If there is ever a time to look your best, it’s at your wedding. After all, those pictures are going to last forever. Choosing the right haircut for your wedding isn’t always about the cut itself—it’s also about how you style it and how fresh it is. “You’re spending a lot of money on the wedding, so you should put a good amount of time into making sure your hair is something you don’t want to worry about,” says stylist Rob Casey.
The most important thing you can do is prepare in advance. This means, if you’re thinking of rocking a new hairstyle at your wedding, talk to your barber well before the big day. “You want to get their input because if something’s not possible, you don’t want to scramble for another hairstyle,” he says. It also means allowing time to transition. “Plan on getting four haircuts before the wedding about a month apart,” Casey says, especially if you’re growing out your hair (average hair grows about an inch a month). “A consultation four weeks prior to the wedding is key,” says stylist Joel Torres. “In the consultation, I like to decide if the haircut should be two weeks before the event or the day before.”
Ahead, our top 20 men’s haircuts to use as inspiration for your wedding day.
Famous Waves
More guys are adopting longer, more natural styles these days, as letting your hair do its thing is often your best look. It gives a cool, classic wedding day look that allows you to look like yourself. “In this case, it’s better to get a trim two weeks before and for the day of the wedding style it natural with products,” says Torres.
The Leading Part
“Remember that these are your wedding pictures that last forever, and classic haircuts never die,” says Casey. “A modern classic haircut is always good. Something with a side part, scissor cuts on the sides, and some length on top. It should be able to be pushed over.”
Short Afro
A mid-length afro helps natural texture shine through instead of relying on picking for volume. It’s a youthful, cool look but still polished for a formal setting (like a wedding). “Coarse hair works well with leave-in conditioners and shine,” says Torres. He recommends Bed Head Gimme Grip Texturizing Conditioning Jelly ($15) and Bed Head Head Rush Shine Spray ($18).
Controlled Buzz
The difference between a buzz cut you do yourself and what your barber gives you is that it’s not one length all over. Keeping hair slightly longer on top than the sides will help accentuate your bone structure.
Waves on Top
“An easy way to enhance your hair is using a styling cream,” says Casey. They are suitable for all hair lengths and don’t have much hold but help provide shape. Creams also help de-frizz it and keep the hair looking smooth (but natural)—especially if you have longer hair with a natural wave.
The Slick-Back
Slicked-back hair is one of the most classic special occasion styles for men, but it’s all about what product you use. Don’t use a gel, which will make your hair look more wet than slick. Instead, use a pomade to add volume without too much shine.
Shine On
“Shine pomade is great for weddings because it’s more of a dressier look,” says Casey. If you use a matte clay or paste in your daily life, switching to a shiny pomade for your wedding is the easiest way to up the ante with minimal effort.
Controlled Curls
Anyone with curly hair knows that it can have a mind of its own. Keeping your curls short or medium length can make a big difference, but Casey recommends asking your barber to teach you how to style your cut well before your wedding day to make sure you’re prepared (that goes for all haircuts too).
Undercut
An undercut (when your hair on top is much longer than the hair on the sides) is one of the most versatile haircuts you can have. “If the wedding is outdoors, then a leave-in conditioner with humidity control and sometimes even hairspray (Bed Head by TIGI Hard Head Extreme Hold Hairspray, $20) can be used to maintain control and a fresh and camera-ready look.”
Keep your hair slicked back for the ceremony and then use a pomade to give it more casual and messy look for the reception.
Flat Top
Modern flat tops look cool because they’re shorter and not as extreme as their ’90’s predecessors. That shorter length also makes them great for a wedding since they’re cool and edgy without being over the top. Just remember to get it cut two weeks before the big day for optimal shape (without the excess length that three to four weeks of growth time would produce).
Edgy Disconnect
A “disconnect” falls somewhere between an undercut and a fade. Keep enough length on top to get texture and volume, but don’t go so long that it falls flat halfway through your vows.
Modern Pompadour
Styling a pompadour can take practice (and usually a round brush/hairdryer combo), but the payoff is lots of volume and a slick statement. Ask your barber to leave enough length to the front that you can build up height and curl it back on itself.
Cut-In Part
Side parts will always be a classic, and getting one cut-in takes the guesswork out. Ahead of the big day, “get a shape up two or three days before the wedding,” says Casey, to make sure the edges are crisp. “Always go to the same person because they’re going to have experience with your hair texture and growth patterns.”
Versatile Classic
Even though this haircut is short, it relies on texture to make it modern and cool. The best thing about it is that it looks just as good parted as it does messy, meaning that you could have multiple hairdos throughout the day if you want.
For short hair, Torres recommends getting a trim the day before and using a pomade to style. “Pomades can be matte or shiny depends on the desired look.” He likes Bed Head for Men Pure Texture Molding Paste ($14).
The Captain America
Classic in cut but modern in style, this is an updated iteration of the side part. Use your natural part instead of creating one, then use a cream pomade to smooth hair without adding excess shine.
Textured Top
For a wedding hairstyle that looks styled, yet modern, this textured top haircut as seen on Bradley Cooper is a great choice. Use your hands to work in some styling pomade, such as American Crew Defining Paste ($19), to give your hair height and texture.
Long Waves
For those guys that want to embrace longer locks on your wedding day, style your hair into cool waves by asking your stylist for layers around your face. Work a lightweight serum through your hair to prevent frizz and amp up the shine. With hair looking this good, the bride may get jealous!
Medium Length Waves
This medium-length hairstyle on Brad Pitt is perfect if you want some length to their hair, but also want it more styled. Part your hair on one side and use a little lightweight pomade to create a little volume on top. Finish off your look by tucking your hair behind your ears.
Braided Ponytail
Secure your longer braids in a ponytail for a look that is stylish, refined and perfect for your wedding day. Jason Derulo keeps his look looking modern with his tight fade on the sides.
Styled Wavy Shag
Embrace those curls on your wedding day by copying Timothée Chalamet’s shaggy hairdo. He keeps his curls loose, but controlled and styled. Use a styling product for curls that allows movement and also controls frizz. One great choice is Ouai Wave Spray ($25).
