41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (2024)

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Down Styles
Half-Up, Half-Down Styles
Braid Styles
Ponytail Styles
Updo Styles
Veil Styles
Flower Crown Styles

The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Hair

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Select one of these beautiful styles for your big day.

Jamie Cuccinelli

Jamie Cuccinelli is contributing writer for Brides. She served as a digital editor for the brand from 2015-2019. She hopes to inspire couples to throw a wedding that's wholly them.

Brides's Editorial Guidelines

Updated on 06/28/23 11:48AM

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (3)

Of the myriad wedding hairstyle ideas floating around on your Instagram feed, half-up, half-down wedding hairstyles are the ones to save. Romantic, modern, and impossibly pretty—these are beautiful looks that will never go out of style.

"The No. 1 tip I tell brides when it comes to their wedding hair is that you want to feel like the best version of yourself," says Lorean Cairns, founder of Fox & Jane Salon. "Most of us wear our hair down on a daily basis, so a lot of times a full, fancy updo can take you out of your comfort zone. Half-up, half-down wedding hairstyles are that great compromise of wanting your hair lush and flowy around your face and shoulders yet still having key pieces out of the way so you're not fussing with it throughout the day."

While there are so many different ways to interpret the half-updo to make it fit your personality and wedding aesthetic, there's still a timeless appeal to it. "You'll never look back at your wedding photos in 25 years and regret having your hair half up," says celebrity hairstylist Matt Fugate.

Meet the Expert

Lorean Cairns is the co-founder and CEO of Fox & Jane Salon Group, Skin Habit, and Little Lion Salon. She is the author of Culture Fox and speaks across the country at industry events.
Matt Fugate is a seasoned celebrity hairstylist in New York City who has worked for countless stars and top designers.

Scroll for 41 half-up, half-down wedding hairstyles for every type of bride.

50 Stunning Bridal Hairstyle Ideas for Every Type of Wedding

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Go Vertical

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (4)

Flip the traditional half-up, half-down 'do on its, well, head by sweeping hair up and sideways instead of back. This lovely lady incorporated a plaited detail for some added edge.

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Accessorize

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (5)

This stunner embellished her vertical half-up, half-down style with a sweeping floral barrette.

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Heavenly Finish

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (6)

A half-up, half-down 'do and a gold halo headpiece gives a heaven-sent appearance.

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Sweet Spirals

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (7)

If our hair looked this good, we'd smile as big as this bride, too. We love the honeyed highlights, adding extra brightness and dimension to the style.

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Turn Up the Volume

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (8)

Injecting tons of volume at the crown creates a gorgeous shape for a half-up hairstyle, ensuring your portraits will look anything but lackluster.

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Floral Affair

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (9)

This half-up, half-down wedding hairstyle is blooming with beautiful florals. Here, the blossoms are nestled directly into the securement of the hair, completely masking it.

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Quintessentially Cute

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (10)

The quintessential half-up, half-down wedding hairstyle: long, cascading locks and just a few pieces pulled back from the face.

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Grecian Inspiration

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (11)

Braids and curls and gilded hairpieces, oh my! "This Grecian-inspired hairstyle is all about shine factor and bouncy volume in all the right places," explains celebrity hairstylist Tommy Buckett.

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On the Fringe

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (12)

Who said fringe gets in the way of a half-up 'do? Sweeping side bangs add even more dimension to a half-up, half-down wedding hairstyle.

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Woven Wonder

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (13)

Instead of simply pinning back her tresses, this beauty had her hair woven into this romantic 'do of Celtic braids and floral adornments.

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Bohemian Queen

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (14)

This bride's elaborate headpiece is the crowning touch to her romantic, bohemian style. She even added thin braids, both to secure her hair back and to disperse throughout the bottom half of the hair.

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Twisted Take

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (15)

Twist some tresses away from the face to create this cool-girl style.

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Go Retro

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (16)

We love the '50s vibe of this retro bouffant. The side-parted bangs are a nice added touch.

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Delicate Buds

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (17)

This vertical braid is dotted with baby's breath. The little buds are tucked directly into the plaits, giving off the illusion of sprouting from the locks themselves.

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Romantic Heights

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (18)

Simultaneously modern and romantic, this style reaches new heights. Literally! Look at all of that exquisite volume.

Factor in the aesthetic of your wedding gown and the backdrop of your nuptials when choosing your style. While loose, effortless waves look at home on the beach, a sophisticated half-updo accessorized with Swarovski crystal hair pins will instantly take on a more elevated appearance.

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Long Lengths

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (19)

"This is for the girl who's been growing out her hair forever for their big day and wants to show it off," Fugate says. "The flowy pieces framing her face add an approachability to it that is certainly not for the stuffy bride. This is always a great example of how a simple, sleek hair clip can elevate your look."

