Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Wedding Beauty & Wellness Bridal Hairstyles 65 Simple Wedding Hairstyles That Prove Less Is More By Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber has been writing, editing, and producing lifestyle and weddings content for over seven years. In that time, she has interviewed and worked with hundreds of leading experts to become an authority on all things homekeeping, flower arranging, home design, and wedding planning. Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 18, 2020 Close Rachel Havel Photography If you love the idea of a simple, beautiful wedding-day beauty look, then you're in luck. Although an elaborate updo or extravagant braid is always an option for your big day, the hairstyles that follow prove that you don't need an intricate hairstyle to look amazing. While there's nothing wrong with choosing a complex style—especially when it complements your personal aesthetic, your wedding dress, or your venue—some brides find that loose curls, a tidy bun, a natural blowout, or a delicate flower crown is all they need to look like the bridal version of themselves. But don't confuse simple with basic, boring, or safe. This beautiful style by Brittani Estes is the perfect example. Since the low bun was equal parts simple and elegant in and of itself, all the understated style really needed to shine was a unique hair accessory from Twigs & Honey. For your own take on a similar look, try accenting your updo with fresh flowers or a vintage brooch. If you normally wear your hair in an unfussy way, why not embrace an elevated version of your signature look for the wedding (styled by a professional for extra oomph, of course) There's no reason a simple wedding hairstyle can't also be chic—or look absolutely incredible with any accessories you choose. Plus, simple wedding hairstyles are often easier to maintain throughout the day. From half-up, half-down looks and long, sleek locks to straightforward, sophisticated topknots and buns, click through for some of the prettiest simple wedding hair we've seen yet. If you're looking for big-day beauty ideas that are anything but boring, you're about to be pleasantly surprised by all the options out there. 01 of 64 Windswept Lisa Ziesing for Abby Jiu Photography The bride's gorgeous windswept waves were created by Toni Yvette and DT Hair. 02 of 64 Deep Side Part Lacie Hansen A deep side part adds extra volume, while loose waves add some vintage glamour to this bride's look, by Team Hair & Makeup. 03 of 64 Middle Part Mo Davis Photography Fascio Hair parted this bride's hair down the middle to create this beautiful, understated hairstyle. Two embellished clips were all the woman of the hour needed to make her look shine. 04 of 64 Beach Waves Lacie Hansen This bride chose long and loose waves for a natural look for her rehearsal dinner. 05 of 64 Half-Up with Waves Vicki Grafton Photography A half-up half-down hairstyle looks lovely paired with long, loose waves, as evidenced by this look created byAnna Breeding. 06 of 64 Low Chignon Anna Peters Rachel Jordan Beauty created this low chignon. Meanwhile, a delicate veil with detailed clip sits right atop as the only embellishment needed. 07 of 64 Perfectly Tousled The Edges Bobbi Gutierrez created a natural-looking cascade of waves for this bride with long hair. 08 of 64 Au Natural Anneli Marinovich Soft, natural-looking waves are perfect for an outdoor soirée. Ciara Coiffure created this beautiful look. 09 of 64 Delicate Details Elizabeth LaDuca Jennifer Tawa gathered this brides hair in a detailed low knot. Meanwhile, a delicate hair pin adds extra intrigue. 10 of 64 Pulled to the Side Kati Rosado Monique Gaffney created this gorgeously tousled style. Pulled to one side, it's a stunning way to wear your hair down on your wedding day. 11 of 64 Curled Ends Lilly Red Creative Leaving your hair down and cascading over your shoulders is a beautiful, simple option for a bride with a medium-length hairstyle. Add a curl to the end to dress the look up ever so slightly. 