35 Wedding Hairstyles for Short Hair, From Old Hollywood Glam to Boho Chic

You’ve picked out the perfect wedding dress (or suit), booked a makeup trial and found a pair of comfortable heels that will let you rage on the dance floor. Now, all you need to figure out is what to do with your hair. Weddings are marathon events, so it’s key to find something that both complements your outfit and won’t be completely undone by the time you make your sparkler exit. Don’t have long locks? That doesn’t mean you’re out of options. From buns to braids and everything in between, get ready to say “I do” to these 35 wedding hairstyles for short hair, recommended by stylists.

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Updos

1. French Roll

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When it comes to wedding hairstyles for short hair, it doesn’t get more chic than the French Roll. According to Henningsen, this updo is best done on second-day hair refreshed with texture spray or dry shampoo, which will add to the “undone” look.

To style, gather hair at the nape of the neck like you would for a low ponytail, before twisting the ends upward. “Once you reach the crown, start to coil the twisted hair into a roll,” she explains. “Allow the roll to be loose and tousled and use hair pins or bobby pins to secure the roll in place, crisscrossing the pins for added stability. Gently pull on the sides of the roll to create a softer, more casual appearance. Don't worry about achieving a perfectly sleek look; the charm of a French roll is in its effortless style.”

2. Soft Low Bun with Waves on Top

If you have shoulder length hair, this wedding hairstyle is a fun way to give you a volume boost. Those with straight hair will need to start by adding waves throughout. (Henningsen recommends using a barrel waver.) If your hair is already wavy, this is a great way to embrace your natural hair texture, which can be enhanced with texture spray. Then, part your hair as desired, pulling it into a low ponytail and swirling it into a bun. To create the top, “Gently pull on the hair at the crown to create a bit of volume and soften the waves at the top,” Henningsen explains. “This adds to the overall relaxed and romantic feel of the hairstyle.”

3. Low Swirl and Bun

Wedding hairstyles for short hair don’t have to be boring or complicated. Here, a delicate swirl of hair in front adds just the right amount of flair, and it couldn’t be easier to do. Prep your hair with a styling product of your choice—Henningson likes to use a mousse on short hair. Section off a front portion of your hair for the swirl and curl it, leaving it out of the bun to frame your face. Alternatively, you can work it into the bun by twisting the piece into a small coil towards the nape of your neck, Henningson explains.

“Use bobby pins to secure the swirl in place. If your hair is short and some ends stick out, you can leave them loose for a slightly messy and playful look.”

4. Chignon with Crown

Buns and chignons can be great wedding hairstyles for short hair, just keep in mind their size will depend on the length of your locks. The key to this hairstyle, according to Scalia, is creating a soft ponytail that will give the illusion of more volume. That, and some mousse if your hair is on the finer side. To create the crown, tease or curl pieces of hair at the top of the head (what Scalia calls the “horseshoe” section) to create texture as you tuck and pin them around the bun. Finish with hairspray.

5. Wavy Bun

For this hairstyle, prep your strands with a product that will add shine and definition. (Scalia recommends Kérastase’s L’Huile Originale.) Before creating the bun, separate some sections of hair and curl them for a wavy texture. Then, pull it all into a ponytail and pin the ends in place to create the bun shape.

6. Swirled Bun with Teased Top

If you want some lift on top but your hair is short, Scalia says you’ll need an extension piece and a volumizing blow out to achieve the style. Be sure to prep your hair with texture spray to help create additional volume. A leave-in conditioner will help give definition to the sections of hair used to create the swirl effect.

“Tease or backcomb the top part of the hair and make a base at the bottom of the nape,” he says. “With your extension(s), wrap around the ponytail and from there create the bun.” The swirl is created by taking two sections of hair from either side and crisscrossing them over the bun.

7. Short Updo with Hairpins

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The updo is one of the simplest wedding hairstyles for short hair—and you can probably do it yourself. “Using a soft finish hairspray, smooth and tuck the sides and back. Then, secure the ends with bobby pins,” Korab says. “Use decorative hair pins to enhance the look.”

8. Looped Updo

To achieve this style, Korab advises using an oil or cream to help the hair loop through smoothly. She also finds it helpful to loop the hair through a bobby pin to guide it during the weaving process.

9. Wavy French Roll

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The secret to the waves in this French Roll is a large curling iron. After you’ve curled your hair, run a comb through to soften the ringlets into waves. To construct the hairstyle, Korab explains, “Comb the hair to one side, placing pins to hold it in place. Wrap the hair around your hand to create the roll and use large hair pins to secure it.”

