I know that choosing the perfect hairstyle for your wedding day is such an important decision.
Your hair sets the tone for your entire bridal look and you want it to be absolutely perfect!
One elegant and romantic option that is a favorite among brides is the half-up half-down style.
When planning your half-up half-down style, think about the overall look you want to achieve.
Do you envision a more polished updo or a loose, effortless look?
The placement of the updo portion is key – a lower half-up style at the nape of the neck has a romantic vibe, while an upper half-updo that shows off your cheekbones can give a more elegant appearance.
Work with your hair stylist to determine the best placement and technique for your hair length and texture.
Braided Half-Up Half-Down
Incorporating braids into your half-up half-down style is a beautiful way to add texture and interest.
One gorgeous option is a diagonal fishtail braid along the side of the head into a half ponytail.
Part your hair deeply to one side and begin a loose fishtail braid at the temple, braiding diagonally back towards the other ear.
This can also work starting behind one ear and braiding across the back of the crown.
For a more intricate look, do two thinner fishtail braids, one on each side, curving them to meet in the back where you’ll secure in a ponytail holder.
If your hair is too short for fishtail braiding, create a faux braid by backcombing and loosely pancaking a top section of hair and pinning it to look like a braid.
Finish off your elegant braided half-updo by curling or waving the bottom loose layers for romantic texture and movement. This is a show-stopping style for garden or destination weddings.
Curled Half-Up Half-Down
For gorgeous definition, get bouncy curls throughout your half-up half-down ‘do.
Use a 1-inch curling iron to create voluminous curls starting from roots to ends, focusing on really getting lift and curl at the crown area.
Leave a few face-framing tendrils loosely curled around your face.
Tease the front section you’ll pull back slightly to boost volume before gathering it into your half ponytail. Pin your half ponytail to keep it seamless and secure.
Finish with a light mist of medium-hold hairspray for long-lasting curls that stay defined without getting crunchy or stiff. For added glamour, accessorize with crystal pins, a brooch, or pearl pins scattered at random throughout the curled tresses.
Beach Waves Half-Up Half-Down
Get a relaxed, beachy vibe for your wedding day style by styling natural-looking waves in your half-up half-down hair.
Start with damp hair and apply a texturizing spray or sea salt spray throughout your locks, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends to get piecey texture.
Use a 1 to 1 1/4 inch curling wand to add very loose waves, alternating the curl direction to get more of that undone look.
Loosely pull back the top front section, securing into a ponytail while leaving the rest of the hair to flow freely down your back.
Finish by tucking a small flower like a gardenia or rose bud behind one ear for that perfect beach bride boho look.
Boho Half-Up Half-Down
Achieve a beautifully relaxed, bohemian half-up half-down style by working in free-flowing waves with a lived-in look.
Part your hair off to one side, either deeply side-parted or with a pretty diagonal part depending on your hair’s natural fall. Loosely curl mid-lengths down to ends using a 1 to 1 1/4 inch curling iron, alternating curl direction.
Gently pin the front section of hair behind one ear on the side with your part using bobby pins.
Finish the undone style by carefully running your fingers through the curls to break them up and pull out face-framing pieces around your face.
Give a mist with medium-hold hairspray and tuck in small wildflowers throughout for a romantic, music festival-inspired look.
Voluminous Blowout Half-Up Half-Down
Get gorgeous bombshell volume and bounce by blowdrying your hair with a round brush, focusing on getting tons of lift at the roots and curled under ends.
Tip your head upside down and work in sections, using your brush to really get height at the crown. Lightly backcomb hair at the top layers only to boost volume further.
Once hair has cooled, smooth over the crown by brushing the top layer. Mist hairspray onto the front section you’ll pull up to help it stand up.
Leave hair from the ears down in big, bouncy waves or curls. Accessorize your glamorous half-up with a sparkling crystal brooch or jeweled clip.
Low Curly Bun Half-Up Half-Down
This romantic half-updo showcases gorgeous long hair by pulling up just the top section.
Part your hair down the middle and use your fingers to create a loose, relaxed low bun at the nape of your neck.
Wrap hair gently, leaving the ends out and cascading down for a soft curly finish.
Leave a few wispy tendrils to frame your face and tease the crown area briefly to get some volume and lift. Pin and lightly hairspray the top section just above the ear line in a curled, vintage-inspired style.
