24 Bridesmaid Hairstyles for Long Hair, From Waves to Updos

Most bridal parties sort out the bride's hair months ahead, then figure out the bridesmaids in a rushed group text the week before. Long hair gives you room to fix that with less stress, because length is the one thing that lets you swap between a braid, a twist, a bun, or loose waves without much fuss. The looks below run from barely-styled to full updo, so a party with different face shapes and hair textures can still land somewhere coordinated. A few need a stylist and some time. Most you can practice at home the night before.

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Hollywood Waves

Deep side part, glossy S-shaped waves brushed out soft, all falling to one side. This is the structured cousin of beach waves, and it's having a moment for formal weddings. It suits a satin gown and a bare neckline. Set it with hot rollers or a large barrel, then brush through so the ridges soften into one sheet of shine. Fine hair may drop by the reception, so a light setting spray earns its place.

Beachy Waves

If your group leans casual or you're marrying outdoors, loose waves keep things relaxed without looking undone. Think bends rather than curls, roughed up with fingers and a little texture spray. Leave the ends slightly straight so it doesn't tip into ringlets. One caution for humid days: waves like these are the first to fall flat, so anyone with fine hair should braid overnight for a bend that lasts past photos.

Side-Swept Curls

Curls gathered over one shoulder feel soft and a little old-school in a good way. Pin the back flat behind one ear so everything sweeps forward, then loosen the curls with your fingers. It flatters a one-shoulder dress or a statement earring on the bare side. The weight sits on one side, though, so it can slip through the night. Anchor that back pin well.

Curtain Bangs with a Soft Blowout

Not everyone wants their hair off their face, and face-framing pieces are an easy middle ground. Long curtain bangs curved back at the cheekbone, the rest blown out with a soft bend, nothing tight. It works on the bridesmaid who wears her hair down every day and doesn't want to feel like a different person. Skip it if the ceremony's windy, because those front pieces will end up in her lipstick.

Classic Half-Up

Take the top and sides up, leave the length down, curl the bottom half. It's the safe pick for a mixed party because it works on nearly every texture and face shape. Build a little height at the crown so it doesn't sit flat, and hide the elastic with a wrapped strand. Add a small clip if the wedding calls for more. Good for the bridesmaid who can't decide between up and down.

Half-Up Top Knot

Pull the top section into a small knot on the crown, and let the rest hang long, straight or waved. Younger parties and modern venues suit this one. The knot can sit sleek or a little loose, and it keeps hair off the face without a full updo. Fine hair might want a small padding insert for body. It takes ten minutes, which the morning-of schedule will thank you for.

Twisted-Back Half-Up

Two twists, one from each side, meet at the back and get pinned, with the rest left down. It's a small step up from a plain half-up and leans a little boho. Rope-twist each section so it holds better than a flat twist, then tug the twists wider for that soft look. Waves underneath help. If the twists keep loosening, a tiny elastic under each pin buys you the day.

Waterfall Braid Half-Up

A waterfall braid runs across the back of the head, dropping strands as it goes so the length still falls loose underneath. It's pretty from behind, which matters when guests spend the whole ceremony looking at the backs of everyone's heads. This takes a practiced hand, so leave it to a stylist or the most braid-confident friend. Loose-textured hair holds the braid better than pin-straight, which tends to slip.

Smooth Low Chignon

A low coiled bun at the nape, brushed smooth, no flyaways. This is the formal end of the range, the one for a black-tie evening or a cathedral ceremony. Keep it low and centered, tuck the ends under cleanly, and mist for shine. It stays put through dinner and dancing. Sleek styles show every bump, so this rewards a good brush-out and a steady hand more than fancy technique.

Twisted Chignon

Same low placement as a smooth bun, but built from twisted sections pinned into a soft, textured knot. The twists catch light and give the back some interest, so it suits a lace gown or a garden ceremony. Pull a few pieces loose at the front so it doesn't look severe. It's more forgiving than a sleek bun, since the texture hides small mistakes. A stylist gets it cleaner, but a patient friend can manage.

Soft Messy Bun

Loose, low, a little undone on purpose, with soft pieces framing the face. This is the relaxed updo for a boho or outdoor wedding, and it's kind to bridesmaids who don't want to feel stiff. Leave some texture in the hair first so it grips, because clean slippery hair fights a messy bun all day. Second-day hair works better here. Don't overdo the loose pieces, or it tips from soft into unravelling.

