As parents, there’s no greater joy than seeing our children take their first steps towards adulthood, and for mothers of the bride, this moment is particularly poignant. While the wedding day is undoubtedly a celebration of the couple’s love, it’s also an opportunity for mothers to shine in their own right. With their daughters looking radiant in their white dresses, mothers deserve to feel just as stunning alongside them. This post presents 23 sleek and sophisticated mother-of-the-bride hairstyles that cater to all hair types, ensuring you’ll find a look that complements your natural locks and makes you feel like the epitome of elegance on your daughter’s special day.
23 Sophisticated Mother of the Bride Hairstyles
1 Clean Braided Bun with Crystal Hairpins
Elegance personified, this hairstyle is nothing short of stunning! The artful arrangement of braids, skillfully tucked to create a sleek bun, allows the wearer’s facial features to take center stage. This versatile look is particularly well-suited for women with textured or afro hair who desire a neat updo that will remain in place all day long.
2 Elegant Low Chignon with Wavy Fringe
For those who adore an elegant updo but prefer hairstyles that showcase their face, a textured take on the classic chignon is the perfect solution. This versatile style works particularly well with medium to long hair, requiring sufficient length to create the desired volume and texture. By building up the sides of the fringe, this hairstyle frames the face without revealing too much, resulting in a beautifully balanced look.
3 Soft Volume for Short Hair with Side Fringe
Mothers with stunning short bobs, rejoice! There’s an understated yet captivating hairstyle waiting for you that requires minimal effort – just a boost in volume. I adore how effortlessly this style comes together, with its clever combination of outward waves and volume creating a flattering frame for the face shape. What’s more, the lack of hair accessories means a generous application of hairspray is necessary to hold everything in place, giving the look a sleek finish.
4 Classy Half-up Half-down Beehive Hairstyle
Step back into the 1960s with a hairstyle that exudes classic Hollywood glamour! This elegant bouffant style brought a touch of timeless sophistication to our stunning Mother of the Bride, making it an excellent choice for a formal event. Notably, she opted for a half-up, half-down look, allowing her luscious locks to cascade down her back while maintaining a stylish updo.
5 Elegant Low Bun Hairstyle with Curled Side Breezer
For those who find the retro beehive hairstyle too bold, a more understated bouffant can be achieved through a low bun hairstyle, offering a toned-down alternative. This style also caters well to women with short to medium-length hair, as it doesn’t require an excessive amount of hair to work with. To create this look, the focus is on achieving volume and subtle curls that frame the face without overpowering it.
6 Mid-Part Soft Waves with Wide Brim Fascinator
Elegance is effortlessly achieved when pairing wide brim fascinators with effortless hairstyles. This stunning Mother of the Bride example perfectly illustrates this concept, as her soft and shiny wavy locks complemented beautifully by the fascinator create a truly captivating look. The subtle gray tone of her hair harmonizes with the muted color of the fascinator, resulting in an overall aesthetic that exudes understated sophistication. Moreover, this versatile hairstyle can be adapted to suit women with varying hair lengths – from bobs to long locks – making it accessible and achievable for all.
7 Messy Waves in Low Chignon Bun with Net Lace Fascinator
For a refined take on the classic fascinator, consider pairing it with an elegant updo. This hairstyle is perfect for women who like to keep their locks tied back in a chic bun, yet still want to add volume and texture to their overall look. The delicate net lace trim of the fascinator adds a touch of vintage whimsy to the formal ensemble, making it a standout accessory for any special occasion.
8 Classic French Twist
Timeless elegance is synonymous with the classic French twist, whose beauty lies in its understated simplicity. This sleek style, often gathered at the nape of the neck, produces an opulent finish that’s perfect for mothers of the bride who prefer to keep their looks understated yet polished. With its effortless ability to radiate poise and sophistication, the French twist is a timeless choice that never goes out of style.
9 Uneven Waves in a Twisted Low Bun
Imagine a hairstyle that perfectly captures the free-spirited essence of Boho chic. This effortlessly elegant arrangement, with its beautiful texture and hints of messiness, is reminiscent of a tropical paradise – perfect for beach or garden weddings. While it may appear complex at first glance, this look is surprisingly achievable through simple techniques like volume buildup and twisting.
10 Voluminous High Updo
Classic updos have been a timeless choice for many special occasions, particularly for the Mother of the Bride. Not only do they exude elegance, but they’re also incredibly practical – no pesky stray hairs getting in the way or obscuring your face. For a simple yet effective look, start by curling your hair and then secure it into a bun as you normally would. From there, gently pull out sections to add volume and texture, finishing with a sleek, polished appearance.
