3 Gorgeous Wedding Guest Hairstyles That Are Quick and Easy

I’ve been invited to a simple small-town wedding and I can’t decide which updo I like best. Can you help me pick the best wedding guest hairstyle to go with my dress?

I want to look elegant but bearing in mind the occasion, not too formal.

Tools and materials: 

• Curling tongs (optional)
• Heat protecting spray (optional)
• Wide-toothed comb
• Brush
• Teasing brush
• Clear hair ties
• Bobby pins

(Extra step) Prepare the hair

This is an optional step, but it really helps with my hair.

I sprayed my hair with a heat protector first, then flat wrapped the length of my hair in two inch (5 cm) strands around my curling tongs.

After a few seconds, I released the curl into my palm and let it cool before letting it drop.

I curled all my hair into long corkscrews.

I combed through them with a wide-toothed comb so my hair had movement and volume.

1. French twist

This is the easiest of the three styles.

I prefer to side part my hair, but a center part works just as well.

Leaving some strands loose at the front, I tied my hair into a basic ponytail to start.

I created an opening through my ponytail between the hair tie and the back of my head and partially pulled the base of the ponytail up through the hole. 

As the loop came through the opening, I slipped my fingers inside it and twisted it gently.

I pushed it flat up against my head and secured it with bobby pins.

I teased the bangs to give them a little extra volume.

You can pull the twist around a little until you’re happy with it and tuck some of all of the ends under it.

I think it’s an elegant and slightly different take on a French twist.

2. Twisted low bun

I began this style by dividing my hair horizontally into two sections and clipping the top part out of the way.

I tied the lower section into a ponytail and twisted it loosely around my finger.

I pinched and pulled it with my other hand to give it some fullness - this is kind of a signature move of mine.

I twisted the coiled hair around itself, keeping it in place with bobby pins as I did so. Don’t worry about making it perfect, most of it is going to be covered in the next step.

Tuck the ends under when you’re finished.

I let the top section of hair down and divided it into three.

To create volume on my crown, I gave the center section a little twist and lift and pinned it just above the bun.

I grabbed one of the side sections. twisted it diagonally across the back of my head, pinched and pulled it and bobby pinned it to the side of the bun, without wrapping it around.

I did the same with the other side section.

Then I took each loose section in turn, twisted it and wrapped it around the bun. 

I left the ends loose and just kept working my way around to build up the bun as much as I could.

You can leave the final ends loose or tuck them in, whichever you prefer.

This is what I ended up with and I really do like it! It has a lot of detail, but I wonder if it’s too much for the event I’m going to.

It would make a fabulous bridesmaid style though.

3. Knotted updo

This is my go-to style when I don’t know what else to do.

I pulled out two quite wide sections at the front. This style also works without a parting at all, if you prefer your hair pulled back from your face.

I divided the back section into two ponytails, one on top of the other.

You can make the ponytails as high or low as you like, as long as you keep them close together.

I brought one of the side sections to the back, twisting it at the same time, took it through the space between the two ponytails and pinned it in place.

I did the same thing with the other side section.

I divided the top ponytail in two and tied them together in a simple knot.

I loosened the two parts of the knot and bobby pinned them separately.

Then - you guessed it! - I did the same thing with the lower ponytail, making sure the knot was right up against the previous one.

If you have shorter hair than mine, you can stop here.

If you have loose hair left, continue knotting and pinning it.

Tuck the ends under, or leave them out and curl them.

Wedding guest hairstyles

You can make this style elegant or boho, but I think it’s so beautiful! I’m having a hard time picking which wedding guest hairstyle I want to wear this time.

I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.

Next, check out these 5 Easy Hairstyles That Don't Use Bobby Pins.