When should I get my hair cut before the wedding?

One to two weeks before the big day is perfect for a quick trim, but don't make any major changes at that time. Also, make sure your stylist knows how you'll be wearing your hair the day of your wedding.

Do I need to hire a hairstylist for the day of my wedding?

It depends on how comfortable you are with doing your own hair. Many brides find hiring a pro to be worth the cost because it's one less thing to worry about. Consider how intricate the look you're going for is and how much time you have to practice when making the decision.

37 Wedding-Worthy Hairstyles for Curly Hair

Bride getting ready — Photo by Lauren Baker

Curly-haired gals, please take note: You probably have no idea that your locks are basically the stuff of dreams right now. While you're spending your mornings fighting frizz and trying to tame your mane, brides everywhere are taking extreme measures to coax their hair into a coveted cloud of curls. And who can blame them? With all that texture, dimension, and personality, a luscious head of spirals and waves basically needs no styling. It carries its own style, organically. Take pride and take advantage!

For a bit of inspiration and tips to achieve the healthiest and glossiest ringlets, continue scrolling.

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Long Twist Outs in a Low Chignon Updo

Bride in white silk dress with red lip and long twist outs in low chignon with face framing pieces holding up wedding dress — Photo by Hugo Coelho; Event Planning by MUZA Weddings Concept; Hair by Afro Braids Hair Salon

Long twist outs lend a fresh feel to the traditional chignon. The thick spirals add a gorgeous texture that just ups the ante. We love how this beautiful bride paired the updo with a fierce side part and cluster of face-framing curls for her destination wedding in Portugal.

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Long Curls in an Updo and a Down 'Do

Smiling brunette bride in strapless lace dress with long curly hair holding hands with brunette bride with curly chignon bun and crystal hair vine halo — Photo by Natura Collective; Hair by Sheek Studio

These brides gorgeously showcase the versatile range of wedding hairstyles for curly hair. One let loose glossy curls cascade freely about her bare shoulders while the other tucked them into a curvy chignon with tons of volume at the crown. They unified their respective styles with matching floral hair vines for the whimsical Long Island City nuptials.

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Lob-Length Fro With Baby's Breath

Brunette bride with babys breath in naturally curly, lob-length afro sitting on bench in strapless wedding dress looking at bouquet — Photo by Clean Plate Pictures; Event Planning by Ben Knox; Hair by Jade Staton; Floral Design by Lewis Miller Design

Sometimes curls can be an accessory in themselves. Bride Janine embraced her soft, lob-length fro by opting for a dress that framed—rather than competed—with the 'do. A posie of baby's breath nestled just so was all she needed to complete the bridal look.

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Side-Swept Curls With Gold Floral Hairpiece

Brunette bride with lob-length curls pinned up on one side with large rose-gold floral hair piece looking down at bouquet — Photo by Samantha Clarke Photography

Vintage-inspired and totally cool, strategically placed pins keep hair out of your face and secure any style. This bride utilized the clip to sweep her generous curls up and over to one side while the rest fell freely about her face. We love this vertical iteration of conventional side-swept styles.

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Low Chignon Updo With Dimensional Highlights

Blonde bride in cape-sleeve wedding dress wearing curly hair in low chignon with dimensional highlights putting on rings — Photo by Sarah Falugo

Gather your ringlets in an elegant chignon for a twist (pun intended) on the traditional updo. The shape of each strand will add considerable volume and texture to the coif. We especially love the added dimension that this bride's highlights bring to the table.

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Relaxed Half-Up, Half-Down Style With French Braid and Veil

Forgo an updo but keep things secure with a romantic half-up style. Wavy tendrils are perfect for this relaxed, effortless vibe. This exuberant bride worked in a peekaboo French braid for added fun.

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Long, Loose Siren Waves

Red-haired bride in long sleeve lace wedding dress with loose, free-flowing curls — Photo by Cassie Rosch

We can't decide what we're more obsessed with: this beauty's relaxed and beachy curls or her gorgeous hair color. Keep the look casual by minimizing scalp oil, which can migrate down the hair shaft and flatten waves. Wash strands every other day—or the morning of your wedding.

Eliminate oil by shampooing the scalp and conditioning only the ends.