10. Simple Chignon

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“Chignon” is just the French term to describe a bun. (It may bring to mind Brigitte Bardot.) Depending on the length of your hair, the bun can be high or low. To create the look, Korab advises prepping the hair with a soft-finish hairspray before combing it into a ponytail and securing the bun with hair pins.

11. Low Bun and a Delicate Hairpiece

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Take a page from Meghan Markle and accent a low bun with a delicate hairpiece. This can be a fascinator, hairpin, barrette, even the now-ubiquitous bow. Korab recommends using a hair donut to make the process even easier. Secure the bun with hair pins before adding your accessories.

12. Small Chignon with Floral Accent

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Korab’s secret to nailing the floral accent is to use an odd number of flowers and keep them to one side of the chignon. "Lightly spray the base of the flower with hairspray to create some tack,” she adds. Secure them with pins.

13. Messy Bouffant with Loose Bun

A good bouffant is all about volume, and for that you’ll need texture spray and paste, Korab says. The first step is to create a messy bun (the hair donut comes in handy here as well), and then use the paste to piece out the ends for a messy-cool look.

14. Tousled Chignon

The tousled chignon is one of several wedding hairstyles for short hair that works better on second day hair. To create the look, Bautista says to curl the hair, before setting it with a light to medium hold hairspray or texture spray. Gather it into a low ponytail, but instead of pulling the hair all the way through on the last pass, create a doughnut shape and let some of the curls hang loose. Pin the bun on both sides to hold.

15. Voluminous French Roll

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Anything French has us saying “oui, oui” and this updo is no exception. It’s got that inexplicable charm that makes it elusively chic. “To create this look, blow dry the hair smooth and tie into a low ponytail,” Bautista explains. If desired, you can use a 1.5-inch curling iron to loosely curl the ends. Then, twist the hair upward, tucking it against the head and securing with pins. "To set the French roll, spray with medium to strong hold hairspray.” Top with an accessory and you’re good to go.

16. Volumized Waves with Low Loop

Here’s proof that something doesn’t have to be complicated for it to be good. With some volume spray, a curling iron and quick bun, you have a sophisticated wedding hairstyle that makes the most of locks at any length. Bautista advises applying a volumizing spray to your roots before blow drying to get maximum lift. Then, finish with a 1- to 1.5- inch curling iron to create the loose waves.

17. Sleek Low Bun

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If any of these wedding hairstyles for short hair are the definition of “low maintenance,” it’s the sleek low bun. “There’s nothing more beautiful than showing off the features of your face with a sleek, chic updo,” Staehle says.

18. Side Updo

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The secret to this romantically swoopy updo is to swirl the hair as you pin it up, Bures explains. Securing the style with hair pins will give it additional detail. “This works especially well for brides with chin-length hair,” she says.

19. Boho Bun with Loose Ends

“This is the perfect ‘done but undone style’ for the bride who wants to appear effortlessly chic,” O’Connor says. To start, she asserts that it’s important to build texture and volume before pulling your hair into a bun. “Follow your eyeline to create a mid-height ponytail,” she advises. You want a billowing, loose ponytail. Secure the bun and then pull out pieces until you have your desired shape, then set with hairspray.

20. Teased Updo with Hairpins

This updo is open for interpretation: make it a bun or a ponytail or a variation that suits your fancy. O’Connor recommends pearl or embellished hair accessories to elevate the look beyond the basic bobby pin.

21. Chignon with Tendrils

Pulling out a few tendrils gives this classic chignon a playful, undone vibe. To create the look, O’Connor says a good base is important, especially if you want a sleek look. (Though, the above photo shows that tousled is also a solid choice.) If your hair is too short (it’s best if you have five inches of length or more), go for extensions. For shiny locks, apply hair oil before tying the hair in a ponytail at the nape of the neck.

22. Messy Waves with Mini Buns

Whether you want one topknot, dual space buns or a cluster of baby buns, this wedding hairstyle is fun. Use a 1.5-inch curling iron to give your hair loose curls, leaving the ends straight. O’Connor recommends spraying the curls with wax spray for added texture and lift. Then, pin your bun(s) into place and accessorize to your liking.

Down Hairstyles

23. Bridal Bob with Barrettes

The bob is one of the wedding styles for short hair you can easily do yourself. According to Korab, all you need is heat protectant and a hot iron to add waves, plus your favorite hair pins. She loves the convenience of a hair waver, while we’d vote for the T3 Ceramic Curling Iron). For additional volume and texture, give your hair a spritz of texture spray before securing it with barrettes.

24. Vintage Bob with Deep Side Part

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If there’s one wedding hairstyle for short hair that will always remain a classic, it’s the vintage bob that brings Old Hollywood glamour. Take a page from Zendaya at the 2023 SAG awards and add a dramatic, deep side part. The key to obtaining the sensual “S” wave of the hair is, according to Bautista, a one-inch curling iron. Make sure to pin and set the curls in the same direction. After they’ve cooled, use a wide-tooth comb to brush them out gently.

25. Fun and Flirty

If your directives are “fun and flirty,” try this unfussy style that’ll hold its own on the dance floor. Staehle styles this look by starting with a volume or texture spray and then using a beach waver or curling iron for an “I woke up like this” look.

26. Tuck One Side

“Whether you wear it straight or curly, tucking one side brings a little drama to a short hairstyle,” Staehle says. Secure the tucked side of your hair with a decorative pin or fun twist to hold.

27. Blunt-Cut Bob

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While it seems like the shag is everywhere, you can never go wrong with the blunt-cut bob. Plus, you have plenty of styling options to choose from: blown out, sleek and shiny, curled, wavy, half-up, the list goes on.

Half Up/Half Down

28. Twisted Half Updo

We love the sweet simplicity of a twisted half updo, which provides just the right balance of structure and flow. To achieve the look, Henningsen advises starting with dry hair and applying a texture spray or dry shampoo. Create a high ponytail with a section of hair from the crown of your head. Loop the hair through the ponytail for the twist effect and set with hairspray. (Her favorite is the Leonor Greyl Laque Souple.)

29. Half-Up Wavy Lob

Wedding hairstyles for short hair can’t get much easier than this. If your hair is lob length, curl it with a large or medium barrel curing iron and give it a few spritzes of shine spray, Scalia says. Then, take two pieces of hair on either side of your head and pull them back into a half-up ponytail, creating a knot that’s secured by a pin.

30. Twisted Shoulder-Length Half-Up with Balayage

We love a good half-ponytail, and this wedding hairstyle is a fun way to show off your balayage. Korab recommends prepping your hair with a serum to create a sleek, shiny look. “Take a diagonal back section on the side and loosely twist back and secure with a pin,” she explains. “Do the same on the other side. Loosely pull the twist out to create a relaxed look.”

31. Half-Up Bouffant with Tight Ringlets

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Retro wedding hairstyles for short hair are always sure to infuse timeless elegance into your bridal look. For the half-up bouffant, use a medium or large round brush to blow out your hair. Bautista uses rollers to set the sections and ensure the volume holds. She says that you can either back-comb and tease the hair or use a hair piece to create the bouffant. Then, use a curling iron with a small barrel to create tight ringlets throughout.

32. Half-Updo with Side Tresses

When it comes to wedding hairstyles for short hair, it’s safe to say none are short on the Old Hollywood glam. O’Connor creates this look by blow drying hair that has been prepped with a mousse to ensure volume and hold. Use a one- or quarter- inch curling iron to add curls and then pull up half the hair, teasing the back and securing with hairspray. “Cover the teased hair with a strand to make sure everything looks smooth for your wedding photos,” O’Connor advises. “Finally, pull out your desired face-framing pieces and use your curling iron to redefine the hair.”

Braids

33. Tousled Side Braid

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This messy, lived-in look is great for a boho or woodland fairy wedding and is easy to style. Start by parting your hair and using a brush to smooth out the tangles. Then, choose the type of braid you want. Options include the Dutch braid, French braid, fishtail or the traditional three-strand.

“For a tousled look, a loose three-strand braid or a fishtail braid works well,” Henningson says. “Gently pull on the sections of the braid to loosen it and create a more voluminous and textured look.”

34. Half Braid

Another good option for lob-length hair is this half braid. The trick, Scalia explains, is to create texture by prepping your hair with mousse, blowing it out and curling it.

“Don’t curl those ends, otherwise it will lose some of the length and the shape,” he cautions. Secure the half-braid with pins before combing out the strands. If your hair is dry, he recommends finishing with hair oil to give it more shine and polish.

35. Relaxed Waves with a Dutch Braid

You don’t need extraordinarily long hair for this wedding hairstyle, even shoulder-length hair will do. “Start by adding a wave to the hair for texture,” Korab explains. “Next create the Dutch braid.” To finish the look, gently pull out a few strands for a more relaxed look.

How to Choose Your Wedding Hairstyle

When it comes to one of the most important days of your life, you want to make sure you choose a wedding hairstyle that will make the day seamless.

“When we help brides decide on a hairstyle, we consider the environment of the ceremony, whether it’s indoors or outdoors, and if it’s outside near the ocean air, inland where there’s less humidity or high on a hilltop where wind plays a factor,” Bures explains. “If it’s indoors, there’s more flexibility in the controlled environment for glam waves or a simple down-do, and there’s less worry about the waves falling, getting tangled or losing their shape early on.”

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