Your hair might not be the most important hair in the room on the day of the wedding (that honor is obviously reserved for the happy couple), but you’re about to be in approximately one thousand wedding photos… you’ll want to look good. Bridesmaid hairstyles shouldn’t be an afterthought. Even though it’s the couple’s special day, everyone deserves to feel great at a wedding.
That being said, as a member of the wedding party, it’s your responsibility to maintain the delicate balance between looking your best without pulling attention away from the people getting married.
“The number one rule for a bridesmaid is to not upstage the bride,” New York City-based hairstylist Devin Toth confirms. “You can’t wear more bling, look fancier, or have the same exact hairstyle as the bride does.” But what you can do is experiment with your look. “When you’re a bridesmaid, there’s room to have fun with your hairstyle without taking yourself too seriously,” Toth continues.
Even though it’s not your party, your look can (and should) feel a little bit special. The trademark of a great bridesmaid hairstyle is a look that’s low-effort and easy, but still elegant and on-brand for the wedding. For example, if your bride is going boho, a slicked-back French twist is going to look a little out of place — loose waves in a half-up bun would better fit the bill.
Most importantly, your bridesmaid hairstyle should feel like you. If you literally never wear your hair up, this is not the time to take risks. You should feel comfortable and confident so you can do what you were born to do (on this day, at least): Support the people tying the knot.
Whether you’re the bride-to-be, a member of the wedding party, or even just a guest, keep scrolling to get all the bridesmaid hair ideas you’ll need to start planning your look.
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