65 Simple Wedding Hairstyles That Prove Less Is More

margaux patrick wedding updo
Rachel Havel Photography

If you love the idea of a simple, beautiful wedding-day beauty look, then you're in luck. Although an elaborate updo or extravagant braid is always an option for your big day, the hairstyles that follow prove that you don't need an intricate hairstyle to look amazing. While there's nothing wrong with choosing a complex style—especially when it complements your personal aesthetic, your wedding dress, or your venue—some brides find that loose curls, a tidy bun, a natural blowout, or a delicate flower crown is all they need to look like the bridal version of themselves.

But don't confuse simple with basic, boring, or safe. This beautiful style by Brittani Estes is the perfect example. Since the low bun was equal parts simple and elegant in and of itself, all the understated style really needed to shine was a unique hair accessory from Twigs & Honey. For your own take on a similar look, try accenting your updo with fresh flowers or a vintage brooch.

If you normally wear your hair in an unfussy way, why not embrace an elevated version of your signature look for the wedding (styled by a professional for extra oomph, of course) There's no reason a simple wedding hairstyle can't also be chic—or look absolutely incredible with any accessories you choose. Plus, simple wedding hairstyles are often easier to maintain throughout the day. From half-up, half-down looks and long, sleek locks to straightforward, sophisticated topknots and buns, click through for some of the prettiest simple wedding hair we've seen yet. If you're looking for big-day beauty ideas that are anything but boring, you're about to be pleasantly surprised by all the options out there.

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Windswept

denita john wedding bride
Lisa Ziesing for Abby Jiu Photography

The bride's gorgeous windswept waves were created by Toni Yvette and DT Hair.

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Deep Side Part

bride and groom smile outside holding hands
Lacie Hansen

A deep side part adds extra volume, while loose waves add some vintage glamour to this bride's look, by Team Hair & Makeup.

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Middle Part

bride and groom cutting small cake together
Mo Davis Photography

Fascio Hair parted this bride's hair down the middle to create this beautiful, understated hairstyle. Two embellished clips were all the woman of the hour needed to make her look shine.

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Beach Waves

tamara erik wedding rehearsal dinner guests
Lacie Hansen

This bride chose long and loose waves for a natural look for her rehearsal dinner.

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Half-Up with Waves

Bridesmaids in Jenny Yoo gowns in dusty rose
Vicki Grafton Photography

A half-up half-down hairstyle looks lovely paired with long, loose waves, as evidenced by this look created byAnna Breeding.

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Low Chignon

bride and groom embrace smiling outside during first look
Anna Peters

Rachel Jordan Beauty created this low chignon. Meanwhile, a delicate veil with detailed clip sits right atop as the only embellishment needed.

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Perfectly Tousled

Groom and bride holding hands and smiling
The Edges

Bobbi Gutierrez created a natural-looking cascade of waves for this bride with long hair.

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Au Natural

jen tim wedding couple at golden hour
Anneli Marinovich

Soft, natural-looking waves are perfect for an outdoor soirée. Ciara Coiffure created this beautiful look.

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Delicate Details

flower girl and bride on deck looking out over water
Elizabeth LaDuca

Jennifer Tawa gathered this brides hair in a detailed low knot. Meanwhile, a delicate hair pin adds extra intrigue.

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Pulled to the Side

wedding couple posing for portrait at park
Kati Rosado

Monique Gaffney created this gorgeously tousled style. Pulled to one side, it's a stunning way to wear your hair down on your wedding day.

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Curled Ends

elle raymond venice wedding bridal bouquet
Lilly Red Creative

Leaving your hair down and cascading over your shoulders is a beautiful, simple option for a bride with a medium-length hairstyle. Add a curl to the end to dress the look up ever so slightly.

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All Swept Up

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Awake Photography

A slightly undone updo can be so striking, as evidenced by this low updo from Blushworthy. A few face-framing pieces pulled out in the front ensured it didn't look too perfect.

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Boho Waves

beth behrs michael gladis wedding bride bouquet sylvie gil
Sylvie Gil Photography

If you're not looking to stray too far from your everyday hairstyle, consider adding a piece of hair jewelry to your beloved loose waves and side part. This golden number from Jennifer Behr, which was pinned on by Aviva Perea, took this understated look to the next level.

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Go Natural

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Rebecca Yale Photography

Embrace your hair's natural texture—and nature itself—by tucking a few flowers into your style. Here, Ebony Roots Hair braided one side of the bride's hair and petite blooms dotted the other side.

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Relaxed Waves

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Sarah Ingram

For a casual take on a half-up, half-down hairstyle, add a little bit of volume in the form of loose waves and twist the front sections together. Emma Collins Beauty was responsible for this effortless look.

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Side Parted Low Bun

bride facing father holding hands outdoors
Perregaux Wedding Photography

A simple side-parted low bun sits pretty at the nape of the neck, created by Cynthia Jean. A low-pinned veil was later added to the bride's look.

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Braid for the Occasion

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Kristin La Voie Photography

An inverted braid in the perfect way to pull your hair back without being too fussy. Want something a little more exciting? Pick up a jeweled hair accessory (this one's by Tania Maras) to wear around the crown of your head.

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Short But Full

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Perry Vaile

Shorter-haired brides still have plenty of options for simple big-day hairstyles. Take this one by Tammy Dalton of Modern Salon & Spa. Shoulder-grazing locks were curled for a look with movement and fullness.

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Face-Framing Pieces

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Lex and the Lotus Photography

If you want your hair up but not all the way, take a cue from this hairstyle by Be.NYLA. Volume at the top of the head and face-framing pieces with a wave at the bottom ensured it looked elegantly undone.

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Beautiful Bangs

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Caroline Dyer-Smith

Bangs are great if you plan on wearing a veil. As for the rest of your hair, you can pull sections back to secure the headpiece and wear the rest down. Marian Filali made this bride look effortlessly chic.

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Braids All Around

wedding couple
Amy Fanton Photography

Braids aren't just for pigtails. They can get fancy, especially in sleek updos like this one by Storme Make Up, which curved them around towards the back of the bride's head to showcase her dress's ornate back.

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Voluminous Waves

daniela emmanuel wedding maryland couple holding hands
Winsome + Wright

Gathering hair mostly to one side is one way to add a bit of drama in a subtle way. This bride's waves had shine, too, thanks to hairstylist Caitlyn Meyer, with further emphasized the shape.

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Retro Style

brides couple portrait
Erich McVey

If you choose to keep your hair down, make sure it's touchable. A side part and loose finger waves, like these by Jennifer Cruz, almost always look silky, soft, and understated.

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Sleek Yet Simple

wedding couple
Maui Maka Photography

You can't go wrong with a super straight ponytail. Add a little something extra by twisting hair around the base, like Calvyn Cass of Brush Salon did here.

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A Tight Bun

haylie brad wedding dress back
A Bryan Photo

When your dress is as ornate as this high-necked, open-back number, it's best to go with an updo to show it all off. Here, Flawless Bride twisted the bride's hair into a compact bun at the base of her neck.

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On the Side

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Kurt Boomer Photography

If your hair is short and thick, it can really draw the eye up, which is just what you'll want to do on your wedding day. A deep side part will give you just the right amount of drama.

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A Perfectly Unperfect Braid

leila joel wedding bride
Erich McVey

A thick side braid is a simple and stunning style to consider. Adrienne Aereboe took this bride's long hair and wove it together in a way that was done but not too much.

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A Classic Low Bun

jamie jon wedding bridal updo
Rachel Havel Photography

If you're unsure how to wear your hair, like this bride was, consider something timeless and easy: a low bun with a middle part. The Side Door salon styled this updo, giving the bride a super chic hairstyle without any fuss.

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Slightly Slicked Back

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Lisa Poggi Photography

Keep the volume of big waves without hair getting in your face in one simple move: Ask your hairstylist (in this case Yene Damtew) to slick back the first few inches of your hair behind your ears.