Finish this elegant look by securing a birdcage veil into the half-updo for a timeless, feminine accent.
Twisted Low Half-Up Half-Down
For a polished, elegant half-up style that’s not too severe, create a twisted low bun.
Part your hair deeply to one side, then smoothly comb back sections towards the bun. Loosely twist the hair as you coil it into a bun shape rather than pulling straight back – this adds interest.
Pancake the bun a bit with your fingers to make it look fuller and more dynamic. Leave a few curled tendrils loose around your face in the front and back.
Pin your half-up section near your ear with bobby pins in an inverted V shape to help secure.
Give a light mist all over with medium-hold hairspray to finish – you want hold but not stiffness.
Headband Half-Up Half-Down
For short hair, use a glamorous headband or floral embellished hairband to accessorize and adorn your half-up half-down bridal style.
Pull up the sides and back into a loose half ponytail positioned at the crown of your head, leaving the front down to softly frame your face.
Curl the ponytail ends under for a retro finger wave effect. Look for a headband with comb attachments or that can have a veil attached to help it stay secured.
Consider adding a delicate crystal brooch where the half-up meets the headband for some extra sparkle.
Half-Up Half-Down with Flower Crown
What better way to embrace your inner flower child bride than accessorizing your half-updo with a gorgeous flower crown?
Do loose, romantic waves or curls in the bottom half of hair to start.
Next, pull back the top front section at the crown, spritzing well with hairspray before neatly pinning just above your ears.
Nestle your flower crown made with ribbons and small buds/flowers on top of your head, carefully intertwining it with the front pieces of your half-up.
Take a few tendrils from the half-up and curl them for a soft finishing touch.
Glam Curls Half-Up Half-Down
Go for full-on Hollywood retro glamour with big, well-defined curls in your half-up half-down wedding hair.
Start by setting your hair in large Velcro rollers first to really establish the body and bounce of the curl.
Once cooled and set, remove rollers then touch up curls with a 0.75 – 1 inch curling iron, using it to smooth the curl and touch up ends. Create dramatic volume by teasing the front crown section.
Do a deep side part and comb section straight up.
Mist curls with firm hold hairspray so they last all night long. Pull back and pin the front section creating a voluminous half-up curling over the teased section.
Textured Half-Up Half-Down
If you want to keep your wedding hair on the more natural, low-key side, go for this textured half-up half-down look.
Use a sea salt spray on damp hair and scrunch it up with your fingers as it air dries to encourage tousled-looking beach waves and texture. Pull back the top front section, leaving some pieces out around your face.
Set as desired with bobby pins angled towards the crown.
Finish with a light hold hairspray for soft, movable texture that still stays put. Add hair accessories like a leafy clip or flowers attached with mini claw clips.
Half-Up Half-Down Chignon Bun
The classic chignon bun pulls into an elegant half-updo style beautifully.
Start by doing a middle part so the hair falls evenly on both sides.
Then, smooth back front sections of hair towards the nape using a boar bristle brush.
Gather it all and twist into a coiled chignon, placing low at the neck nape.
Backcomb the crown area to get lift and volume on top.
Take care to leave a couple curled tendrils loose around the face and let ends of your hair curl under or wave around your shoulders. Pearl pins work nicely to accessorize this sophisticated style.
Half-Up Braided Ponytail
Put a creative spin on your half-up look by incorporating braids leading into the ponytail.
Do a deep side part and begin a fishtail braid near the temple, braiding it diagonally back towards the other ear.
Take care to only pick up hair from one side, keeping it thin.
Bring the braid over to meet the other side and continue braiding a few inches down. Finish by securing both sides into a ponytail holder, creating a partial fishtail braid pony.
Leave the bottom layers softly curled or waved. Mist everything with medium-hold hairspray to finish.
Your wedding hair sets the tone for your entire bridal style, so choosing the perfect look is such an important decision! As a hair stylist, I highly recommend considering the elegant half-up half-down hairstyle.
This timeless updo is romantic, flattering and versatile enough to work with all hair lengths and textures.
I also shared tips on accessorizing with glimmering pins, floral accents and opulent tiaras.
With so many ways to customize your half-updo, you’re sure to find a look that makes you feel like the most beautiful bride.
