Updo & Formal Styling

Written and reviewed by Abigail Cabral, a stylist whose specialties are bridal hairstyling and custom extensions.

Updated September 3, 2026

What Makes Formal Styling Different

A blowout is about finish. An updo is about structure. The hair has to be prepped so it grips, sectioned so the shape is built from the inside, pinned so it holds without pulling, and set so it survives a whole day of photographs, hugs and dancing.

That is why it is its own booking rather than an add on to something else. Trying to fit an updo into a styling slot is how brides end up watching the clock on the morning of their wedding.

Booking for a Wedding

If you are getting married, or you are in a wedding party, a few things worth knowing:

• Reach out early. Wedding season on the South Coast fills months ahead, and Saturdays go first.
• Ask about a trial. A trial run before the day means no surprises on the morning, and it is the single best thing a bride can do for her own peace of mind.
• Tell us the size of the party. Bridesmaids, mothers and flower girls all need time allocated, and the schedule has to be built backward from when you need to leave.
• Bring your accessories to the trial. A veil, a comb or a clip changes where the shape has to sit.
• Bring photos. We will customize the look to you instead of copying the picture exactly, because your hair length, density and texture all affect what will hold.

Call us on (774) 319-5666 to talk through a wedding booking. It is the one appointment where a conversation beats an online slot.

Coming In Prepared

• Day old hair holds better. Freshly washed hair is slippery, so wash the day before rather than the morning of.
• Skip heavy conditioner and oil on the wash before. Both make pins slide.
• Come with it dry. Formal styling appointments do not usually include a wash, so check when you book if you need one.
• Wear something you can take off over the finished hair, or a button up. This is the tip everybody wishes they had been given.
• Bring the accessories you plan to wear, even if you brought them to the trial.

Extensions and Formal Hair

Extensions are genuinely useful for updos, because a bigger shape needs more hair to build it from and fine hair often cannot hold a large style on its own. If you are considering it for an event, book an extension consultation well ahead of the date rather than in the same week, so there is time to install, blend and live with them first.

Making It Last the Night

Your stylist will set the style to hold, and they will tell you what they used so you can carry a can of the same thing. A few pins in your bag is sensible for any updo. If you are dancing, expect a soft style to loosen a little by the end of the night, which is usually a good look rather than a problem.

Bridal and event work is on Instagram at @lavishhairlounge__, and Abigail posts hers at @manestylistma.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I book for a wedding?

As early as you have a date. Saturdays in wedding season book months ahead, and a large party needs the schedule built around it.

Do you offer bridal trials?

Yes, and we recommend one. A trial lets you see the style on your own hair, with your accessories, before the day it matters.

Can you style a whole wedding party?

Often yes, depending on the size and the date. Call us on (774) 319-5666 with the number of people and the time you need to be finished, and we will tell you what is possible.

Should I wash my hair before an updo?

Wash the day before rather than the morning of. Day old hair grips far better, and freshly washed hair fights the pins.

Is a wash included?

Formal styling appointments do not usually include one, so come with dry hair and check when you book if you need a wash added.

Can I get an updo with extensions in?

Yes, and extensions make big styles much easier to build. If you want them for an event, book the extension consultation well before the date rather than the same week.