20 Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles for Brides

Bride Facing the Front in White Dress With Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyle — Photo by Hannah Greenwood

Are you debating how to style your locks for your wedding? As you weigh your options, you might come to the conclusion that wearing your hair down is too ordinary for such a special occasion, but an elaborate coif might seem too risky and out of your comfort zone. Enter: a half-up, half-down wedding hairstyle, the perfect mix between an updo and a down-style. Achieved by pulling back the top half of your mane into a ponytail, half-up, half-down hairstyles exude romance, elegance, and sophistication. They work for any hair type and hair length, from short and curly to long and straight; any aesthetic, whether you’re going for a laid-back, coastal vibe or a glamorous ballroom soirée; and any neckline, from strapless to halter.

One of the most convincing reasons to try this hairdo? It’s chic and low-maintenance. “Half-up, half-down wedding hairstyles are that great compromise of wanting your hair lush and flowy around your face and shoulders yet still having key pieces out of the way, so you’re not fussing with it throughout the day,” hair salon owner Lorean Cairns says. While you can always book a professional hairstylist to attain this look, you can easily pull off the style yourself.

Meet the Expert

Lorean Cairns is the co-founder and CEO of Fox & Jane Salon, Maeve in June, and Little Lion, which are hair salons in New York City and Brooklyn.

While the premise of a half-up, half-down hairstyle might seem simplistic, there are so many ways to bring it to life. Add volume by curling your tresses or opt for a sleek, shiny look by straightening each strand. You can either choose the traditional midway placement or secure your elastic on the crown of your head for a fun, flirty feel. If you’re hoping to infuse a bit more pizazz, accessorize with a beaded clip or twist a few of your locks into braids.

Whatever your vision and style, here are 20 half-up, half-down wedding hairstyle ideas to choose from.

01 of 20

Add Bouncy Waves

Bride Facing the Front With Wavy Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle and Slip Dress — Photo by Lucy Munoz Photography

For a half-up, half-down wedding hairstyle that’s embedded with volume and texture, ask your hairstylist to curl your mane. Loose, barreling waves that tumble down your back will effortlessly evoke romance and glamour. We love this choice for upscale aesthetics, such as this European garden wedding at a French château.

02 of 20

Opt for a High Placement

Bride Holding Wedding Dress on Hanger in Feather Robe and Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle — Photo by By Julieta

The classic half-up, half-down wedding hairstyle placement falls in the mid-scalp region, but if you want to switch things up, position your ponytail higher up: on the crown of your head. This iteration will bring movement and playfulness to your mane and make your tresses look longer and fuller, especially if you add curls (like this bride’s hairdo, which she wore to her bohemian nuptials in Cabo). Modern brides who want to forgo tradition will definitely gravitate toward this look.

03 of 20

Sweep It to the Side

Bride Getting Makeup Done With Side Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle — Photo by Hana Gonzalez

There’s nothing more alluring than side-swept locks. When a deep side part is combined with a half-up, half-down style, the result is undeniably dreamy. Tossed over your shoulder, glossy pieces that fall in tight ringlets strike the perfect balance between modern and vintage, like this bride’s ‘do for her vibrant affair in Maryland.

04 of 20

Make It Sleek and Straight

Bride in Straight Half-Up Hairstyle and Strapless Black Floral Wedding Dress — Photo by Lacie Hansen Photography

If pin-straight hair is more your style, ask your hairstylist to straighten your strands with a flat iron. The uniform, frizzless look will maximize shine and create the appearance of strong, healthy locks. If your dress is the focal point, such as this bride’s floral gown at her romantic fête in Guatemala, sleek strands won’t upstage the star of the show.

05 of 20

Secure It With a Pearl Pin

Back Portrait of Bride in White Gown and Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle — Photo by Hannah Greenwood

Accessories are one of the best ways to animate a half-up, half-down wedding hairstyle. For a subtle touch of elegance, add a pearl pin to your ponytail. The single-beaded clip will incorporate a classy, timeless feel without overpowering your mane.

06 of 20

Go for Old Hollywood Glamour

Bride Getting Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyle Done — Photo by Rachel Rodgers Photography

Pay homage to the Golden Age of Hollywood by rocking a half-up, half-down wedding hairstyle with an old-Hollywood flair. Brushed-out barrel curls with a glitzy headpiece, like this bride wore to her rooftop ceremony in New York City, will transport you back to the Roaring Twenties. This type of hairstyle is a strong candidate for vintage or glamorous wedding aesthetics.

07 of 20

Incorporate Intricate Braids

Native American bride wears a feather accent in her hair — Photo by Liz Zimbelman Photography

Want to bring whimsy to your half-up, half-down hairstyle? Completing your half ponytail with a few braids will add visual intrigue and an unexpected edge to your look. The choices for plaits are endless: Opt for a waterfall style, sport a French braid that covers your crown, or don a couple of twists throughout (like this bride did for her California wedding that paid homage to her Native American heritage).

08 of 20

Frame Your Face

Bride Looking at Wedding Dress on Hanger in Lace Two-Piece Set — Photo by Courtney Simpson Photography

While you can always pull back the entire top half of your hair, keeping a few front tendrils loose will beautifully frame and define your face. If you choose a middle part, you’ll create a symmetrical style that further enhances your features. You can even curl these face-framing strands—like this bride did for her enchanted garden fête in New Jersey—for added dimension.

