, while the intricate twists add a touch of romance. A hairstyle with part of it up and the rest down is ideal for special occasions.

#5: Neck-Length Half Up Bob

If your big day is coming up and your hair is short, think about a half-up bob style that goes down to your neck. You can also let your hair grow without cutting before the event for added length to style it.

#6: Effortless and Beautiful Short Style

You can still rock short hairstyles for wedding events that will look beautiful and low-key. Adding soft curls or waves with a curling iron will make it look effortless but polished. Add fun with an accessory like a beaded headband to give it a feminine touch.

#7: Simple and Soft Blonde Bob

A simple and soft blonde bob is a perfect short style to wear your hair without much effort. By using accessories and embellishments, short hair can make great wedding styles. Plus, this look also creates nice wedding guest hairstyles for short hair!

Short Gorgeous Waves with a Deep Side Part for Weddings
Instagram @btp.society

#8: Gorgeous Waves with a Deep Side Part

Look oh so elegant on your wedding day with gorgeous waves with a deep side part. With modern Hollywood waves, you get big volume and height. Go for a dramatic side bang that will instantly bring volume and texture. Using a strong-hold hairspray makes short hair styles for wedding parties last all night.

Short Soft and Timeless Dark Brown Wedding Hair
Instagram @hansonbeauty

#9: Soft and Timeless Dark Brown Hair

Look like the best version of yourself on your wedding day with soft and timeless dark brown hair. Adding soft curls to short hair gives an elegant, classic look, while dark brown hair glistens in the sun. Bridesmaid short hairstyles are even better if you add a sparkling barrette to bring a fun and feminine look.

#10: Side-Swept Short Hair

For the perfect bridal style, go for side-swept short hair. Look elegant with curls that are soft and romantic. A dramatic side bang will bring volume to your wedding hair styles. Add a headpiece to make you sparkle, too! The perfect hairstyle for your big day.

#11: Simple Updo with Accessories

When having short hair, a simple updo with accessories will look stunning on your big day. Rock a jewelry headpiece to show off your unique personality and make the style your own. Soft curls coming down and framing your face give your short bridesmaid hair a soft, feminine touch.

#12: Extra Short Crop with Sideburns

Look chic on your wedding day with an extra short crop with sideburns. Piece out the fringe and sideburns for a delicate and feminine style ready for your special occasion. Use a shaping wax and hairspray to hold the style all night for a long night of celebrating.

Soft and Glamorous Loose Curls on Short Hair for Weddings
Instagram @btp.society

#13: Soft and Glamorous Loose Curls

For your big day, loose curls give a soft, glam look and can be parted to the side or middle, depending on your face shape. Make sure you set your curls until they’re cool so they will last all night long. This is a wonderful concept for a bob’s short wedding hair.

#14: Perfect Half Up for Thick Hair

If you have thick hair, the half-up style is the perfect look for the wedding hair of your dreams. The half-up hairstyle gives the best of both worlds, with some hair up and some hair down. It’s good for women who like to wear their hair down but also want some hair off their face. Perfect for thick-haired gals for a relaxed style that will last all day.

#15: Sweeping Soft Curls

For short hair, sweeping soft curls will look beautiful for your special occasion. Frame your face perfectly with a side part that creates a softer appearance. A sparkling headband or barrette adds a touch of glam and can hold short pieces into place all night.

#16: Neck-Length Light Brown Hair with a Side Part

Have your natural beauty shine through on your big day with short light brown hair with a side part. Compliment and enhance your beauty with soft waves and a side part for a soft, romantic look. Add a headband or barrette for a bit of sparkle to complete your look.

#17: Elegant Short Curls with a Beautiful Head Piece

Bring bridal hair to the next level with elegant short curls and a beautiful headpiece. Curling and teasing your hair will give it maximum volume for creating the perfect wedding hairstyle. Adding a braid or a sparkly jewelry headpiece will show off your personal touch on your special day. This is the short hair bride women must consider!

#18: Fancy Layered Updo

Go for a glamorous look with a fancy layered updo. If you have short hair, do not fret. A curling iron and some hair spray can work wonders. Curl, spray, and tease to get a voluminous updo. Wear a bejeweled headpiece to add a romantic and feminine touch.

#19: Flower Crown for Short Wavy Hair

Look like a mega boho queen with a simple yet adorable floral headpiece! This style is best for locks full of texture to own that elegant beach babe vibe.

A Very Short Wedding Hairstyle
Instagram @annespyra

#20: A Very Short Wedding Hairstyle

Super short wedding hairstyles are best styled with a floral or jeweled hairpiece, as styling options are extremely minimal for this length of hair. Remember, as a bride, you won’t need much time to prepare your pixie for your big day. All you will need is a curling iron to add some curl and height, finishing with Hardhead Hairspray by Bedhead to keep it in place all day.

Lovely Bridal Hairstyle
Instagram @hair_bynmg

#21: Lovely Bridal Hairstyle

For any special occasion, a lovely braided bridal hairstyle is always on-trend. A boho braided style feels effortless and chic. Braids also work on all different hair lengths and types, making them the perfect addition to women’s short hair styles for wedding events.

#22: Wonderful Wedding Updo

This look is very textured, romantic, and whimsical. The best thing about the look is the movement. It’s so soft and tousled, yet refined and not messy. This style is ideal for a woman with at least medium-density hair. The volume of your hair will add to the fullness and compensate for the lack of length.

This bride’s hair was a couple of inches above her neck/shoulder area, so I still had just enough hair at the nape to curl with a small flat iron, which brings me to my biggest tip – mini flat irons! They are a wonderful tool to create curls and waves on very short hair wedding styles. I used Paul Mitchell’s mini flat iron!

#23: Textured Low Updo

I love this textured low updo because my client didn’t think she could have an updo with her short haircut! The volume and texture create a lot of fullness and dimension that pops with her blonde hair. It’s pretty, fun, and classy. Dress it up with a hairpiece, or keep it casual with more loose pieces around your face! It can be worn with a part or pulled straight back from your face.

#24: Romantic Beachy Waves

This look has a romantic, ethereal feel with a touch of bohemian elements. I love this look because it looks very natural and feminine. This look is flattering on different hair textures, densities, and lengths. It’s also a great option for women with short hair if they don’t have enough length for a traditional updo.

To ensure curls are low-maintenance and have a beautiful flow, section hair into two quadrants vertically to divide the direction in which curls turn, then go section by section horizontally for individual curls. The hair on the left should be curled towards the left to make curls face outward from the face and vice versa for the right sight. After each curl, hold the curl after release to allow your hair to set. This allows the new shape of your hair to cool down and lock into place. Do not loosen the curls during this process – save it for the end. It’s easier to relax a curl than to go back and redo it (redoing the curl adds more hair damage and puts that strand at risk for uneven styling). Towards the end, ensure a strong hold spray to ensure curls last.

#25: Romantic Upstyle for a Wedding

The best part about this romantic upstyle is how versatile it can be. Depending on the accessories used, you can make this look suitable for anything from bohemian to black tie. My favorite thing about this style is that from just looking at it. You would never know how short her hair is! We took an above-the-shoulder blunt-cut bob and made it into an elegant, full-head updo.

The best advice for any lady looking to get an upstyle is to attend your appointment with clean, dry hair. Do not use a flat iron on your hair to ensure your curls stay as long as possible on your special day. If you know your hair has a hard time holding curls, blow dry your hair using products that will add texture to your hair and ensure a longer-lasting style. My go-to and all-time favorite product to prep my brides and special occasion upstyles is Shaping Foam from the Milkshake lifestyling line!

#26: Delicate Half-Up Style

Dainty wedding hair is the perfect choice for a bride with bob-length hair. I recommend a half-up style since you will get a more formal finish on your wedding day, having all the twists and texture. Make sure to add a beautiful crown that will make you feel like the stunning bride you are.

Modernized French Twist for Weddings
Instagram @e.d.g_e

#27: Modernized French Twist

This look is a modernized French twist. My favorite part about this updo is the illusion it gives. The hair is longer than it is, so the overall look appears fuller. What has helped me put together and hold any updo for short hair is creating an anchor in the base of the updo first. It creates stability to last longer.

Product-wise, I recommend a shine spray or a light styling treatment oil before styling to smooth and tame flyaways while creating the look. I also recommend a firm hairspray to hold the final look. I recommend this updo for any finer texture of hair. It’s a looser updo and appears fuller with slight curls instead of a classic, tight French twist.

