10 Gorgeous Wedding Hairstyles for Brides With Locs

Bride with locs pinned to the side in a lob, wearing a floral wedding dress and looking down at her bouquet — Photo by Emily Melissa Photo

Since your wedding day is an opportunity to showcase your personal style, identity, and love story, there’s no better way to capture your true essence than by embracing your natural hair. From braiding to coiling, you can style your real tresses in so many beautiful ways, and one popular option that has a rich cultural history is locs.

For brides with locs, specifically, the hairstyle options for your big day are truly endless. You can pile them into an elegant updo, pull them into a high ponytail, or simply wear them down. You can also add extensions to lengthen your locs or include an ounce of glitter by accessorizing with a beaded hairpin or a bejeweled headpiece.

To choose the right look for your nuptials, hairstylist Krystal Anne of Arrojo Studio recommends starting by doing your research and paying attention to styles you like. Then, when finalizing your hairdo, she suggests double-checking that your hairstyle will work with your veil—if you’re wearing one—and opting for comfort since locs can easily weigh you down. Finally, do a trial before your big day to make sure it’s up to par. And leading up to the celebration, Krystal advises keeping your mane moisturized with the right products, such as Arrojo Cream Whip for a leave-in conditioner, Arrojo Pomade to tighten your locs, and Arrojo Healing Oil to restore your natural oils without looking greasy.

Meet the Expert

Krystal Anne is a colorist and texture specialist at Arrojo Studio located in Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood.

Wondering how to style your locs for your special day? We’ve compiled a list of our favorite ideas from real brides. Read on for 10 gorgeous wedding hairstyles for brides with locs.

01 of 10

Embellished, Cascading Spirals

A bride with her locs down in curls and a sparkly headpiece, posing with a woman in a black dress and one in pink — Photo by Prime Visuals Photography

Many brides let their locs fall straight down, but to elevate your style, why not add some curls? Start by priming your head of hair with moisture, either with water or leave-in conditioner. Then, roll the ends with perm rods and let them sit until your strands are dry. Once you’ve removed the rods, use hair pins to channel your desired look. You can even top off your ‘do with a glitzy adornment.

02 of 10

A Gilded French Braid

Photo by Dawn Derbyshire Photography

Locs are already brimming with texture, but for more depth and dimension, you can gather all of those smaller, twisted strands into one thick French braid. A cascading style that falls down your back or around your shoulders is effortlessly beautiful, but for a unique spin, consider a braid that spans across your hairline and extends into a chignon at the nape of your neck. Complete your updo with a cluster of gold leaf hair pins for a gilded accent fit for a glamorous function.

03 of 10

A Tiered Ponytail

Bride looking in a handheld mirror while getting ready for her wedding and wearing her locs in a high, tiered ponytail — Photo by HAK Vision LLC

Ponytails are a sophisticated and playful hairstyle for your wedding, and they work perfectly with locs. While sweeping your strands on top of your head is classic, create more visual intrigue by rocking a tiered style. Simply pull your tresses back into a high ponytail and then wrap elastics or rubber bands around sections of your hair until you reach the end. This is perfect for brides who want a laid-back, low-maintenance look with a statement-making flair.

04 of 10

A Pearl-Studded Chignon

Photo by Crystal Photography

An updo that graces the middle of your scalp is one of the most elegant ways to style your locs, especially for long or medium-length hair. If you’re throwing a glamorous soirée or you’re looking to infuse a bit of sparkle, consider elevating your look with a strand of pearls parallel to your hairline and individual beads scattered throughout your chignon, like the above hairstyle that Locs by Dee created. Pair with a crystal-studded veil and diamond drop earrings to really up the ante.

05 of 10

A Side-Pinned Cropped Style

A bride in a floral wedding dress with locs pinned to the side in a lob, laughing while embracing her groom — Photo by Emily Melissa Photo

Wearing your hair down in its natural form is as authentic as it gets. Styling your locs can be as effortless as pinning a few strands to the side and attaching a veil to the crown of your head. You can even let a few pieces fall across your forehead to frame your face. This bride’s side-swept lob complimented her floral wedding dress and adhered to the organic aesthetic at her botanical nuptials in Chicago.

06 of 10

A Voluminous Top Knot

Bride with locs in a top knot, wearing glasses and a white tuxedo during the first look — Photo by Chi-Chi Ari Love

Krystal’s favorite way to style locs is twisting them into a high ponytail and forming a well-defined bun. That’s essentially how this bride wore her locs during her at-home elopement in Brooklyn. Piling your tresses on top of your head is not only stylish, but it’s also practical, especially if you’re saying “I do” in warm weather and want to keep your neck cool and your strands free from sweat.

07 of 10

A Coiffed Low Bun

A bride with her locs in a low bun with highlights and floral hair pins, facing the groom and touching her forehead to his — Photo by Kiyah C Photography

Low buns radiate romance and refinement at any type of affair. For a unique twist on your low-do, incorporate a few highlights throughout your bun for contrast and add pins shaped like flowers, which are especially fitting for a garden fête. A wedding dress with a low back and neckline will draw attention to your coiffed locs.

08 of 10

Gathered Tresses Featuring a Beaded Accessory

A bride with locs in an updo with a beaded headpiece, gazing into the groom's eyes with her hand on his chest — Photo by Kiyah C Photography

Instead of using an elastic to produce a well-defined chignon, pin back a pile of your tresses to generate an effortless, dreamy style. For an alluring edge, part your hair to the side before gathering your locs. To take your hairstyle to the next level, complete with a beaded headpiece affixed on one side of your head.

09 of 10

Effortless Curls Topped With a Veil

A bride gazing into her groom's eyes while showcasing her locs in a curly style pinned with a veil — Photo by Ag Photography

Wearing your hair down will accentuate the length of your hair, whether it’s a thick bob or a long mane. If you want to welcome more texture, insert perm rods in damp or wet hair to create curls. All you’ll need is a sweeping veil to round off your hairdo, whether you’re getting married in an upscale ballroom or a casual beach bash.

10 of 10

A Textured Updo

A bride turning to the side in a strapless wedding dress with her locs in a tall updo — Photo by Samantha Jacob Photography

An updo that’s gathered in one centralized region is undeniably classic, but a hairstyle that starts at the top of your head and stops at the base will make your tresses appear longer and thicker. We love this look for a formal event with a black-tie dress code, especially if you include sequined hair pins for added opulence.

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