37 beautiful half up half down hairstyles for the modern bride

30 JunHair & Inspiration

Half up half down hairstyles will never go out of style. They’re one of the most popular hairstyles amongst brides, and also the most practical. They offer the best of both worlds – soft and romantic curls and a polished glamour that comes with an updo.

A half up hairstyle isn’t just for long haired brides. Pinned back hair suits short, medium or long hair. Keep in mind, a lot of the looks you see below can be recreated with the help of hair extensions so don’t feel discouraged if your hair isn’t as thick and luscious as the inspiration shots. While hairstylists can’t perform miracles, they can certainly work their magic with their industry tricks, tools and techniques.

The thing we love the most about a half updo is it creates the perfect foundation to secure a veil or hair adornment. And, of course, it keeps the hair off your face which is always a good thing if you’re planning an outdoor wedding. We’re all for beautiful hairstyles, but you shouldn’t have to sacrifice practicality when choosing your wedding day hair!

If you love a practical and pretty look as much as the next girl, another notable consideration is the versatility of a half up hairstyle. Many brides choose a romantic updo for the ceremony and then remove some of the pins at the nape of the neck to reveal loosely curled hair that’s been held in place for the first half of the day. Just be sure to let your hairstylist know your intentions to change your hairstyle after the ceremony. This way they can design your updo so that it can easily transform into a half up hairstyle with the removal of a few hair pins.

Let’s wait no longer! We’ve pulled together 37 of the most beautiful half up half down hairstyles for the modern bride. They’re soft, feminine and chic and we just know you’ll love them.

Photo credit: via Pinterest

Braided half up half down hairstyles

A braided half up hairstyle is all about texture and detail. You don’t need to be bohemian inspired to pull off this romantic look. Soft braids suit modern to vintage brides, and even traditional bridal looks.

As this hairstyle is often textured at the sides or back, we recommend a delicate hair vine to scroll along the contours of the braid. Alternatively, a delicate crown to frame your face will offer that perfect finishing touch without taking attention away from your hairstyle or wedding dress.

Twisted half up hairstyles

Not quite a braid and definitely not boring. A twisted half up hairstyle feels relaxed, glamorous, and arguably, more effortless than braids. It’s the perfect look if you wish to adorn your hair with a detailed bridal headpiece or wedding crown. It exudes sophistication without the formality and it’s easily one of our all time favourite bridal looks.

Half up hairstyle with volume

Sometimes you don’t want too many fussy details on your wedding day. This is often the case if your wedding gown is quite elaborate or detailed. For a cleaner and modern look, we love a bit of volume at the crown. It’s a simple detail yet impactful, elongating the face and your overall silhouette.

Half up ponytails

There’s a certain playfulness that comes with a half up ponytail. You know the look – fresh and relaxed, it almost just needs a pretty bow to complete the look. But a half up hairstyle doesn’t have to feel overly girly. Mess it up or add a few small plaits or braids into the mix for a dreamy look perfect for the modern bride.

How to accessorise half up half down wedding hair

Half up wedding hairstyles feels feminine and romantic so we recommend accessories that capture the dreamy yet sophisticated spirit of your bridal look.

Choose from backwards facing headpieces, a delicate wedding crown, statement earrings or a wedding veil positioned at the crown to complement this look perfectly.

Our collections feature some beautiful wedding accessories that pair perfectly with half up hairstyles. And of course, all of our designs are handcrafted in-house and fully customisable so we can accommodate custom requests.

If you’d like to get in touch to chat about your bridal look, send us an email. We’d love to work with you to create something beautiful for your wedding day.

Shop this look: REINA gold wedding crown

Shop this look: MEADOW set of 4 bridal hair pins

Shop this look: SOMERSET floral bridal headpiece

Shop this look: WHISPER floral hair pins in blush or ivory

Shop this look: WANDERING delicate pearl bridal headpiece

Shop this look: BOTANICA floral bridal headpiece

Shop this look: LE POEME delicate wedding headpiece

37 beautiful half up half down hairstyles for the modern bride - TANIA MARAS | bridal headpieces + wedding veils (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular wedding hairstyle? ›

Half Up, Half Down Hair

Half up, half down hair is one of the most popular wedding hairstyles for short and long hair. This timeless look will never go out of style. Half updos are the perfect fit for veils and other accessories. It can also be paired with all the styles mentioned above.

Tell Me More ›

How do you wear a veil with your hair up? ›

We usually suggest securing your veil into the top of your updo. But it also works if you prefer to style your veil from the crown or as a mantilla. Try adding some bridal pins to the side of your veil, or a comb just above – so that it overlaps the veil. It'll elevate your entire hairstyle and bridal look.

What do older brides wear in their hair? ›

Whether it is incorporating a bit of color so that you don't look so traditionally bridal, choosing a short veil or headpiece that makes you feel beautifully feminine and chic, or going with a nontraditional cape for a bit of shoulder and arm coverage, the options are endless for older brides.

Learn More ›

How to do a perfect half up half down hairstyle? ›

Pull the top half of your hair into a high half ponytail and secure it with a hair elastic. Then, use your fingers to separate your hair and create a hole above the elastic. Flip your ponytail up and over, pulling the ponytail through the hole you made. To complete your look, pull your ponytail taut.

Get More Info Here ›

What is the bride's hair style in 2024? ›

In 2024, we're seeing a rise in sleek and sophisticated ponytails gracing the aisle. Whether you opt for a low, textured pony or a high, voluminous one, this versatile style adds a touch of modern elegance to your bridal look.

What is the number 1 hairstyle? ›

What Are the Numbers in Haircuts? If you ask your barber for a number one cut, you are asking them to cut your hair so it is an eighth of an inch long. If you ask for a number eight cut, the hair left on your head will be one inch.

See Details ›

Do brides look better with hair up or down? ›

Consider Your Wedding Dress Neckline

"If you are wearing a strapless dress, either hair down or half up, half down will look pretty and feminine while still showing off the neckline," advises Mar. Loose waves and a soft, flowing style is key. If your dress has a higher neckline, our pro says to consider an updo.

Show Me More ›

Should a veil go above or below a bun? ›

If you're trying to decide whether to have your veil under or over your bun, it's up to you, of course, but I will say that if you're having a two-layer veil with a blusher, I would strongly recommend having your veil above your bun.

Keep Reading ›

Can you wear a veil and a headpiece? ›

Layering a Veil and a Headpiece

It's 2023; you don't have to wear a veil OR a headpiece. And you can absolutely wear both! Incorporate a bejeweled clip to hold your veil in place. Use floral accents to show through your draping veil for a romantic touch.

Find Out More ›

Do I wear my veil over my face? ›

Now, when a bride wears a blusher over her face it is more a nod to femininity and mysteriousness or just a way of honouring age-old traditions. You don't have to cover your face with a veil if you don't want to. Single tier veils are designed to drape down your back and don't feature the blusher.

What should a 50 year old bride wear? ›

Every bride, regardless of her age, should wear something that makes her feel confident and comfortable on her special day. Whether it's a traditional white wedding dress, a chic trouser suit or a vintage tea-length dress, the key is to choose an outfit that reflects your unique style and personality.

Show Me More ›

What should a bride over 40 wear? ›

You can't go wrong with classic tea length wedding dress for older brides, and this lacy modern design is a prime example. With a gently flared skirt and vintage touches, it may just be the icing on the cake for your bridal look.

Who pays for mother of the bride hair? ›

On the other hand, sometimes the mother of the bride will bear the cost of hair and makeup. “Usually the mother of the bride pays for herself, and sometimes the entire bridal party,” says Cohen.

Find Out More ›

How do you set your hair for a wedding? ›

Use a straighter or round brush to style your bangs in a sweeping fashion, and add hairspray so they keep their shape throughout the night. For a modern wedding guest look, consider adding a textured look to your tresses. Add in some hairspray, styling cream or gel to keep everything in place.

Show Me More ›

37 beautiful half up half down hairstyles for the modern bride - TANIA MARAS | bridal headpieces + wedding veils (2024)