25 Chic Hairstyle Ideas for the Mother of the Bride or Groom (2024)

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Curtain Bangs With Textured Waves

Curtain bangs are having a resurgence at the moment—even for moms! If you currently have or want to try this face-framing hairstyle, choose a look that spotlights this focal feature. Wearing your mane down and curling a few strands, like this mother of the bride did for her daughter’s tented wedding in Ohio, will complement your floaty bangs.

A Twisted Chignon

While a simple low bun is always timeless, if you want to take your hairstyle up a notch, consider injecting a few twists for added visual interest, which is what this mother of the bride wore at her daughter’s botanical nuptials in Chicago. According to Sadiku, updos with twists, knots, clustered curls, and other unique shapes are a trending hairstyle that mothers of the bride and mothers of the groom have been gravitating toward.

A Playful Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle

To infuse a fun, playful flair into your mother-of-the-bride or mother-of-the-groom hairstyle, consider a half-up, half-down ‘do that’s situated at the top of your head. The heightened position will make your tendrils look longer and thicker, especially if you incorporate loose waves (which this mother of the groom donned for her son’s fall backyard soirée in New York).

A Wispy Crop

If you’ve always kept your mane short or if you’ve been wanting to chop off your locks, there’s nothing more elegant than a cropped ‘do with a few wispy waves—which this mother of the bride modeled at her daughter’s jewel-tone fête in New York. Integrating just a bit of texture, as opposed to curling your whole head of hair, will give your everyday look a boost without undermining your length.

A Full, No-Part Updo

A dramatic, statement-making hairstyle that’s perfect for formal affairs is a swept-back, no-part updo that’s teased at the crown (such as this mother of the bride’s chignon at her daughter’s garden affair in California). By playing up the height, your mane will look more voluminous and luxe. This is also a stunning option for off-the-shoulder necklines and long earrings since your tendrils won’t obscure your neck or shoulders.

Natural Curls

Another popular mother-of-the-bride or mother-of-the-groom hairstyle, according to Sadiku, is natural curls. If you’re blessed with a textured mane, all you need to do is seal your ringlets with an anti-frizz, hydrating product to lock in moisture and shine. If your hair texture isn’t inherently curly, you can ask your hairstylist to manufacture natural-looking curls with a heated tool. Take cues from this bride’s mother who braided the top strands and pulled them back into a half-up, half-down hairstyle at this royal-inspired wedding.

A Pearl-Studded Twist

Looking to give your ‘do some more pizazz? Top it off with a hair accessory. For this mother of the groom’s hairstyle at her son’s spring celebration at a barn in Dallas, she completed her twisted chignon with a pearl-studded pin, which brought a classic, elegant edge to her strawberry blonde tresses and navy blue dress.

A Sophisticated Slick-Back

A slicked-back mane is another in-demand hairstyle—for both the bride and the mother of the bride or groom. A sleek bun is the most sought-after version, but for a revamped iteration that’s still on-trend, choose a slicked-back down-style, such as the one this mother of the bride sported at her daughter’s mid-century modern wedding. Pulling the top half of your hair up will frame your face and radiate romance, no matter your hair length or texture.

A Neat Crop

Cropped hairstyles look neat and tidy on their own, so they don’t require much (if any) styling. To give your short tendrils a lustrous, frizz-free sheen, have your hairstylist blow dry your mane. We love how this mother of the bride used her natural length to flaunt an off-the-shoulder dress and diamond earrings at her daughter’s multicultural mountain wedding in Mexico.

A Floral-Adorned Updo

If your child’s wedding has a garden-inspired setting or aesthetic, lean into the theme by topping off your hairstyle with a flower. For a sweet mother-daughter or mother-son moment, you can even wear the same bloom used in the bride’s bouquet or the groom’s boutonnière. Whatever you choose, just make sure it’s a seasonal pick that matches the colors of your dress. When in doubt, go with white, like this mother of the bride selected at her daughter’s California nuptials featuring a pop of navy.

Old Hollywood Glamour

For a glamorous hairstyle with a vintage touch, Old Hollywood waves are a no-fail pick. Especially for glitzy events, like this one in the Dominican Republic, loose, barreling curls are effortlessly romantic. For an extra dose of drama and magnitude, part your hair to the side.

An Effortless Updo

Pinned-back updos are undoubtedly beautiful, but they aren’t for everyone. If your personal style is more effortless, rock a loose, slightly unkempt bun with tousled strands. Whether you’re the mother of the bride or mother of the groom, you can even coordinate your hairstyle with one another for a photo-worthy moment, which was taken at this ranch wedding in California.

An Asymmetrical ‘Do

Asymmetrical hairdos, like this mother of the groom’s hairstyle at her son’s romantic fall fête in Atlanta, are unexpected and eye-catching. To execute this vision, one idea is pulling a curled lock out of your updo, so it frames one side of your face and cascades down your shoulder. Side parts will also give this look a bit of balance.

A Half Top Knot

A half-up, half-down hairstyle with a messy, curly top knot (seen on this mother of the bride at her daughter’s purple-themed affair in Atlanta) is perfect for fashionable mothers of the bride and groom. To match the look and feel of the high, unkempt bun, be sure to have your stylist incorporate some curls into the other half of your hair.

Straight Locks

A sleek, frizzless hairstyle is always a classic choice. Have your hairstylist straighten your strands with a flat iron, secured with a top-notch styling product, for optimal shine. You can even curl the ends of your tresses for a bouncy, free-flowing flair (which is what this mother of the bride did at her daughter’s timeless island celebration in South Carolina).

Brushed-Out Curls

Brushed-out curls take up space, imbuing elegance, volume, and dimension into your look—which is evident on this mother of the bride at her daughter’s colorful Indian wedding in Brooklyn. This hairstyle idea is ideal for medium or longer lengths since your stylist will have more room to work with. However, for mothers of the bride or groom who have short hair, extensions are always an option in order to make this style a reality.

An Intricate Coif

Rethink the classic chignon by including a few knotted tresses and braided pieces—the textured add-ons and embedded opulence will make your look stand out from the rest. Since your locks will be pulled back, situated at the nape of your neck, this mother-of-the-bride or mother-of-the-groom hairstyle will complement a high-neck gown with a full back.

A Kempt Perm

Perms convert your head of hair into full, voluminous curls that rival natural ones. If you’ve been rocking this hairstyle for quite some time (or you’re thinking about it), styling isn’t necessary—in fact, using heated tools with a perm isn’t advised. For your daughter or son’s wedding, you can probably get away with using a wide-tooth comb on the ends of your mane and sealing it with a hydrating product instead of visiting a salon.

A Side-Swept Style

Side-swept hairstyles are classy and effortless, making them a beautiful choice for any affair. If your hair errs on the shorter side—like this mother of the bride who’s pictured at her daughter’s timeless soirée in Atlanta—parting your mane over to one side will instantly introduce depth and dimension. For longer hair lengths, you can also incorporate waves or curls to ramp up the drama.

Loose Waves

Loose waves (which is how this mother of the bride styled her hair for her daughter’s pink-themed wedding in Alabama) will never go out of style, which is why it’s still a highly-requested mother-of-the-bride or mother-of-the-groom hairstyle to this day. This look will look dazzling on display at a formal wedding since it gives your natural hair an extra layer of grandeur. What’s more is that this type of hairdo isn’t limited to a certain neckline or face shape.

A Blunt Bob

A blunt, chin-grazing bob, where every strand is the same length, is an unfussy and sophisticated hairstyle for mothers of the bride or groom, whether or not you normally keep your hair short. To spotlight your even ends, choose a pin-straight style.

A Face-Framing Chignon

An updo with face-framing tendrils will flatter your face shape and bone structure. If you’re wearing a halter-neck gown, like this mother of the bride’s emerald green dress at this colorful affair in Austin, a pinned-back coif will draw attention to the design.

A Sleek Low Bun

An updo doesn’t have to mask the texture of your hair. If you want to spotlight glass-like locks, such as this bride at her daughter’s intimate nuptials in Tuscany, choose a low bun that’s neatly pinned back. Whether or not your mane is naturally straight, you might want to ask your hairstylist to run a flat iron through your strands.

A Voluminous Half ‘Do

Give a half-up, half-down mother-of-the-bride or mother-of-the groom hairstyle more magnitude and allure by teasing the pieces on top of your head. The end result, such as the one at this floral-filled weekend in California, will be a dashing style that’s reminiscent of the 1960s.

Chic Bangs

Wispy bangs that graze your forehead are delicate, soft, and whimsical. If you’re a mother of the bride or groom who has short hair (like the mom at this rainbow-hued fête in Chicago), but you want to elevate your everyday style, give these bangs a try.