39 Ways to Wear Your Hair Down for Your Wedding

For every bride who dreams of wearing her hair in a dramatic updo on the big day, there's another who decides to let loose and wear her hair down. While these hairstyles might seem simple or even casual, there are so many ways to make them your own and appropriate for an event as special as a wedding. To prove our point, we're sharing a wide range stunning hairstyles from the bride's featured in our real weddings—each and every one proves that wearing your hair down on the wedding day is a very good idea.

Whether you have chin-length hair or long, luscious long waves, there's a way to wear your hair down on the wedding day that'll work for you. If you like the idea of doing something understated and simple, consider loose, wind-swept waves, a look favored by so many women in the slides ahead as well as the glowing bride featured right here. Toni Yvette and DT Hair helped her achieve perfectly tousled waves, and that soft, unstructured texture perfectly matched the ethereal vibe of her wedding dress.

Wearing your hair down is a good option if you plan to add a stunning accessory to your look. Whether it's a vintage barrette or comb that's been passed down through multiple generations, a classic veil, or a statement headband, you'll find that they're often easiest to incorporate (and ultimately remove, should you want to switch up your beauty look halfway through the day) when your hair is down. 

From long, straight styles and loose waves to intricately coiffed Old-Hollywood-inspired curls, there are so many different ways to wear your hair down on the wedding day. If you're on the hunt for inspiration, you've come to the right place. Bookmark your favorite styles, then share them with your hairstylist at your big-day hair trial—you can thank us (and these stylish brides) later.

If you're team middle part, don't feel like you have to give it up on your wedding day. This hairstyle, which was carefully coiffed by Aimee Gupta, proves that simple, elegant waves and a center part are entirely appropriate for the wedding day.

Hair accessories are an easy way to take your signature hairstyle to the next level on your wedding day. Here, Fascio Hair helped take the bride's soft waves into bridal territory by adding two sparkling barrettes.

For more volume, try a side-swept part. Monique Gaffney pulled this bride's cascading curls to one side on the wedding day, creating lots of movement and body.

Old-Hollywood curls definitely work on the wedding day, especially when they're paired with a stunning high-neck wedding dress a bold red lip. Created by Caitlyn Meyer, this beautiful look definitely makes the case for wearing your hair down on the big day.

Carla Sorenson Farmer Jackson added super-soft waves to this bride's hair; the simple-yet-sophisticated style played beautifully with her gown's neckline.

Both brides wore their hair down for their ceremony, one opting for a bouncy blowout while the other chose long, loose waves. Page Beauty created both looks.

You know your hair better than anyone else, so if you feel confident in your styling abilities, make like the bride seen here and craft your own big-day look. She left the bulk of hair down in waves but pulled back one side to bring focus to her face, creating a fun, glamorous, and very functional style.

A small section of hair towards the front of the bride's face was pulled back, creating a romantic look that was just right for an outdoor celebration.

Tokuyama Salon created casual, simple waves for this bride, which offset her classic wedding dress.

This gorgeous bride is proof that, when it comes to your hair, less really can be more. She wore her hair down in its natural curl pattern, letting her bangs frame her face. She also accessorized with a veil for the ceremony.

Lia of Nika Vaughan Bridal Artists added three clips to this bride's stunning curled hairstyle—the addition of shimmering hairpieces was all that was needed to make this look entirely wedding-worthy.

The bride's hair, styled by Latanya Gray, featured effortless, bouncy waves; the soft hairstyle beautifully complemented her jumpsuit.

The bride did her own hair, choosing to wear it down and in long curls for a casual, natural feel.

Gina Ribando of In Full Detail Hair amped up this bride's wavy hairstyle with the addition of a gorgeous, knot-inspired hairpiece by Lelet NY.

Uzma from Makeup by Ana B. created long, effortless waves for this bride. Tucking a few pieces of hair behind one ear allowed the her face to take center stage.

To match the volume of the bride's floral wedding dress, Amanda Gros coiffed her hair into voluminous, romantic waves.

Holding back a portion of your hair is especially important if you're tying the knot on the beach—strong breezes can make keeping your hair in place a challenge. To combat the wind, Duality Artistry styled the bride's hair with a glittering comb, which beautifully accented her long curls.

The jury is still out on whether a deep side part is still officially "in," but if this bride's modern-meets-glam look, crafted by Carol Kaledzera, is any indication, there's absolutely no reason to adopt a middle part now.

With a striking middle part and loads of volume, this bride's short yet impactful hairstyle was simply breathtaking and the perfect subtle complement to her floral wedding dress.

Simple, loose waves is what so many brides want, and for good reason: It just works. The Queen's Bees created this perfectly tousled style.

Love is in the Hair created this effortless look for the bride, which featured tousled layers that just-touched the bride's face.

El Wynn & Cass created this stunning bridal look. With perfect curls, the simple hairstyle complemented the bride's detailed gown.

Model Chrissy Teigen wed singer John Legend in a white Vera Wang gown with upswept hair, then changed to this bright-red number (also by Wang) and a long, flowing hairstyle by Juan Carlos Maciques of See Management for Rita Hazan Salon to hit the dance floor.

This Nashville bride matched her gown's simple lines with a gentle half updo by Kristin Russell of Green Pea Salon.

The bride knew she wanted to balance her spectacular custom gown with an effortless, barely wavy look styled by Amy Clarke and Beauty by Melina—and accessorized with a jeweled barrette she hopes will become a family heirloom.

Channeling Grace Kelly, the bride's vintage 1950s flip, styled by Kim Westwood, topped a similarly classic strapless, modified A-line gown with a sweetheart neckline.

The bride said she wanted her wedding to "be a place we would want to hang out and let our hair down"—so she did exactly that in a free-form style, created by Jessica Cook, over her white lace Houghton gown.

The glowing bride topped her abundant curls with a floral headpiece of balsa wood flowers, acacia, leucadendron, waxflower, and seeded eucalyptus, adorned with a small faux bird.

When the bride's husband-to-be surprised her by proposing and wedding her on the same day, her daughters styled her shoulder-length blonde hair into soft, natural waves.

For her nuptials, the bride wore a lace Marchesa gown and had her long hair braided into a partial updo by Jennie Kay Beauty, then topped it with a floral crown.

This classic Southern bride, in a Monique Lhuillier blush silk gown, opted for leaving her blonde hair unadorned, with soft spirals styled by MiKel Rumsey.

The bride said her Oscar de la Renta gown reminded her of The Princess Bride, and Mitchell Rodrigues at Wonderland Beauty Parlor completed the look with generous fairly-tale waves.

For a colorful and casual backyard wedding, natural hair was the perfect touch.

This Santa Monica bride channeled a retro Hollywood vibe with a 1940s sideswept style, by Fiore Beauty, over her sleek sheath.

In keeping with her wedding's modern gourmet style, this bride crowned her elegantly simple gown with the veil from her mother's nuptials and a sleek, nearly straight hairstyle by Jessie Riley and Jeff Chastain of Jeff Chastain Parlor.

After holding a traditional Indian wedding (for which she put her hair up), the bride switched gowns and had hairdresser Max Sanchez of White Salon and Spa style her long hair into loose curls.

For her "formal rustic" wedding to actor Donald Faison, both CaCee and maid of honor Jessica Simpson opted for classic golden ringlets styled by Roque.

The bride wore her sun-kissed tresses in a wavy, side-swept style—crowned only with a simple wreath of bay leaves and ocean spray roses—for her Hawaii destination.