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Relaxed Low Bun With Floral Hairpiece

Brunette bride in silk long-sleeved dress wearing curly hair in messy bun with floral hairpiece touching foreheads with groom with curly man bun in black suit — Photo by Lauren Baker

This bride's floral barrette sits perfectly on her gathering of near-perfect coils. A breathtaking combination with her minimalist silk gown. We love how the groom sported a curly bun all his own.

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Voluminous Corkscrew Curls With Center Part

Brunette bride with big voluminous corkscrew curls with middle part in sheer plunging neckline wedding dress — Photo by Lauren Baker

The same gorgeous bride later freed her ample mane and changed into her second look for a jaw-dropping reception ensemble. The teased-out curls stand on there own when a more demure 'do would pale in comparison to the embellished dress. We're totally swooning over this disco vibe.

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Relaxed Low Bun With Veil

Brunette bride with curly hair in relaxed low bun and veil smiling up at groom in black tux while holding bouquet — Photo by REBECCA YALE; HAIR BY TRINE JUEL; VEIL BY GIRL AND A SERIOUS DREAM

An effortless, messy bun is perfect for brides who just want to keep it simple on their big day. And when it comes to this laid-back style, size doesn't matter. Small, minimalist knots look just as elegant and tender for a fairy tale wedding.

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Side-Parted Curly Lob

Play up your hair's natural texture for an effortless 'do. Curls can be unpredictable—sometimes they’re loose spirals; other times, they’re tighter corkscrews. Shampoo about every three days and two days before your wedding. Let your hair dry naturally, and don’t touch it—even when you’re adding styling products.

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Swept-Back Half-Up, Half-Down Style

Smiling red-haired bride with long curly hair in half-up half-down hairstyle standing in front of windows holding bouquet — Photo by Henry + Mac

This easygoing style was the ideal choice for this bride's organic summer wedding in Maine. Drench hair with oils high in fatty acids, like coconut, to deeply penetrate the hair shaft and loosen the coil. Then sweep the hair back into a soft gathering to let your beautiful features take center stage.

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Curly Asymmetric French Braid

Red-haired bride with curly hair in side-swept asymmetric french braid — Photo by Hair Romance

Play up your updo with a braid. We love the asymmetry of this style, giving the whole look a dose of playfulness. Instead of continuing the plait to the ends, secure it at the nape of the neck and leave the rest of the length fluffy and flirty.

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Mermaid Waves With Side Part

Laughing bride in sequin dress with side-parted curly hair standing in the sand — Photo by OLIVIA MARKLE

This mermaid hair moment is a showstopper for sure. Both tightly-wound coils and zig-zagged kinky curl patterns are enviably voluminous but prone to splitting. Look for ingredients like black-oat extract to smooth and prevent frayed ends and castor oil to strengthen and reduce frizz.

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Curly Lob With Fresh Blooms

Smiling brunette bride with curly lob accented with pink flowers holding bouquet in front of balcony overlooking the ocean — Photo by Monica Leggio

Pretty blooms are the perfect accessory to curly locks. Just ask this bride. The lush lob-length ringlets create a perfect anchor to nestle flowers into.

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High Messy Bun With Face-Framing Curls

Smiling brunette bride in floral robe with high messy bun looking in mirror — Photo by Kristen Curette

This bride tucked her coils away in a voluminous updo. The best part? This style is extremely secure and will stay in place through a night of dancing and celebration.

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Side-Parted Half-Up, Half-Down Style With Sunny Highlights

Smiling bride with side-parted, half-up half-down wavy hairstyle with dimensional sunny highlights — Photo by Ryon Lockhart

When in doubt, pull a few tendrils back to expose your features while letting the rest fall around your shoulders for a classic and sophisticated bridal moment. This beaming bride makes a solid case for the sweet style with honey-hued highlights calling attention to the natural wave pattern. Instead of brushing the hair straight back, she included a side part to the mix.

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Long, Soft Curls With Off-Center Part

Smiling blonde bride in lace a-line wedding dress with soft curls guiding blond groom through meadow — Photo by Tec Petaja

This bride's long, flowing spirals were the perfect complement to her light and airy dress. The whole look had a romantic and boho vibe that fit the mountainside nuptials nicely. We even notice a slightly off-center part that subtly reinforces the relaxed feel of it all.

