With wedding season hopefully back on track for the latter half of 2021 and more intimate ceremonies underway right now, we’ve been busy cherry-picking the best wedding-guest dresses and deciphering the biggest bridal trends for the rest of the year. What can I say? We’re in the mood for love. But what about those finishing touches? More specifically: I’m talking wedding-guest hair.
Having personally experienced the panic of trying to secure a pearl hair clip when you’re meant to be jumping in a taxi for the church, I am all about putting as much thought into special occasion hairstyles as I would my dress. (After all, nobody wants to be the person who arrives to a wedding after the bride—especially when you’ve only got a hair accessory to blame.) So to prevent you from reliving my own last-minute hair panic, I’ve rounded up a whole lot of wedding-guest hairstyle inspiration so that you can plan ahead.
To keep things super straightforward, I’ve identified a few simple styles that will take just minutes to do and work for all hair types. Think buns, twisted updos, and ponytails. Keep scrolling for 33 of the best (and easiest) wedding-guest hairstyles for a stress-free wedding season.
This elegant bun will keep your hair off your face all day and is also the perfect hairstyle for showing off your wedding guest earrings.
Even short hair can make a bun work as TyLynn proves. Just wear yours low, at the nape of your neck, and team with statement earrings for added impact.
A simple low bun takes seconds to do, is perfect for keeping your hair off your face during a summer wedding, and looks even more stylish when you leave a few strands loose around your face—see above. (A definite plus if you aren’t the best at styling your own hair!)
Nnenna takes the low bun to the next level with her covetable hair clip stack. I love how she’s teamed the eclectic accessories with a printed dress for a maximalist approach to wedding-guest dressing.
Even simpler than a bun is this two-minute twist demonstrated by Johanne. Simply pull your hair back like you’re going to tie it into a ponytail, and then twist it upwards from the nape of your neck. Secure in place with a statement butterfly clip and you’re good to go.
Proving that topknots aren’t just for casual weekends, Sophia twists her curls right onto the top of her head for a statement style. If you’ve got a fringe, leave this loose for a cool-girl finish.
All of our fashion friends are wearing hair scarves right now, and when they look as elegant as Peony’s, it’s easy to see why. Tie one around a high bun and leave the ends loose for a romantic wedding guest look.
A more modern take on Johanne’s butterfly clip, Stephanie’s disheveled hair twist is all about the statement hair clips. Leave some hair loose around your face, and let the ends of your hair poke out for a boho vibe.
The half-up, half-down hairstyle takes approximately 30 seconds to do and genuinely looks great on everyone. It’s a great option if, like me, you prefer wearing your hair down but want to try something a little different for a special occasion.
What’s better than one bun? Two, of course. Ada’s high bunches look as cute as a button and are a great option for a more unique wedding-guest hairstyle.
Rosie is the queen of simple red carpet dressing—and her hairstyles are no exception. Unlike some of the buns above, this one is all about that sharp middle parting and sleek strands. So elegant.
Cassandra’s low ponytail not only looks super luxe but draws attention to the back detailing on our slinky orange dress perfectly.
Cool girls like Elif are opting for simple plaits kept in place with neutral hair ties. Love it.
Aude-Julie’s super-high ponytail plait is giving me major ’90s vibes, and I’m here for it. So fresh.
Switch your hairband for an oversized clip like Beatrice for the chicest way to wear a low ponytail this wedding season.
A side ponytail like Syana’s manages to be both practical and cool.
There’s a definite risk of upstaging the bride if you went for this full J. Lo ensemble, but this sleek ponytail will look stylish whatever wedding-guest dress you’re wearing.
Michelle’s barrette-and-ribbon combo is so damn chic.
I’m in love with Laura’s bouncy ponytail. The wavy ends create a really glam look that is perfect for the evening wedding reception.
For me, weddings are a great occasion to experiment with accessorizing. Make like Linn and go for a “more is more” approach to your low ponytail with your best scrunchies, hair grips, and slides.
VB keeps it classic as always with a skinny twist of black ribbon to secure her swept-back pony.
High ponytails are clearly having a moment, which is why they’re a perfect wedding guest option. Jorja Smith keeps things sleek at the root and volumized through the ends.
For relaxed, boho weddings a flower crown pairs perfectly with beach waves like Getri’s.
Make like Emmanuelle and jazz up a down ‘do with double the hair clips.
Opt for a deep side parting like Freddie to transform your hair down game for wedding season.
Holly’s beachy waves plus embellished hair clips equal the dreamiest wedding-guest hairstyle.
Celebrities are going wild for headbands, and so are the fashion set, as demonstrated by Monikh. This is the fascinator of 2021.
The combination of a side parting and a hair clip seems to be the way that cool girls like Yara are embracing special occasion hairstyles this year.
Jazz up a simple hair-down style by adding in some cute hair clips on either side of a center parting like Brittany. It’s still within your hair comfort zone but has a special-occasion edge.
So sleek. So simple. Lotte’s straight bob is anything but basic with this embellished hair slide. This would look great with literally any wedding guest outfit.
Sometimes you just want to go glam, and EmRata’s voluminous retro waves are simply perfect.
Make like the French girls and keep your hairstyle simple and your headbands sleek, just like Chloé.
Selena’s vintage waves and hair slide would pair perfectly with a tea dress for the prettiest of wedding-guest outfits.
This post originally appeared on Who What Wear US.
