25 Gorgeous Mother Of The Bride Hairstyles
Mriganka Sheker Mukhopadhyay
Updated At 04 Oct 26
The mother of the bride appears in nearly every key photo, from the first look to the last dance. Her hair needs to frame her face in close-ups, sit comfortably under a hat if she wears one, and suit the dress or outfit she chose for her daughter's wedding. These mother-of-the-bride hairstyles come from real wedding mornings and portrait sessions. Each one shows a single mother, close enough to see the cut, colour, and finish, with her occasion outfit in the frame. Use them as reference photos to take to your stylist.
1. Glossy Brunette Waves Under A Wide Hat
Dark brown hair falls past the shoulders in big, polished waves, set back so the brim of a wide blush hat sits cleanly. The waves pick up the soft pink in her floral off-shoulder dress.
2. Blonde Bob With Full Bangs And A Feathered Hat
A sleek, chin-length blonde bob with heavy, blunt bangs sits neatly beneath a cream hat trimmed with feathers. The straight lines contrast nicely with the large satin bow on her dress.
3. Silver Waves With A Blush Hat
Silver hair cascades down in loose, brushed waves that just hit the top of the shoulders, giving it a very relaxed look. A pale pink hat's perched at a bit of an angle, and the satin-wrapped neckline keeps the whole thing looking soft and dreamy, like a pastel.
4. Auburn Swept-Back Updo
Auburn hair is teased up at the top and swept back into a nice updo, with a few loose strands framing the face. And then, to add some real glamour, a sparkly pair of earrings and a silver top with sequins come into play.
5. Side-Swept Blonde Bob
This polished blonde bob features a deep side part with sweeping bangs that softly frame the face. The chin-length layers curve gently inward, giving the hairstyle a neat, rounded shape with subtle volume around the crown. Paired with the elegant sage-green formal dress, it makes a sophisticated choice for a mother-of-the-bride look.
6. Soft Blonde Updo With Face-Framing Tendrils
Blonde hair's all gathered up at the back, but a few long, curly tendrils are hanging loose on either side of the face, which is just adorable. And finishing off the whole look are some pearl earrings and a gorgeous blush coloured dress that's off the shoulder.
7. Loose Low Updo With Wispy Pieces
Pale blonde hair's been swept back from the side with a relaxed texture, and there are a few wispy bits framing the temples, which is just so pretty. And to top it all off, she's wearing a gorgeous powder-blue brocade gown with a high draped wrap that's just the business.
8. Sleek Bun With A Gold Leaf Pin
Glossy black hair's been smoothed back into a neat little bun at the nape and then finished off with a real showstopper of a gold leaf-shaped pin. Oh, and the stylist said she was going for chic and simple with a little bit of gold, and she really nailed it.
9. Detailed Side Bun Under A Hat
A low bun's been twisted up on the side and then tucked under a wide mauve hat. Now Amelia Carmela, the stylist, said she wanted to make the bun show under the hat but still look good when the hat's off, and she's done a really great job of it.
10. Sleek Half-Up With Curled Ends
Dark brown hair is smoothed flat at the crown and pinned back, while the ends fall in glossy curls at the shoulders. Pearl cluster earrings and a metallic sweetheart gown complete the glamour.
11. Dark Low Updo With A Statement Hat
Dark hair is pinned into a neat, low updo that sits below a grey hat topped with white feathered flowers. The tidy shape lets the hat and her lace-trimmed silver dress take centre stage.
12. Soft Brunette Waves
Shoulder-length brown hair with warm highlights is parted to one side and then brushed into soft, flowing waves that tuck in just right around her face, and basically frame that gorgeous bare off-shoulder neckline.
13. Sleek Silver Low Knot
Long silver hair is swept back from a centre parting into a smooth, neat little knot, just a low one but still super chic. And to keep things nice and understated, there's just a delicate diamond necklace adding a bit of sparkle.
14. Salt-And-Pepper Swept Crop
This short hair of hers is salt-and-pepper, all that lovely mix of grey and brown. Anyway, it's brushed back and to one side, creating a soft wave at the front which adds a bit of a casual vibe. But somehow the gold hoops and that black satin halter neckline keep the whole thing feeling pretty modern.
15. Vintage Sculpted Curls
Her short auburn locks are all set into nice, defined curls, great height on top, nice sweeping lines on the sides. It's basically that old Hollywood look, and it goes down a treat with that pale blue dress all trimmed with lace.
16. Grey Wavy Bob
A jaw-length ash-grey bob has a deep side part and loose, brushed waves that add width at the cheekbones. Against a rose-gold sequin top, the waves look polished rather than casual.
17. Low Bun With Fresh Flowers
Dark hair is softly lifted at the crown and pinned into a low bun tucked with white flowers, with a few loose waves near the temple. It works beautifully with a gold-embellished saree and layered pearls.
18. Textured Crop With A Rose Fascinator
A short, textured blonde cut is tucked behind the ear, leaving room for a pink rose fascinator with feathery quills. A bold magenta top brings out the deeper pink tones of the headpiece.
19. Side-Swept Dark Waves
Dark hair is swept to one side in soft waves, with a loose curl falling near her cheek. A diamond necklace and a pale embroidered outfit with mint floral trim keep the look delicate.
20. Short Layered Crop
A short brown cut has layered volume through the crown and lightly feathered sides. A sparkling jewelled collar on her black dress draws the eye up toward the face, as this getting-ready shot shows.
21. Voluminous Twisted Updo
Highlighted brunette hair is twisted and pinned into a high, sculpted updo full of texture and dimension. Long pearl drop earrings and an open-back neckline show how good this style looks from behind.
22. Soft Brunette Half-Up
Brown hair is gently lifted at the crown and pinned back, with soft waves falling past the shoulders. It goes well with a dark floral print and a natural makeup finish.
23. Curled Bob Under A Black Hat
A light brown bob is curled under at the ends and frames the face beneath a black-and-cream hat with a fabric flower. A red lip and pearl necklace give it a classic race-day feel.
24. Smooth Pulled-Back Style With Jewelled Ensemble
Dark hair's been pulled back neatly on the side and smoothed over, leaving room for a real showstopper of a choker and some dangle earrings. And it's the neat finish that really lets this richly embroidered purple and gold outfit shine.
25. Long Side-Swept Waves
Long black hair is swept over one shoulder in loose waves that leave the other side of the neck open. That shape shows off a long pearl necklace and an ivory saree with gold detailing.
Conclusion
Choose your outfit first, then the hairstyle. Hats and fascinators work best with low buns, sleek bobs or waves styled away from the brim. Open necklines can take long waves or half-up styles. Book a trial a few weeks before the wedding, and bring a photo of your outfit and any headpiece. The best mother-of-the-bride hairstyles still look neat in the late-night photos.
