Wedding Braids to Try for Every Hair Length
We just love how braided wedding hair works for a range of themes, covering everything from formal ceremonies to laid-back bohemian events. To help you out, we’ve rounded up 39 different options of wedding braid hairstyles to give you ample inspiration to choose from. Read on to get inspired:
1. Double Layer Braids
Double up on three-strand braids and layer them one on top of the other to create a double-layered look. Use bobby pins to secure each braid and hide the ends of one underneath the other for a look that only seems complicated.
2. Skinny Braid
Leave the front strands of your hair out and pull two teeny three-strand braids to the back of your head. Secure the braids with a clear hair tie for a seamless finish. Your veil will sit perfectly just inside these braids.
3. Rolled Updo
Tuck your hair into itself for an updo that shows off your beautiful highlights. A thin simple braid leading into the updo adds a little extra visual interest. This style looks great whether you wear it on its own or even with a few accessories such as flowers.
4. Three-Strand Braid
You’d be surprised by how easy it is to dress up a basic three-strand braid with some strategic styling. Run Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Smoothing Serum through your strands before you braid them for some intense and vibrant shine.
5. Basket Braid
A basket braid is intricate in and of itself to be a standalone style. It also serves as the perfect base if you’re looking to incorporate some accessories into your look. Because of how intricate and unique this look is, it is bound to be one of the best hairstyles at the wedding
6. Zig-Zag Fishtail
Whether you’re wearing this style high or low, we think this is one of the prettiest takes on the fishtail braid. If you’re looking to tweak an on-trend style and make it your own for when you walk down the aisle, cool wedding updos with braids ensure that all eyes will stay on you. When dressed up with your gown and jewelry, fishtail braided buns give a delicate and enchanting feel (for those in need of a how-to, check out the Inverted Fishtail Braid tutorial from Andrea Brooks over on our All Things Hair YouTube page). For brides that want to pull a wild card, add some jaw-dropping edge and character by teasing hair and pulling the braid within your bun a little loose, a.k.a. ‘pancaking’ it. To incorporate texture into this style, use some mousse beforehand to help smooth out strands and tame unsightly frizz.
7. Front Braid
Braid the front of your hair for a quick and easy style that still manages to be impactful. This style is especially beautiful when paired with a small floral crown. This look is also great for embracing the natural texture of your hair.
8. Braids with a Ribbon
This style combines messy waves, small braids, and a beautiful white ribbon for a bohemian bridal look we can’t get enough of. This look is so versatile that it is appropriate for wearing beyond the wedding day as well.
9. Wedding Updos with Braids
A sleek and streamlined bun gets a dose of extra personality with a three-strand braid wrapped around the base. Tuck your veil just above the bun for the ceremony and rock a beautiful look that speaks for itself as you transition into the reception portion of the evening.
10. Pretzel Braid
Check out our tutorial on how to create a pretzel bun braid. This is yet another style that looks intricate but is really very easy to create. If you’re running low on time while getting ready for the wedding day, not only is this style gorgeous, but it is easy to accomplish as well.
11. French Braided Crown
Braided crowns are an ideal choice for the wedding season because they keep your hair off your neck and help you stay cool. This version is a beautiful oversized french braided crown and it creates a natural flattering lift at your hairline.
12. Braided Ponytail
This is one of our favorite hairstyles for bridesmaids as it’s a fun and flirty ponytail with a little added intricacy in a basic oversized three-strand braid.
13. Threaded Floral Crown
This pulled-apart braid is the perfect base for a thin floral crown threaded through. Massage your braid after you secure it for an undone laid-back look. Curl the ends of your hair for elevated styling.
14. Fishtail Braided Crown
Curl a few strands at the front of your hairline and wrap a classic fishtail braid across the top of your head to serve as a braided crown. Leave two strands in the front of your mane as well to help shape your frame.
15. Backcombed Braid
Finish off a basic braid with a bit of backcombing and a spritz of hairspray for an invisible-hair-tie hold that makes this bohemian look just a bit more modern. Add a tiara if you’re the bride, or flowers if you’re a bridesmaid to amp up this look.
16. Fat Side Braid
Start by creating a dutch braid that reaches to your neck and then transitions into a fishtail braid. The key to a seamless transition is wrapping a strand of hair around the base of the fishtail braid for a smooth hair-tied look.
17. Bun with Single Braid
Elevate your usual low ballerina bun with a three-strand braid and a small sprig of flowers. We recommend matching the flowers to the color theme of the wedding as well. Attention to detail can make your look all the more worthwhile as you look back on your styling for this special day.
18. Messy Dutch Braid
Opt for an edgier style and with two dutch braids that you can pin back up into themselves. This style is great for layered hair that generally has a hard time fitting into braids as it allows you to embrace a messier style.
19. Dutch Fishtail Braids
This double fishtail style encourages a piece-y texture and will only look better the longer you wear it. That means it’ll last through the ceremony, the reception, and all the dancing you have in you.
20. Pigtail Braids
Create two loose fishtail braids and secure them with hair ties that blend into your hair color. Pair these with a beautiful and intricate floral crown if it’s a summer wedding. These braids looks gorgeous when worn high or in a low relaxed look as pictured above.
21. Pancaked Fishtail Pigtails
Pancaking your braids will give that Pinterest-worthy oversized look and threading a strand of beads through will instantly elevate the look. This is another great style to add a dainty headband too – we recommend pearls or small flowers.
22. Flower Braid
This is another style perfect for all the bridesmaids out there. This double rose style picks on both the braid and trends and photograph beautifully regardless of the angle.
23. Dutch Crown
This style is elegant and full of personality and works on every hair type. Put a twist on this dutch braid style by wearing them in a jumbo style. If you have shorter or thinner hair, this look can be achieved by adding a bit of feed in braiding hair extensions. Be sure to use hair that matched your hair texture for the most natural look.
24. Loose Curls and a Braided Headband
Soft curls are always fair game when it comes to wedding hairstyles. Creating a pulled-apart braided headband to sit just in front of your veil is a great way to add some intricate detail to your simple style.
25. Accent Braid
If you’re working with short hair and feel concerned that a braided look is out of your reach, consider braiding your bangs and pinning the style back with a beaded barrette. Bonus: this accent braid will get your hair out of your face.
26. Side Braid
Tease the crown of your hair for some serious bouffant-like style and swooped the very front section of your hair down across your forehead to fake side bangs. Gather the rest of your hair into a very loose fishtail braid and secure it with a clear hair tie.
27. Accessorize Your Braid
Ribbons are an underused hair accessory in our opinion. Even a pulled-apart simple three-strand braid gets an upgrade with a ribbon in the same hue as your gown. Ribbons can we worn to seal hair braids or to help tie up a ponytail as well.
28. Bubble Braid
This braid layers on top of itself to create small ringlets that remind us of bubbles. This style serves as the perfect base for a veil or shines all on its own.
29. Braided Part Change
Consider a very deep side part for a switch of perspective and braid your hair away from your face. A few pieces around your face will soften the style. However, if you want something more pulled back, you can leave every hair left tucked into the braid/pony.
30. Single Pancaked Braid
By starting with a deep part and creating half a dutch braided crown you’re making a classic braided headband a little more accessible. That means that if braiding isn’t your strong suit, you can still easily D.I.Y. this style.
31. Triple Braid
Why rock one braid for your wedding, when you can have three? This look is as easy as creating a three-strand braid with one simple added step. Once you’ve reached the bottom of your braid, hold the middle section firmly between your fingers and push the outer two up towards the roots of your hair like a slinky. Then gently tug the outer strands back down until you have this zig-zag style.
32. Skinny Braided Headband and Curls
Messy curls get an instant upgrade with four or five thin tight braids pulled across your forehead. This style is great for bridesmaids and guests alike. Create a boho twist to this look by leaving your bobby pins exposed. Try using colorful or gold/silver pins for a more wedding-appropriate look.
33. Waterfall Braid
Show off your strands with a simple waterfall braid that stretches across the back of your head. Braids like these look best on day two or three hair. Try TRESemmé Volumizing Dry Shampoo to clean up your hair and give your roots a little bit of volume.
34. Goddess Braids
What better way to feel like the princess you are than by showcasing your locks in a goddess braid? Adorn your head with two chunky, tightly cornrowed braids separated by a deep side part. Use the length of your hair and weave it into a low bun, or go for a looser look by allowing your braids to dust along your shoulders. Add some charm by incorporating fancy accessories like pearls or other gems into the braid. Use a styling cream, like Bed Head by TIGI Small Talk 3-in-1 Cream, to help sculpt your braid, and spritz on a firm-hold hairspray to set.
35. Braid & Curl
Perfect for long and short tendrils alike. Allow your curly locks to flow freely and add a single skinny halo braid, or have two single braids, pinned on each side. Add a touch of volumizing spray to give lift and provide some flexible hold, bounce, and volume to your hair.
36. Braided Updo
A classic updo with a twist (or plait, in this case) and a modern spin on the ballerina bun, the braided updo starts by creating a French braid at the back half of your head. Starting at the nape of your head, braid hair towards and ending at the center of the crown, secure the braid with a hair tie. Afterward, combine the top half of your hair and coil it into a bun. Finish off the look by smoothing in a few drops of hair oil for some added shine.
37. Milkmaid Braids
The complex look of this style is bound to turn heads. The milkmaid braid is one of our favorite dreamy styles that looks stunning when paired with delicately-placed flowers. Master how to create milkmaid braids in our full tutorial. And be sure to finish the look with some hairspray that can work to keep flyaways at bay.
38. Messy Long Braid
A style that screams romance, this messy braid involves leaving your hair down as your braid turns into an accent, delivering a peek-a-boo effect to your long locks. Pair this with beachy waves, bouncy curls, or even straight hair.
