40 Wedding Hairstyles Perfect For Brides With Long Hair

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updated Oct 08, 2020

woman with long wedding hairstyle and flowers — @arbridalhair

As a stylist to many on their wedding days, I hear plenty of soon-to-be brides say that they've been growing out their hair for their special day. Long hair provides plenty of styling options to work with, from updos and braids to full curls and half-up half-down styles. The wedding hairstyle options are truly endless when you have some length to work with. So to help you narrow things down, keep reading to get out our list of 40 wedding hairstyles for brides with long hair.

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Braid Wrapped Chignons

A low bun or "chignon" is a frequently worn hairstyle for long-haired brides. If you find yourself drawn to this style idea, find a hair stylist that wants to explore the plethora of options within this singular style. A basic low bun can become next level and head-turning when wrapped in braids and adorned with a bow. A little imagination is the key to what you're looking for in choosing a wedding hair stylist.

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Fairy Dust

Sprinkling a dusting of tiny floral buds or shimmering gems into your hair gives off a fairytale magic kind of aesthetic to match your fairytale magic kind of love. We especially love the way this looks on long, natural, combed-out texture.

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Twisted Top Knots

Wearing all your braids or twists into a perfectly poised top knot is a beautiful and regal style. Top knots can pair well with high-necks as well as open necks and backs, making them extremely versatile and not as dependent on the dress you choose, unlike other hairstyles. Just be sure to do a hair trial before the big day and try your top knot on for size. You'll be wearing this style all night long and you want to ensure the way it's pinned up will not only stay, but won't cause any headaches.

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Criss-Crossed Braids

This unique hairstyle of criss-crossed braids serves as an awe-inspiring detail that you can only achieve with longer strands. It comes across as a half-up half-down style, but notice it doesn't bring the sides back above the ears. This detail will keep your long strands feeling free-flowing without compromising that extra back detailing interest.

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Dolce Glam

Your wedding dress can inform a lot of your beauty look for the big day. If your gown is made by Dolce & Gabbana for example, your beauty team will likely turn to that designer's previous seasons and runway beauty to get inspired. Here, we have a Dolce-inspired updo adorned with roses.

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Oceanside Wedding

A beachside wedding doesn't always have to equate to bohemian styled beach waves. Another great interpretation of the low bun is this simple, twisted back style on wet-looking, long strands. Adding pearl pins throughout gives a bridal flare to this look while still staying on point with the down-by-sea vibe.

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Rich Waves

Another classic look for long haired brides: side-swept, rich waves. By preparing the hair with a good blowout, you'll have iron-free, soft waves for a sophisticated glam look.

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Golden Halo

Want to entertain hair accessories without spending a fortune? Talk to your hair stylist about weaving in some gold or silver thread. It's a beauty look we've seen up and down the runways and red carpet that has always left us swooning.

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Natural, Full Curls

If you're a low maintenance kind of bride, opt for refining your long, natural texture and wearing it all down. It will still help to get your hair done by a professional so they can assist you in getting your desired volume and shape. Accentuating what you already have is one of the best ways to feel like the most beautiful version of yourself.

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Four Strand Braid

If you frequent a side braid, French braid, or even a sleek ponytail, consider doing a more elaborate style like this clean, four strand braid. It is a refined (yet simple) styling option that will keep you in your realm of comfort and have you feeling like yourself, despite being dolled up beyond the norm.

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Baby's Breath

Pinning hints of baby's breath throughout your strands is a recycled trend that's been around for decades, and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere. After a revival down the runway for designers like Carolina Herrera and Rodarte, this floral's resurgence has remained in high-demand.

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Ballerina Bun

If you consider yourself an athlete and are used to wearing your hair back, going with a very sleek and tight updo will probably be in your realm of bridal hair comfort. Athlete or not, a slicked back, high ballerina bun has the power to give you a nice little face lift sans botox and works great to compliment earrings if you choose to make that the statement jewelry to your ensemble.

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Textured Half-Up

Depending on your hair type, giving an airy texture to your hairstyle isn't always as easy and straight forward as you may think. Do a hair trial or two if you can to find the hair stylist that can give you exactly what you're hoping for.

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Cornrowed Updo

Leaving natural texture in the body of your style can still give space for movement and curls while those cornrows ensure no hair is falling out of place or onto your face. Cornrowing your hair into a relaxed, non-braided style of your choice will keep your updo feeling much lighter than it would with a full head of braids.

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Braided French Twist

We love this modern take on the French twist. A simple braid twisted up off the neck makes for an eye-catching detail with elegant style.

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Sleek, Straight Ponytail

Sleek, straight ponytails are a gorgeous choice for your wedding day, and they're a ton of fun to (securely) whip around the dance floor. It works especially well when those clean lines pair up against more minimalistic dresses.

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Burst of Florals

If you're getting married in a garden, why not opt for a burst of florals in the hair? Having the hair play off your entire aesthetic—from dress, to environment and floral arrangements—is always a solid move that will leave you feeling like everything tied together just perfectly.

