Winter weddings evoke a sense of magic and enchantment, where crisp air and soft snow create an ethereal backdrop. The hairstyle a bride chooses can enhance that fairy-tale ambiance, not just for herself but also for the bridal party and guests. With colder weather in mind, winter wedding hairstyles often balance elegance with practicality, ensuring that hair remains flawless throughout the day. Whether you’re a bride seeking an updo for a glamorous look or a guest wanting something chic and warm, this article provides a wealth of ideas to inspire you.
Romantic Loose Waves for Long Hair Bridesmaid
Loose waves remain a timeless choice for winter weddings, especially for long hair bridesmaid styles. This romantic look complements any bridal party theme and flows beautifully down the back, creating a soft, elegant vibe. Loose waves are perfect for winter weddings because they offer a more relaxed, yet glamorous alternative to structured updos. Bridesmaids wearing this style can easily match their gowns with their hair, whether in light pastel or rich jewel tones, which are popular winter colors. This look works well for heart-shaped faces and adds a bit of volume to thinner hair types, making it ideal for black women with naturally voluminous curls or long hair bridesmaid styles.
To achieve these waves, start with a curling wand and a heat protectant spray. Using a texturizing product like Ouai Wave Spray can add depth, and a finishing spray ensures that the curls stay intact. Maintenance involves re-curling the ends and applying a moisture-based product to avoid dryness from winter air.
Classic Chignon With Veil for the Bride
For those seeking a regal look with veil elegance, the classic chignon never goes out of style, especially for bride looks. This sleek and polished hairstyle sits at the nape of the neck, perfect for tucking under a veil while allowing the bride’s face to shine. The chignon works beautifully for oval or heart-shaped faces, enhancing the bride’s profile with soft, sweeping lines. This hairstyle adds sophistication to winter weddings and complements accessories like pearl hairpins or vintage combs. A chignon paired with a veil is often seen in cathedral or indoor settings, ideal for brides looking for an air of timelessness.
To craft the perfect chignon, stylists recommend using a smoothing serum and a boar bristle brush to gather the hair. After securing the bun, a fine mist of hairspray locks everything in place. Maintenance throughout the wedding day is minimal, just a quick touch-up with a light gloss or finishing spray to keep flyaways at bay.
Half-Up Braided Crown for Medium Length Hair
A braided crown in a medium length half up style blends winter’s whimsical charm with a modern bridal touch. This look suits brides with medium-length hair, offering an intricate style that allows for both volume and control. The braids frame the face and create a soft halo, leaving the rest of the hair flowing down for a romantic look. It’s ideal for bridesmaids as well, as it strikes a balance between a full updo and loose waves. This style works particularly well with oval or round face shapes and can highlight features like high cheekbones or blue eyes, making it a great choice for a guest look too.
To achieve this hairstyle, start by braiding the crown section of the hair, then secure it with bobby pins. The remaining hair can be curled or straightened depending on the desired finish. A leave-in conditioner, such as Living Proof’s No Frizz Nourishing Oil, keeps hair hydrated and frizz-free, essential for winter weddings when the air is cold and dry.
Sleek Low Bun for Short Hair
For brides with short hair, a sleek low bun offers a polished and elegant solution. While short hair may seem limiting, this style proves that you can still achieve a stunning wedding-day look. The bun sits at the nape of the neck, providing a modern twist on traditional updos. It’s especially well-suited to brides with round or square face shapes, as it elongates the neck and adds sophistication. For those with black women natural hair, this sleek bun keeps things neat and chic while incorporating edge control products to maintain the sleek look.
To create the low bun, you’ll need a smoothing serum and a small elastic band. After securing the hair at the nape, twist it into a neat bun and pin it in place. A fine mist of shine spray like Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine keeps the bun looking fresh and shiny throughout the day, while a touch-up kit with bobby pins will ensure it stays in place through the evening.
Glamorous Hollywood Waves for Long Hair Bridal
For a bride who loves old Hollywood glamour, flowing waves for long hair bridal looks are the epitome of elegance. These sculpted waves frame the face and cascade down the back in a luxurious, voluminous manner. This style is perfect for winter weddings held in grand venues, where the bride’s hairstyle needs to match the formality of the event. Hollywood waves suit all face shapes and work exceptionally well with off-the-shoulder gowns or vintage-inspired lace dresses. It’s a look that can also work with or without a veil, making it a versatile choice for brides wanting to channel their inner starlet.
Achieving Hollywood waves requires a large-barrel curling iron, a strong-hold hairspray, and a smoothing serum to ensure the waves maintain their shape. After curling, brush the hair out gently to create those glamorous, flowing waves. For maintenance, spritz with a shine-enhancing spray and carry a small comb for touch-ups.
Tousled Waves for Medium Length Bridesmaid
For a more laid-back winter wedding, tousled waves are a chic option for medium length hair. This style brings effortless beauty to the bride or bridesmaid alike. The loose waves add texture and movement, perfect for outdoor winter weddings where a more relaxed vibe is desired. Round and heart-shaped faces benefit from the volume this style offers, and it’s a go-to for bridesmaids who want to look effortlessly put-together. This hairstyle pairs wonderfully with soft winter colors, like blush or champagne.
To get this look, use a texturizing spray before curling, then run fingers through the curls to break them up for that tousled effect. Adding a shine serum, like Kerastase Elixir Ultime, ensures the hair doesn’t dry out in the cold. Reapply serum throughout the day to maintain moisture.
Winter Floral Crown for Guests
For winter wedding guest hairstyles, a floral crown paired with loose waves or an updo can be both enchanting and festive. The crown can incorporate winter blooms or even seasonal elements like pinecones or berries, making it a perfect fit for an outdoor ceremony. This whimsical look works well with bohemian-themed weddings or rustic winter venues. It flatters all face shapes and can be customized with flowers that match the wedding’s color scheme, giving each guest a personalized touch.
To create this look, a simple floral headpiece is woven into the hair, whether it’s down in waves or styled in an updo. Using a light hairspray will keep everything in place, and a floral water mist like Herbivore Botanicals Rose Hibiscus can add a dewy glow to the hair.
Braided Updo for Long Hair Bride
A braided updo offers a romantic and intricate look for long hair brides. This hairstyle is perfect for winter weddings as it keeps the hair off the neck and shoulders, allowing the bride to stay warm without sacrificing style. The braids can be styled into a crown, adding a touch of regality to the overall look. Braided updos work exceptionally well for oval and heart-shaped faces, creating a soft frame around the face while keeping the focus on the bride’s features. This style is versatile enough to pair with a veil or even delicate hair accessories like snowflake pins.
To create a braided updo, the hair is sectioned and braided before being pinned into a voluminous bun. Tools like a rat-tail comb for sectioning and strong-hold bobby pins are essential for keeping the style in place. A firm-hold hairspray like Redken Control Addict ensures the style lasts through dancing and festivities, with minimal touch-ups needed.
Vintage Waves for Medium Length Hair
Vintage waves bring a touch of classic Hollywood to winter weddings, especially for brides with medium length hair. This style adds a timeless elegance, with perfectly sculpted waves framing the face and softly flowing down. It’s ideal for brides or bridesmaids looking to evoke a sense of old-world glamour, pairing beautifully with fur wraps or vintage-inspired gowns. The hairstyle suits round and oval face shapes, giving an elongated look that enhances the bride’s natural beauty.
To achieve vintage waves, a curling iron or hot rollers are used to create structured curls, which are then brushed out to form the signature wave pattern. A shine-enhancing serum like Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum will give the waves a glossy finish, while a strong-hold hairspray keeps everything in place throughout the day.
Sleek Ponytail for Short Hair
A sleek ponytail is a chic and modern choice for short hair brides or guests attending a winter wedding. This hairstyle keeps things simple yet polished, making it a versatile option for formal or minimalist weddings. The ponytail sits at the nape or mid-height, creating a clean line that pairs beautifully with dramatic makeup or statement earrings. It’s especially flattering for square and heart-shaped faces, elongating the neck and adding an elegant silhouette.
To create this style, apply a smoothing serum before pulling the hair back into a sleek ponytail. A flat iron can help tame any flyaways, and a lightweight gel like Ouai Matte Pomade ensures the hair stays in place without looking stiff. For maintenance, keep a small touch-up kit with serum and hair ties on hand.
Boho Fishtail Braid for Black Women
The boho fishtail braid is a stylish option for black women with natural hair or those wanting to add extensions for length. This braid brings a relaxed, yet intricate vibe to a winter wedding, perfect for brides or guests looking for a free-spirited look. The fishtail braid can be worn down the back or swept to the side, and it works well with heart-shaped or round faces. The texture of the braid adds dimension, making it ideal for rustic or bohemian-themed winter weddings.
