I thought I knew what I was doing for Mother of the Bride hairstyles, until one client came in with a magazine hairstyle from 1997, saying, “I want this one… but make it now”. This is actually the hardest part of this kind of styling because it’s more than just a hairstyle. It’s a fusion of decades of your individual style, the hair that your body decided to give you post-menopause, the dress you bought 3 months ago, and the pictures your daughter decided to show you. For the most part, it’s a lot of stress to put on a single morning with a curling iron.
Most of what I know now, I learned from working with wedding parties. I’ve come to understand that it is the people who don’t stress themselves out that end up being the most successful. I know the looks of my most favorite clients; the women in my chairs who get to be the most radiant version of themselves. Once, a woman who had always worn her hair down surprised me with a low bun and burst into tears at how great it looked! If you haven’t worn curls since the 80s, now is the time! If you’re still looking for your inspiration, think about what resonates with you, because that is usually the right choice.
#1: Textured Half-Up with a Soft Fringe
I love the pull because it looks the best. The bangs melt into the whole look. The auburn color here is very nice because it gives your skin a warm color that looks nice and healthy instead of colored. If you already have bangs, then you are basically all set. All you need is a large barrel curling iron and a bit of patience.
#2 Curly Half-Up with Pearl Details
The style may seem complex, but it’s actually not if you have a bit of wave in your hair. Pearls enhance the style, and I feel like they give just enough glam and not too much. I personally wouldn’t pair the earrings with the pearls though, I feel like that would be too much, let the hair do the talking. I think the curls should be soft and not stiff so they look good in photos, and I feel like that’s a lot more important than people think.
#3 Smooth High Bun
A neat high bun is a classic style that always gives off a polished look. When your hair is all pulled back in a high bun, it gives you the chance to show off your neck and collarbone. The look can be super flattering if that is the focus you want. If you have trouble with flyaways and frizzy hair, a smoothing cream can help with this look a lot. Also, a high bun can be difficult to do on your own, so you might want to consider the cost of getting it done professionally.
#4 Twisted Chignon with Dimension
I suggest this style for clients who want a classic look and don’t want to look like they’re dressed for a 2004 gala. The twists give it a more modern touch, plus the highlights mixed in look nice and aren’t too dull for photos. And keep in mind, if you think you can do it at home, be sure to practice the twist a couple of times first. There’s a fine line between an “effortless chignon” and more like “my hair fell out of a clip.”
#5 Shoulder-Length Curls with Natural Shine
There are times when we just want our hair to do its thing and this is exactly that! The curls are defined, but not crunchy which means that the right product was used and someone left it to dry. If your curl pattern is similar, the full routine is a curl enhancing cream on damp hair, then a no-touch drying process. The shine is what really elevates this look.
#6 Silver Blunt Bob with a Fringe
Last year, I had a client go silver after 20 years of fighting her gray, and when we finally styled it into a bob like this, she said, “Who says I can’t do this?” That’s the kind of vibe I picture with this cut. The straight edge really elevates the sophistication and the bangs are just enough to soften it so it doesn’t feel too severe. This is a low maintenance style that will need some regular upkeep every five to six weeks, because once those ends get straggly, you lose that fresh look.
#7 Soft Layered Mid-Length Cut
I would describe this haircut as a bit beautiful. There aren’t big differences with the haircut, but the nice layers are very fitting. At the ceremony, reception, and brunch, this hairstyle will look good everywhere. If your hair tends to get flat after three hours, using volumizing spray at your roots and blow drying it should help you make it through the night.
#8 Double Buns with Natural Texture
I love seeing this, because I know it may not be for everyone. But for those moms who have their own style and absolutely do not want to blend in with all the mother of the brides on Pinterest, this is your moment! It’s great to celebrate the natural bend and wave of the hair, and the double bun placement is fun, not childish. You just have to own it, because confidence is the real main styling product for this.
#9 Vintage Soft Curls
These curls look great in pictures and have a charming and lovely Old Hollywood vibe. I have created styles similar to these on clients that wanted something glamorous, but didn’t want to go full out, and it always hits the mark. The shoulder length allows it to not feel too costummy. If your hair doesn’t hold curls very easily, make sure to ask your stylist about a setting spray before the curling. That helps a lot in terms of how long the curls will stay.
#10 Layered Silver Bob with Highlights
What really stands out here is the color. The way the blended root color transitions to the ends is clearly much more interesting than a single flat silver tone. I’ve seen lots of women go grey and I often think to myself why does their hair look so boring? The answer is almost always that they could use some contrast like this. The texture is nice too – it keeps a bob from looking like a helmet which is really so important if you wear it down all day!
#11 Curly Updo with Flowers
Wearing flowers in your hair can be nice or ugly. Some people think it’s beautiful , some think it makes you look like you did a tacky craft project. The example I used does a good job because it doesn’t look like they are just stuck on. The body curls do support the blooms. For a hair project like this, I recommend coordinating with your florist. You want to go with small and sturdy flowers. I recommend small spray roses and baby’s breath as they tend to hold up the best.
#12 Curly Updo with Braided Accent
What makes the braid in this updo smart is how it provides the eye a path to follow that is not clashing with the curls. I feel like this is a fantastic option for someone with textured hair who wants an updo that doesn’t pull it back into an updo that opposes the natural pattern. The curls are working with the hair, not against it, and that is when updos tend to look their best. A stylist who understands your texture is key.
#13 Textured High Bun with Lift
The looseness of this bun keeps it from looking like a ‘ballet recital’ which is a common issue for high buns. The crown gives some personality to the bun, and a slight looseness at the edges makes the whole look fresher. If you are fine hair, this is a great style as the texture helps disguise the thinness. A bit of texturizing powder at the base will give grip for days.
#14 Low Bun with Soft Wisps
The hair around the face really makes a difference. Without it, the look feels a bit too straight and serious. With it there, the style feels softer and much nicer. I always tell my clients to wait until the end so I can show them the little pieces. I think the placement should respond to your face and the way the updo sits. This style will hold all day as long as you use a flexible hold hairspray and leave it alone.
#15 Vintage Waves with Polish
This spring I did one of these for a client’s mom, and she played with her hair all night because she couldn’t believe what she could do with her hair. That is the magic of set waves, they transform your hair from boring to movie star! The secret is to get the curls away from your face and rolling in the same direction, which takes some serious one inch curling wand skills. But it’s always worth the time!
#16 Shoulder-Length Waves with Rich Color
Because the color seems to be the biggest part of the look, the styling can be kept simple. If your color is this rich and healthy, a simple wave is fine. If this is the look you want, you’ll need to book a color appointment, and style really simply on the day. A shine serum on the ends will give you that lit from within look, even under reception lighting.
#17 Low Ponytail with Bangs and Texture
If a customer stated that she wanted her hair “up but not really up,” I would recommend a low ponytail. It’s easy and won’t create a headache when the toasts are served. The bangs steal the show. They soften the look but also give you some hair to play with if you get nervous and tend to fiddle with your hair. Keeping it relaxed will help the look, and not smoothing the ponytail too much will help it look better.
#18 Defined Natural Curls with Volume
If you have this kind of hair, please don’t consider straightening your hair for the wedding. I’ve seen way too many curly girls hide their gorgeous curls for weddings, and then they look back and regret it. The layers in this cut are meant to help each curl bounce so that they don’t clump. It’s going to take a little product, some scrunching, and a diffuser to get it all dry.
#19 Curly Updo with Crown Volume
The volume at the crown adds presence to this updo that flat pinned back styles simply can not achieve. It looks full and luxurious without going overboard, and the curls are the right texture to achieve the ideal delicate, defined curls that are not rigid. If you are going to a stylist, bring this image and tell them to make the crown the most voluminous, then just pin the rest around.
#20 Side Braid with Loose Waves
This look is soft and sweet which I adore. The braid isn’t tight and that makes it feel more structured. It looks like it could be just suggested and the hair that waves around the face is the icing on the cake. For more of an outdoor wedding, or something a little more informal, I would prefer this to a stiff updo any day. The face framing pieces are also doing really great things here, and I wouldn’t pin them back, even if you feel super compelled to do so.
#21 Loose Waves with Face-Framing Movement
This is how a proper blow dry with some added curls looks like. The face framing layers are cut so they fall perfectly so you can easily do this at home with some round brushing and a couple of curls here and there. It may look like there isn’t much going on but there is a lot of skill involved and that is what I appreciate most about this kind of do.
#22 Twisted Low Bun with a Delicate Hairpiece
A good accessory can elevate a simple bun hairstyle from looking like you didn’t put much thought into it to looking really intentional and beautiful. This is a great example of what I mean. The twists are simple enough, the strands framing the face are great, and that little hair accessory adds just enough formality to the overall look. If you have fine hair, be sure to ask your stylist to backcomb the base of the bun before pinning it – that will create a really nice, lasting volume.
#23 Short Curly Style with a Decorative Pin
You may think short hair can mean fewer styling options for a wedding, but that’s certainly not true for this look! The coils create a lot of texture and dimension without needing a lot of length. And that single accent pin is ideal–it says “I’m here to party!” without going overboard. If you want to keep the curls short, a trim about two weeks before the wedding is perfect, because it will be close enough to get the shape looking fresh, but distant enough that it doesn’t have that new cut look.
#24 Soft Waves with Root Lift
The root lift is subtle, but really makes all the difference. Without it, these would be overly flat waves sitting too close to the head. With the root lift, there’s movement and lift, and the added volume draws more attention to your face rather than your hair. This is the blueprint if you want to make medium-density hair look thicker. The wave pattern is timeless enough that it won’t date your wedding photos in ten years, which is something to consider.
#25 Loose Curls with Flowers
Letting your hair down like this is a good option that still gives the feeling of being really prepared for an occasion. You stayed modern and simple with the loose curls rather than going with ringlet curls. The scattered flower petals have a nice spring/summer wedding feel and add to the enchantment. It’ll be like a little garden party. Just ensure that the flower inserter secures the petals with small pins from underneath so you don’t lose a bunch of petals on the dance floor during the middle of the night.
Enter your email and get this picture and description straight to your inbox, and you'll also get new hair ideas ❤️
🔒 We don't spam or sell emails. See our Privacy Policy.