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High, Curly Updo With Flower Accents

Brunette bride with high curly updo and draped flower accents laughing — Photo by Lauren Baker

The drapey flower stems that hang among these tendrils mimic the shape of the twists for an enchanted-garden-fairy feeling. We can't get enough of this whimsical 'do. The floral styling works exquisitely for cascading updos like this as well as cropped lengths.

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Playful Bouncy Ringlets With Center Part

Brunette bride with center-parted bouncy ringlets laughing while holding bouquet — BY A HEART STRING

This playful, curly lob is totally dreamy. It adds a touch of youthfulness and bounce to the overall aesthetic. We love how the center part accentuates the balanced symmetry of the square neckline.

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Voluminous Ponytail With Birdcage Veil

Brunette bride with voluminous curly ponytail in birdcage veil and strapless wedding dress holding bouquet — PHOTO BY KELLY GIARROCCO; EVENT PLANNING & FLORAL DESIGN BY LUM EVENTOS; HAIR & MAKEUP BY NATASHA BELLO KOSOKO OF GLOW BY TASHA

This curly ponytail is nothing short of epic. The generous spirals come together to create the fluffiest of glam updos. And that birdcage veil? *chef's kiss*

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Shoulder-Length Curls With Full Fringe and Veil

Brunette bride with tight, shoulder-length curls and fringe holding out long veil — Photo by Amy Anaiz; Event Planning by We Do! Collective by Fallon Carter; Hair by Modimel; Styling by Vainglorious Brides

Who says you can't let your mane run wild on your big day? We're head over heels for this beauty's curly mane. The hairstyle is larger than life and brimming with personality, much like the bride herself we assume.

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Pinned-Up Curly Updo With Bangs and Floral Hairpins

Brunette bride with curly pinned-up hair, bangs, and floral hairpins — Photo by Mashaida Co.; Event Planning by Lea Stafford Events; Hair by Goodbody

A head full of curls is amazing for holding a coif. This beauty pinned up her spirals in a stunning mass and scattered a few crystal hairpins for good measure. We love how her curly bangs gently graduate into the style for the most harmonious composition.

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Tousled, Perfectly Imperfect Bun

Red-haired bride in tiered lace wedding dress with tousled messy bun kissing blond groom with glasses in black tux — Photo by Katherine Ann Rose

Tousled waves are probably the most coveted of hair textures in the bridal space. So if you're lucky enough to come by them naturally, you're already winning. These impressive copper waves do all the work in creating the perfectly imperfect bun.

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Relaxed, Low Messy Bun With Flower Crown

Brunette with relaxed low Messy Bun with White and pink Flower Crown wearing plunging v-back dress — Photo by Volvoreta; Florals by María Salazar

Even the simplest of messy buns can be elevated by a gorgeous curl pattern. This effortless, low tuck is sweet as can be with those rogue tendrils spilling out to emphasize the deep v-back of the wedding dress. Topped with a tender flower crown of daisies and greenery, this look is pure magic.

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Long Rocker Curls With Full Fringe

Groom with bangs and curls kissing brunette bride with bangs and long rocker curls — Photo by Hailley Howard Photography; Event Planning by Jane in the Woods

We love a French fringe moment. While most curly girls tend to fear a full bang, this gorgeous bride proves that long curls and brow-grazing bangs go together like rock and roll. And if that's not enough, the groom is flaunting a curly, full-fringed shag of his own!

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Stacked Curly Updo With Face-Framing Spirals

Brunnette bride with curly hair pinned high atop her head touching noses with bald groom with beard — Photo by Luma Weddings

Take those curls to new heights by stacking them atop your head for a retro feel. This bride piled her ringlets in a gorgeous coif and let just a few scintillating spirals frame her sky-high cheekbones. If your nuptials are taking place in a hot or humid locale, this is the perfect style to give your neck some breathing room.

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Half-Up, Half-Down Ringlets With Fresh Blooms

Brunette bride in floral robe with long ringlets in half-up, half-down style with fresh roses tucked into hair — Photo by Gillespie Photography; Hair by Amy Merritt

These bountiful ringlets look absolutely captivating. The half-up, half-down style showcases all of their glory without weighing too heavily around the face. And those fresh blooms gracefully curving around the head? Heavenly.

If you’re accessorizing with flowers or jewelry, secure them with U-shaped hairpins, which hold more hair than bobby pins do.