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A Curly Coif

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Anne-Marie Bouchard Photography

If you've got natural curls, embrace them. Add a bit of volume to the roots and then pull your tresses back into a low bun that will look good from every angle. Vespa Hair Design handled this bride's curls beautifully.

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A Bouncy Ponytail

anne and staton wedding portrait outside venue
Jen Fariello Photography

A low, full ponytail with bouncy waves can pair with almost any style of wedding dress. Lucas Shaffer's version, seen here, beautifully anchors the veil and balances out the dramatic slit in the bride's gown.

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A Modern Bun

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Paige Jones Photography

Buns come in all shapes and sizes and styles. Some are quite elaborate and filled out with extensions. Others, like this one by Dax Sarmiento, are modern and minimal. The twisted, low bun complemented the deep V of the bride's gown.

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Short and Slick

kendall jackson wedding back of bridal gown
Jenn Emerling

The back of this bride's dress made quite a statement, so she chose to keep her accessories to a minimum and her hair super simple. A polished bob was all she needed.

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Romantic Waves

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Judy Pak

For an elegant, timeless option that still feels effortless, ask your stylist to set your hair in loose waves then pull them back into a low twist, just like Face Time Beauty did here.

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Partially Pulled Back

laura john wedding massachusetts bride
Edward Winter / READYLUCK

If you're wearing a wedding dress that shows off shoulders like this one, you'll certainly want to wear your hair pulled back, like the The Glam App did for this bride.

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A Low Knot

sara sam italy wedding couple holding each other gazing at each other
Stefano Santucci

Simple can be chic, too. This bride's low knot is the perfect example of how to get it right.

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Wear It Down

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Amber Gress

Warren Tricomi left this bride's hair down for a super simple look, but gave it lots of texture and movement, too.

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All the Way Down

bride with horse
N Barrett Photography

If you love to wear your hair down, go with a textured blowout on the big day, like this one by Ali Ryan for the Dry House Nashville.

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Cool Girl Curls

wedding bride and groom outdoor
Corbin Gurkin

The best addition to a ball gown wedding dress and leather jacket ensemble? Effortlessly lovely hair. These voluminous curls (by Danielle Style) are beautifully imperfect and casually cool.

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Accessorize in Style

bride and groom
Brittany Mahood

Sometimes the only thing you need to add to a wedding look to make it aisle-ready is a simple hair accessory. This elegant hair vine added something extra special to this bride's simple wedding hairstyle by Bob and Page.

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Understated and Sophisticated

brides
Jose Villa

Simple doesn't always mean long and loose. These brides both rocked soft, sleek updos for their sweet outdoor celebration thanks to Kacee Picot and Inga Cox. Their hairstyles fit beautifully with the romantic vibe of their day.

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Combs and Curls

bride and bridesmaids
The De Jaureguis

Want to keep things simple, but still feel elegant on the big day? Do like TEAM Hair & Makeup did here and pair long curls with a statement-making comb. Bonus: The accessory will keep at least some of those beautiful locks out of your face for photos, vows, and general reception merriment.

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Glammed Up Curls

bridesmaids
Michael Radford

Full curls are always a wedding win. Beauty by Melina made the simple look stand out with extra-large ringlets and the addition of a bright floral accessory.

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Top Knot Chic

aislinn eric wedding malibu bride groom
Joel Serrato

Top knots are the definition of simple on any day, but can also be surprisingly wedding-worthy. To make this iconic look big day-ready, Janet Villa kept it tidy and taut. The look pairs perfectly with a chic, modern dress.

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The Low Pony Look

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Kati Mallory Photo & Design

Sometimes an outdoor wedding calls for a little more hair control than the long and loose look. Take notes from this bride's awesome style and incorporate a low, chic ponytail into your day-of decisions.

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Shoulder-Length Curls

bride groom portrait
Aaron Delesie

The two most unassuming ingredients for a glamorous wedding look? A deep side part and curls. This bride rocked both to gorgeous effect.

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Long and Loose

clare tim wedding couple hugging on pathway on trees
Paige Jones

Edin Carpenter Makeup Artistry helped the bride with her second look of the evening, letting her hair down for the reception.

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Low Updo Inspiration

addie alex wedding couple cactus
Tamara Grüner

There's just something so striking about a sleek, low updo that really makes it the best addition to a simple wedding look. Case in point, this bride's hairstyle by Sarah Selbo.

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Long Locks

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Greg Finck

Is there anything more fun than a bold and bright wedding look? To allow her gorgeous dress to stand out, Harold James kept this bride's long locks in large, sleek curls and the effect is flawless.

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Setting It Straight

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Jesse Leake

While curls are a wedding staple, we always love when a bride chooses sleek and straight big-day hair. That decision looked amazing on this bride, especially when paired with her bohemian wedding dress.

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Loose and Lovely

bride in sparkling wedding dress
Emily Wren Photography

These glamorous waves aren't quite as dramatic as some curled wedding hairstyles, and the look is a gorgeous option for this bride's classic style! Well done Aleksandra Ambrozy.

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Loose Updo

bride groom laughing
Mademoiselle Fiona Wedding Photography

A low, relaxed updo is always a good idea! This bride's imperfect bun by Melisande Page of Beauty Exchange NYC provided gorgeous balance for her dress's long sleeves and high neckline.

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No Stylist Required

anna-ania-wedding-couple-093-s112510-0216.jpg
3 deseos y medio

Feeling fancy free for your wedding? Center parts, long, loose hair, and flower crowns are definitely the way to go! This pair did just that with help from Alizia Moreno.

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Down the Middle

arielle-matt-wedding-couple-155-6134241-0716.jpg
Adam Barnes

To finish off this bride's simply chic look, Bridal Hair by Ramona designed a loose, low bun with a sleek center part.

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Floral Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle

bride smiling for portrait wearing wedding dress with veil and minimal pearl necklace
Bottega 53

A half up half down look is perfect for the bride wanting to show off her long hair. This beach-wave style was crafted by Alessandro Mancino.

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DIY Simple Wedding Hairstyle

genevieve-scott-wedding-marthas-vineyard-0405-d111618-0515.jpg
Aaron Delesie

This bride styled her own hair—a loose bun on the side of her head—and finished off the 'do with a fresh gardenia instead of a veil.

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Swept to the Side

fall wedding bouquet
Aaron Smith

This asymmetrical braided 'do by Jessica Cook featured a flower pinned in the back.

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A Full, Low Bun

sandy-craig-rw0513-15.jpg
Stacey Hedman

This bride's perfectly shaped bun from Wedding Tresses, rested low on her neck and gave a sleek edge to her beauty look.

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Top It Off

hilary-kyle-rw0513-99.jpg
Mademoiselle Fiona

This trendy bride rocked a top knot bun styled by Vanessa Afshari, showing off her fresh face and keyhole-backed dress.

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Get Sculpted

hanna-stephen-wedding-couple-1594-s111737-0115.jpg
Delbarr Moradi Photography

Stylists from The Powder Room gave this bride a low, sculptural bun for her big day.

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Ride the Waves

lily-jonathan-wedding-california-65830016-s112482.jpg
Jose Villa

Bethanie J Hair gave this bride a simple blowout and center part to make her blonde locks look as natural as possible.

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Slicked Back

emma-michelle-wedding-updo-0297-s112079-0715.jpg
Weddings by Sasha

With help from stylists at Professional Makeup Artistry, this bride wore her hair pulled back in a sleek, tight bun, with a trendy wrapping technique at the base.

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Low, Twisted Bun

bride and groom having their first look
Sara Welch Photo Co.

A twisted knot at the nape of the neck is an elegant option for brides with long hair. Loose strands frame the face in this look created byPacific Brides.

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Twisted Sister

michelle-ryan-wedding-krabi-thailand-0638-s112047-0815.jpg
Erich McVey

Amy Clark created this half-up half-down hairstyle with a natural-looking, twisted braid.

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