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60+ Half Up Half Down Wedding Hairstyles with Tips & Tutorial 2025

Half Up Half Down Hair Guide 2023

Apart from those stunning wedding updos, there’s still another popular bridal hairstyle in the world – the half up half down hairstyles.
This is a versatile style with endless possibilities, half up half down hair goes great with veils and hair accessories, but works equally well with braided hairstyles, fresh flowers, and mini twists.
So, to help you choose what to do with your half up half down tresses, we’ve got some gorgeous wedding hair inspiration to help you decide…

half up half down wedding hairstyles

Medium Length

If you have medium length hair, you’re in luck! The style options are endless. You can wear your hair up or down, depending on the occasion and mood. If you’re going for a more formal look, we recommend wearing it half up and half down—it’s a very classic look that looks great on everyone!

half up half down hairstyles for wedding medium length

half up half down wedding hairstyles simple curly swept on long bob beautybyemmaschafer
half up half down wedding hairstyles simple curly swept on long bob beautybyemmaschafer

half up half down wedding hairstyles simple swept for short hair sarahlongworthphotographer
half up half down wedding hairstyles simple swept for short hair sarahlongworthphotographer

medium length half up half down wedding hairstyle

Elegant & Classic Hair Styles

Classic half up half down bridal hairstyles are a timeless look that any bride can pull off. They’re great for showing off curls and waves, and they’re easy enough to style in minutes. The only downside? You may be tempted to wear this every day!

classic braided half up half down long hairstyle zhanna_syniavska

classic braided half up half down wedding hairstyle via shannonsarabridalhair

mpobedinskaya half up half down wedding hairstyles
mpobedinskaya half up half down wedding hairstyles
Elstile half up half down long wedding hairstyles 3
Source: Elstile

Vintage

For this vintage half up half down hairstyle, you’ll want to start with clean and dry hair. To get the look, use a curling iron or hot rollers on all of your hair. Once it is curled, pull back one side of your hair into a high ponytail. Then, twist the rest of your hair around that ponytail holder and secure it with an elastic band (or two). Now you’re done!

half up half down bridal hairstyle with pearls

mpobedinskaya half up half down wedding hairstyles
mpobedinskaya half up half down wedding hairstyles

Long half up half down wedding hairstyles from mpobedinskaya
Long half up half down wedding hairstyles from mpobedinskaya

Long half up half down wedding hairstyles from mpobedinskaya
Long half up half down wedding hairstyles from mpobedinskaya

Casual

Casual half up hairstyles are a great option for those who want to look stylish, but don’t want to wear their hair slicked back or up in any way that might be considered formal. You can still have your long and curly tresses down, but you’ll be able to keep it looking fresh by keeping the top half of your head free from product or styling products and then tying the rest into a low bun on the side of your head. This will give you a beautiful look without having to worry about any frizziness later on in the day when it gets hot out!

half up half down wedding hairstyles elegant

long wedding hairstyle with gorgeous side braid
long wedding hairstyle with gorgeous side braid

wedding hairstyle idea Via Hair and Make-up by Steph
wedding hairstyle idea Via Hair and Make-up by Steph

half up half down wedding hairstyles via heidimariegarrett
half up half down wedding hairstyles via heidimariegarrett

Bohemian

When you want to add a bit of flair to your half up/half down hairstyle for wedding, consider braiding it. You can choose between fishtail and French braid styles, both of which are easy-to-do and elegant. If you’re not sure how to do them, there are plenty of tutorials online—just Google “how to french braid” or “how to fishtail braid.” Once you’ve got the technique down pat, here’s what else you need:

  • A hair tie (or two)
  • A flower or other accessory (optional)
  • A headband (optional)
half up half down wedding hairstyles via emmas_parlour
Source: Art4studio

half up half down wedding hairstyles via hairby_chrissy
Credits: Hairstyle ideas from Chrissy Rasmussen

half up half down wedding hairstyles via glambytoriebliss
Credits: Hairstyle ideas from Glam By Torie Bliss

Messy Wedding Hair Styles

If you want to go for a look that’s easy to achieve but still unique, messy styles are perfect for you. These messy half up half down hairstyles are great for all hair types and can be worn on their own or combined with other elements of your wedding day look. Here are some ideas on how to style your hair in this fashion:

  • Use bobby pins or clips to create top knots at the back of the head
  • Tousle curls loosely across the crown of your head with fingers and/or a brush (depending on how long your locks are)
  • Create loose waves using an iron or curling tongs (depending on how thick your locks are)
my_wedmakeup half up half down wedding hairstyles
my_wedmakeup half up half down wedding hairstyles

Half up half down wedding hairstyles from julia_alesionok
Half up half down wedding hairstyles from julia_alesionok

belaya_lyudmila half up half down wedding hairstyles
belaya_lyudmila half up half down wedding hairstyles

Modern

This is a great style for brides with long hair and voluminous curls. It’s romantic, sexy, and stunning. If you have short hair, don’t worry—you can still pull off this look! The secret to making it work is using a curling wand on wet hair (like we did in the photo above). This creates loose waves that cascade down your back.