09 of 20

Emphasize Volume

Bride Looking Off to the Side in Strapless Wedding Dress and Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyle — Photo by Alex Ashman Photography

Uniform curls that fall close to your body are always beautiful, but if you want to focus on magnitude, try voluminous waves with varied widths and shapes that take up space. The big-and-bold style will definitely make a statement, especially in combination with a plunging neckline. For added volume, you can even tease the crown of your head.

10 of 20

Create Layers

Half-Up, Half-Down Ponytail Mix — Photo by Charla Storey

Who says you have to stick to just one ponytail for a half-up, half-down wedding hairstyle? A half ponytail that extends into a full one at a lower placement is a modern spin on a classic style that uses layers to create depth. For an additional element of whimsy, use strands of your hair to hide the elastics.

11 of 20

Rock a Slightly Distressed Style

Bride Putting on Earrings and Looking Off to the Side in Floral Wedding Dress — Photo by KT Merry

If a polished half-up style feels too prim and proper for your liking, go with a slightly unkempt style, which is how this bride styled her mane for her ranch nuptials in Wyoming. Instead of slicking back your top strands, produce a loose, effortless look. Then, have tousled waves flow freely from the bottom half of your mane. This version will complement a bohemian aesthetic or wedding dress particularly well.

12 of 20

Pull Back Only the Front Pieces

Bride Smiling in Lace Wedding Dress, Veil, and Half-Up Hairstyle — Photo by Olivia Leigh Photographie

As the name suggests, half-up, half-down wedding hairstyles typically entail using just half of your hair to form a ponytail. However, if balance isn’t your goal, defy expectations by wrapping only a small section of your mane with an elastic, while the majority of your hair is left down. The result is a delicate, youthful look, such as this bride’s, which she selected for her garden-inspired affair in Chicago.

13 of 20

Focus on Optimal Shine

Bride in Red Lehenga and Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyle — Photo by Vinuthna Garidipuri

A half-up, half-down hairstyle provides the perfect foundation for glass-like locks. To achieve glistening tresses, ask your hairstylist to use a heated tool to straighten your hair before pulling the top half into a tight ponytail. You can either leave the bottom half straight and shiny or add a few loose curls, like this bride did at her fashionable Indian celebration in California.

14 of 20

Frame It With a Headband

Bride Wearing Gold Halo Headband and Tulle Wedding Dress — Photo by El Momento Perfecto

Another accessory idea that will elevate your half-up, half-down wedding hairstyle is a headband. Although there are an unlimited number of choices on the market, be sure to select one that complements your wedding dress and venue. For instance, this gold halo coordinated with the bride’s airy tulle gown.

15 of 20

Try Tousled Tresses

Back of Bride in Tulle Wedding Dress With Mountain Backdrop — Photo by Justine Milton

For bobs and lobs that don’t provide a lot of room to work with, tousled, effortless waves are a no-fail option for your half-up, half-down wedding hairstyle. Just a few curled strands, like this bride’s style at her natural micro-wedding in Canada, will imbue a touch of volume into your mane without obscuring your length.

16 of 20

Pin One Section Back

Bride in White Robe Drinking Champagne — Photo by Glorianna Chan

Looking for an unpredictable, statement-making twist on a half-up, half-down hairstyle? Rather than pulling back the entire top half of your hair, pin just one side. This iteration is a romantic, upscale look for hairstyles with a side part. To nail this exaggerated style and accentuate your hair length, we suggest clipping the side that falls closest to your part, which is what this bride did for her autumnal wedding in Atlanta.

17 of 20

Accessorize With a Beaded Clip

Bride in Beaded Wedding Dress Locking Eyes With Groom — Photo by Erica Streelman

If you want to incorporate a dazzling touch, polish off your ponytail with a beaded clip. The bedazzled piece will bring even more radiance to your locks. Bonus points if your dress is adorned with sequins, too, like the frock that this bride sported at her European-inspired wedding in California.

18 of 20

Form a Twist

Bride Turning Around With Curly Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyle — Photo by Kelley Williams Photography

Sometimes, a simple ponytail just doesn’t cut it. If you want your half-up, half-down hairstyle to feel infinitely more special, ask your hairstylist to form a twist at the crown of your head (like this bride chose for her traditional Mexican wedding in California). The intricate style channels the look and feel of a chignon without tying every strand back.

19 of 20

Include a High Bun

Bride in Long-Sleeved Lace Wedding Dress and Half Bun Twirling on the Beach — Photo by StudioLoveStyle

Another alternative to the standard ponytail that typically comprises half-up, half-down hairstyles is a top knot. Instead of letting the ponytail fall flat, twist it into a high bun. This easy-breezy look is the ultimate cool-girl hairstyle.

20 of 20

Top It With a Veil

Bride smiling in half up half down hairstyle — Photo by Mel Barlow & Co.

Half-up, half-down wedding hairstyles look stunning with a veil. Plus, the half-up portion provides a secure place for this accessory to rest. Combined with loose waves and a lace wedding dress, this look is regal and fairy-tale-worthy.

60 Romantic Hairstyles to Wear on Your Wedding Day