15 Reasons to Wear Your Hair Down at the Wedding

These real brides may convince you to go with this more-relaxed look.

While many brides choose to don romantic updos, classic low chignons, or boho-chic braided 'dos, we've seen a rise in popularity for wearing your hair down at the wedding.

smokey-eye-makeup-and-curly-hair
Photo: Mike Larson Photography

Once you've selected your wedding dress and accessories, it's time to start thinking about how you'll wear your hair for the ceremony and reception. While many brides choose to don romantic updos, classic low chignons, or boho-chic braided 'dos, we've seen a rise in popularity for wearing your hair down at the wedding. 

Choosing to don long locks for the celebration doesn't mean your look needs to be laid-back. Wearing your hair down can be perfect for a backyard garden soirée or even a formal city fête – it's all in the styling. Some brides decide to wear their tresses in loose waves, tight curls, or even mostly straight with a slight curl to add some visual interest. Looser curls can be fitting for a boho-chic celebration, while more structured curls are ideal for a formal event. If you're worried about your hair getting in your face throughout the night, pull a few strands back and secure with a sparkling headpiece or even a few hidden bobby pins. Some brides even have their hairstylist on call to transition their look from ceremony to reception! Whether you want to look reminiscent of Old Hollywood or stay true to a glam version of your everyday hairstyle, be sure to speak with your hairstylist during your trial to ensure you'll be thrilled with your look on the day of the nuptials – as well as the photos for years to come.

Take a look at 15 real brides who wore their hair down for wedding beauty inspiration, below! To see more from these gorgeous weddings, click each photo!

Relaxed wedding hairstyle brunette long locks worn down loose curls

Photo by Brandon Chesbro

bride with pretty brown brunette hair looking out window loose curls long hair worn down

Photo by Adam Barnes; Bridal Salon: Carine’s Bridal Atelier

Bride with groom in colombia destination wedding hair worn down curls

Photo by Elizabeth Fogarty

Amy Crawford wedding to gerrit cole blonde hair worn down headpiece

Photo by Chard Photo; Bridal Salon: The White Dress

pretty brunette bride with hair worn down at wedding reception

Photo by Joe Buissink Photography; Floral Design by White Lilac Inc. 

George Springer III baseball player with bride hair worn down brunette long locks

Photo by Brett Hickman Photographers; Bridal Salon: Bridal Reflections; Bridal Stylist: Dear Maradee; Planning & Design by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants

pretty blonde bride with hair worn down and pulled away from face with headpiece

Photo by Studio This Is

Daughters of Simone designer getting ready for wedding with long blonde hair worn down relaxed hairstyle

Photo by Lilly Red Creative

brunette wedding day hairstyle long curly hair worn down

Photo by Erika Delgado Photography

suzanna villarreal wedding day long blonde hair worn down relaxed wedding hairstyle

Photo by Jordan Voth Photography; Floral Design by Jackson Durham Events

bride looking out window with long blonde hair worn down for wedding day hairstyle

Photo by Peter Gubernat Photography; Bridal Salon: Dimitra’s Bridal Couture

pretty blonde bride with hair worn down in loose glamorous curls off shoulder wedding dress

Photo by Robert Evans for 5th Avenue Digital; Bridal Salon: Mark Ingram Atelier

bride with long dark hair worn down in loose glamorous curls at vibiana wedding venue

Photo by Lin & Jirsa; Venue: Vibiana

For more ideas and advice, discover the secret to having long, healthy hair on your wedding day, view pretty wedding hairstyles for brides with long hair, and gather more hair and makeup advice here.