To get this look:

  • Use a curling wand with 1-inch barrel to create loose waves at the top of your head. Set these curls with hairspray before moving onto step 2.* Next take sections 1-3 inches wide at the crown of your head and pin them up loosely using bobby pins held by a strong hold hairspray like Floral Drops by Bumble & Bumble.* Make sure that each section is pinned so all of them fall just behind one another.* You’ll want to leave some pieces out in front as well since that’s where most of your volume will come from!

That’s all there is too it! Try adding some texture spray for extra definition and volume for an added touch (like we did).

long half up half down wedding hairstyle from hairbyhannahtaylor
long half up half down wedding hairstyle from hairbyhannahtaylor

hairbyhannahtaylor half up half down wedding hairstyles
hairbyhannahtaylor half up half down wedding hairstyles

Half up half down wedding hairstyles from julia_alesionok
Half up half down wedding hairstyles from julia_alesionok

Half Up Half Down With Wedding Veil

A veil is the ultimate way to add a little drama to your wedding day look. You can wear it in different ways and styles, like half up half down or with an updo. A veil that matches your dress perfectly will make you feel like a princess!

half up half down wedding hairstyle with veil
half up half down wedding hairstyle with veil

half up half down wedding hairstyles curly vith veil ulyana.aster

half up half down long wedding hairstyle with veil
half up half down long wedding hairstyle with veil

Hairstyles with Halo Or Hair Vine

Hair vines are a unique idea for weddings that can give you inspiration for your bouquet and other preparations. There is a myriad of hair vines that you can choose from for your big day. From romantic and romantic-but-elegant, to bright and trendy and funky, you can find a hair vine that fits your event.

Half up half down wedding hairstyles from julia_alesionok
Half up half down wedding hairstyles from julia_alesionok

mpobedinskaya half up half down wedding hairstyles
mpobedinskaya half up half down wedding hairstyles

Long half up half down wedding hairstyles from mpobedinskaya
Long half up half down wedding hairstyles from mpobedinskaya

Hairstyles With Hairpiece

Half up half down wedding hairstyles for girls can be done in many different ways, and the hairpiece can also be cut in a variety of styles to go with the look.

Wavy Wedding Hairstyles for Long Hair
Wavy Wedding Hairstyles for Long Hair

Long half up half down wedding hairstyles from mpobedinskaya
Long half up half down wedding hairstyles from mpobedinskaya

Ulyana Aster messy half up half down wedding hairstyle
Credits: Hairstyle from Ulyana Aster

half up half down wedding hairstyle via LottieDaDesigns
Boho Gold or Silver Flower Leaf Hair Vine Wedding Headpiece, Wire Hair comb, Wedding Gold Hair vine leaves, Boho Headpiece
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Wedding Hairstyles With Fresh Flowers

Placing fresh flowers, blossoms, or greenery on half up wedding hairstyles is a perfect way to add a touch of beauty and elegance to your big day.

long half up half down wedding hairstyle from hairbyhannahtaylor
long half up half down wedding hairstyle from hairbyhannahtaylor

Gorgeous Half-Up Half-Down Hairstyles with Pastel Yellow and Pink Roses
Gorgeous Half-Up Half-Down Hairstyles with Pastel Yellow and Pink Roses

Classy Rustic Half Up Half Down Wavy Wedding Hairstyle with Flowers
Classy Rustic Half Up Half Down Wavy Wedding Hairstyle with Flowers

Hairstyles For Thin Hair

How is it that some women look amazing in their wedding dress despite having thin hair? For many, the answer is a good wedding hairstyle. In order to get the volume and sleek look that some thin-haired women do, you may want to consider half-up/half-down hairstyles for your wedding.

hairbyhannahtaylor half up half down wedding hairstyles
hairbyhannahtaylor half up half down wedding hairstyles

hairbyhannahtaylor half up half down wedding hairstyles
hairbyhannahtaylor half up half down wedding hairstyles

Hair and Makeup by Steph half up half down wedding hairstyle
Hair and Makeup by Steph half up half down wedding hairstyle

Black Hair Half Up Hairstyles

The sleekness and shine of black hair are something to be noticed, so work with that. The brides that have dark hair have smooth Hollywood waves that are slicked back with a bridal comb.

Most inspiration photos on Pinterest are blonde hair, so I advise that you find a style of one with the same hair color as your own and add a good haircare routine.

Long half up half down wedding hairstyles from mpobedinskaya
Long half up half down wedding hairstyles from mpobedinskaya

Half up half down wedding hairstyles from Heidi Marie Garrett
Hairstyle from Heidi Marie Garrett

Half up half down wedding hairstyles from julia_alesionok
Half up half down wedding hairstyles from julia_alesionok

Braided

This hairstyle is elegant and has the perfect balance of sophistication and natural beauty. The braided half up half down lets you spend less time on your hair during the styling process as well. All you need to do is add a few braids before you let them down and bunch them in the bun. Next, you can pull the braids into a half up and then divide them into two. Lastly, you can divide the rest of the braids into two and tie them in a bow.

belaya_lyudmila half up half down wedding hairstyles
belaya_lyudmila half up half down wedding hairstyles

long half up half down wedding hairstyle from hairbyhannahtaylor
long half up half down wedding hairstyle from hairbyhannahtaylor

Half up half down wedding hairstyles from Heidi Marie Garrett

Side Swept Styles

Curly Bridal Half-Updo. Brides can choose from a variety of long hair wedding hairstyles that are half-up. The hair styles can be elegant or with curls, and you will look great either way. If you would like to incorporate a hairpiece into your hair. Generally speaking, this will be achievable with most hair lengths, long, medium, or short.

