Permed hair brings its own lovely curl and bounce to a wedding hairstyle, so I’m always drawn to updos that let those curls be part of the look rather than smoothing them away.

The fun is in how differently curly hair can be gathered, pinned, or left a little loose, which gives a wedding style plenty of personality.

I’ve collected 21 ideas that show off permed curls in all sorts of pretty updos, from polished to softly relaxed.

Curly Low Updo With Face-Framing Pieces

A loose low updo gathers the curls at the nape while leaving a few tendrils free around the face. The softly pinned shape keeps the hair’s natural texture visible, which makes it a lovely direction for a wedding updo with permed curls.

I’d keep the finish relaxed rather than smoothing every strand into place. A few curls left loose help the updo feel personal, and the gathered shape keeps the attention on the curl pattern.

Curly High Bun With Loose Tendrils

A curly high bun keeps the hair gathered up while loose tendrils curl around the temples and ears. The lifted shape shows off the natural texture and gives this updo a relaxed finish that suits permed hair.

For a wedding, I’d keep the curls defined but not overly uniform so the bun still feels soft and personal. The tendrils can also be adjusted to suit your curl pattern, with a few left loose to echo the shape of the updo.

Twisted Curly Updo With Pearl Pins

A braided twist sweeps back into a low, textured bun, keeping the shape gathered while loose curls soften the edges. The rich auburn-brown color brings out the twists, and pearl pins add a small bridal detail without covering the texture.

For permed hair, this is a lovely way to show off defined curls while keeping them up for a wedding. I’d keep a few tendrils loose around the face and use pins that feel secure enough for a long day.

Half-Up Curls With Face-Framing Pieces

Long, highlighted curls are gathered loosely at the crown, leaving the rest to fall down the back. The lifted top keeps the shape open, while a few curled tendrils sit around the face.

For a wedding version on permed hair, I’d keep the curls defined and let the gathered section stay relaxed rather than tightly pulled back. A small comb or pin can secure the top without hiding the curl pattern.

Curly Updo With a Braided Crown

A thick braid sweeps around the back of this curly updo and finishes beside a loose, rounded bun. The pinned-up curls keep the neckline clear, while a few defined tendrils are left loose around the face and nape.

For a wedding, I’d keep the braid visible rather than smoothing every curl into place. It gives the updo a clear shape, and the loose tendrils keep the finish relaxed.

Romantic Curly Updo With a Floral Hairpiece

Loose curls are gathered into a textured updo at the back, with curled tendrils left out around the face and neckline. A delicate floral hairpiece sits above the bun, making this a lovely option for permed hair at a wedding.

I’d keep the curls a little relaxed rather than pinning every strand tightly, so the tendrils stay part of the overall shape. The floral detail can be swapped for pearl pins or a small comb to suit your dress and other accessories.

Short Curly Updo With Sculpted Waves

Sculpted waves across the front give this short, dark updo a polished vintage shape, while the curls gather close to the nape. The side part keeps the wave pattern defined and lets the fringe sweep neatly across the forehead.

For a wedding, I’d keep the front waves smooth and pinned, then let the curls at the back retain some natural texture. This is a lovely option if you want a compact updo that still shows off your perm.

Braided Curly Updo With a Low Bun

A loose braid sweeps across the back of this updo and blends into a low bun, giving the curls a gathered shape without hiding their texture. The dark brown hair has warm highlights that show along the braided sections and curled tendrils.

For a wedding, I’d keep the braid slightly relaxed so the style feels in keeping with naturally curly hair. A few loose curls at the nape and beside the face soften the pinned-up shape.

Curly Low Bun With Wispy Bangs

Wispy curls across the forehead give this low updo a relaxed shape, while loose tendrils curl around the cheeks and neck. The rest of the hair is gathered at the back, keeping the style up without hiding its natural texture.

For a wedding, I’d keep the curls defined but not overly arranged so the fringe and tendrils feel connected to the bun. This idea suits permed hair especially well, since the curl pattern can carry through the updo and its loose pieces.

Curly Updo With a Voluminous Back

A softly swept side section leads into a full updo built from pinned curls and loose loops. The dark curls keep their natural texture, while two longer tendrils fall beside the face and down the neck.

For a wedding, I’d keep the curl pattern visible rather than smoothing the whole updo into one shape. Pearl-drop earrings pair nicely with the loose tendrils, and the pinned curls give this style a gathered, romantic finish.

Curly Updo With a Textured Low Bun

The curls are gathered into a loose low bun, with pinned sections creating a full, rounded shape at the back. The swept-up sides keep the neckline open, while a few tendrils fall free around the neck and ear.

For a wedding, I’d keep some of the curl pattern visible rather than smoothing the updo into a polished knot. That texture gives the pinned style a relaxed feel, and the loose pieces can be adjusted to suit how much softness you want around the face.

Sleek-Front Curly Low Ponytail

The smooth, center-parted front gives this low curly ponytail a neat shape, while the gathered curls sit softly at the nape. Its contrast between sleek sides and a textured, rounded ponytail makes it a polished option for permed hair.

For a wedding, I’d keep the curl pattern visible rather than pulling the ponytail too tight. A few small gold pins or a delicate comb could dress it up without covering the curls.

Curly Updo With a Rolled Low Bun

Loose curls are gathered into a low bun, with twisted sections crossing the back of the head to create a layered, woven shape. The warm copper tones show through the curls and give the updo extra definition.

For a wedding, I’d keep the pinned shape relaxed rather than smoothing away every flyaway. It suits naturally curly or permed hair, since the texture helps the twists and bun look full.

Loose Curly Updo With Blonde Tendrils

A loosely gathered updo keeps the curls piled high at the back, while longer blonde pieces fall around the face and neck. The relaxed shape lets the natural curl texture stay visible instead of smoothing every strand into place.

For a wedding, I’d keep those tendrils loose and let a few curls escape around the bun so the style feels soft rather than overly arranged. It’s a lovely direction for permed hair when you want an updo that still shows off your curl pattern.

Curly Chignon With Loose Tendrils

The curls are gathered into a low, loosely pinned chignon, with a few fine tendrils left out around the face and neck. That relaxed shape suits permed hair because the curl texture stays visible rather than being smoothed away.

For a wedding, I’d keep the pins subtle and let the natural curl pattern provide the detail. The loose pieces can be adjusted to feel more or less relaxed, depending on how much hair you want around your face.

High Curly Bun With Curly Bangs

A high bun gathers the curls into a rounded shape at the crown, while loose spiral bangs fall across the forehead. The contrast between the pinned-up length and those defined tendrils keeps the updo from feeling too neat.

For a wedding, I’d keep the curls’ natural texture visible rather than smoothing them into place. A few pins can help secure the bun while leaving the fringe loose and springy.

Braided Crown With a Curly Bridal Bun

A braid woven along the crown leads into a low bun built from pinned curls, giving this updo a defined shape while keeping its texture visible. Loose blonde tendrils soften the sides and make the style feel less tightly arranged.

For permed hair, the natural curl pattern can add detail to the bun without needing every curl to match. I’d keep the braid slightly relaxed so it sits comfortably beside the curls rather than looking too precise.

Twisted Low Curly Updo With Pearl Pins

Loose curls are swept back into a low, twisted updo, with a few tendrils left free around the face. The softly gathered shape keeps the natural texture visible, while the pearl pins add a small bridal detail.

For a wedding hairstyle on permed hair, I’d keep the curls loosely arranged rather than smoothing them flat. That lets the updo feel relaxed and gives the pearl accents room to show.

Curly Updo With a Side Part

A deep side part gives this curly updo a lifted shape at the crown, while loose curls gather into a soft bun at the back. A few tendrils left around the temples keep the pinned-up style from feeling too neat.

For a wedding, I’d keep the natural curl pattern visible rather than smoothing every strand into place. This approach suits medium-length curly hair and leaves room for a small comb or pins if you want a little extra detail.

Curly Updo With Sculpted Rose-Shaped Curls

Large curls are pinned into rounded, rose-like shapes across the back of this updo, creating a full silhouette with a clear pattern. The dark brown hair has coppery highlights that catch the curves of each curl.

For a wedding, I’d keep the pinned details visible and let a few tendrils fall near the nape. The style works especially well with naturally curly or permed hair, though securing the larger curls neatly may take some pinning.

Gray-Streaked Curly Updo With Loose Tendrils

The curls are gathered into a low, softly rounded updo, with a few loose tendrils left out around the face and neckline. Natural gray streaks weave through the brown hair, bringing out the curl pattern without taking away from the relaxed shape.

For a wedding, I’d keep the pinned curls a little loose so the texture stays visible, and add a small comb or pins if you want a more bridal finish. This is a lovely option for permed hair, since the curls already give the updo plenty of texture to work with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I wash my permed hair right before the wedding? A: Wash it the day before, so your curls have time to settle and are easier to pin. Freshly washed hair can feel too slippery for an updo, while a little texture helps the style hold.

Q: How can I keep a curly updo from looking too formal? A: Leave a few soft curls around your face or let some texture show at the crown. A relaxed finish can still look polished without feeling stiff.

Q: Will a veil stay in a curly updo? A: Yes, your stylist can secure the comb or pins beneath the updo, where they have a firm hold. Bring your veil to the trial so you can check its placement and make sure it feels comfortable.

Q: What should I bring to my bridal hair trial? A: Bring photos of styles you like, your hair accessories, and your veil if you plan to wear one. It also helps to tell your stylist how your perm usually behaves after a few hours.