Your daughter’s wedding day is one of the most magical and memorable days of her life.
As the mother of the bride, all eyes will be on you as you support your daughter on her big day.
Choosing the perfect hairstyle is an important part of your look as the mother of the bride.
You want an updo that is elegant, timeless and glamorous.
Each updo is described in depth, with step-by-step styling instructions and tips for recreating the look.
Gorgeous photos are also included to provide inspiration.
The Classic Chignon
The classic chignon is a timeless updo that is perfect for formal weddings.
This elegant twisted bun has been worn by brides, bridesmaids and mothers of the bride for decades.
To recreate this look, start by applying a heat protectant spray to damp hair and blow drying smooth.
Next, brush the hair back into a low ponytail and secure with an elastic, leaving a 1-inch section out at the nape of the neck.
Twist the ponytail into a tight coil, then wrap it into a bun shape and pin in place.
Take the 1-inch section and wrap it around the base of the bun to hide the elastic.
Set the style with a firm hold hairspray.
For an ultra-glamorous look, add some volume at the crown of the head with lifts of back-combed hair.
Loose tendrils at the temples also add a soft romantic vibe.
Adorn the chignon with crystal pins or fresh flowers for extra elegance.
This refined classic bun is the perfect way for a mother of the bride to look sophisticated and graceful.
The Textured Low Chignon
For a modern, undone take on the classic chignon, embrace a textured low bun.
This has the same elegant effect as a sleek chignon, but with an effortlessly tousled vibe.
Start by applying texturizing spray or sea salt spray to damp hair and scrunching to enhance waves.
Rough dry with a blow dryer.
Pull the front sections of hair back to create a softly framed face.
Gather the back hair into a loose low ponytail at the nape of the neck, leaving ends slightly messy.
Twist the ponytail and wrap it into a loose bun shape, leaving some ends out for a nonchalant touch.
Pin and mist with medium hold hairspray to lock in the texture.
Finish with a light tousling of the crown and side tendrils for extra breezy volume.
Low-slung with perfectly imperfect texture, this chic low bun with a relaxed attitude is great for a trendy mother of the bride.
The Elegant Low Chignon Bun
For a look that is polished yet unfussy, the elegant low chignon bun is the perfect choice.
Ideal for finer hair, this pristine rolled bun has plenty of sleek impact.
Start by applying a smoothing cream to damp hair.
Once hair is 80% dry, blow dry straight using a paddle brush.
Create a flawless side part and gather hair into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck.
Twist the length into a tidy chignon, rolling the hair into a tight coil against the head.
Position at the nape in a low bun and secure with pins.
Set with firm hold hairspray.
For added sophistication, wrap a strand of hair over the elastic band to conceal.
A light misting of luminizing spray will also give radiance to fine, straight hair.
Accessorize minimally with fine diamond hairpins for understated sparkle.
Elegant in its simplicity, this luminous low chignon is perfect for a refined mother of the bride look.
The Braided Chignon Bun
Add soft femininity to your mother of the bride look with an intricate braided chignon.
Combining a braided texture with a classic bun shape, this updo is ultra-romantic.
Start by curling the mid-lengths and ends of the hair in soft waves with a curling wand.
Create a deep side part and gather hair into a low side ponytail, leaving face-framing pieces down around the temples.
Braid the ponytail in a fishtail braid then wrap it into a loose chignon at the nape of the neck.
Pin in place then cover the elastic band with the face-framing strands smoothed back and secured.
Set the braided bun with a light hold hairspray and add sparkling pins.
For extra romance, weave small flowers into the braid.
Soft yet sophisticated, this braided low chignon bun is perfect for a dreamy mother of the bride look.
The Textured Chignon Bun
Embrace laid-back elegance with a piece-y textured chignon.
Messy yet chic, this fuller bun has an artfully undone vibe.
Start by spritzing sea salt spray onto damp hair and blow drying with tousled waves.
Create a center part and gather hair into a ponytail at the crown of the head.
Backcomb the ponytail for lots of volume and texture.
Twist into a rounded chignon shape, leaving messy ends out.
Wrap your hair around the base of the bun, pinning into place in a haphazard fashion.
Mist with a flexible hold hairspray.
Gently pull out pieces around the face and bun for a fuller, nonchalant effect.
The unfinished texture makes this chignon youthful and modern.
Pair it with statement earrings and bold makeup for fashion-forward mother of the bride realness.
The Faux Bob Chignon
Short hair not an option for the big day?
Fake it with a faux bob chignon!
This technique makes second day hair look freshly blow dried.
Start with curled or waved hair from the previous day.
Gather tresses into a ponytail and smooth down flyaways with a little serum.
Twist the length into a round chignon, tucking ends under at the nape of the neck.
Pin and mist with strong hold hairspray.
Tease the top a little for volume then sweep up front pieces so they sit against the head, covering the elastic.
Curl these under as you would a bob haircut and pin to hide ends.
Finesse with a light combing to blend.
From the front, it looks like a perfectly coiffed chin-length bob!
This is a great trick for maintaining your style day-to-wedding and still looking polished.
It’s also easy to transition from ceremony to reception.
The Flower Crown Chignon
A gorgeous way to accessorize your mother of the bride chignon is by adding a flower crown.
This ultra-feminine look is fit for a boho bride, yet also sophisticated enough for her regal mama.
Start by curling the hair in loose waves using a curling iron.
Gather into a low side ponytail then twist up into a messy chignon, leaving loose pieces out.