12 of 64 All Swept Up Awake Photography A slightly undone updo can be so striking, as evidenced by this low updo from Blushworthy. A few face-framing pieces pulled out in the front ensured it didn't look too perfect. 13 of 64 Boho Waves Sylvie Gil Photography If you're not looking to stray too far from your everyday hairstyle, consider adding a piece of hair jewelry to your beloved loose waves and side part. This golden number from Jennifer Behr, which was pinned on by Aviva Perea, took this understated look to the next level. 14 of 64 Go Natural Rebecca Yale Photography Embrace your hair's natural texture—and nature itself—by tucking a few flowers into your style. Here, Ebony Roots Hair braided one side of the bride's hair and petite blooms dotted the other side. Natural Wedding Hair Tips from Rihanna's Hairstylist Yusef Williams 15 of 64 Relaxed Waves Sarah Ingram For a casual take on a half-up, half-down hairstyle, add a little bit of volume in the form of loose waves and twist the front sections together. Emma Collins Beauty was responsible for this effortless look. 16 of 64 Side Parted Low Bun Perregaux Wedding Photography A simple side-parted low bun sits pretty at the nape of the neck, created by Cynthia Jean. A low-pinned veil was later added to the bride's look. 17 of 64 Braid for the Occasion Kristin La Voie Photography An inverted braid in the perfect way to pull your hair back without being too fussy. Want something a little more exciting? Pick up a jeweled hair accessory (this one's by Tania Maras) to wear around the crown of your head. 18 of 64 Short But Full Perry Vaile Shorter-haired brides still have plenty of options for simple big-day hairstyles. Take this one by Tammy Dalton of Modern Salon & Spa. Shoulder-grazing locks were curled for a look with movement and fullness. 4 Ways to Wear a Short Hairstyle on Your Wedding Day 19 of 64 Face-Framing Pieces Lex and the Lotus Photography If you want your hair up but not all the way, take a cue from this hairstyle by Be.NYLA. Volume at the top of the head and face-framing pieces with a wave at the bottom ensured it looked elegantly undone. 20 of 64 Beautiful Bangs Caroline Dyer-Smith Bangs are great if you plan on wearing a veil. As for the rest of your hair, you can pull sections back to secure the headpiece and wear the rest down. Marian Filali made this bride look effortlessly chic. 21 of 64 Braids All Around Amy Fanton Photography Braids aren't just for pigtails. They can get fancy, especially in sleek updos like this one by Storme Make Up, which curved them around towards the back of the bride's head to showcase her dress's ornate back. 13 Braided Wedding Hairstyles We Love 22 of 64 Voluminous Waves Winsome + Wright Gathering hair mostly to one side is one way to add a bit of drama in a subtle way. This bride's waves had shine, too, thanks to hairstylist Caitlyn Meyer, with further emphasized the shape. 23 of 64 Retro Style Erich McVey If you choose to keep your hair down, make sure it's touchable. A side part and loose finger waves, like these by Jennifer Cruz, almost always look silky, soft, and understated. 22 Wedding Hairstyles That Placed All Eyes on the Bride 24 of 64 Sleek Yet Simple Maui Maka Photography You can't go wrong with a super straight ponytail. Add a little something extra by twisting hair around the base, like Calvyn Cass of Brush Salon did here. 25 of 64 A Tight Bun A Bryan Photo When your dress is as ornate as this high-necked, open-back number, it's best to go with an updo to show it all off. Here, Flawless Bride twisted the bride's hair into a compact bun at the base of her neck. 27 Wedding Updos We Love 26 of 64 On the Side Kurt Boomer Photography If your hair is short and thick, it can really draw the eye up, which is just what you'll want to do on your wedding day. A deep side part will give you just the right amount of drama. 