10 Classy Wedding Updos for Medium Hair (2024)

At All Things Hair HQ, we think it’s always a great time to get married, regardless of what calendar month it is (all it takes is some savvy weather planning). After finding your gown, the next important step is creating the perfect wedding updos for medium hair. All eyes are on you as you walk down the aisle! Wedding updos should match the style of your dress and your type of wedding; but most importantly, they should match your own personality and personal style.

When testing out wedding updos for medium hair, choose a bridal updo that you feel comfortable with and that makes you feel happy. There are many types of bridal updos for medium hair to choose from, so best pick one that makes you feel the best and one that will last from the moment you walk to the altar to the very last dance of the night:

10 Wedding Updos for Medium Hair

1. Messy Updo with Loose Waves

Planning on a Rustic or Industrial Chic wedding? Then, you’re most likely looking for wedding updos for medium hair that are chic, but not very formal. Try wearing your hair with loose but structured waves, in a half updo. Read our tutorial on how to use a flat iron to create waves so you can easily re-create this style. Want to make this look a bit more formal? You can either add more waves or curls to the front or add the loose bangs to the updo. When hair is damp, work through TRESemmé Extra Hold Hair Gel from your roots to ends. Made with jojoba and sunflower seed oils, the shaping gel stops frizz in its tracks, ensures that waves and curls last all day (and night), yet leaves them touchably soft.

2. Half-Up Braids

Half-up braids styles are perfect for date night hairdos as well as wedding updos for medium-length hair. The top is swept back from the face. Depending on what hair accessories you use to keep the hair back from your face, half-up braids are bridal updos for medium hair that can be worn for any type of wedding. You can opt for a simple barrette or comb, or go dressier and secure braids back from your face with a glittery comb or barrette. You can also create a tiny bun and keep the bun in place with jeweled bobby pins. Keep hair lustrous with It enhances softness and tames frizz with a blend of six oils and improves manageability.

3. Double French Braids

Looking for romantic wedding updos for medium hair that are easy to do at home? Say hello to the double French braid. There are so many ways to style them. Refresh locks and sop up any existing oils with Suave Professionals Natural Refresh Dry Shampoo. Because the shampoo contains olive oil, it helps impart a gorgeous luster to your locks while absorbing any excess grease. For beach, industrial and rustic weddings, let your braids get a bit messy. You can either finish off the braids by entwining them into one braid, finishing the braids off into mini buns, or leaving the two braids loose. Adorn them with a fresh flower or bud (or two, or three) in your hair. Keep the braids neat for semi-formal and formal weddings, then finish them off into one or two mini braided buns.

4. Low Chignon

The low chignon is such an easy hairstyle to do that it’s become one of the fave wedding updos for medium hair. Long strands aren’t necessary to create this bun. And no matter what your wedding theme may be, you can still wear it. Set the style with Suave Max Hold Aerosol Hairsprayto protect your hair from ocean breezes and more.

5. Updo with Headband

Curly girls, here’s a way to let your curls shine with wedding updos for medium-length hair that is made for a semi-formal affair or formal ceremony. Instead of smoothing your hair when creating a ballerina bun, go with some soft, vintage-inspired curls and own your big day with a jeweled headband or half fascinator. You can attach a veil to the headband for the ceremony, then remove it for the reception. Using Dove Curls Defining Moussehelps add definition and smooth shine to each and every curl.

6. Croissant Bun

Perfect for semi-formal or wedding weddings, the croissant bun is extremely elegant. The secret is an elastic headband—it keeps everything in place. Once styled, ensure that your tresses will stay put by spraying Bed Head by TIGI Maxxed Out Massive Hold Hairspray, which does exactly what it says it will do: Hold every strand in place, and makes your hair shiny too.

7. Half Up, Half Down with Twists

Instead of a barrette or hair comb to keep your hair in place, use twists! This is one of the prettiest wedding updos for medium hair that can work for a wedding in a barn (rustic), at the sea (beach), or a modern café (industrial). Use TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum for smooth, frizz-free shine. Then create several small, simple twists, pinching hair from the sides and twisting them towards the center, securing each layer with pins or a small hair tie.

8. Embellished Top Knot

The accessorized top knot has become a red carpet staple this award season. And depending upon how you style it, messy or sleek, it can be one of the most versatile and chic wedding updos for medium hair, as the right accessory adds the right touch of personality to your look. This top knot features a regular small coiled bun accentuated at the bottom with a horizontal barrette, expertly hiding any seams. For hair that tends to grease at the roots, use to help give hair an extra shot of volume midday.

9. Side Braid with Curls

The side halo braid is spotlighted with big loose curls. Use the halo braid tutorial and create a halo braid that starts from your part and continues on one side of your face. Before using a 1 ½ curling iron to create big curls, spray your strands, let the product dry, then use the curling iron. Use a few bobby pins to secure the braid under the curls. An alternate way to style this is to continue the braid around the head. Finally, take the remaining hair and create a low bun at the nape of the neck.

10. Gibson Tuck

The Gibson bun, named after the Gibson Girls of the early 1900s, is one of the classic bridal updos for medium hair because it works well with every hair type. Keeping it sleek makes it a gorgeous hairstyle for semi-formal and formal weddings. Rendering it messy gives it a modern edge, and that slightly staticky Gibson updo is equally perfect for industrial, rustic, or beach weddings.

Want more wedding hairstyle inspiration? Check out these winning looks perfect for destination weddings.