10 Ways to Upgrade Your Wedding Updo

By Cassie Neiden, Martha Stewart

Updos are a classic wedding hairstyle, but by no means are they old-fashioned. We've rounded up the best ways to elevate the timeless hairstyle to make it modern—and your own.

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Pop of Color

Not only does adding a braid to a piecy and whimsical chignon create a soft and relaxed look, but the addition of colorful blooms can instantly make your hairstyle appear brighter and modern. Consider adding some yellow, blue, orange, or pink blooms with green foliage and baby's breath to provide dimension—your guests won't be able to stop admiring your boho-chic 'do.

Dolled-Up Topknot

Headbands can be the perfect way to adorn a topknot, especially if you're going for a sheer and embellished look, like this silver and champagne couture piece by Jenny Packham that's filled with hundreds of tiny beads. Hint: This accessory also doubles as a sleek way to hide flyaways and frizz!

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Waves for Days

Go for a relaxed look by adding some wave and volume to your updo. Using a one-inch curling iron, spiral curl your strands. Then, split your hair in half, twisting each side loosely. Bring the sections together by crossing over left, then right, then pull the ends up and secure them both with bobby pins. Stylist tip: Keep a handful of pins handy to secure extra flyaways.

Gatsby-Style Shimmer

An asymmetric look, like this dazzled '20s-inspired headpiece, can be a radiant way to embellish a low bun. Slightly tease your lower crown for some volume, but don't worry about making the updo flawless. A loose strand or too finishes off the natural and easy-breezy yet lavish vibe that party-goers in the roaring decade perfected.

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Milkmaid Braid

If there's one thing we currently can't get enough of, it's a stylish braid. Not only did this bride find a 'do that stayed put all night, but her stylist, Diana Streany, added a golden mesh headband by Anthropologie for some extra sparkle.

All-Over Sparkle

Marion Cotillard may not have been tying the knot, but she was giving us all the ballerina-chignon inspiration we could ever want at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Cotillard's stylist, Odile Gilbert, strategically placed gold embellishments around her crown (and bun itself!), making her updo appear delicate, elegant, and undeniably Pinterest-worthy.
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Bling in the Back

An accessory is a lovely go-to for an asymmetric bun. And this feather, which sweeps the opposite side of where the hair gathers, balances out the style and gives your wedding photographer more than enough reason to capture every angle of your bridal look.

Bun Butterflies

This year's bridal fashion shows brought no shortage of hairstyle inspo, and this Ines di Santo look by Jorge Luis for Cutler is no exception. He proves there is a way to spruce up those sleek-swept strands by topping off this ballerina bun with several large, white butterfly accents.
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Smooth Strands

While headbands, tiaras, blooms, and barrettes are all beautiful additions to any hairstyle—it's also OK to perfect an updo without embellishments—like this voluminous bun. This style can still be bold and dynamic, especially for a bride with ombre or highlighted hair.
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Dreamy Tiara

This look from Marchesa's Spring 2016 bridal show was created by Moroccanoil Global Creative Ambassador Kevin Hughes, who added a stunning headpiece to a sleek and traditional middle-part bun.

See more at: Martha Stewart