Prom season, weddings, galas, and other special occasions call for hairstyles that are both elegant and long-lasting. Braids offer a versatile and stylish solution, adaptable to various hair types and personal preferences. This article explores a range of braid hairstyles suitable for formal events, providing tips and inspiration to help you achieve the perfect look.
Braids are a viable choice for formal hairstyles that can last for weeks. They can be styled into a chic top knot, fashioned into couture plaits, or virtually any other variation. Bridal braids are trending in a big way, and there's no shortage of styles: fishtail, French, Dutch, infinity, micro, halo, and the list goes on.
Not all braids work the same way on every hair type, and that’s totally okay!
Day-old hair is actually perfect for braiding. It has natural oils that help hold the style, plus it’s not slippery like freshly washed hair. Stylists recommend starting with slightly damp hair if you’re working with natural texture, but dry hair works great too.
You don’t need a whole arsenal of tools, but having the right basics makes all the difference. Clear hair elastics are essential. Good bobby pins are worth their weight in gold. Stylists prefer the ones that match your hair color, and always insert them with the wavy side against your scalp. A fine-tooth comb helps create clean parts, and a wide-tooth comb is perfect for gently detangling without creating frizz.
Read also: Mastering French Braids
For formal events, stylists recommend doing your braids about 30 minutes before you need to leave. This gives them time to settle and look natural, but they’re still fresh and secure.
The longevity of braided hairstyles depends on several factors: hair’s natural oil production, humidity levels, and the mechanical stress placed on the style. Hair with moderate oil content holds braids longer because the natural oils provide grip between strands. However, excessive oil can cause slippage. The ideal preparation involves using products that enhance grip without weighing hair down. Adding texture to clean hair before braiding is recommended to give your hair natural velcro.
Wedding braid hairstyles are having a moment, and finding a braided wedding hairstyle you love can truly set you apart on the big day. Braids are being seen in a whole new light, not only for the protective factor and style versatility, but the idea of having a style created for one's special day.
If you typically wear your hair in microbraids, there's no need to change it up for the big day-countless microbraids hairstyles for weddings offer fresh takes on the style. A half-up 'do pulls the hair away from your face, so you can show off your beauty look-and maybe a pair of stellar earrings, too.
Braided ponytail wedding hairstyles are trending, and pull-through braids like this only sweeten the deal. Pearl hairpins add an extra bridal touch, and pair perfectly with embellished gowns.
Read also: Learn the Braid and Down Style
There are countless halo braided hairstyles-many versions knot all the hair into the style-but if you're torn between long loose waves and a braided wedding hairstyle, this half-up halo is the perfect compromise.
Here's a look fit for a queen-so naturally, it's our pick for fairytale-inspired weddings. Thick braids are twisted into an updo reminiscent of a crown; wear it as is, or double down by topping it with a tiara.
A fresh, boho take on classic milkmaid braids, this style features two loose braids that wrap around the head to connect in a messy chignon. This style would be perfect at a wedding in the forest-just add tittering woodland creatures for the ultimate fairy-tale wedding.
You may be culling the internet for wedding hairstyles for box braids, but how about just wearing them down? We love this long and loose style, parted off to the side, for both formal and laid-back affairs; pair your braids with dazzling diamond earrings for the former, or a flowy gown for a barefoot beach wedding.
It's the ultimate contradiction (in a good way!): a complex hairstyle that achieves an absolutely effortless beauty vibe. These twisted braids are just that, crossing over each other in a topsy-tail that flutters down into long loose waves. We love the look on a boho bride.
Read also: Easy Braiding Steps
Bring a little edge to your bridal look with a braided faux hawk; keep the sides natural and slicked back into the updo, or have your hairstylist add additional braids on the side for an even more unique take. The braided updo hairstyle is great for showing off your glam.
A search for braid hairstyles with flowers will offer images of updos overflowing with wildflowers, flower crowns and more, but we love this more minimalistic take. Each tier of the loose braid ties in more and more hair, and is marked with the teeniest bejeweled floral hairpin. Try it with pins descending in size to add visual interest-and skip the veil.
A reverse French braid-also known as a Dutch braid-is unique in that it really puts the braid on display, piling it up on top of the hair rather than tucking each braided section in. And this look doubles down on the cool style, with two reverse French pigtails that come together in a short pony. It's a great style for shoulder-length locks; we also love it for the flower girls!
Float down the aisle with bridal braided hair featuring an extra special something-in this case, butterflies, a symbol of transformation and life cycles (perfect for your wedding day!). But, you could also incorporate embellishments that tie into your specific wedding theme-think bows, seashells or even jewels or gemstones.
Medium length braided wedding hairstyles we love are half-up halo braids like this one. Have your hairstylist finish the look with loose waves to truly turn heads.
