Nothing photographs like a braid woven into an updo — it catches light from every angle and reads as pure romance.
There is a reason braided updos dominate wedding season and every formal event in between. The braid adds texture and architecture that a plain bun simply cannot match, which means your hair looks interesting in close-ups, side profiles, and wide shots alike.
The best part is that braids are working for you all night. Woven hair holds better than smooth hair, so a braided base grips pins and resists slipping through hours of dancing, hugging, and humidity.
Below you will find twenty braided updo hairstyles organized from soft and romantic to sculpted and dramatic. Most work on medium to long hair, and almost all of them look fuller with a little day-old texture or dry shampoo worked through first.
Dutch Crown Braid with a Low Chignon
A Dutch braid circles the head like a headband, then the tail coils into a low chignon at the nape. Ask your stylist for a braid that sits about an inch behind the hairline so it frames the face softly rather than pulling everything flat. It suits round and oval faces beautifully because the wrapped shape adds width at the sides.
Hold it with two crisscrossed bobby pins at the base of the bun plus a light mist of flexible spray. This is the kind of look that also works as one of the bridal updo hairstyles for outdoor ceremonies, since the braided anchor resists wind better than a plain twist.
Fishtail Braid Folded Into a Chignon
A fishtail braid has a finer, more intricate texture than a classic three-strand braid, which makes it look almost like lace when folded into a low chignon. Best on hair past the shoulders so the fishtail has enough length to show its pattern before it folds under.
Work in small sections for a tight, defined fishtail, then pancake it wide before tucking. The woven tail grips bobby pins so well that this updo barely needs spray to last through a long evening.
Double Dutch Braids into a Rolled Bun
Two Dutch braids run from the forehead to the nape and merge into one rolled bun. This is the sporty-but-pretty option that stays locked in — ideal for outdoor events, garden parties, or any evening where you will be moving a lot.
Part the hair cleanly down the middle, braid tight against the scalp, and secure the bun with a small elastic plus pins. A little edge control or smoothing cream along the part keeps flyaways from frizzing by hour three.
Soft Side Braid with a Loose Knot
The braid starts deep on one side and sweeps across the back into a loose, undone knot. It gives off effortless bridesmaid energy and suits long hair with layers, since the shorter pieces fall out naturally around the knot.
Keep the tension loose and tug the braid edges for width. Leave two face-framing pieces out at the front and curl them softly so the whole look stays romantic instead of severe.
Waterfall Braid Wrapped into a Low Bun
A waterfall braid drops sections as it travels, creating a cascade effect, and the braid tail wraps around a low bun at the nape. The dropped strands can be curled and pinned into the bun or left to blend with loose waves underneath.
This suits medium to long hair and looks especially pretty with highlights or balayage, because every dropped section shows off dimension. Ask your stylist to curl the falling pieces before braiding so the texture is already built in.
Braided Halo with Pinned-Up Curls
A single braid circles the entire head like a halo while softly curled sections are pinned up beneath it. The result is ethereal and very forgiving on thin hair, since the curls underneath create volume the braid alone cannot.
Curl everything with a one-inch iron first, pin the curls into a loose cluster at the back, then lay the halo braid over the top and pin it into the curls. The mix of textures reads rich and full in photos.
Lace Braid Leading to a Textured Topknot
A lace braid — where hair is added from only one side — sweeps from the temple up into a textured topknot. The lace edge looks delicate, like embroidery, and the topknot keeps everything off the neck for summer events.
Tease the ponytail base before twisting it into the knot for a fuller bun, and pull a few pieces loose around the lace braid for softness. This works on medium-length hair too, since the knot sits high.
Pull-Through Braid into a Low Bun
The pull-through braid creates big, chunky loops that look far more dramatic than the effort involved — it is made with stacked ponytails, not actual braiding. Gather it into a low bun for a formal look with serious volume.
This is the best braided updo for fine hair because each loop can be pancaked wide for instant fullness. If you struggle with real braiding, this technique also appears in our easy formal hairstyles for beginners since it needs no braiding skill at all.
French Braid into a Twisted French Roll
A French braid runs down one side of the head and feeds into a classic twisted French roll. The braid adds a modern edge to an otherwise timeless shape, making it feel current rather than retro.
Smooth the roll with a boar-bristle brush as you twist so the surface looks polished against the textured braid. Secure with long hairpins inserted vertically along the roll for a hold that lasts through dinner and dancing.
