Wavy Bridal Hair Inspiration: 10 Timeless Styles for Your Big Day

Written by: Nancy Pinder

|

|

Time to read 10 min

Wavy bridal hair is a classic and timeless choice for any bride on her wedding day, and it can really turn your whole look into a glamorous, Hollywood-inspired masterpiece. 


From cascading waves to Jessica Rabbit-style curls, there are many wedding hair wave ideas to consider for your big day. You can even adjust them to match your wedding theme more closely, ensuring your entire look is cohesive and stunning.


We've put together a list of wavy bridal hair ideas you can take to your hairstylist or try yourself if you're doing your own hair.

Our Top 10 Wavy Bridal Hairstyles

We've put together a list of our 10 favourite Hollywood waves wedding hairstyles to give you some inspiration for your locks on your big day.

We've included styles for long hair, short hair, and everything in between to help you look your best on your wedding day.

1. Classic Hollywood Waves Bridal Hair

Nothing gets more Hollywood than classic Hollywood waves, and as a hairstyle by itself, its timeless, sultry beauty is the perfect look for a range of wedding themes, including old money, classic romance, and more!


The cascading curls embody a luxe, vintage look that looks gorgeous on longer hair lengths that'll have you feeling like you’ve stepped out of a 1940s movie.


If you don't have the length you want for this look, adding hair extensions is a super easy way to add some extra inches to your hair.


In particular, clip-in extensions are a great temporary solution you can use to achieve these classic wedding hair waves without committing to more permanent extensions.

Top Tip: Use hair oil to really bring out the shine of your waves, and keep things in place with hair spray so they last all night.

2. Retro Jessica Rabbit Curly Wedding Hair

Taking inspiration from everyone's favourite femme fatale, Jessica Rabbit curls are the perfect way to achieve a timeless but sensual look for your wedding day. Adding a copper glow to your hair is really on-trend right now for a modern wedding look.


The sculpted curls of this stunning hairstyle are bouncy and voluminous, and they'll definitely be the statement of your look.


The deep side part creates a dramatic look, and the curls work to create a beautiful waterfall of hair that perfectly frames your face, making it ideal for wedding photos.

3. Long Soft Wave Hairstyle

We love a hairstyle that looks like you've put in little to no effort. Your hair is just that naturally beautiful, and soft wave hairstyles hit the mark perfectly. This hairstyle uses less hairspray than Hollywood waves for a more romantic, natural look.


If you have a super special wedding dress picked out and want all eyes on it, this is a fab wedding hairstyle to choose. It looks gorgeous, but it won't take away from the rest of your look. You can work with your stylist to make sure your hair doesn't cover any special features of your dress.


Our Deluxe 20" Curly Clip-ins give you all the length, volume and definition you need for these wedding hair waves – in a matter of minutes!


They create natural curls and texture, and the subtle waves look beautiful. Plus, they come pre-styled, so you don't have to worry about using heat on them at all.

4. Wavy Bob Hairstyle

Not every wedding hairstyle has to be long and cascading. If you're confidently rocking a shorter hair length, you can still achieve beautiful waves—and we think this look is just as beautiful!


Whether you're bossing a short pixie cut or a long blunt bob, you can totally add some texture to your bob, and the curl patterns of Hollywood waves create a timeless look for your wedding day.


We think a 1930s-inspired bob looks particularly gorgeous and timeless – a perfect nod to the Hollywood era that looks amazing with some super soft curls.

Top Tip: Our stylists love to incorporate hair accessories for this hairstyle – think clips and feathers for a more vintage look or sequins and beads to amp up the glam!

5. Hollywood Waves With a Veil

If you've chosen to add a veil to your bridal look, Hollywood waves can be the perfect, simple accompaniment.


While veils are a wonderfully classic addition to any bridal aesthetic, they can limit what you can do with your hair on the big day.