11 Loosely Braided Low Bun
A timeless beauty, this elegant low bun hairstyle is a stunning choice for mothers-of-the-bride-to-be. Its versatility and understated sophistication make it perfect for walking down the aisle alongside their little princesses. The bohemian charm of uneven French braids twisted to form a sleek low bun adds an air of refinement, while the option to incorporate pearl accents provides additional texture and visual interest.
12 Textured Pixie Hairstyle with Bright-colored Fascinator
While short hair like a pixie cut may seem restrictive in terms of styling options, there’s actually a lot to love about this look. What makes it truly special is the way it can be styled to perfection, showcasing the natural texture and adding a touch of youthful sophistication. The real showstopper, however, is when paired with a whimsical headpiece that adds an extra layer of confidence and joy to the overall aesthetic. This unique combination not only elevates the style but also makes for one of the most stunning Mother of the Bride hairstyles for short hair, perfect for any special occasion.
13 Soft Wavy Bob Hairstyle
The undulating waves frame the Mother of the Bride’s face with an air of softness and subtlety, imbuing her visage with an undeniable elegance. Meanwhile, this timeless bob haircut perfectly harmonizes contemporary flair with timeless allure, exuding a sense of refined sophistication.
14 Subtle Fishtail Braids Twisted into a Small Chignon
Elegance meets whimsy as mom’s wedding style comes together in perfect harmony. But what makes this look truly special is that it’s surprisingly quick and effortless to achieve! The key lies in the simple yet effective hairstyling process. By curling select sections of hair to add texture and volume, then seamlessly weaving them into a fishtail braid and twisting into a low chignon, you can create a stunning updo that exudes sophistication and charm.
15 Voluminous French Twist with Silver Floral Hair Pins
A unique spin on the classic French twist, this style boasts added body and volume to create a truly regal hairstyle for the mother of the bride. What sets it apart from a traditional sleek French twist is the extra oomph on top, which is further enhanced by delicate floral pins strategically placed throughout the look to keep everything in place.
16 Plain French Twist with Teased Top
The enduring appeal of the classic French twist is undeniable. One of its greatest advantages lies in its effortless elegance, making it a staple for busy mothers who value simplicity and sophistication. The key to this timeless style lies in its polished finish and neatly brushed hair, which exudes a sense of refinement even without the addition of ornate accessories.
17 Glamorous Beach Waves with One-side Ear Tuck
For a truly stunning Mother of the Bride hairstyle for long hair, I came across an incredible inspiration that exudes elegance. The model’s striking gray locks took center stage, adding a level of sophistication to the overall look. The effortless beach waves gave off Old Hollywood vibes, while cleverly tucking one side behind the ear showcased the mom’s flawless facial features and added a touch of whimsy to the style.
18 Messy French Braid in Low Ponytail
For those seeking an alternative bohemian-inspired hairstyle, consider this charming option. Its understated elegance lies in its ability to appear effortlessly stylish, making it an ideal choice for women with lengthy locks.
19 Classic Low Twist with Small Crystal Barrette
This sleek hairstyle showcases the beauty of the face, neck, and collarbones by allowing them to take center stage. The subtle touch of a small stone-encrusted barrette injects a touch of elegance, striking the perfect balance between understated and dramatic.
20 Sophisticated French Braid Chignon
For individuals with long locks, a chic updo can be an excellent solution to keep tresses at bay while maintaining an air of sophistication. This stylish ‘do excels when working with medium to long hair lengths, as it requires sufficient volume to execute the look effectively.
21 Curly Top Knot with Fresh Flower Adornment
For couples planning an outdoor celebration, this hairstyle shines with its breathtaking floral details. In contrast, this look deviates from the traditional sleek updo by incorporating soft curls and layered waves that add volume and texture to the overall style.
22 Elegant Braided Half Updo with Bejewelled Hairpin
One unique aspect of this updo is the incorporation of pulled-out sections of curly hair, which diverges from the traditional braided look. By leaving some strands loose, the overall style takes on a carefree, youthful quality that complements the Mother of the Bride’s features.
23 Side-part Coiled Hair Downdo
As I browsed through different hairstyles, one particular bride caught my attention. Her stunning coiled locks were so striking that I knew many mothers with similar textures would adore this style as well. The ‘Mother of the Bride’ look is indeed a class act, don’t you agree?! Whether your hair is short and straight or long and curly, there’s certainly something to elevate your look, giving you that sophisticated aura perfect for your daughter’s big day.