25 Medium Length Bridesmaid Hairstyles, From Waves to Updos

Medium length is the bridesmaid default, and that's a good thing. It's long enough to pin into a real updo or braid, short enough that it won't take an hour to curl. It coordinates a party easily too, since almost any shape works across the group at this length. Most of these hold through the day. Several a bridesmaid can do herself. A few fuller updos want a couple of clip-in pieces. The looks below run from soft waves to updos, braids, and a bow.

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Loose Romantic Waves

Soft waves worn down, the easiest coordinated look for a party since everyone just gets the same bend. Curl in large sections, then brush through so the waves loosen and look natural. Medium length holds a wave better than long hair, which drops. Add a light hold spray and a touch-up iron for the reception. Good for almost any wedding. A matching clip or flower ties the group together, and it takes minutes per bridesmaid.

Hollywood Glamour Waves

Glossy, structured waves with a deep side part, the dressier way to wear medium hair down. Since medium length holds a set well, the waves last through the reception. Set with a large barrel, pin to cool, then brush into one smooth sheet. Finish with shine spray. Good for a formal or evening wedding. Pair with matching earrings across the party. It's a step up from soft waves for a black-tie feel.

Sleek Straight, Deep Side Part

Blow medium hair straight and glossy with a deep side part, clean and modern. It suits a contemporary or minimalist wedding and coordinates a party in one simple finish. Run a shine serum through and smooth flyaways with a light cream. Straight hair shows split ends, so bridesmaids should trim beforehand. Carry anti-frizz product if the day is humid. It's the low-fuss down option when the party wants sleek rather than waved.

Soft Curls Worn Down

Curl medium hair into soft, defined curls worn down and free, shaken out slightly with the fingers. The curls add body and movement, and they flatter finer hair. Set each curl to cool before releasing so they last, and use a flexible spray. It works whether a bridesmaid's hair is straight or naturally wavy. Good for a romantic or spring wedding. Leave face-framing pieces out. A matching flower finishes it for the party.

Classic Half-Up

Pin the top and sides back at the crown and leave the length down, curled or waved. It works on nearly everyone and takes ten minutes, the safe coordinated pick. Build height at the crown so it doesn't sit flat, and hide the elastic with a wrapped strand. Add matching combs or flowers. Good for almost any wedding, indoor or out. It's the half-up a whole party can do quickly on the morning of.

Half-Up Bun

Gather the top section into a bun at the crown and leave the rest down. It's a young, modern half-up that keeps the front off the face without a full updo. Medium length gives plenty to build a full bun. Keep it sleek for sharp or loosen it for soft. Good for a city or relaxed wedding. It gives each bridesmaid somewhere to tuck a matching flower, and it holds well through dancing.

Twisted Half-Up

Twist a section from each side back to the center and pin, leaving the length down. The twists add a soft detail, and they hold without much product, which makes it DIY-friendly for a party. Rope-twist each side and add pearl pins. Good for a garden or outdoor wedding. Leave tendrils out at the front. Waves in the loose length finish it. It's a small step up from a plain half-up that a bridesmaid can manage herself.

Braided Half-Up

Braid a section across the crown, or from each side, and pin it back like a band with the length left down. The braid keeps the front tidy and adds a soft, handmade detail. Keep it loose and pull the edges wider so it looks full. Good for a boho or rustic wedding. Weave a matching flower through for an outdoor day. It coordinates a party nicely, since the braid detail stays consistent across the group.

Half-Up Ponytail

Take the top half into a ponytail and leave the bottom half down, a tidy pony up top with loose length below. It's modern and youthful, keeping the front off the face while the length shows. Wrap the base with a strand and curl the loose hair. Good for a relaxed or city wedding. It's quick across a party and holds through dancing. Add a matching bow or clip at the base.

Low Chignon

Gather medium hair into a small, smooth coil at the nape and pin. It works at this length, though the bun will be compact. Tuck the ends under and mist for shine. A couple of clip-in pieces add fullness for a bigger knot, which helps even out a party with different thicknesses. Pull a few face-framing pieces loose. Good for a formal or classic wedding. It stays put through dinner and dancing.

Messy Low Bun

Loose, low, and undone on purpose, with soft pieces framing the face. It's the relaxed bridesmaid updo for a boho or beach wedding, and it forgives a lot when the party is doing their own. Leave texture in the hair first so it grips, since medium hair can slide out. Second-day hair works better. Don't free too many pieces, or it unravels. Finish with texture spray and wispy bits at the neck.

Loose Updo with Tendrils

A gathered updo left soft at the edges, with pieces pulled out at the temples and jaw. It's the middle-ground bridesmaid updo, dressed but relaxed, and it moves from ceremony to dance floor well. Gather the length up and pin loosely, then free the face-framing tendrils and curl them. Good for a formal or garden wedding. It flatters most bridesmaids and coordinates easily. Clip-ins help if a bridesmaid's medium hair is on the shorter side.

French Roll

Sweep medium hair up and roll it vertically at the back, tucking the ends and pinning along the seam. The French roll works from chin to shoulder length and looks sharp without much length. Add a decorative pin at the top or leave a soft piece out. Good for a black-tie or ballroom wedding. It's neater than it looks once practiced, and a stylist gets a party's rolls consistent. It keeps everything off the neck for a long day.

Braided Bun

Braid medium hair first, then coil the braid into a low bun so the knot has a woven texture. The braid gives a small bun structure and helps it hold. A Dutch or fishtail braid both work before you coil. Pull the braid wider for fullness. Leave a piece or two loose at the front. Good for a boho or rustic wedding. Weave matching greenery through the coil. It holds through dancing at this length.

Twisted Undone Updo

Rope-twist sections and pin them into a soft, low, deliberately loose shape, so it looks undone rather than styled. The twists give texture and hold without the neatness of a braid or smooth bun. Pull pieces free at the front and nape. It suits thick medium hair that gives the twists body. Good for a garden or rustic wedding. It's forgiving, which helps when bridesmaids style their own. Clip-ins add fullness if needed.

Faux Updo

Roll the medium-length ends under and tuck them into a soft pocket at the nape, pinning to hold, so it looks like an updo without the length for a real one. This trick is made for medium hair and needs no braiding skill. Leave a slight wave in first for grip. Good for a formal or vintage wedding. It's the way to get a bridesmaid's hair up when it won't reach a real bun, and it's quick and forgiving.

Fishtail Braid

Braid a single fishtail over one shoulder, loosened so it looks full. Medium length keeps the braid sitting at the collarbone. Pancake it wider so it looks lush, and leave face-framing pieces out. Good for a boho or outdoor wedding, and a bridesmaid can do it herself with practice. A matching flower woven in ties the party together. Baby hairs escaping by evening only add to it. It holds through a long day.

Boho Side Braid

Sweep the hair to one side and braid loosely from the nape, soft and undone with face-framing pieces out. At medium length the braid sits over one shoulder. It's the relaxed, romantic option for a beach or garden wedding. Curl the loose pieces so they look intended, and pull the braid wider for fullness. Good for a laid-back party. Weave in matching small flowers for an outdoor day. It's forgiving and quick to do.

Dutch Braid

Run a Dutch braid from the hairline back across the crown, then let it join the loose length or feed into a low bun. The raised braid stands off the head for texture. At medium length keep it near the crown where it shows. Good for a boho or festival-style wedding. Pull the edges out for fullness. Leave this to the braid-confident bridesmaid or a stylist, since a neat Dutch braid takes a steady hand.

Braided Crown

Two braids that travel up and around the head, meeting at the back crown, for a halo effect. It works well on medium hair and keeps the front fully off the face, which helps outdoors. Braid each side and pin them across the crown, tucking the ends. Weave matching greenery or buds through for a party. Natural texture grips better than silky hair. Good for a rustic or garden wedding, and it's pretty from every angle.

Sleek Low Ponytail

Gather medium hair into a low ponytail at the nape, wrap a strand around the base, and smooth the top. The pony is short at this length, which looks clean and modern. Straighten or lightly wave the tail and run a shine serum through. Good for a contemporary or minimalist wedding. It's the easiest style to do well across a party when the morning runs late. Add a matching bow or wrapped cord at the base.

Wavy Mid Ponytail

Gather a ponytail at mid-height, wrap the base, and wave the tail for a soft, bouncy finish. Higher than a low pony but easier than a sleek high one, it flatters medium length and gives some movement. Curl the tail and leave face-framing pieces out. Good for a relaxed or garden wedding. It's youthful and holds through dancing. Coordinate the base wraps or bows across the party for a coordinated group.

Waves with Matching Accessories

When the party has different lengths and textures, coordinate with a shared accessory over soft waves rather than one identical style, matching combs, flowers, hair vines, or clips. Each bridesmaid wears her waves her way while the accessory ties the group together in photos. Choose something that suits every hair color. Good for any wedding. It's the practical, flattering way to unify a party without forcing everyone into the exact same look.

Updo or Half-Up with a Bow

Tie a ribbon bow at the base of a low bun, ponytail, or half-up, the trend everywhere right now. It's sweet and current, and a matching ribbon across the party coordinates the group in one soft touch. Choose a muted satin in a shade that suits the dresses. Keep the style simple so the bow stands out. Good for a modern or garden wedding. It's an easy, low-cost way to dress up medium hair.

Half-Up with a Hair Vine

Weave a flexible hair vine, a strand of pearls or leaves, through a half-up for delicate sparkle. It bends along the twists and pull-back, catching light softly, and it suits medium length worn half-up. Weave it where the hair is gathered. Good for almost any wedding. A matching vine across the party unifies the group without a veil or a big accessory. Keep the rest soft and waved so the vine feels organic. Pin it at a few points.