Pin in place then weave fresh flowers, greenery and pearls throughout for a whimsical effect.
Alternatively, make a flower crown separately by wiring together blooms and trailing vines.
Position the crown just behind the chignon so it sits nestled against the low bun like a wreath.
Finish off with a veil attached to the crown for added romance.
Fairytale-like yet still mature, this flower chignon is a beautifully unique look for a free-spirited mother of the bride.
The Low Twisted Chignon
For a chic, modern take on the chignon, try this edgy low twisted shape.
Sleek and striking, it has an almost architectural effect for bold mother of the bride style.
Start by blow drying hair impeccably straight using a ceramic flat brush.
Create a deep side part and sweep hair into a low ponytail behind one ear.
Rather than coil the ends into a bun, simply twist the length around the base of the ponytail to form an oblong shape.
Pin the twisted chignon tightly and set with medium hold hairspray.
Let strands fall loosely around the temples and neck for a softened finish.
This inventive oblong shape puts a fashion-forward spin on the classic bun.
Matte lipstick and statement earrings complete the sophisticated, avant-garde vibe.
Be daring with your daughter’s wedding hair and make it a style masterpiece.
The Messy Low Bun
Not a fan of strict, pulled-together looks?
Keep your mother of the bride style relaxed with a messy low bun.
Unconstructed and cool, this undone texture works for casual backyard weddings or beachfront ceremonies.
Prep hair by spritzing sea salt spray at roots for gritty texture.
Twist into a low side ponytail, securing with a clear elastic.
Rub a little texturizing gel between your palms then rake hands through the ends of the ponytail for grip.
Loosely coil the ponytail into a messy bun in the nape of the neck, leaving lots of pieces falling out.
Wrap a strand of hair around the elastic to disguise it then mist with flexible hold hairspray.
Finish by gently pulling out sections of the bun and tendrils around the face for an imperfect, devil-may-care vibe.
Effortless and organic, this carefree low bun lets your natural beauty shine.
The Voluminous Low Bun
Make a sleek statement with a voluminous low bun.
This polished cheekbone-skimming style has gorgeous va-va-voom!
Backcomb damp hair at the crown then blow dry with a round brush to create major lift.
Brush hair back into a low ponytail and tease the ends to amp up fullness.
Roll and wrap the ponytail into a substantial round bun shape.
Position low at the nape of the neck, pin in place and mist with firm hold hairspray.
Sweep sections up and over the elastic band to conceal.
Let sidesweep bangs or tendrils at the temples soften the look.
Go for bombshell volume at the crown with lots of height and drama.
Pair with chandelier earrings and bold lips to embrace your inner glamazon.
Ultra-chic and seriously sexy, this voluminous low bun makes for an unforgettable mother of the bride style statement.
The Tousled Low Chignon Bun
This cool girl low chignon has a relaxed vibe that’s gorgeous for a bohemian or beach-themed wedding.
Start with messy, tousled curls or waves and create a side part.
Sweep hair into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck, keeping it loose.
Twist the ponytail and coil it into a chignon shape without neatly pinning or smoothing.
Gently wrap a strand around the elastic, leaving it looking nonchalant and organic.
Mist with a flexible hold hairspray.
Finish by tugging out pieces of the chignon and tendrils around the face for that perfectly undone look.
Pair the unfussy low bun with loose waves and minimal makeup for effortless elegance.
Free-spirited and undone, this beach-to-wedding style lets your natural texture shine through beautifully.
The Textured Ballerina Bun
This pulled-up ballerina bun is edgy yet feminine, perfect for the modern mother of the bride.
To get loads of texture, spray dry shampoo onto damp hair and blow dry roughly.
Create a deep side part then gather hair into a high ponytail atop the crown.
Backcomb the ponytail then smooth its outer layer with serum.
Pull the ponytail through a hair donut or sock bun, twisting it into a ballerina shape.
Fan pieces out along the edge, then mist with medium hold spray.
Gently pull and rearrange strands for an imperfection look.
Let shorter face-framing pieces come loose to soften the look.
Finish with matte pink or nude lips for added edge.
This disheveled ballerina bun brings ethereal texture and volume.
It’s an elevated version of a basic top knot, ideal for a trendy mother of the bride.
The Sculptural Low Bun
Make a striking style statement with a sculptural low bun shape.
This intricate look has major contemporary appeal.
Create a deep side part then blow dry hair stick straight back.
Sweep into a low side ponytail then divide hair into 2-inch sections.
Twist each section outward as you gradually coil the length into a chignon.
Pin the directional twists in place, sculpting a multi-textured shape.
Set with firm hold hairspray then wrap strands over the elastic.
Let the negative space at the nape of the neck show to highlight the architectural lines of this bun.
Pair with winged eyeliner and a bold red pout to complement the sleek coif.
Futuristic meets feminine, this innovative sculpted chignon bun makes for an unforgettable mother of the bride look.
The mother of the bride deserves an exceptional hairstyle on her daughter’s big day.
With options ranging from romantic braided buns to edgy sculptural shapes, you can embrace whatever aesthetic resonates with your personal style and the wedding style theme.
Just add dazzling jewelry and makeup to finish these elegant looks.
Most importantly, select a style that makes you feel confident, beautiful and comfortable.
Your radiant smile and grace will shine through as you support your daughter walking down the aisle.
Updo perfection is about letting your inner light beam through.
So flaunt your chic hairdo and get ready to celebrate at one of the most precious events in both your lives!
