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35 Easy Wedding Guest Hairstyles You Can Do Yourself

Gorgeous half-up, half-down and updo ideas to DIY from home (or your hotel room).

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wedding guest hairstyles
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When it comes to weddings, whether you're facing seaside winds, mid-summer humidity or just a sweaty dance floor, you need a style that can withstand anything. You don't want to overdo it, but you'll want something more elevated than an everyday top-knot. When deciding on your perfect hairstyle, keep in mind the dress code and style of the wedding you're attending. For a casual daytime celebration, you may want to opt for soft waves, whereas an elegant evening affair might call for an extravagant updo. Keep in mind your wedding guest dress or outfit, too!

Whether your hair is curly, wavy, straight, thin, thick, short, medium or long, we have you covered with the best wedding guest hairstyles you can do yourself on any hair type, length and texture. From elegant updo hairstyles to relaxed beachy waves, you'll find the perfect match among this selection of hairstyles for every type of wedding, including knot buns, ponytails, half-up half-down styles and all-down hairstyles that will stay gorgeous all night long.

1

Full and Curly

halle berry's curly, black hair is a major wedding guest hairstyle inspiration and looks exceptional with her black gown and neutral makeup
Frazer Harrison//Getty Images

Actress Halle Berry's black hair color is accentuated with light brown, gold highlights and voluminous curls. Sometimes a change in hair color or tone is just what you need to update your look before attending your next wedding!

2

Loose Bun with Long Strands

one of the best wedding guest hairstyles, selena gomez wears her hair in a loose bun with long strands that frame her face, which is simple and pretty
Tibrina Hobson//Getty Images

Opt to keep it pretty and simple, like singer and actress Selena Gomez, who is modeling a loose bun with long strands that frame her face. Plus, an updo means you can dance the night away without any worry!

3

Sleek Side Part

one fo the best wedding guest hairstyles, gina rodriguez's straight hair is up leveled with bronde money piece hair highlights
Frazer Harrison//Getty Images

Want to keep it simple for your next DIY wedding guest hairstyle? Look no further than to actress Gina Rodriguez for inspo, whose pin-straight hair is accentuated with bronde money piece hair highlights and a deep side part.

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4

Teased-Out Curls for Thick Hair

one of the best wedding guest hairstyles, tyra banks wears her bronde hair curly and parted in the middle at an event
Amy Sussman//Getty Images

Let your curls run free, like model Tyra Banks: Nothing is sexier than bold hair. Keep your makeup neutral to ensure you don't outshine the bride with this eye-catching look.

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5

Glossy Strands

kim kardashian wears textured waves, the perfect wedding guest hairstyle
Neilson Barnard//Getty Images

For something more au natural, wear your natural hair texture all down with an almost-wet look, like TV personality Kim Kardashian. This works best for a casual wedding or to balance out a glam outfit.

6

Sleek Ponytail for Long Hair

lana condor wears a sleek ponytail and black gown at an mtv movie event, the perfect wedding guest hairstyle
Matt Winkelmeyer/2021 MTV Movie and TV Awards//Getty Images

An ultra-sleek ponytail looks downright regal at any wedding, particularly when it's paired with statement earrings and a bold cat eye like actress Lana Condor. Bonus: This is an simple wedding guest hairstyle to do yourself.

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7

Thick Braid

emma stone's ginger hair is pulled into a thick, loose side braid, one of the best wedding hairstyles
Getty Images//Getty Images

Actress Emma Stone's side-swept braid is ideal for both sophisticated and low-key beach weddings. Consider removable hair extensions to give your braid extra volume.

8

High Pompadour

dua lipa wears a high pompadou hairstyle at an event, a wedding guest hairstyle inspiration
JMEnternational//Getty Images

For extra drama at any wedding, a high pompadour like singer Dua Lipa's is a sure bet. To nail this style, start with unwashed hair (which will hold the style better) and tease the back section for the most volume.

9

Twisted Bun

saweetie wears a twisted bun and royal blue gown at an event, serving as inspiration for wedding guest hairstyles
Aaron J. Thornton//Getty Images

Singer Saweetie's twisted bun will look sophisticated at any wedding. For defined sections, twist small strands of hair and wrap them around the base, securing each one with bobby pins.

