RSVP and Race to the Salon—22 Wedding Guest Hairstyles to Complete Every Type of Outfit

We looked to Sabrina Carpenter, Jasmine Tookes, and Hailey Bieber for inspo.

Instagram images of Sabrina Carpenter and Jasmine Tookes posing in black-tie attire and special occasion hairstyles.
(Image credit: @sabrinacarpenter, @jastookes)

What is almost as exciting as hearing that your loved ones are engaged is planning your look for their future nuptials. From your wedding guest dress to the special-occasion glam, every detail counts—but what pulls everything together is the right hairstyle.

We looked towards the red carpet to find styles befitting of the banquet hall dance floor, taking inspiration from some of our favorite celebs and tastemakers to find a slew of updos, slicked-back buns, and cascading, long styles that will fit any hair length (and neckline style). However, the professionals have a few pointers before you get set on a look.

“Know your wedding party,” says celebrity hairstylist Chuck Amos, the sculptor behind Tracee Ellis Ross and June Ambrose’s famous locks. Understanding the couple’s style—whether they’re artistic or reserved, grandiose or minimalistic—allows you to “style your hair to compliment their personality,” he explains. From simple chignons to voluminous, textured styles, these are the chicest wedding guest hairstyles to style this season.

Best Wedding Guest Hairstyles

Slicked-Back, Middle-Parted Bun

Image of Hailey Bieber wearing a sparkly pink mini dress and a slicked-back bun with a middle part.

(Image credit: @haileybieber)

The slicked-back bun that has taken over our FYPs for years at this point (thanks, Hailey Bieber!) is certainly not going anywhere—not with how functional and effortless it looks, especially for a special occasion. “I love a slicked low bun with a perfect middle part, and this allows you to have a major earring moment,” says Megan Robinson, professional wedding hairstylist and New York City salon owner. “This is also a smart idea for summer weddings if there’s a lot of humidity.”

2. Half-Up Half-Down

Sabrina Carpenter wearing a half-up half-down hairstyle with a black bow.

(Image credit: @sabrinacarpenter)

“My favorite wedding guest hairstyles are half-up half-down styles—with any texture [of] hair,” Amos quips. We’re entranced by these dreamy celeb-approved styles, with wispy bangs framing the face romantically and a bit of volume at the crown for extra body.

3. Sleek Front Pieces

Jasmine Tookes taking a mirror selfie with her hair styled with sleek front pieces tucked behind her ears.

(Image credit: @jastookes / @brunel)

A red carpet staple (and perfect wedding attendee style) is the classic half-slicked, half-down look. If you’re not a fan of updos but you still want to keep your strands out of your face, this sophisticated style strikes a chic balance. Robinson recommends tucking “the front bits behind your ears and securing with an elastic at the nape of the neck” to make these pieces stay put all day (and night) long.

4. Natural Curls

A woman walks on the beach wearing a two-piece white set with her hair down and naturally curly.

(Image credit: @chey_maya)

Now, this isn’t to say that you have to do anything extravagant to your hair at all when you’re heading to a wedding. If you’re blessed with a head of luscious curls, try embracing them during this busy season—letting your natural curls shine, with a bit of oil or mousse to define and shape your waves, ringlets, or spirals. We’re convinced there’s nothing chicer than a black-tie gown paired with au naturel curls.

5. Fairytale Updo

Elsa Hosk wearing a white dress and her hair in an elaborate updo.

(Image credit: @hoskelsa)

One of Amos’ favorite formal occasion styles is “a great updo with lots of expression”—and when we spotted this swooping, old Hollywood-inspired updo on supermodel Elsa Hosk at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, we knew it fit the bill. Crafted by hairstylist Hyungsun Ju, this volume-boosted, effortlessly romantic style went straight into the “inspo” folder.

6. Side-Swept

Bella Hadid on the balcony of her hotel in Cannes, France.

(Image credit: @bellahadid)

One of Robinson’s rules to wedding guest hair is to play it somewhat safe—“nothing too extravagant,” she chides. “Keep it simple and chic, and in a style that compliments your outfit.” This sweeping style that Bella Hadid wore (also at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival) demonstrates an easy way to wear your hair down while showing off your outfit and making your typical style feel a bit more elevated. One smooth tuck behind the ear, and you’re set.

7. Romantic Blowout

Kaia Gerber with a voluminous blowout hairstyle.