These clips look great on any type of hair, but are even more stylish on curly hair. So, you might consider adding curls to your half-updo. It is great to have low-cut curls on the back. The clip has curls that bring them together on top, or a slightly messy low bouffant.

Dresses with low cuts back and plunging necklines will go well with this look.

half up half down long cur;ly wedding hairstyle with flower
half up half down long cur;ly wedding hairstyle with flower

down wedding hairstyle idea via Elstile
down wedding hairstyle idea via Elstile

Half up half down wedding hairstyles from julia_alesionok
Half up half down wedding hairstyles from julia_alesionok

Simple Twists Hairstyles

There is a great deal to do with twists, which would work well for long or short wedding hairstyles. With a little a bit of imaginative thinking, perhaps interesting color solutions or hair jewelry. Your twisted hair can be transformed into a masterpiece. Twists would look great on the bohemian and rustic bride.

Brides who opt for an outdoor wedding. This creates a laidback, casual vibe that contributes to the overall theme of the wedding. The hairstyle will work with many different bridal gowns. Pulled back from the front, sectioned, or in a central part. Make sure you keep in mind the style of your dress when styling the twist.

mpobedinskaya half up half down wedding hairstyles
mpobedinskaya half up half down wedding hairstyles

Half up half down wedding hairstyles from Heidi Marie Garrett
Half up half down wedding hairstyles from Heidi Marie Garrett 9

Half up half down wedding hairstyles from Heidi Marie Garrett
Half up half down wedding hairstyles from Heidi Marie Garrett 5

Half up half down wedding hairstyles from Heidi Marie Garrett
Half up half down wedding hairstyles from Heidi Marie Garrett 7

Wedding Half Ponytail

Hairstyles such as half-up ponytails, curly and curly, can be beautiful for a wedding. Classic or traditional weddings can feature this style of hairstyle. One with maybe a ballroom theme, complete with the ball gown. It is easiest to achieve a hairstyle when you have long hair, and brides with shorter hair can easily achieve this with added hair extensions.

mpobedinskaya half up half down wedding hairstyles
mpobedinskaya half up half down wedding hairstyles

half up half down wedding hairstyle via Denise Lin Photography
half up half down wedding hairstyle via Denise Lin Photography

Face Framing Curls Ideas

With a half updo, the bride can also opt for face-frameing hairstyles for weddings. You can part your hair at the middle of the body or at the side. Depending on which best fits the shape of your face, and this will make it easier.

Part it all the way down halfway or even by an inch or two. Pull your hair loosely from the sides to the back. Making sure the picture frames the face.

You can also loosen some wispy tendrils for a cute effect. You can hold the top half in a low or high ponytail or braid. Let the rest of the hair fall naturally. For long hair, this is an ideal wedding hairstyle to choose from.

long pulled back loose waves wedding hairstyle
long pulled back loose waves wedding hairstyle

half up half down wedding hairstyles long curls ulyana.aster
half up half down wedding hairstyles long curls ulyana.aster

Half Up Half Down Wedding Hairstyles for Long Hair
Half Up Half Down Wedding Hairstyles for Long Hair

half up half down wedding hairstyle with pretty hairpieces
half up half down wedding hairstyle with pretty hairpieces

FAQs

What is the hairstyle called Half up half down?

This is where easy half-up hairstyles come into play and are absolutely perfect for anyone who’s feeling indecisive! This particular hairstyle is more or less what the name suggests: tie up the top half of your hair into a topknot or ponytail, while the lower half can cascade down your back or be swept to the side.

Should I wear my hair up or down for the wedding? 

Choose what suits the neckline of your wedding dress. But the most important factor in deciding is your comfort. Focus on the bridal beauty look you feel best in.

How do you style your hair half-up, half-down for your wedding?

Whether you’re pinning it back or adding flowers to push your hair up, there are countless ways to style a half-updo for your wedding day.

How to wear a veil with a half up half down hairstyle?

The veil should be attached right above where your hair intersects in the back or to the bottom half of the style. The hairstyle and veil should rest at the crown of your head (not too high and not too low). Add some fresh flowers or sparkly accessory to the top of the veil to complete the wedding look.

Tutorial

DIY Wedding Hairstyle - Twisted crown braid half up half down hairstyle
DIY Wedding Hairstyle – Twisted crown braid half up half down hairstyle

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21 Comments
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    Great post!

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    I absolutely love these styles! Formally up but beautifully down. Stunning.

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