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Green Goddess

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (20)

An adorably earthy and boho look. "I love the way you can throw a couple of greens from your bouquet to dress it up a little," Buckett says. "It feels very organic and not as matchy-matchy as flowers can sometimes look when they're used as a hair accessory."

Pull It Back

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (21)

This pulled-back style lets the bride's beautiful face take center stage.

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Bardot Beauty

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (22)

"This half-up style has that Brigitte Bardot–like appeal," Buckett says. "All of her long bangs and front layers are pulled out of the 'do to make it sultry and charming."

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Some Sparkle

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (23)

Full, formal curls and a sparkly hairpiece complete this pretty hairstyle.

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Soft Touch

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (24)

Loose, face-framing tresses add some softness to this romantic look.

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Ponytail Mix

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (25)

For an unexpected look, blend a half-up style with an elegant ponytail. Simply gather the bottom pieces into a loose pony for a refreshing spin on the classic.

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Crowning Glory

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (26)

A flower crown makes for the perfect topper for this 'do, as it mimics the natural drape of the hair.

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Sumptuous Spirals

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (27)

These rich, luscious spirals were made for a half-up, half-down hairstyle. We think the look is endearingly natural and organic.

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Barely There

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (28)

This bride pulled just a few thin strands of hair back, largely leaving the rest to fall around her shoulders, for a minimalist twist on the classic style.

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Best of Both Worlds

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (29)

Can't fully commit to a half-up, half-down hairstyle? This bride proves that meeting halfway can be just as stunning. She tucked her front pieces underneath, instead of pulling them back, to achieve a similar effect.

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Liven Things Up

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (30)

Can't fully commit to a half-up, half-down hairstyle? This bride proves that meeting halfway can be just as stunning. She tucked her front pieces underneath instead of pulling them back to achieve a similar effect.

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Unexpected Twist

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (31)

Instead of directly pinning her tresses back, this beauty finished off the style with a flourish: each end gently twists before sweeping downward into the rest of the hair.

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Budding Romance

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (32)

This bride brightened up her inky-hued, glossy locks with two pure white rosebuds.

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Focus on the Face

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (33)

Model Brooks Nader pulled her hair upward before raking it back to draw the eyes up onto the face.

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Glam Factor

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (34)

Feeling glamorous? Top off your half-up, half-down wedding hairstyle with a hairpiece. You can add a barrette to the gathering point in tried-and-true fashion or opt for something that mimics the flow of the style, like this bride's jeweled chain and traditional maang tikka.

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Au Naturel

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (35)

This bride's natural spirals add texture and personality to this style. Embrace your hair's distinctive pattern for a bridal hairstyle that's entirely your own.

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Make a Statement

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (36)

Pull back thicker swaths of hair to mimic the look of a low ponytail without giving up that romantic sweep. Bonus: This looks incredible with a statement earring.

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Autumnal Dream

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (37)

This beauty filled out her half-up style with roses in dusty tones that matched her dreamy autumnal nuptials in Napa. The look is sheer magic.

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Braided Tendrils

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (38)

Braid your locks backward for an added dose of interest in your style. This also creates a bit of an anchor to securely tuck your veil into.

Once you've decided on a fancy 'do for your big day, be sure to schedule a wedding hair trial with your hairstylist. Doing so will allow you to envision exactly how your half-up, half-down hairstyle will look—whether you pin it back with hairpins or rock a tiara.

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Très Romantique

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (39)

We repeat: Leave a few rogue tendrils out to freely fall around your face and create a romantic frame surrounding your features. This bride's results are positively angelic.

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Asymmetric Crown Braid

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (40)

Here, a crown braid sweeps into a half-up style that's just as adorable as the tutu-wearing puppy—and that's saying a lot!

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Finishing Touch

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (41)

This bride finished off her half-up 'do by swirling the ends into a bun rather than letting them hang down in a ponytail fashion.

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Side Swept

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (42)

This autumnal bride braided half of her mane back into a woven chignon and let the rest just flow about her features.

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Just Add Water

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (43)

Beach babes, rejoice. Beachy waves look laid-back and fun in a half-up, half-down 'do.

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Princess Moment

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (44)

This particular hairstyle innately lends itself to a tiara. Doesn't the beautiful bride look every bit the princess?

FAQ

How do you style your hair half-up, half-down for your wedding?
Whether you're pinning it back or adding flowers to push your hair up, there are countless ways to style a half-updo for your wedding day.
What accessories do I need to style my hair half-up and half-down?
Flowers or a headpiece can help you achieve an elevated half-up, half-down hairstyle for your wedding.

How to Find the Best Hairstylist for Your Wedding

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or expertise, but I can provide information on the concepts mentioned in the article. Let's dive into the different concepts related to wedding hair styling mentioned in the article.

Half-Up, Half-Down Styles

Half-up, half-down hairstyles are a popular choice for brides. They offer a compromise between wearing the hair completely down and having a full updo. This style allows for the hair to be lush and flowy around the face and shoulders, while still keeping some sections of the hair secured and out of the way.

Braid Styles

Braid styles are a versatile option for wedding hair. They can be incorporated into various hairstyles, such as half-up, half-down styles, updos, or even as standalone braided hairstyles. Braids can add texture and visual interest to the hair, and there are numerous braid variations to choose from, including fishtail braids, French braids, and Dutch braids.

Ponytail Styles

Ponytail styles can be an elegant choice for wedding hair. They can be worn high or low, sleek or tousled, and can be combined with other elements such as braids or twists. Ponytails offer a polished and sophisticated look while keeping the hair off the face and neck.

Updo Styles

Updo styles are a classic option for weddings. They involve gathering the hair and securing it in an elegant and elevated style. Updos can be intricate and elaborate, or simple and sleek, depending on the desired look. They can be adorned with accessories such as flowers, hairpins, or tiaras.

Veil Styles

Veils are a traditional accessory for weddings and can be incorporated into various hairstyles. They can be attached to updos, half-up, half-down styles, or worn with loose, flowing hair. Veils come in different lengths and styles, such as birdcage veils, cathedral veils, or fingertip veils.

Flower Crown Styles

Flower crowns are a popular choice for bohemian or romantic wedding hairstyles. They can be worn with loose, wavy hair or incorporated into updos or braided styles. Flower crowns can be made with fresh flowers or artificial flowers, and they add a natural and whimsical touch to the overall look.

These are just some of the concepts related to wedding hair styling mentioned in the article. Each style offers its own unique charm and can be customized to suit individual preferences and wedding aesthetics. It's important to consult with a professional hairstylist to discuss the desired look and find the best style that complements the wedding gown and overall theme.

41 Gorgeous Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles (2024)

FAQs

Do brides look better with hair up or down? ›

Consider Your Wedding Dress Neckline

Loose waves and a soft, flowing style is key. If your dress has a higher neckline, our pro says to consider an updo. "With high necklines, hair usually looks best tousled up," says Mar.

Get More Info ›

What is the most popular wedding hairstyle? ›

Half Up, Half Down Hair

Half up, half down hair is one of the most popular wedding hairstyles for short and long hair. This timeless look will never go out of style. Half updos are the perfect fit for veils and other accessories. It can also be paired with all the styles mentioned above.

Find Out More ›

What is the best hairstyle for a girl for wedding? ›

11 Trendy Hairstyles For Girls That Are Perfect For Their Wedding...

Sleek braid with bling.
Floral tight bun.
Voluminous crown 'do.
Double braid with hair-rose formations.
Tight curls.
Side Dutch braid cascading into twisted locks.
Bow down, ladies!
The classic donut bun.

More items...

Sep 16, 2023

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How to do the best half up half down hair? ›

Pull the top half of your hair into a high half ponytail and secure it with a hair elastic. Then, use your fingers to separate your hair and create a hole above the elastic. Flip your ponytail up and over, pulling the ponytail through the hole you made. To complete your look, pull your ponytail taut.

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Do brides get hair or makeup done first? ›

“It has been my experience with clients that getting your makeup done before doing your hair is best,” says Voight. She further adds, “This way, the makeup artist has the chance to blend the makeup into the hairline and around the jaw area without worrying about messing up the beautiful work of the hairstylist.

Get More Info ›

Does the bride get her hair done first or last? ›

Hot styling tools: If you have hot rollers in your hair or will be using heating tools such as blow dryers, it is advised to get your hair done before your makeup. This will allow you to cool down before you start applying makeup.

Where do you section your hair for half up half down? ›

Section off the top part of your hair, starting at the top of your ears. Then, split the top section in half down the middle. French braid each side, stopping when you reach the back of your head so the rest of the hair hangs loose. Secure each braid individually with a clear elastic at the back of your head.

Learn More ›

What is the hairstyle called half up half down? ›

This particular hairstyle is more or less what the name suggests: tie up the top half of your hair into a topknot or ponytail, while the lower half can cascade down your back or be swept to the side. This is an underrated hairstyle and bound to be a favorite for anyone who wants a great look in a hurry!

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Why do brides wear their hair down? ›

Many brides with the lustrous locks want them to be part of their wedding styling, and choose to keep their hair down and rightly so, also Brides who prefer to wear their hair down tend to be girls who always wear their hair down – bottom line, they feel the foremost comfortable, beautiful and assured with their hair ...

Why do most brides have 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 ...

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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.

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Why do brides look down? ›

Looking down apparently portrays a bride to be shy and modest. In Pakistani wedding the wedding day is said to be sad day for a bride though she is going to start a new chapter of life with her husband but at the very same moment she is leaving her home, her parents, her childhood memories, siblings and friends.

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