To achieve the fishtail braid, start by dividing the hair into two sections and alternating small pieces from each side. A curl cream like SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie can help define curls and keep the braid looking fresh throughout the day. Secure the braid with a decorative tie or small clear elastic, and add some shine with a light mist of oil spray.
Messy Bun for Long Hair Bridal
For a more relaxed and carefree look, a messy bun for long hair bridal styles is an excellent choice. This style adds texture and volume, perfect for brides who want a less structured updo that still looks elegant. The bun is often styled at the crown or slightly to the side, giving it a whimsical, romantic feel. It works beautifully for heart-shaped or oval faces and pairs well with loose tendrils framing the face. The messy bun is also great for incorporating hair accessories like a jeweled comb or floral pins, adding a winter touch to the look.
To create this style, loosely gather the hair into a bun, leaving some strands out for a tousled effect. Use a texturizing spray like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray to add volume and hold. The messy bun is low-maintenance and can be refreshed with a quick spritz of hairspray throughout the day.
Twisted Half-Up Style for Medium Length Bridesmaid
The twisted half-up hairstyle is a lovely option for medium length bridesmaid hair, blending sophistication with a touch of bohemian charm. This style allows the hair to be partially up, giving the wearer a structured look while leaving the rest of the hair flowing freely. It’s ideal for bridesmaids who want a bit of both worlds: the elegance of an updo with the softness of wearing their hair down. This look works well for heart and oval face shapes and can be enhanced with small hair accessories like pearl pins or delicate clips.
To achieve this look, the hair is twisted from the front sections and pinned at the back, while the rest of the hair is curled or waved. Use a medium-hold hairspray to keep the twists in place, and a moisturizing cream like Davines OI All In One Milk to ensure the hair remains hydrated in the winter air.
Side-Swept Curls for Short Hair
Side-swept curls are a glamorous and flattering choice for short hair brides or guests. This style creates a dramatic sweep across the forehead, adding volume and showcasing the face. The curls are kept structured yet soft, offering a classic, vintage feel to the overall look. It’s a wonderful choice for round or square faces, as the side-swept style adds length and structure. This hairstyle works well for formal winter weddings, especially when paired with bold earrings or hair accessories like a jeweled clip.
To create this style, use a curling wand to form defined curls, then sweep the hair to one side, securing it with bobby pins. A shine-enhancing product like TIGI Bed Head After Party will give the curls a glossy finish, and a firm-hold hairspray ensures the style lasts through the evening.
Ballerina Bun for Black Women
A ballerina bun is a sleek, structured updo for black women, offering a polished and elegant look that is perfect for formal winter weddings. The bun sits high on the head, elongating the neck and creating a graceful silhouette. This style is ideal for round and heart-shaped faces, offering a clean, sophisticated finish. It pairs beautifully with veils or jeweled hairpieces, making it an excellent choice for brides who want to exude classic beauty.
To create a ballerina bun, use a smoothing gel to gather the hair into a high ponytail before twisting it into a bun. A hair donut can be used to add volume and structure, while a shine spray like Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Sheen will ensure the bun looks glossy and smooth throughout the day. Bobby pins and hairspray will keep the style secure.
Sleek Side Bun With Veil
For brides wearing a veil, a sleek side bun offers a modern twist on the traditional updo. The bun is styled to one side, creating an asymmetrical look that adds interest and elegance. It’s perfect for brides with oval or square face shapes, as it highlights the jawline and neck. This hairstyle works beautifully with dramatic earrings or a veil cascading down from the bun, adding to the overall sophistication of the bridal look.
To create this style, use a smoothing serum and a comb to pull the hair into a low side bun. Secure it with bobby pins and apply a light mist of shine spray. A smoothing gel can also be used to ensure no flyaways disrupt the sleek finish. Pairing this with a veil will complete the polished look.
Elegant High Ponytail for Medium Length Hair
The high ponytail is a chic and modern option for medium length hair brides who want a stylish and practical look. This hairstyle pulls the hair back tightly, lifting the face and elongating the neck for a more sophisticated finish. It works particularly well for round or square face shapes, as the height of the ponytail adds length to the overall silhouette. This style pairs beautifully with bold accessories and can be worn with or without a veil.
To achieve this look, use a straightening iron and smoothing serum to create a sleek base. After securing the ponytail, wrap a section of hair around the base to conceal the hair tie. A strong-hold hairspray will ensure the ponytail stays in place, while a shine serum like John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Serum keeps the hair looking glossy and frizz-free.