27 of 64 A Perfectly Unperfect Braid Erich McVey A thick side braid is a simple and stunning style to consider. Adrienne Aereboe took this bride's long hair and wove it together in a way that was done but not too much. 28 of 64 A Classic Low Bun Rachel Havel Photography If you're unsure how to wear your hair, like this bride was, consider something timeless and easy: a low bun with a middle part. The Side Door salon styled this updo, giving the bride a super chic hairstyle without any fuss. 29 of 64 Slightly Slicked Back Lisa Poggi Photography Keep the volume of big waves without hair getting in your face in one simple move: Ask your hairstylist (in this case Yene Damtew) to slick back the first few inches of your hair behind your ears. 29 Cool Wedding Hairstyles for the Modern Bride 30 of 64 A Curly Coif Anne-Marie Bouchard Photography If you've got natural curls, embrace them. Add a bit of volume to the roots and then pull your tresses back into a low bun that will look good from every angle. Vespa Hair Design handled this bride's curls beautifully. 31 of 64 A Bouncy Ponytail Jen Fariello Photography A low, full ponytail with bouncy waves can pair with almost any style of wedding dress. Lucas Shaffer's version, seen here, beautifully anchors the veil and balances out the dramatic slit in the bride's gown. 32 of 64 A Modern Bun Paige Jones Photography Buns come in all shapes and sizes and styles. Some are quite elaborate and filled out with extensions. Others, like this one by Dax Sarmiento, are modern and minimal. The twisted, low bun complemented the deep V of the bride's gown. 33 of 64 Short and Slick Jenn Emerling The back of this bride's dress made quite a statement, so she chose to keep her accessories to a minimum and her hair super simple. A polished bob was all she needed. 34 of 64 Romantic Waves Judy Pak For an elegant, timeless option that still feels effortless, ask your stylist to set your hair in loose waves then pull them back into a low twist, just like Face Time Beauty did here. 35 of 64 Partially Pulled Back Edward Winter / READYLUCK If you're wearing a wedding dress that shows off shoulders like this one, you'll certainly want to wear your hair pulled back, like the The Glam App did for this bride. The Best Hairstyles for Every Wedding Dress Neckline 36 of 64 A Low Knot Stefano Santucci Simple can be chic, too. This bride's low knot is the perfect example of how to get it right. 37 of 64 Wear It Down Amber Gress Warren Tricomi left this bride's hair down for a super simple look, but gave it lots of texture and movement, too. 33 Ways to Wear Your Hair Down for Your Wedding 38 of 64 All the Way Down N Barrett Photography If you love to wear your hair down, go with a textured blowout on the big day, like this one by Ali Ryan for the Dry House Nashville. 39 of 64 Cool Girl Curls Corbin Gurkin The best addition to a ball gown wedding dress and leather jacket ensemble? Effortlessly lovely hair. These voluminous curls (by Danielle Style) are beautifully imperfect and casually cool. Find Out What Your Wedding Hairstyle Says About You 40 of 64 Accessorize in Style Brittany Mahood Sometimes the only thing you need to add to a wedding look to make it aisle-ready is a simple hair accessory. This elegant hair vine added something extra special to this bride's simple wedding hairstyle by Bob and Page. 41 of 64 Understated and Sophisticated Jose Villa Simple doesn't always mean long and loose. These brides both rocked soft, sleek updos for their sweet outdoor celebration thanks to Kacee Picot and Inga Cox. Their hairstyles fit beautifully with the romantic vibe of their day. 42 of 64 Combs and Curls The De Jaureguis Want to keep things simple, but still feel elegant on the big day? Do like TEAM Hair & Makeup did here and pair long curls with a statement-making comb. Bonus: The accessory will keep at least some of those beautiful locks out of your face for photos, vows, and general reception merriment. Find the Perfect Sparkling Accessory 43 of 64 Glammed Up Curls Michael Radford Full curls are always a wedding win. Beauty by Melina made the simple look stand out with extra-large ringlets and the addition of a bright floral accessory. See More Beautiful Wedding Hairstyles with Flowers 44 of 64 Top Knot Chic Joel Serrato Top knots are the definition of simple on any day, but can also be surprisingly wedding-worthy. To make this iconic look big day-ready, Janet Villa kept it tidy and taut. The look pairs perfectly with a chic, modern dress. 