Slicked-Back Low Bun

Wet-look, brushed flat to the head, gathered into a tight bun at the back. Modern and a little fashion-forward, this one suits minimalist dresses and city venues. Use a strong gel and a boar-bristle brush to get the front truly flat, then set the edges with a clear, non-flaking product. It stays sharp under flash with no frizz to catch the light. Not the pick for a soft romantic theme, where it can feel severe.

Tucked-and-Twisted Updo

Instead of one bun, this is a series of small twists tucked and pinned into each other low at the back, building a soft sculpted shape. It's a current favorite because it holds without looking sprayed stiff, and it works especially well on thick or textured hair that gives the shape structure. The morning of, budget more time for this than a plain bun. It's worth it, but it isn't a quick job.

Gibson Tuck

An old Edwardian trick that's easy to love: roll the length under and tuck it into a soft pocket at the nape, then pin to hold. No braiding skill needed, which makes it a rare formal updo you can teach yourself from a mirror and a phone video. It suits vintage and classic weddings. Works best on hair past the shoulders with a slight wave for grip. Dead-straight hair may need a little texture first.

Halo Braid

A single braid wrapped around the crown like a band, with the rest either tucked away or left to fall. Rustic and countryside weddings suit it, and it keeps hair fully off the face on a hot day outdoors. Natural texture holds the braid better than silky-straight hair, which needs grip spray. This one wants enough length to circle the head, so very layered cuts can fight it.

Fishtail Braid Over One Shoulder

A single fishtail pulled over the shoulder to sit against the collarbone, loosened so it looks full rather than tight. The small V-pattern gives more interest than a basic three-strand braid, and it stays neat through a long day. Bridesmaids can do this one on themselves with a bit of practice. Pancake the braid, meaning tug the edges wider, so it looks lush. Baby hairs will escape by evening, which adds to it.

Dutch Braid into a Low Bun

Start a Dutch braid at the hairline, run it back, then coil what's left into a low bun. The raised braid adds a bit of edge to an otherwise soft updo, and it keeps everything secured for dancing. It suits boho and festival-style weddings without looking too casual. Because the braid sits up off the scalp, it holds better than a French braid in fine hair. Leave it to a friend who braids well.

Boho Braid with Face-Framing Pieces

A loose braid down the back or to one side, deliberately undone, with soft tendrils left out around the face and along the hairline. This is the barely-there braid for a relaxed outdoor wedding. Curl the loose pieces slightly so they look intended rather than fallen. It flatters nearly everyone and forgives a lot, which makes it a good group pick. Skip it for formal ballrooms, where the undone look can feel underdressed.

Rope-Twist Braid into a Low Bun

Twist two sections around each other into a rope, wrap the rope into a low knot, and pin. The twist gives a fuller, ropey texture that's different from a flat braid, and it's simpler to do on yourself than a fishtail. It suits both soft and modern themes depending on how tightly you keep it. Thick hair looks best here. Fine hair can still work if you tease the sections first for bulk.

Sleek High Ponytail

A high pony, base wrapped with a strand to hide the elastic, length curled or left straight. It's youthful and a little dramatic, good for modern city weddings and evening receptions. The trick is a smooth crown with no bumps, so brush hard and use gel at the hairline. Long hair makes the tail swing, which looks great in motion. Anyone with a tender scalp should ask for it a touch lower.

Low Sleek Ponytail

Straightened, parted clean, gathered low at the nape, flat and glossy the whole way down. This is the minimalist option, quiet and modern, and it suits a sharp column dress. Run a shine serum through the length and wrap the base. It's the easiest style here to do well, which makes it a safe pick when the morning runs late. Very smoothly blown-out hair carries it best, since any frizz shows.

Bubble Ponytail

Tie a ponytail, then add small clear elastics down its length and gently puff each section between them into little bubbles. It's playful and modern, better suited to a younger party or a less formal wedding. The look needs enough length and thickness to make several full bubbles, so it favors long, dense hair. Space the elastics evenly or it looks lopsided. Fun in photos, and quick once you've done it once.

Braided Ponytail

Gather a mid or low ponytail, then braid the tail itself, or braid a section at the crown that feeds into the pony. The braid adds structure to what would otherwise be a plain tail, and it keeps the ends tidy for a long night. It suits boho and garden weddings. Loosen the braid slightly for a softer finish. This holds through dancing, which the plain-pony crowd always envies by midnight.

Pull-Through Braid

No actual braiding here. You stack small ponytails down the back and pull each one through the next, then puff out the loops so it looks like a fat, woven braid. The effect is fuller than a real braid, which flatters fine hair that struggles to hold a plait. It suits relaxed and boho weddings. Take your time puffing the sections evenly. Rushed, it looks messy, but slow it looks rich and full.