(Image credit: @kaiagerber)

We know one thing for certain, and it’s that voluminous blowouts will never go out of style—especially during wedding season. Kaia Gerber is consistently the source of our deepest hair envy, but what can we say… she gets it from her mama. For Crawford-Gerber volume, Robinson recommends buying a pack of clip-in hair extensions: “You’ll have them forever if you don’t change your hair color drastically often,” she muses.

8. Face-Framing Fringe

Elsa Hosk wearing a blue dress and her hair in an updo with face-framing pieces.

(Image credit: @hoskelsa)

If an updo calls your name for that upcoming wedding, Amos urges you to leave those face-framing pieces out for an extra layer of romance. “Light tendrils and curtain bangs can add to the demure innocence of whatever style you choose,” he explains.

9. Curtain Bangs

A woman standing in front of the mirror wearing a white dress and her hair down, with a curtain bangs cut.

(Image credit: @kristincabat)

Speaking of curtain bangs, this retro-inspired style is still circling in hairspo orbit. If you’re interested in trying a new look before wedding season kicks into high gear, consider asking your stylist to snip some ‘70s-inspired, face-framing fringe that makes any hairstyle look more flattering. Whether you style your hair up or down, these short layers will add a touch of sweetness to your look.

10. High Ponytail

Sarah Jessica Parker at the New York City Ballet 2023 Fall Fashion Gala with her hair in a slicked back updo and a long, draping black bow.

(Image credit: Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

Whether you choose to wear your ponytail lacquery-slick or loose and dreamy, high ponies are an easy way to keep your hair bound for a night full of dancing, and it offers even more opportunities to accessorize. Opt for oversized earrings or take a page out of Carrie Bradshaw’s—err, Sarah Jessica Parker’s—book and wear a train-like bow for a look that screams “black tie.” (Literally.)

11. Mermaid Bob

Gigi Hadid standing outside wearing a sheer polo and her a mermaid wave bob.

(Image credit: @gigihadid)

Heading to a warm-weather wedding and want to style something a little more relaxed? Try this lightly tousled wave if you’re currently rocking a bob. Whether your invite calls for black tie or beach vibes, this mermaid-inspired style looks chic with any dress code and complements all dress necklines.

12. Low Updos

A woman wearing an orange feather dress with her hair slicked back into a low bun updo.

(Image credit: @chey_maya)

If a high updo feels a bit too severe for your look, see how lower placement looks instead. Amos muses about “soft, swept-back low ponytails and buns” for weddings, which promise instant sophistication and extra romance due to the exposed neck and décolleté. Whether you choose to slick back your strands with a mix of gel, oil, and hair spray, or choose to wear it loose and breezy, low updos are classics for special occasions.

13. Bejeweled Updos

A woman wearing Lelet NY hair pins in her hair.

(Image credit: @leletny)

An easy way to dress up any ensemble, especially your dress is simple, is by threading hair jewelry into your look. “I enjoy seeing women add to their hair expression [with] some sort of complementary accessory, whether it be a beautiful silk ribbon or […] a nice jeweled hairpiece that lends sparkle to your look,” says Amos. From statement necklace-inspired barrettes to ponytail cuffs that resemble chunky bangles, there are a myriad of hair jewelry options to accessorize your strands with.

14. Effortless Chignon

A woman crouching on the beach wearing a dress and mid-high bun.

(Image credit: @izzydilg)

There’s something about pairing an updo that’s not too slick or “perfect” with a formal dress that just feels so right. For this look, try sweeping your hair back with a bit of oil and keeping a light hand with the hair spray, no boar brushes or hair gel necessary.

15. Piece-y Fringe

Daisy Edgar-Jones taking a mirror selfie with her hair styled in piece-y fringe.

(Image credit: @daisyedgarjones)

We’re big fans of face-framing… anything. So if you’re interested in cutting bangs before shipping off to all of your loved ones’ weddings this season, consider this carefree piece-y style à la Daisy Edgar-Jones. The elongated fringe dusts her eyelashes and adds an extra-amorous look to any updo or half-up style.

16. Effortless Updos

A woman wearing her hair in a curly updo.

(Image credit: @neelam.ahooja)

If the aforementioned updos still feel a bit too stuffy for you, try something with a bit of personality like the voluminous style above. Twist your hair into a bun and let a few pieces spring out, styling and twisting them strategically to form somewhat of a halo-crown atop your head (and don’t forget to add a fun pair of earrings, too).