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Architectural Updo

For the anti-bride brides who may want to stray from all the "romantic" hairstyles, consider doing an architectural shape in the hair thats bold and unique but still keeps things soft with the blown-out texture and addition of ornamental barrettes.

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Clean and Classic

This clean and classic style is a perfectly coiffed chignon. Placement is very important with these types of hairstyles. By arranging it just slightly above the nape of the neck, its positioned to stay secure without loosening up as you move your head around. It also provides more attention be drawn to the other details of your bridal ensemble.

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Twists to Curls

Twists are great as is, but letting those ends transition into a curl feels like a little extra something special for your big day.

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Let It All Down

As someone with long hair, your hair may just be your best accessory. That being said, there's no shame in simply wearing it all down and waved for an effortless approach that feels natural, comfortable, and beautiful.

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Tight Tendrils

If your natural texture can support tighter tendrils, consider adding the curls for natural looking movement and body. While it may shorten your long length, tendrils like this can add so much natural volume to an updo without adding a ton of product to the hair.

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Floral Headpiece

Flower crowns aren't the only floral headpieces you can consider weaving into your long strands. Fresh or dried flowers can be added to combs, clips, pins, or custom crafted into one-of-a-kind pieces to be placed in any hairstyle you choose.

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Flower Crown

Flower crowns are an easy, laidback hair accessory that will have you feeling like a queen, and they're especially popular amongst outdoor weddings. Be sure to collaborate with both your hair stylist and your florist when discussing ideas and incorporating this detail into your look. It's minor planning beforehand that will ensure a super low-stress and minimally timed beauty routine on your big day.

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Undone Box Braids

One of our favorite long braided bridal styles are these undone box braids seen on Elaine Welteroth for her wedding day. Partially unwound in all the right places, the undone braids add such interesting texture. This style really works with her hair color and helps to add so much more dimension and interest that catches the eye.

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Messy French Twist

If you're a big fan of second day hair, a piece-y textured updo like this messy french twist might be the bridal style for you. A little dry texture spray or surf spray and a few hair pins are all you need to get the hair tight and secure while appearing loose and effortlessly pulled together.

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Elongated Low Bun

With a lot of length, it's easy to elongate a low bun. Wrapping the bun twice gives it some shape and structure, while covering the ear and leaving the front loose balances it all out perfectly.

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Romantic Half-Up

Bridal hairstyles don't have to be complicated, especially when your length gives you a lot to work with. Sometimes, the simpler the better, like this romantic topsy turvy with all the right texture.

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Side-Swept and Tousled

An over-directed, side-swept bang with tousled texture throughout those long strands is one of the most covetable down 'dos we've seen.

25 Fresh Takes on Classic Side-Swept Bangs

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Straight Texture

Straight, long hair can still achieve a lot of volume and texture in your style of choice with the right products. A little volumizing primer and thickening spray (maybe even some extensions?) and you'll be on your way to a full yet piece-y textured bun.

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Braided Braids

The added perk to a style like this? Being able to unravel your updo later in the evening if you want to mix things up for the reception.

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Bubbled Up

With a full head of long, wavy strands, you may only need a deep side part and some white thread to create the most effortless, sexy bridal hairstyle of loosely bubbled up pigtails. This style plus bare feet in a white gown is a vibe we can get behind.

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Bun of Curls

With a mane full of curls, your updo options are looking pretty promising. Curls give so much life to the hair as is, that your bridal style can be achieved in record time without compromising a beautiful finish. All those pins and twists will get lost in the mix of beautiful texture.

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Ditch the Veil

Don't feel restricted to wearing a veil as you walk down the aisle. These days, there are plenty of timeless headpieces you can wear on your big day, like this pearl-studded headband.

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Big Bows

With an open back dress, your hair really has an opportunity to shine. While this big bow is a stand-out accessory, the hair remains soft and minimal to match the style of the dress, allowing it all to blend together perfectly.

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Half-Up Top Knot

A half-up top knot gives height and shape to your style by pulling it up high instead of back, but still lets the rest of your length down to show itself off and feel like the long-haired bridal goddess that you are.

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Veil-Friendly Volume

This classic bridal hairstyle gives just the right amount of volume; it keeps things looking natural while still giving a cushion for the veil to grip into.

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Low Ponytail

A low ponytail is a great way to complement the design of sleeveless bridal dresses. It keeps the focus on your dress and its features while still letting your long hair cascade down the back.

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Free Flowing Tendrils

Sometimes the best part to having extra long strands can be just letting it all down. Natural or not, free flowing tendrils make for a beautiful, easy to achieve bridal style.

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Half-Up Bun

This hairstyle really combines all of the classic options—the bun, the half-up, and the loose-flowing curls. Combining each style into this half-up half-down bun proves that you really can have it all on your wedding day.