30 Fresh and Gorgeous Wedding Hairstyles for Short Hair
These looks will tempt you to try that bob you've always wanted.
Whether you're a classicist, a bohemian spirit, a bold beauty, or a modern romantic, short hair is no reason to limit yourself when it comes to thinking about wedding day hair. Don't think of your look for your wedding day any differently than you would an evening out—stick to effortlessness, ease, or edge; find inspiration on the red carpet and the runways for a look that's beyond your classic chignon or the all-too-common overdone bridal tresses.
If you're rocking a bob or a pixie on the daily, skip the extensions for the aisle in favor of a look better suited to your look at your (natural) best. Whether your wedding day wardrobe calls for daytime chic or is a black tie affair, choose what works for you and show one of these key looks to your stylist. Here, all the hair inspiration you'll need for a bridal look that will wow—without requiring long locks.
Pictured above: Lela Rose Bridal Spring 2020
Barrette Babe
Embrace your above-shoulder bob with a middle part and some fancy barrettes. Crystal embellished pins inserted at a diagonal to one side above and behind the ear create interest against soft, easy waves.
Get the look: Kenneth Jay Lane hair slides, $95 SHOP NOW
Curl Craze
Embrace your natural curls on the wedding day, or enhance the ones you've already got. A curly look will feel effortless, especially as a short hairstyle. Add a pin or clip for a little something extra.
Get the look: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lavender Mint Conditioning Leave-In Spray, $18 SHOP NOW
Scarlet Fever
Spice up your bridal look with Spanish-inspired details, like an oversized red rose, bold lip, and oversized earrings paired with a straight, shoulder-length cut.
Get the look: Sylvie Corbelin 18k gold and citrine earrings, $12,700 SHOP NOW
About Face
Amp up a chic, short style by adding texture and volume to the front of your 'do for a more edgy feel to an otherwise minimal look. Play with accessories that are cool and unexpected—like a mismatched set of earrings or an asymmetrical hemline.
Get the look: Amika Laser Polish IRED Polished Perfection Straightening Brush Set, $120 SHOP NOW
Chopped Bob
Opt for subtle twists in the hair, a razor cut, and keep the look in place with a medium-hold textured hair spray for a look that's effortless yet new. Start with a side part and let your locks fall free, but use your fingers to prop pieces into place.
Get the look: TRESemmé Compressed Micro-Mist Hold Level 1: Extend Hair Spray, $7 SHOP NOW
Tiny Pony
A small ponytail is a chic option for those that have enough hair to slick back, and are planning on fresh yet impactful makeup. Pull the hair back into a low pony tail, or try this look with a center or side part.
Get the look: Tasha 2-Pack Crystal Ponytail Holders, $25 SHOP NOW
Bow Barrette
Pair the ease of tousled waves with a prim and proper bow barrette for an elegant yet edgy look that feels uptown meets downtown.
Get the look: Timelessly Pearly barrette, $280 SHOP NOW
Bottom Up
Braid the underside of your locks—pepper in some gold cuffs for added interest—and leave the top au naturel. Match your embellishments to the look of your wedding day jewelry, like a pair of statement earrings.
Get the look: Cantu Natural Mega-Hold Styling Gel, $5 SHOP NOW
Bouffant Babe
Effortlessness isn't for everyone. Go big (and high) or go home—and go all in on drama. This glamorous bridal look feels far more modern and theatrical than any ol' updo.
Get the look: IGK Next Level Nordic Cotton Volumizing Mist, $28 SHOP NOW
Side Swept
Short hair is just as capable of being pinned into a side-swept updo. Gather and tie all your hair in the back, leaving some wavy layers down in the front. Try this look with a deep side part for added interest.
Get the look: Bumble & Bumble Sumotech, $29 SHOP NOW
Perfect Pixie
Sometimes less is more. Case in point: this platinum pixie cut on Michelle Williams. Finish off a bridal look with a light shine serum and a hair pin or headband (if that suits your style).
Get the look: O&M Frizzy Logic Shine Serum, $32 SHOP NOW
Twisted Tiara
For a boho glam vibe, go all in on braids and incorporate some metallic embellishment to pump up the drama, but keep it sophisticated.
Get the look: Amla & Olive, Heavy Creme, $21 SHOP NOW
Romantic Waves
Try a look that's part bedhead, part beach waves to give your hair some body by curling just a few face-framing sections with a large curling iron.
Get the look: L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Strong Hold Hairspray, $6 SHOP NOW
Short & Straight
Keep ironed hair straight all day by locking in the style with a humidity-fighting oil (for thick hair) or a shine spray (for fine hair).
Get the look: T3 SinglePass Luxe 1" Iconic Straightening & Styling Flat Iron, $180, SHOP NOW
Retro Glam
Use a 1-inch curling iron to get perfect Old Hollywood curls, but don't forget to pin them and let them cool for the neatest result. Pair this hairstyle with a retro-inspired dress to really drive home the look.
Get the look: Hot Tools 24K Gold Curling Iron, $50 SHOP NOW
Top Twist
If your hair is just long enough to pull into a high bun or ponytail, try this look inspired by Bella Hadid on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet. Slick your hair back as tight as you can, then twist a top section across the crown to pull back into a twisted high bun.
Get the look: Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream, $38 SHOP NOW
Braided Bob
Opt for a non-traditional braid style that is both quirky and elegant when paired with a sleek and sophisticated look, like a chic suit with a plunging neckline.
Get the look: Oyin Handmade The Sugar Pomades, $14 SHOP NOW
Curl Under
Old Hollywood-inspired, this look is achieved with a sleek side part and curled under pieces that are pinned to create a glamorous bob to fall right below the ears. For the ultimate impact, pair this look with show-stopping earrings.
Get the look: Vernon Francois Scalp Nourish Spray, $18 SHOP NOW
Pump It Up
Loose, textured curls are a go-to for any formal occasion, but when it comes to dressing for a wedding, finding the right products to hold the volume of your gorgeous locks is key. Go voluminous with your bob a la Emrata, and make sure to use a texturizing spray to ensure the look stays put all night long.
Get the look: Fekkai Full Blown Dry Volume Texturizing Hairspray, $20 SHOP NOW
Wet Look
The key to achieving the effortless, I-just-got-out-of-the-shower trend isn't water, its the right hair serum. When opting for a laissez faire attitude when it comes to your hairstyle, let your natural wave dry naturally, then finish with a smoothing hair oil and texture spray.
Get the look: NatureLab Tokyo Smooth Hair Oil, $16 SHOP NOW
Heather Hall is a weddings, fashion, and lifestyle writer and editor. Her career in weddings began at The Knot, where she worked as a bridal fashion editor. She then worked as a PR Manager at Amsale, a bridal design house, before starting her own events and digital marketing business. She has been featured on Today.com, MSN.com, Yahoo.com, Racked.com, Huffington Post, Verily Magazine, and Style Me Pretty. Heather loves music, travel, and practicing yoga. In her spare time she's typically researching the next fun workout class to try, or finding a new concert to attend. Her latest goal: become a DJ.
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