17. Old Hollywood Blowout

Lindsay Lohan with long blonde hair styled in an old Hollywood-inspired blowout.

(Image credit: @lindsaylohan)

Still thinking about Elsa Hosk’s Hollywood starlet hair, but want its equivalent sans updo? Reference the Lindsay Lohan ‘almond milk hair’ selfie that we were rendered breathless by—which you can achieve by parting your hair on the opposite side (for extra volume) and a few hot rollers that curl your hair towards your face, not away.

18. Beachy Waves

Sydney Sweeney taking a mirror selfie wearing a red dress with beachy, wavy hair.

(Image credit: @sydney_sweeney)

If you want to soften your look, try embracing your natural waves for the impending event (or using a waver tool if your hair leans straight). It’s easy to achieve this mermaid-esque style by wearing your hair in two braids overnight or touching up your hair with the aforementioned hot tool—just make sure to keep the face-framing layers nice and loose.

19. Chic Scrunchie

A woman wearing a black, off-the-shoulder velvet dress and slicked-back bun with a matching scrunchie.

(Image credit: @iliridakrasniqi)

We’ve talked about slick-backs ad nauseum, but this scrunchie-adorned style adds something undeniably chic to an otherwise classic style. Try finding an accessory that matches your dress’s color or fabric to really complete the look (and make sure to stack good jewelry for this skin-baring style).

20. Spiral Bangs

A woman wearing a black long-sleeved dress and curly hair with bangs.

(Image credit: @veroocampos)

In the spirit of sporting natural hair, try switching your style up with curly bangs the next time a high-fashion wedding rolls around. These tendrils not only make updos look straight out of a storybook, but they look downright angelic when the hair is worn unbound.

21. Sleek and Straight

Jasmine Tookes wearing a velvet gown and a long, straight hairstyle.

(Image credit: @jastookes)

Yes, curls are romantic, but don’t discount your flat iron, either. Practically any hair length can look fantastic when straightened—and this style can offer a sleek, special feel if you typically wear your hair wavy or curly, says Robinson.

22. Bouncy, Curled Bob

Elsa Hosk wearing her hair in an opposite-part, curly bob.

(Image credit: @hoskelsa)

Bobs are the reigning cool-girl cut, there’s no doubt about it—but take it a step further for wedding season by styling it into a curly, opposite-parted coif for a look that’s extra iconic. Robinson says that switching up your part is an easy way to make your hair look “a little more special than your every day.”

How to Choose the Right Wedding Guest Hairstyle

“No matter what hair style you choose, whether it be a huge hair statement or a simple style, my guidelines are derived from knowing this,” says Amos. Below, the hairstylist’s steadfast rules for appropriate wedding guest hairstyles.

  • Embrace the face: “First, you are at a formal event with lots of family members and friends. So it’s best that your face is shown, either pulled back in the front and sides, […] so when interacting with the guests, your face and facial expressions are not fighting with your hairstyle.”
  • Show some skin: “Second, this is a ‘new love’ event celebration, and there seems to be a feminine innocence that lies beneath the surface. Letting your neck and your décolleté be presented and complimented by your hairstyle expresses that.”
  • Use hair perfume: “Third, your hair should smell nice. I recommend that your hair be freshly washed and clean. If you are a woman with natural hair and this is not your wash day, I recommend spraying your hair with a hair refresher spray or your favorite perfume. Remember, you will be interacting with and hugging many guests, and when you hug, their faces go right into your hair.”
  • Make it sleek: “As this is usually a respectable event, make sure your hairstyle is neatly styled, no flyaways and frizz.”

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This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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Alyssa Brascia
Associate Beauty Editor,Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing

Alyssa Brascia is an associate beauty editor atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing . She is based in New York City and has nearly three years of industry experience, with rivers of content spanning from multigenerational lipstick reviews to celebrity fashion roundups. Brascia graduated with a BS in apparel, merchandising, and design from Iowa State University and went on to serve as a staff shopping writer at People.com for more than 2.5 years. Her earlier work can be found at InStyleTravel + LeisureShape, and more. Brascia has personally tested more than a thousand beauty products, so if she’s not swatching a new eye shadow palette, she’s busy styling a chic outfit for a menial errand (because anywhere can be a runway if you believe hard enough).