#28: Unassuming & Effortless

This is a natural and effortless updo easily mastered by stylists and non-stylists alike. It’s a surprisingly simplistic style that is ideal for weddings. It’s romantic, polished, and versatile because it can be made clean and classic or wispy and ethereal, depending on preference and event type.

This is a perfect style for a bride who has short-length hair! The more highlighted or balayaged, the better because the color dimension plays a vital role in fooling the viewers’ eyes into thinking the look is more complicated to create.

Simply Elegant and Classic Short Hairstyle for a Wedding
Instagram @angies.mua

#29: Simply Elegant and Classic Short Hair

Soft, delicate bridal hair is a classic look for many women. Choosing a simple yet stunning style on your wedding day will never go wrong. Keeping your hair simple will give you and your dress time to shine on your big day.

Short and Elegant Dutch Braids for Wedding
Instagram @tatjanareynolds

#30: Elegant Dutch Braid

This styling is one of my favorites on short hair. It keeps the hair off your face without being tight or slicked back. Keeping your hair looser means there is an appearance of movement, which short hair always needs help with. If you have fine hair, I recommend giving it lots of texture with Davines This is a Sea Salt Spray, and This is a Dry Texturizer. I used a 3/4-inch Marcel iron to set the hair and combed it with my fingers. Some pieces needed to be strategically placed so they didn’t flip in funny directions and the silhouette could remain consistent.

Decide where you would like the part, braid until just past the ear, and secure with clear elastic and bobby pins underneath the longer layers behind your ear. This type of style is so accessible to any face shape or hair type. You can accommodate any face by changing where the part lies for the braids.

#31: Modern Day Messy

This look is a modern-day messy (but elegant) wedding updo. I love how much texture and volume are in this bridal hairstyle. The waves on top give it the perfect volume with minimal backcombing. The pieces framing the face are perfect for that innocent yet flirty vibe, and the low bun is so classic and timeless for a wedding updo.

I recommend using a dry shampoo (whether on freshly washed or two-day unwashed hair) because it gives you the right texture and body needed for this look. I also used a root lifter to amp it up a bit more. Be sure to use a strong hold hairspray so you won’t have to worry about any pieces falling throughout the night. I believe this is one of those updos that any woman could wear on their wedding day. It’s so timeless and classic.

#32: Minimal Cute Pixie Cut

A formal-styled pixie for a bride with short hair is minimal and timeless. I recommend having a side fringe to frame your face, especially for picture purposes. Pair this cute pixie with a jeweled headband to give you that extra sparkle on your wedding day.

Timeless and Elegant Short Wedding Hairstyle with Blonde Undertones
Instagram @teased_hair

#33: Timeless Elegance with Blonde Undertones

This look is all about volume and sleekness, accompanied by some timeless elegance, which is perfect for a bridesmaid or a bride! I love how the blonde tones accentuate the style and give it more definition.

This look is perfect for short hair as it gives lots of drama without needing lots of hair. It will style easiest with slightly thicker and coarse hair that has been lightly straightened to give it that smooth look. Lots of teasing and product are needed to achieve the height and set, along with a strong hairspray for an all-day hold!

#34: Boho with Mix Braids and Loose Curls

This style has quite a boho look with its mix of short braids and curls loosely pinned into a bun. Just a few curls are left out to soften the look. What I love most about this style is how the braids look when loosely pulled. Pulling them out like this helps make the braids look so much thicker and helps to create that boho look. I love incorporating braids into most styles because they are versatile and enhance any look!

This style has been created with thin hair that naturally sits at about shoulder/collarbone length. A style like this is best done on hair washed the day before rather than the day of to help the braids and curls hold better. Dry shampoo can always keep the hair looking clean if needed. Dry shampoo and volumizing spray or powder are both helpful in creating volume at the roots of your hair so the style doesn’t sit flat on your head. Having the bun sit to the side and leaving some shorter curls out helps to soften the look and frame your face from the front. This is a beautiful updo for short hair that can be worn for any special occasion. You could add pearl or diamond pins to dress it up, and a veil could easily be pinned into place for a bridal style.