Modern Milkmaid Braids
Two braids cross over the crown and pin at the sides — the milkmaid style, updated with softness instead of the severe pinned look of years past. Pull the braids slightly loose and leave wispy pieces around the face.
This suits heart-shaped faces especially well because the width across the crown balances a narrower chin. It photographs beautifully from the front, which makes it a strong choice for events where you will be in lots of pictures.
Braided High Bun with Face-Framing Pieces
A high bun wrapped at its base with a thin braid, plus two loose pieces left out at the front. The braid at the base looks like a built-in hair accessory and elevates an otherwise simple bun into event hair.
Build the bun on a sock donut or padding if your hair is fine, then wrap the accent braid around the base and pin. Curl the face-framing pieces away from the face for a soft, lifted finish.
Side Dutch Braid into a Messy Chignon
One chunky Dutch braid travels from a deep side part across the back and melts into a deliberately messy chignon. The contrast between the structured braid and the undone bun is what makes this look modern.
Keep the braid tight for the first three crosses, then loosen your grip so the texture relaxes toward the bun. Pull small pieces out of the chignon after pinning — the messiness should look intentional, not accidental.
Infinity Braid into a Low Twisted Bun
An infinity braid weaves a ribbon-like pattern down the back of the head before twisting into a low bun. The figure-eight weave looks incredibly intricate in close-up photos, making it a favorite for events with a photographer present.
The technique takes practice, so this is a salon-ask rather than a DIY attempt. Bring a reference photo and ask for the braid to be worked on slightly damp, conditioned hair so the weave stays smooth and defined.
Four-Strand Braid Wrapped Updo
A four-strand braid has a flatter, more woven look than a classic braid, almost like a ribbon. Wrap it into a low side bun or coil it at the nape for an updo that looks quietly luxurious.
This suits straight or lightly wavy hair best, since the clean weave shows more on smooth textures. Work a pea-sized amount of smoothing serum through the lengths before braiding to keep every strand in its lane.
Braided Mohawk Updo with Volume
A center Dutch braid runs front to back with the sides swept up and pinned beneath it, creating a mohawk silhouette without shaving anything. It is bold, editorial, and surprisingly flattering because the height elongates the face.
Tease the crown before braiding to build the lifted shape, and pin the sides up with the braid covering the pins. This is a great pick for fashion-forward events where you want your hair to be part of the outfit.
Rope Twist Braid into a Knotted Bun
Two rope twists coil around each other and knot into a low bun — a two-strand technique that is faster than braiding but looks just as polished. The twisted texture catches light beautifully under evening lighting.
Twist each section in the same direction, then wrap them around each other the opposite way so the rope holds itself together. Knot the ends once and tuck them under, securing with pins hidden inside the knot.
Dutch Braid Crown with a Braided Bun
A Dutch braid arcs over the crown and feeds into a bun that is itself braided before coiling — braids on braids. The double texture makes this the most intricate-looking updo on the list, ideal for black-tie events.
Braid the bun section loosely so it coils without bulk, and wrap it around a small elastic base. Because there are two braids, this holds extremely well — plan on it surviving the whole night plus the after-party.
Braided Low Updo with Pearl Pins
A soft low braided updo finished with scattered pearl pins along the braid — the pins do half the styling work by drawing the eye to the weave. This is a go-to for weddings and formal dinners where you want polish without severity.
Place five to seven pearl pins at irregular intervals rather than in a line; asymmetry looks more expensive. Choose pins with a flat back so they sit flush against the braid instead of wobbling.
Double Braided Space Buns, Dressed Up
Two Dutch braids run back into two sleek buns — the playful space-bun shape, refined with smooth roots and polished finish for evening. It works best on medium to long hair and suits younger faces and fun, less traditional events.
Smooth the roots with gel and a fine-tooth comb before braiding so the look reads polished, not festival-casual. Keep the buns compact and symmetrical; oversized buns tip this back into daytime territory.
Braided Pompadour Updo with Height
The front is swept up into a soft pompadour with height while the back is braided and pinned into an updo. The lifted front elongates round faces and gives the whole style a vintage-glam energy.
Backcomb the front section at the roots, smooth the top layer over, and pin the pompadour before braiding the back. A little height at the front changes everything — it is the difference between flat and formal.
Braids give an updo the kind of texture that cameras love, so pick the one that matches your event and your patience level — and if you want something half-up instead, our half-up half-down hairstyles for prom night keep the braid detail while leaving length down. For a fully smooth, classic alternative, see the French twist hairstyles that never go out of style.