Show off your natural hair with a crown-inspired updo, and add visual interest with a few face-framing braids. Play up the look by adding beads and ornamentation that fit the vibe of your big day or play off your wedding gown.
We love a little hair jewelry-why wear jewelry only against your skin?-and large braided ponytail hairstyles like these ones provide the perfect canvas. Work with your stylist to select the perfect hair hoops that complement your other accessories; look for pearls, colored gemstones or simple metallic.
Side-swept styles and loose waves are having a moment, but there's something oh-so-classic about a center braid that lays beautifully down the back. The style can be created using classic, French or fishtail braiding techniques-or get even more complex with five- or six-strand braids.
If you're rocking Senegalese twists-or decide to for your wedding day-and are looking for hairstyles for wedding with braids, the twists work well for one of our favorite hairstyles: a half up-half down look. Here, the style is adorned with flower clips, perfect for a garden wedding or to play off a gown that has three-dimensional embellished florals (like those by Mira Zwillinger and Eisen Stein!).
Once you've nailed down the type of braid you want, ask your stylist to incorporate a versatile hair vine: Many vines can be tied and worn as a halo, or stretched out to snake through a braid as seen here. It's a unique addition-and just one more way to add a little chic glam to your wedding day look.
A casual, bohemian take on the trendy pull-through braid-which involves tying the hair into a series of pontytails and literally pulling them through each other to create a tiered look-this style is for brides and 'maids with long, voluminous hair. Have your stylist finish the look with natural loose waves on the down hair.
A center part is oh-so-on-trend, and works well with braids for wedding hairstyles. In this look, the pigtails are high on the head-it's fresh and modern, and fits well into an ultra-contemporary wedding venue. Psst, this is also a perfect look for playing with your edges.
If you typically rock box, triangle or microbraids by day, double down with a braided braid hairstyle like this one for your wedding day. Here the braids are braided in sections then pulled together into a long pony-and, for a bridal boost, accented with pretty pearl pins.
These days, bridal braid hairstyles are not just created from three equal sections. Voluminous looks like this wide braid style for wedding are intricately crafted with complex patterns and a whole lot of hair ties. But, the end result is gorgeous and romantic. Psst, if you have thin or fine hair, consider having your stylist add extensions to amp up the volume needed to achieve this style.
Gather microbraided hair into an intricately twisted high chignon for one of our favorite wedding braided updo hairstyles. This look can be super versatile: Keep the updo for the ceremony and then let your hair down to change things up for the reception.
For grooms with long hair, consider a Dutch braided style (it's created similarly to a French braid, but in reverse, with strands crossing underneath instead of over top). Have your stylist touch up your sideburns and neck to keep the look extra fresh.
Ever dreamed of a wedding under the sea? Or maybe you've jumped onto the all-things-Ariel trend this year. In that case, a thick mermaid braid is the style for you. This one combines multiple techniques, coming together in a wide wedding fishtail braid. We're envisioning iridescent seashell accessories or mother of pearl studs.
Created using the feed-in or knotless braiding technique, this halo braid is a perfect style for the mother of the bride on the big day. It's simple, chic and perfect to showcase a great pair of earrings (maybe a gift to your mom for all her help with wedding planning?).
Included are two Dutch braids that are gathered by a series of small topsy-tail twists. The twists are staggered to create a fuller appearance, and each twist is pulled apart to create the illusion of fullness and thickness.
A low chignon is one of the most classic and romantic bridal hairstyles, and a braided bun hairstyle brings it into the modern day. Pair the 'do with a strapless gown with a long train-and a diamond necklace-for a look that's oh-so-timeless.
A wide French braid is a stunning wedding braided style for long hair, and a touch of vibrant florals takes it up a notch. Have your florist provide extra blooms to be woven into the braid or attached on top-we love the linear arrangement of this design, drawing the eye down to the beautiful back of the dress.
Classic updos are as glamorous as they are timeless. Whether you're a bridesmaid, a wedding guest, or the prom queen, these updos will make you feel like royalty.
Braids offer a romantic and elegant touch, ideal for enhancing your style at special events like proms and weddings. These intricately woven hairstyles add a magical and sophisticated element to your look, ensuring you feel special and standout on any occasion.
Half-up half-down hairstyles offer an elegant yet effortless look, ideal for formal occasions such as proms and weddings.
Dry shampoo can help maintain beautiful hairstyles at any special event. Its formula absorbs excess oils, rejuvenating your hair without water. For optimal results, shake the bottle before use and between sprays. Separate your hair into sections and hold the bottle 12 inches away, spraying directly onto the roots. Use your fingertips to massage the product thoroughly, spreading it evenly to enjoy a refreshed, voluminous look. To ensure your hairstyle holds throughout the event, pair the dry shampoo with a lightweight hairspray.
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