45 of 64 The Low Pony Look Kati Mallory Photo & Design Sometimes an outdoor wedding calls for a little more hair control than the long and loose look. Take notes from this bride's awesome style and incorporate a low, chic ponytail into your day-of decisions. 30 Wedding-Worthy Ponytails to Complete Your Bridal Beauty Look 46 of 64 Shoulder-Length Curls Aaron Delesie The two most unassuming ingredients for a glamorous wedding look? A deep side part and curls. This bride rocked both to gorgeous effect. 47 of 64 Long and Loose Paige Jones Edin Carpenter Makeup Artistry helped the bride with her second look of the evening, letting her hair down for the reception. 48 of 64 Low Updo Inspiration Tamara Grüner There's just something so striking about a sleek, low updo that really makes it the best addition to a simple wedding look. Case in point, this bride's hairstyle by Sarah Selbo. 49 of 64 Long Locks Greg Finck Is there anything more fun than a bold and bright wedding look? To allow her gorgeous dress to stand out, Harold James kept this bride's long locks in large, sleek curls and the effect is flawless. 50 of 64 Setting It Straight Jesse Leake While curls are a wedding staple, we always love when a bride chooses sleek and straight big-day hair. That decision looked amazing on this bride, especially when paired with her bohemian wedding dress. 51 of 64 Loose and Lovely Emily Wren Photography These glamorous waves aren't quite as dramatic as some curled wedding hairstyles, and the look is a gorgeous option for this bride's classic style! Well done Aleksandra Ambrozy. 4 Things Your Hairstylist Doesn't Want You to Do on Your Wedding Da 52 of 64 Loose Updo Mademoiselle Fiona Wedding Photography A low, relaxed updo is always a good idea! This bride's imperfect bun by Melisande Page of Beauty Exchange NYC provided gorgeous balance for her dress's long sleeves and high neckline. 53 of 64 No Stylist Required 3 deseos y medio Feeling fancy free for your wedding? Center parts, long, loose hair, and flower crowns are definitely the way to go! This pair did just that with help from Alizia Moreno. 54 of 64 Down the Middle Adam Barnes To finish off this bride's simply chic look, Bridal Hair by Ramona designed a loose, low bun with a sleek center part. 55 of 64 Floral Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle Bottega 53 A half up half down look is perfect for the bride wanting to show off her long hair. This beach-wave style was crafted by Alessandro Mancino. More Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles We Love 56 of 64 DIY Simple Wedding Hairstyle Aaron Delesie This bride styled her own hair—a loose bun on the side of her head—and finished off the 'do with a fresh gardenia instead of a veil. The Most Hydrating Hair Masks to Use Before Your Wedding 57 of 64 Swept to the Side Aaron Smith This asymmetrical braided 'do by Jessica Cook featured a flower pinned in the back. 58 of 64 A Full, Low Bun Stacey Hedman This bride's perfectly shaped bun from Wedding Tresses, rested low on her neck and gave a sleek edge to her beauty look. 59 of 64 Top It Off Mademoiselle Fiona This trendy bride rocked a top knot bun styled by Vanessa Afshari, showing off her fresh face and keyhole-backed dress. 60 of 64 Get Sculpted Delbarr Moradi Photography Stylists from The Powder Room gave this bride a low, sculptural bun for her big day. 15 Celebrity Hairstyle How-Tos to Try for Your Wedding Day 61 of 64 Ride the Waves Jose Villa Bethanie J Hair gave this bride a simple blowout and center part to make her blonde locks look as natural as possible. Master the DIY Blowout in 5 Easy Steps 62 of 64 Slicked Back Weddings by Sasha With help from stylists at Professional Makeup Artistry, this bride wore her hair pulled back in a sleek, tight bun, with a trendy wrapping technique at the base. 63 of 64 Low, Twisted Bun Sara Welch Photo Co. A twisted knot at the nape of the neck is an elegant option for brides with long hair. Loose strands frame the face in this look created byPacific Brides. 64 of 64 Twisted Sister Erich McVey Amy Clark created this half-up half-down hairstyle with a natural-looking, twisted braid. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit