For lovers of wedding hairstyles, you can’t go pass the chignon wedding updo. The chignon is a classic wedding hairstyle that exudes elegance and sophistication. Over the years, this timeless updo has been reinvented with modern twists, making it a favourite among contemporary brides. The modern chignon is versatile, chic and suitable for various wedding themes, from classic and traditional to bohemian and modern.
We love to accessorise a bridal chignon with intricate and detailed hair pieces that will instantly elevate your bridal look. Whether it’s a wedding headpiece or a bridal veil, a chignon is the perfect foundation to secure a beautiful heirloom piece.
A chignon (pronounced “shee-nyon”) is a hairstyle where the hair is pinned into a knot or bun at the nape of the neck or the back of the head. The word ‘chignon’ comes from the French phrase “chignon du cou” which means “nape of the neck”. This elegant hairstyle is perfect for brides who want a sophisticated and polished look.
Combining the classic chignon shape with an undone—almost messy—aesthetic, a relaxed bridal chignon is the ultimate in bohemian bridal styling. This look can take you to the red carpet, wedding aisle or your engagement party. The look feels effortless, is anything but polished and can be styled with structured wedding gowns through to soft and billowy dresses.
Whether you have long, short, thick or fine hair – this relaxed hairstyle will work for you. The messy structure can be formed with the help of texturizers and hair extensions to add volume and thickness to the bun.
The low set structure of a chignon is the perfect foundation for bridal hair accessories
A headpiece positioned at the back centre of your chignon will create the perfect focal point as you walk down the aisle. This look is beautiful for wedding gowns with low V backs, long sleeves or off-the-shoulder necklines as it will draw attention upwards, frame your shoulders and elongate your silhouette.
The beauty of an upwards facing headpiece is it will accentuate the natural shape and curves of your hairstyle. We all know how long it can take to choose the perfect hairstyle for your wedding day so why not put it on full display.
A headpiece that curves downwards will direct the eye down towards the shoulders and frame your veil. There’s a feeling of effortlessness with this look as it curves around and down the contours of your chignon.
This look is beautiful with smaller earrings and suits both refined or relaxed bridal updos.
For a look that’s more relaxed, position a hair piece or pins to the side of your updo. This asymmetrical look feels at home with bohemian inspired hairstyles with loose tendrils around the face.
If you like the idea of smaller pins and a minimalist aesthetic, simple pearls scattered along your chignon can create an equally beautiful finish.
Just because you love a bridal headpiece, it doesn’t mean you can’t wear it with a veil. We adore the chignon for its versatility which allows you to easily style it with a simple wedding veil. For a touch of the traditional, choose a mid to long wedding veil, with or without a blusher layer. Simply position your veil comb to the top of your chignon and then position your headpiece into place.
Feel free to send us an email with photos of your wedding dress and bridal hairstyle and we would be happy to send you recommendations and ideas via email.
Every wedding gown and bride is different and the perfect accessories for you will not only depend on your gown but your personal style, vision, height and hairstyle. We love to work with our brides to create the perfect veil that you will love to keep as an heirloom after your wedding day. We are based in Australia and ship worldwide.
It’s no wonder messy wedding updos are so popular. Their relaxed and textured nature is contrasted perfectly by a contemporary, sophisticated and infinitely stylish feel.
While messy wedding hairstyles feel effortless, this doesn’t mean they lack formal elegance. These relaxed hairstyles embody bohemian luxe appeal with romantic and whimsical undertones. Looser buns, tousled curls and soft waves around the face can beautifully frame cheek bones, jaw lines and draw attention to the eyes in the most effortless way.
The inherent uniqueness is also part of the appeal. It’s impossible to replicate a messy updo exactly. So much depends on your hair texture, length, colour, and of course, the experience and expertise of your hairstylist.
To ensure you get the look that’s right for you, we recommend organising a hair trial before your wedding day to ensure your hairstylist is able to capture the style you love. It can sometimes take a few attempts to find the perfect messy hairstyle (or even the perfect hairstylist) for you that captures your vision.
You can never have too much hair inspiration and we’ve pulled together below our favourite 24 messy wedding updos that you’ll love.
Our recommendations for styling a messy updo? We love to style messy hairstyles with hairpieces that feature delicate details that accentuate the organic nature of the updo. Nature-inspired details blend effortlessly with the soft waves and twists of a messy hairstyle and the end result is harmonious, beautiful and elegant.
Wedding crowns, backwards facing headpieces and scattered hair pins style perfectly with messy hairstyles. The key is to think proportions and to choose a piece which picks up the colours and textures in your hair.
The romantic low bun is a timeless choice that combines the elegance of a bun with the relaxed feel of loose, textured hair. This style is perfect for brides seeking a soft and sophisticated look.
The twisted updo is an elegant and sophisticated option that combines twists and knots to create a beautiful, textured hairstyle. This style is perfect for brides who want a classic look with a modern twist.
This hairstyle involves loosely gathering the hair at the nape of the neck and securing it into a bun with bobby pins, allowing soft tendrils to fall naturally around the face and neck. A messy chignon effortlessly complements various wedding themes, from rustic and bohemian to chic and classic.
Need styling advice to bring together your bridal look? Get in touch with photos of your wedding gown and your favourite pieces from the collection. We would love to offer ideas and recommendations on pieces to suit, including how our pieces can be customised to suit you.
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Bespoke and ready-to-wear bridal accessories and veils. Designed and handcrafted in Canberra, Australia. Our online store is open 24/7 with worldwide delivery available including express options. The Fyshwick showroom is by appointment only. Virtual appointments are available for interstate and international brides.