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Pretty Wedding Hairstyles for Your Bridesmaids

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Pretty Wedding Hairstyles for Your Bridesmaids

By Allison Fox

November 11, 2015

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Michael Radford

The best hairstyles for your bridesmaids, since the bridal party's look doesn't stop at the dress.

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Credit: Michael Radford

Get the Best of Wedding Beauty

You've asked your closest girlfriends to stand with you on the big day, and now you want to make sure they look and feel beautiful from head to toe. A hairstyle can be the finishing touch that keeps your girls in sync even if they're wearing mismatching bridesmaids' dresses. Or, vice versa, hairstyles can offer individuality—mismatched 'dos are a cool option, too. Either way, you may want to have a say in how your ladies wear their tresses. Bridesmaid hairstyles run the gamut from modern, wavy blowouts to natural, flowing locks topped with flower crowns. You can even ask your 'maids to give their favorite hairstyle a wedding-worthy upgrade with chic accessories. The options are endless.

In search of hairstyle inspiration for your bridesmaids? You can't go wrong with any of these looks. From buns to bombshell waves and everything in between, we've got plenty of ideas to bring to the hairdresser's chair. Get your beauty wheels turning by clicking through our favorite wedding hairstyles for 'maids here! Hey, they might even inspire your bridal hairdo—they're seriously that stunning. Give snapshots of your favorites to the stylist you've booked so that they can practice if they've never done them before. Or, share them with your squad via text—we doubt they'll protest these pretty options!

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Sleek and Straight

Credit: Ether and Smith

Many women turn to curls for big events, but why not embrace naturally-straight hair? Alternatively, wavy-haired 'maids might want to switch their typical look up by using a flatiron.

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Short and Braided

Credit: Rebecca Yale Photography

This bridesmaid wore a tight braid and loose ribbon curls.

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Loose Braids

Credit: Katie Grant Photography

Short hair can be braided, too! Opt for a purposely-messy style to account for hairs that won't stay put.

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Dynamic Duo

Credit: Sorella Muse

We love how these beautiful bridesmaid hairdos contrasted with the bride's own style.

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Bombshell Waves

Credit: Lauren Peele Photography

Go full-blown glam with bombshell waves, and your bridesmaids will be radiating confidence.

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Twisted to the Side

Credit: Marissa Lambert Photography

This bridesmaid's simple updo was accented with a thick side twist. The style adds more volume to the look and is an easier alternative to a side braid.

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Mixed Updos

Credit: Clayton Austin

These bridesmaids all wore updos, but they didn't lose their personal style. Different women wore different hairstyles for a not-quite-matching look.

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Half Ponytails

Credit: 2 Brides Photography

See Brides Who Wore Wedding-Worthy Ponytails

For something casual but still pretty, try this half-up, half-down style. These 'maids' hairstyles were effortlessly beautiful thanks to simple, mini ponytails.

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Ribbon Crowns

Credit: Brumley & Wells

To make your girls' flower crowns extra unique, tie them in the back with ribbons.

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Any Which Way

Credit: Michael Radford

These glowing 'maids wore a range of hairstyles, which were just as beautiful as their range of pastel dresses.

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Matching the Bride

Credit: Rebecca Yale Photography

Tradition had it that bridesmaids were supposed to match the bride. If you're not set on assigning them white dresses, consider having their hair mimic yours.

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Pulled Back

Credit: Katie Grant Photography

The ladies in this bridal party stuck with a classic half-up, half-down style.

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Side-Braided Buns

Credit: Aria Studios

Braids and buns go together gorgeously. For bridesmaids with short hair, keep the side braid, but eschew the updo.

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Completely Down

Credit: Kristen Kilpatrick

Go Inside This Fiesta-Inspired Wedding

Each bridesmaid in this entourage wore their hair down. Their beauty looks appeared totally effortless as a result.

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Sky High

Credit: Awake Photography

This bridesmaid's hair had plenty of volume thanks to a teased updo.

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Creative Parts

Credit: Peaches with Honey

Playing with parts is a fun way to let your hair make a wedding-worthy statement.

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Braided Up Top

Credit: Amalie Orrange Photography

Braids above the forehead pull hair back while still allowing it to be worn down. They're also genius for taming bangs that may be growing out.

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Side-Clipped

Credit: Greg Finck

This clipped-back style works great for longer bangs, or just to keep strands out of bridesmaids' faces.

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Bumped Up

Credit: Melissa Jill Photography

A bumped-up look is an easy way to elevate a typical half-up, half-down style. Anna Nuet created these hairstyles.

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Twisted with Flowers

Credit: Lauren Peele Photography

Instead of a flower crown, try inserting stems into an intricate and ethereal braided look.

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Fishtail Braids

Credit: Michelle Lange Photography

For brides sick of the standard French braid, consider a fishtail look instead. We love it worn to the side for a relaxed, slightly-undone vibe.

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Voluminous Updos

Credit: Rebecca Hollis Photography

Who doesn't want a little volume on the big day? Full updos look great with face-framing tendrils.

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Side-Swept and Down

Credit: Jenny Haas

Go Inside This Colorful Wedding

Each of these bridesmaids sported loose, wavy locks, which they draped over one shoulder.

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Thick Braided Crowns

Credit: Rebecca Yale Photography

We have a soft spot for a classic milkmaid-inspired braid. It's a pretty hairstyle option for bridesmaids, especially at an outdoor wedding when they'd like to keep their hair in place.

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Pulled Back and Twisted

Credit: Sawyer Baird

This 'maid's hair had tons of texture, and her wrapped and twisted strands were especially elegant.

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Opposites Attract

Credit: Jake & Heather

Matching dresses meant these 'maids could sport totally different hair.

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Down and Braided

Credit: Rebecca Yale Photography

This braided look keeps hair off of the face, while also showcasing any earrings you've picked out.

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Mixed and Matched

Credit: Christine Doneé

Find Out What Your Wedding Hairstyle Says About You

At this wedding, some bridesmaids donned braids, others wore twists, and one put a flower in her hair.

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Pretty Wedding Hairstyles for Your Bridesmaids

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Sleek and Straight

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Short and Braided

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Loose Braids

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Dynamic Duo

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Bombshell Waves

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Twisted to the Side

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Mixed Updos

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Half Ponytails

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Ribbon Crowns

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Any Which Way

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Matching the Bride

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Pulled Back

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Side-Braided Buns

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Completely Down

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Sky High

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Creative Parts

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Braided Up Top

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Side-Clipped

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Bumped Up

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Twisted with Flowers

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Fishtail Braids

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Voluminous Updos

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Side-Swept and Down

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Thick Braided Crowns

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Pulled Back and Twisted

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