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Sweetly Cropped Bob

Brunette bride with short curly bob wearing sweetheart neckline wedding dress and holding bouquet under tree with Spanish moss — Photo by Jessica Brees

The shorter the hair, the greater the volume. Curls seem to expand when untethered from the weight of longer hairstyles. This cropped bob is oh-so lovely, especially paired with the sweetheart neckline of the A-line gown.

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Retro Brushed-Out Waves With Dried Botanical Topper

Brunette bride with long retro brushed-out waves and dried flower crown holding bouquet in front of white-washed brick wall — Photo by Sarah Joy Photo

Natural texture and brushed-out curls take on a decidedly 70's vibe when kept to a single, long length. We love that the retro aesthetic was continued to the dreamy cape-sleeve gown and dusky bouquet. The topper of dried botanicals, in lieu of a more vibrant flower crown, further grounds the earthy look.

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Raked-Back Voluminous Messy Bun

Brunette bride with curls raked back into voluminous messy bun holding bouquet and smiling up at bearded groom in black suit — Photo by Lauren O'Brien

This big, raked-back bun seriously takes the cake. Just notice how lush and touchable those curls look. The major proportions of the updo create the perfect hold to secure a weighty, billowing veil into.

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Low Curly Chignon With White Roses and Greenery

Bride in lace dress with curly hair in low chignon with white rose tucked into the base — Photo by Elizabeth LaDuca Photography; Event Planning by Keri Ketterer Walter of Always Yours Events; Hair by My Big Hair Day

For a more refined approach, this similarly raked-back style drops the bun down to the nape of the neck. The elegant chignon is gorgeous on its own, but is further romanced by the addition of creamy white roses and greenery. The ethereal coif was a fitting choice for the garden-inspired New England backyard wedding.

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A Wind-Swept Wavy Lob and Curly Shag

Brides with curly shag and windswept waves in winter coats sitting on urban stoop — Photo by Krisanne Johnson

Curly brides, two ways. These gorgeous ladies are proof of the beauty in any curl pattern. We can't decide which we love more: the classic wavy lob or the cool curly shag.

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Long Spirals With a Full Bang, Fluffy Flower Crown, and Veil

Smiling brunette bride with long curly hair and bangs wearing big flower crown and veil — Photo by Love and Wolves; Event Planning by Heartthrob Weddings and Events; Hair & Makeup by Valerie Harvey of Mohawk Makeup & Kerrie Urban of The Wall Group

Can't decide between a veil or a flower crown? You don't have to. This stunning bride proves that long spirals (and a curly full bang!) look delightful with a whimsical flower crown and cascading veil combo.

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Long Bohemian Waves With Side Part

Blonde bride with long relaxed boho waves and side part dancing — Photo by Rach Loves Troy

Let your waves flow freely for an unfussy look. This boho style was made for tossing those locks around while you get your groove on. Soft, bouncy curls are the perfect option for radiant romantic brides like this.

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Relaxed and Glossy Low Chignon With Veil

Bride with curly hair in smooth low chignon and veil holding hands with laughing groom in black tux in front of altar — Photo by Gaby J Photography; Event Planning by Scheme Events; Hair by Amelia C & Co.

Glossy spirals like these were made to be showcased. The low woven chignon proudly puts them on display, shining a spotlight on the undulating waves. We're obsessed with the frothy veil spilling out from beneath the coif in the most angelic fashion.

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Voluminous Curly Lob With Big Blooms

Brunette bride with flower-adorned curly lob and bangs kissing bald groom in black suit — Photo by Two Twenty by Chi Chi

Two romantic blooms play up this bride's natural curls. To care for natural coils and kinks, you need to shampoo only about once a week. During the week (and after working out), refresh with a co-wash, which cleanses while keeping natural oils intact. Detangle wet hair with a wide-tooth comb, and protect your curls by drying with a microfiber towel instead of a coarse terry cloth one.

FAQ

When should I get my hair cut before the wedding?

One to two weeks before the big day is perfect for a quick trim, but don't make any major changes at that time. Also, make sure your stylist knows how you'll be wearing your hair the day of your wedding.
Do I need to hire a hairstylist for the day of my wedding?

It depends on how comfortable you are with doing your own hair. Many brides find hiring a pro to be worth the cost because it's one less thing to worry about. Consider how intricate the look you're going for is and how much time you have to practice when making the decision.