10

Cascading Ponytail

jennifer lopez sings with a cascading ponytail and wears a white coat, a great wedding guest hairstyle look
GREG NASH//Getty Images

For an elevated ponytail hairstyle with this much movement, the key is to actually secure your hair into two ponytails — one on the bottom to keep the length, and a larger one right above it for volume. Style your ends with a large barrel curling iron for a ponytail like singer and actress Jennifer Lopez's for the perfect wedding guest hairstyle.

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11

Wedding Guest Hairstyle with Fascinator

yara shahidi poses with one hand on her hip at an event, while wearing a wedding guest hairstyle with a fascinator and beaded silver gown
Taylor Hill//Getty Images

Fascinators can seem intimidating, but with the right style, they look downright dreamy. Actress Yara Shahidi's elegant but simple updo is tied together with a lacy, feathery fascinator.

12

Updo with Curtain Bangs

priyanka chopra wears a black blouse and a multi colored beaded skirt with her hair pulled into an updo with curtain bangs the best wedding guest hairstyle look
Amy Sussman//Getty Images

If you've decided to take the plunge with curtain bangs, don't worry — you can still rock a sophisticated updo at a wedding. Take a cue from actress Priyanka Chopra and style your curtain bangs in soft waves before pulling the rest of your hair into a simple bun.

13

Over-the-Shoulder Curls

zoey deutch's over the shoulder light brown curls are elegant and compliment her beaded v neck gown
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Consider defined curls like actress Zoey Deutch's, created with a large-barrel curling iron. Sweep your hair to one shoulder so you can show off glamorous earrings or a sparkly hair clip or barrette.

14

Wedding Guest Hairstyle for Short Hair

greta gerwig wears a short wavy pixie cut, one of the best wedding guest hairstyles
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Actress Greta Gerwig's vintage-inspired short waves can accommodate a traditional church wedding yet still look hip and fun for an upbeat reception.

15

Perfect Curls for Medium-Length Hair

kate middleton greets someone while wearing her hair as a half updo with curls, serving as pretty inspiration for a wedding guest's hairstyle
Ricky Vigil M//Getty Images

We trust the royals to know a black tie look, and the Duchess of Cambridge is no exception. Kate Middleton's elegant updo is flattering and even better, it's super easy to copy. It's the medium length wedding guest hairstyle inspiration you didn't know you needed.

16

Curly High Ponytail for Long Hair

issa rae wears a curly ponytail with a braid at the base, one of the best wedding guest hairstyles
Aaron J. Thornton//Getty Images

There are plenty of ways to let your curls shine at a wedding, and actress Issa Rae's high ponytail is one great example. Secure your spirals in a ponytail with a braid wrapped around the base for an ultra-chic take.

17

Jeweled Updo

zoe saldana touches the back of her neck and shows off her tight updo with a rose colored jewel, one of the best wedding guest hairstyles
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Perfect for both hot or cold months, a tight bun leaves room for both a scarf or fuzzy ear muffs at a frosty wedding. Emulate actress Zoe Saldana's simple look by adding a sparkly hair pin with pearls and crystals.

18

Glam Waves for Long Hair

jessica chastain's red mermaid waves compliment her emerald green dress, the perfect wedding guest hairstyle look
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Looser waves can work for any wedding, as long as they don't veer too far into boho territory. Keep things smooth like actress Jessica Chastain.

19

Slicked Down Short Hairstyle

janelle monae wears a slicked down short hairstyle paired with a black embroidered tux and bow tie, one of the best wedding guest hairstyles
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It can sometimes be a challenge styling short hair like a pixie for formal occasions, but singer Janelle Monae shows us the way. Slick it down and accessorize with bejeweled barrettes to add interest.

20

Voluminous Low Pony

issa rae's hair, one of the best wedding guest hairstyles, is pulled into a voluminous low pony and her look is completed with dramatic teardrop earrings and silver eye shado
Frazer Harrison//Getty Images

Issa Rae's epic green smokey eye is totally optional, but we can't recommend her pulled back, curly pony enough. It's sleek, simple and will give you all the sophistication you need for a wedding.

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