24 Wedding Hairstyles for Wavy Hair, Down to Braided Updos

Wavy hair is the texture stylists secretly hope you walk in with. It holds a braid and a pin better than slippery straight hair, it gives a bun natural body, and worn down it needs far less work than curling straight hair from scratch. The job is mostly enhancing what's already there and stopping it from dropping or frizzing by the reception. Worn down, pinned up, or braided, the waves do half the work. The looks below run from soft waves worn loose to sculpted updos and braids, all playing to the texture.

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Defined Soft Waves

Work with your own wave pattern, enhancing and defining it rather than curling from scratch, for soft waves worn down. Rough-dry with a diffuser, then refine a few pieces with a wand and mist with a light hold spray. It's the most natural way to wear waves, right for almost any wedding. Fine hair drops fastest, so a texture spray at the roots helps. Leave a center or side part, and let the waves fall soft around the face.

Undone Beachy Waves

Rougher and more piecey than defined waves, beachy texture is scrunched up with salt spray for that just-off-the-sand look. It suits an outdoor or coastal wedding and looks relaxed rather than done. Scrunch product into damp hair and let it air-dry, or diffuse for more volume. Leave the ends a little straight so it doesn't tip into curls. Good for a laid-back bride. It holds up well in wind, which sleeker styles don't.

Hollywood Glamour Waves

Brush wavy hair into glossy, structured Hollywood waves with a deep side part for old-glamour drama. Since the wave is already there, you're setting and smoothing rather than building from flat, so it takes less time than on straight hair. Set with a large barrel, pin to cool, then brush into one sheet. Finish with shine spray. Good for a formal or evening wedding. Pair with a bold earring on the swept-back side and a statement lip.

Side-Swept Waves

Sweep the waves over one shoulder and pin the other side flat behind the ear, so everything falls to the front. It shows off a one-shoulder dress or a bold earring on the bare side. Wavy texture holds the sweep better than straight hair, which slides back. Curl a few pieces toward the face so the waves stay together. Pin the anchor point firmly. Good for a formal wedding. A jeweled pin behind the ear finishes the pinned side.

Sleek-Root Wavy Blowout

Smooth the roots and crown flat and glossy, then let the waves take over through the lengths, for a modern, high-contrast look. The sleek top keeps it clean while the wavy ends stay soft. Flat-iron just the crown and refine the wave below with a wand. It suits a contemporary or city wedding. Run a shine serum through the lengths. Good for a bride who wants her waves but a cleaner finish up top than an all-over tousled look.

Classic Half-Up

Pin the top and sides back at the crown, leave the waves down. It works on nearly everyone and takes ten minutes, which is why it tops the request list. Wavy texture gives the pull-back natural body so it doesn't sit flat. Hide the elastic with a wrapped strand and add a comb or a few pins. Good for almost any wedding, indoor or out. It takes a veil at the crown or tucked beneath the pull-back.

Twisted Half-Up

Twist a section from each side back to the center and pin, leaving the waves down. The twists add a soft detail a plain half-up lacks, and wavy hair grips them so they hold without much product. Rope-twist each side and tug them wider for a full look. Good for a garden or outdoor wedding. Leave tendrils out at the front. Add pearl pins where the twists meet for a bit more.

Braided Half-Up

Braid a section across the crown, or from each side, and pin it back like a band with the waves left down. Wavy texture holds a braid better than silky straight hair, so it stays put without slipping. Keep it loose and pull the edges wider so it looks full. Good for a boho or rustic wedding. Weave a small flower through for an outdoor day. The waves underneath keep it soft.

Half-Up Bun

Gather the top section into a bun at the crown and leave the waves down. It's a young, modern half-up that keeps the front off the face without a full updo. Wavy hair builds a fuller, more textured bun than straight hair. Keep it sleek for sharp or loosen it for soft. Good for a city or relaxed wedding. It leaves somewhere to tuck a flower or pin a veil, and it holds well through dancing.

Bump Half-Up

Tease the crown for a soft bump, then pin the half-up back so the top has height and the waves fall below. The lift flatters a round face and gives a dressed-up finish. Wavy texture takes teasing well and holds the height. Smooth the top layer over the teasing so it looks clean. Backcomb gently. Good for a formal wedding. It adds drama and height without committing to a full updo, and it holds a veil low beneath the lift.

Low Chignon

Gather waved hair into a smooth, low coil at the nape and pin. Wavy texture gives the chignon body and helps it hold, so it's easier than on slippery straight hair. Tuck the ends under and mist for shine, or leave a little texture for a softer knot. Pull a few face-framing pieces loose. Good for a formal or classic wedding. It stays put through dinner and dancing, and a veil pins in above or below it.

Messy Wavy Bun

Loose, low, and undone on purpose, with soft waved pieces framing the face. Wavy hair is made for this, since the texture grips itself and holds the undone shape without sliding out the way straight hair does. Leave the waves in first, gather low, and pull pieces free once pinned. Good for a boho or beach wedding. Don't overdo the loose bits, or it unravels. Finish with texture spray and a couple of wispy bits at the nape.

Twisted Undone Updo

Rope-twist waved sections all over and pin them into a soft, low, deliberately loose shape. The waves give the twists texture and body, and they hold better than straight hair would. Pull pieces free at the front and nape so it looks undone. Good for a garden or rustic wedding. It suits thick wavy hair especially, which gives the twists real volume. A patient friend or a stylist builds the soft shape best. Add a sprig for boho.

French Twist

Sweep the waves up and roll them vertically at the back, tucking the ends and pinning along the seam. Wavy texture grips the roll so it holds, and it adds a little body the sleek version can lack. Add a decorative pin at the top or leave a soft wave out at the front. Good for a black-tie or ballroom wedding. It keeps everything off the neck, and a stylist gets the seam clean.

Loose Updo with Tendrils

A gathered updo left soft at the edges, with waved pieces pulled out at the temples and jaw so it isn't stiff. It's the middle ground for a bride who wants structure without severity, and wavy texture makes the tendrils fall soft and natural. Gather the length up and pin loosely, then free the face-framing pieces. Good for a formal or garden wedding. It looks elegant but relaxed, and moves from aisle to dance floor well.

Braided Bun

Braid the waved hair first, then coil the braid into a bun and pin, so the knot has a woven texture. Wavy hair braids easily and holds the plait without slipping. A fishtail or regular braid both work before you coil. Pull the braid wider for a fuller bun. Leave a piece or two loose at the front. Good for a boho or rustic wedding. Weave greenery through the coil for an outdoor day.

Grecian Rope-Twist Updo

Rope-twist several waved sections and gather them up into a soft, sculptural knot high at the back of the crown, goddess-style. The waves and twists together give the updo texture and hold. Pull a few pieces loose at the front. It suits a Grecian or column gown especially well. Good for a formal or destination wedding. A stylist builds the shape best, but wavy hair's grip makes the twists easier to manage than on straight hair.

Fishtail Braid

Braid a single fishtail over one shoulder, loosened so it looks full. Wavy texture is ideal for a fishtail, since it grips the braid and the waves add dimension between the sections. Pancake it wider so it looks lush, and leave face-framing pieces out. Good for a boho or outdoor wedding, and you can do it yourself with practice. A flower or two woven in suits it. Baby hairs escaping by evening only adds to the look.

Boho Side Braid

Sweep the waves to one side and braid loosely from the nape down, leaving it soft and undone with face-framing pieces out. Wavy hair keeps the braid full and textured rather than flat. It's the relaxed, romantic option for a beach or garden wedding. Pull the braid wider for fullness and curl the loose pieces. Good for a laid-back bride. Weave in small flowers or greenery for an outdoor day. It sits soft over one shoulder.

Waterfall Braid

A waterfall braid runs sideways across the back and drops strands as it goes, so the waved length falls loose beneath the braid. Wavy texture makes the dropped strands hold their shape and look full. It's pretty from behind, the view guests get during the ceremony. Keep the braid loose. It takes a practiced hand, so leave it to a friend who braids well. Good for a boho or garden wedding, and a veil pins in below the braid.

Braided Crown

Braid the waved hair up and around the head, meeting at the back crown, for a halo effect. Wavy texture grips the braid so it holds without much product, and it keeps the front fully off the face for a hot day. Weave small blooms or greenery through it. Good for a rustic or garden wedding, and it's pretty from every angle. A braider gets the crown even. You need enough length to circle the head.

Wavy Low Ponytail

Gather the waves into a low ponytail at the nape, wrap a strand around the base to hide the elastic, and let the waved tail fall soft. Wavy texture keeps the tail from looking flat, so it needs little else. Smooth the crown or leave a little body, and run a shine serum through the length. Good for a contemporary or relaxed wedding. Add a small bow at the base. Easy to do well when the morning runs late.

Half-Up Ponytail

Take the top half into a ponytail and leave the bottom half of the waves down, so you get a tidy pony up top and soft waves below. It's modern and youthful, keeping the front off the face while the texture stays on show. Wrap the base with a strand and let the waved tail and loose length fall together. Good for a relaxed or city wedding. A veil pins in under the ponytail.

Waves with a Flower Crown

Wear your waves down or half-up under a crown of small fresh flowers for the boho-bridal look. Wavy texture holds a flower crown better than flat hair, since the waves give it something to sit against. Keep the waves soft and defined beneath it. Choose small, sturdy blooms and greenery wired to your head size. Good for a garden, beach, or festival wedding. Have a florist and stylist build the crown so it sits right and won't wilt.