Textured Low Bun for Medium Length Hair
The textured low bun is an elegant choice for medium length hair, perfect for winter weddings where warmth and style go hand in hand. This look offers a balance of structure and texture, ideal for brides or bridesmaids who want a soft yet polished appearance. The bun sits low at the nape of the neck, providing a classic silhouette that pairs beautifully with long-sleeved lace gowns or veils. It’s especially flattering for oval and heart-shaped faces, adding definition to the jawline while keeping the hair secure throughout the day. This versatile style works well for both formal indoor ceremonies and outdoor winter wonderlands.
To create the textured low bun, use a volumizing mousse or texturizing spray to add depth and body to the hair. Twist and pin sections of the hair into a bun, leaving some pieces loose for a relaxed finish. For maintenance, a light spritz of hairspray will keep the style in place, while a shine serum adds a healthy glow, perfect for winter’s dry air.
Curly Updo for Black Women Bridesmaid
For black women bridesmaids, a curly updo is both practical and stunning, offering a look that showcases natural curls while keeping the hair off the shoulders. This style works exceptionally well for winter weddings, as it keeps the neck and ears warm without sacrificing elegance. The updo can be adorned with winter-themed hair accessories, like delicate snowflake pins, or paired with a veil if the bridesmaid chooses. This style flatters heart-shaped and oval faces, highlighting the cheekbones and elongating the neck for a graceful look.
To achieve this curly updo, first, define the curls using a curl-enhancing cream like SheaMoisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie. Afterward, gather the curls into a loose bun at the crown or nape of the neck, securing them with bobby pins. A curl refresher spray can be used throughout the day to keep the curls bouncy and fresh, even in chilly winter air.
Voluminous Curls for Medium Length Bridesmaid
For bridesmaids with medium length hair, voluminous curls offer a glamorous and timeless look that complements a winter wedding’s romantic ambiance. The curls can be left loose, cascading down the shoulders, or pinned back slightly to keep the hair out of the face. This style works well for heart and round face shapes, as the volume adds height and definition to the overall look. Voluminous curls are perfect for bridesmaids looking to add a bit of drama to their look, especially when paired with statement earrings or sparkling hair accessories.
To create voluminous curls, use a large-barrel curling iron and a volumizing mousse like Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse to add body. After curling, gently run fingers through the hair to loosen the curls and create a more natural, voluminous effect. A lightweight hairspray will help maintain the shape of the curls, while a moisturizing serum keeps them looking glossy and hydrated throughout the day.
Elegant French Twist With Veil
The French twist is a timeless and elegant hairstyle that works beautifully with veil accessories for winter brides. This classic updo involves tucking the hair into a sleek twist at the back of the head, creating a sophisticated and polished look. It’s perfect for formal winter weddings, where the bride’s hairstyle needs to match the grandeur of the occasion. The French twist is especially flattering for oval and heart-shaped faces, as it elongates the neck and creates a graceful profile.
To create a French twist, gather the hair at the back of the head and twist it upward, securing it with bobby pins as you go. A smoothing serum like Kenra Professional Smoothing Creme will help eliminate frizz, while a firm-hold hairspray ensures the twist stays in place all day. A veil can be pinned just above the twist for a seamless, elegant finish.
Bohemian Braids for Long Hair Guests
Bohemian braids are an ideal choice for long hair wedding guests attending a winter celebration. These loose, textured braids add a relaxed, whimsical feel to any outfit, making them perfect for outdoor or rustic-themed winter weddings. The braids can be styled to the side or incorporated into an updo, offering versatility for different face shapes. This look works especially well for oval and round faces, adding structure and softness to the overall look.
To achieve bohemian braids, start by applying a texturizing spray to add grip and volume to the hair. Braid loosely, allowing strands to fall naturally for that carefree, bohemian vibe. A touch of sea salt spray, like Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, will give the hair a tousled finish, and a light hairspray will keep the braids intact without looking too polished.
Conclusion
Winter weddings are a magical time to showcase a variety of hairstyles that not only match the season but also the bride’s unique personality. Whether you’re walking down the aisle or standing by her side as a bridesmaid or guest, there’s a hairstyle perfect for the occasion. We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your favorite winter wedding hairstyle in the comments below, or let us know how you’ll be styling your hair for an upcoming event!
I’m Yevgenia Kopenko, a hairstylist with over 10 years of experience in creating beautiful haircuts and hairstyles. On my blog, I share a wide range of styling ideas, from the latest trends to timeless classics. My goal is to inspire and connect with women who love expressing themselves through their hair. Join me as we explore the art of hairstyling and discover new ways to elevate your look.