Thankfully, classic Hollywood waves sit perfectly under any style of veil and look just as good if you choose to remove the headpiece for the reception.


The combination of the flowing curves of the timeless waves with a veil creates an ethereal, romantic bridal look that's sure to blow everyone away! Just remember to take your veil with you to your hair trial to get the best results!

6. Hollywood Wave Ponytail

Whether you have short or long hair, you can have a chic, voluminous, waved style that reflects your fun personality on your wedding day!


Styling classic Hollywood waves into a high ponytail gives you the shape, movement, and length you need for a timeless bridal hairstyle.


To reduce the heat styling for this look and make getting ready for your big day a breeze, our 24" Synthetic Hollywood Wave clip-in ponytail is the ideal extension for any natural hair length.


Simply put your natural hair in a ponytail and clip this quality waved extension over the top for instant bridal glam! The pre-styled waves mean there's no need for heat on your natural hair or touch-ups through the evening.

7. Old Hollywood Vintage Waves Hairstyle

Old Hollywood waves are classic for a truly vintage, old-money look. Compared to regular Hollywood waves, these are more sculpted and a little more intense, and we love how glam they look.


The waves are more defined and voluminous, so if you have slightly thinner hair, they can be great for creating the illusion of thick hair. Tape-in hair extensions can help make this classic wedding hairstyle look even better for people with thin hair.


You can sweep your hair all to one side or keep the deep side part for a more classic look.


To keep the waves in place, use hair spray and a little bit of gel to hold everything together – you want those waves to last all day and night.


If you want an extra luxe look, you could totally add some pearls or diamonds to your bridal hair for this hairstyle.

8. Long Wedding Hair Waves With Embellished Clips

Embellished clips are perfect for a Hollywood-inspired wedding. They bring the glam without being too over-the-top. Think pearls, crystals, diamonds, and a bit of lace for a vintage touch.


Our 8-piece, 22" Human Hair Clip-ins bring all the length, volume and bounce you need for some seriously beautiful pre-styled loose waves.


Simply clip the wefts in at your roots, then embellish them with a stunning bejewelled statement clip to add structure to your look. Then all you need is your dress!

9. Side-Swept Hollywood Waves

Side-swept Hollywood waves are the ideal bridal hairstyle for low-maintenance brides due to their effortless elegance and minimal styling requirements.


This look showcases soft, glamorous waves that can be easily achieved without spending extensive hours in front of the mirror.


Simply create loose curls and sweep them to one side for a chic, romantic vibe that beautifully frames the face. To make things even easier, our Eve collection extensions are pre-styled to keep your hair waved all day without excessive heat.


The best thing is that this hairstyle stays intact throughout the day, allowing you to focus on enjoying your special moments without constant touch-ups.

10. Fringe Wedding Hair With Wavy Locks

If bangs are your signature style, let them shine in your wedding hairstyle. Whether you have box fringe, curtain bangs, side bangs, or wispy bangs, you can style them nicely with a range of wavy bridal looks.


Why not highlight your face-framing bangs with a wavy updo?


To blend your bangs with the waves, our stylists recommend adding a gentle inward flick for extra curl and volume. For a truly vintage Hollywood look, curl your bangs and pin them to the side for a lovely 1920s style that suits all hair lengths.

Our Stylists' Top Tips for Long-Lasting Wedding Hairstyles!

One of the biggest concerns for brides when deciding on their bridal look is how well a style will hold. No one wants to be running to the bathroom every five minutes to fix their hair on their wedding day.


While our pre-styled extensions can help reduce the need for touch-ups throughout the wedding, here are our stylists' top tips for making your natural hair and extensions last on your big day!

Wedding Hair Trials Are a Must!

Wedding hair trials are essential for ensuring a long-lasting style on your big day. They allow you to experiment with different looks, ensuring your chosen hairstyle suits your dress and overall theme.


Trials also give you the opportunity to test how well styles hold up throughout the day and make necessary adjustments. This preparation helps to alleviate wedding day stress, ensuring you feel confident and beautiful when it matters most.

What a wedding trial can tell you and your stylist...

  1. Hair Texture and Type: Understanding your hair's natural texture – whether it’s straight, wavy, curly, or coily – enables the stylist to choose appropriate techniques and products for the best outcome.

  2. Response to Products: A trial allows the stylist to see how your hair reacts to different styling products, helping to determine which enhances hold, shine, or texture while preventing unwanted frizz.

  3. Style Longevity: By testing the chosen hairstyle, the stylist can assess how well it holds up over time and make necessary adjustments to ensure it lasts throughout your wedding day.

  4. Comfort and Fit: A trial gives you a chance to evaluate how comfortable the hairstyle feels, ensuring that any accessories or extensions are properly fitted for confidence on your special day.

  5. Integration with Bridal Look: It allows the stylist to visualise how your hair complements your wedding dress, makeup, and overall theme, ensuring a cohesive and harmonious bridal aesthetic.

Compromise With Practicality & Style

Compromising between practicality and style is essential for achieving beautiful, long-lasting wedding hair. A stunning hairstyle can be overshadowed by discomfort or constant upkeep, detracting from your special day.


By selecting styles that marry elegance with ease, such as pre-styled extensions or low-maintenance waves, you ensure that your hair remains picture-perfect while you enjoy every moment.


This balance allows you to focus on celebrating rather than worrying about your look throughout the evening.

Pre-Styled Extensions Are Your Bestie!

RiRi's pre-styled extensions are your bestie for a long-lasting, gorgeous bridal hairstyle because they are designed to seamlessly blend with your natural hair while providing instant volume and length.


Their pre-styled nature eliminates the need for heat, reducing damage and ensuring your locks stay intact throughout the ceremony and reception.


With easy application, you can achieve stunning hairstyles in minutes, leaving you free to enjoy every moment of your special day without worrying about constant touch-ups or losing your gorgeous look.

Final Thoughts: Trendy Wavy Bridal Hair to Try for Your Big Day

Whether you have cascading locks or a chic short bob, there are plenty of waved styles that are perfect for your wedding day. These timeless hairstyles add a touch of glitz and glam to your look, making your special day even more memorable.


Follow our stylists' top tips to ensure that your stunning wavy bridal hair stays in place all day and night as you party away your first day as a wifey!


Browse our range of wavy hair extensions to enhance your bridal look!

Article last updated: 21st Aug 2024

FAQs

Should I Do Wavy Bridal Hair for My Wedding?

Yes, wavy bridal hair looks offer a timeless and elegant look for weddings. They beautifully enhance various bridal styles and work well with hair accessories, making them an excellent choice for brides looking to add glamour to their special day.

How Long Does Wavy Bridal Hair Last?

Provided you use hairspray or hair gel to keep your waves locked in place, your hairstyle should last you all day. If you're using a curling iron to create your waves, it's important to let your hair cool down before you start brushing it out, which helps your waves set.

What is the Difference Between Hollywood Waves and Curls?

Hollywood waves are characterised by their soft, glamorous look, with flowing, large curls that resemble vintage Hollywood styles. In contrast, curls tend to be tighter and more defined, often resulting in a voluminous and bouncy appearance.

Can You Do Wavy Bridal Hair Without Extensions?

Yes, you can style your own hair into a wavy bridal look without extensions. However, waved extensions give your hair more volume and length to create a more glamorous look. If they're pre-styled like RiRi's, they keep their shape even when your natural hair starts to drop.

Nancy Pinder

Nancy is our resident hair and beauty specialist at RiRi Hair Extensions. She advises customers daily in our Lakeside and Bluewater stores, helping them find the perfect look, length, and shade of hair extensions. 


Nancy also presents our TikTok live to thousands of viewers across the world. You can catch her on our TikTok every week!

Find Nancy on TikTok!

RiRi Recommends: