17 Wedding Nail Ideas to Screenshot Before Your Big Day

Deciding on your wedding manicure may seem like a minor task amid the whirlwind of nuptial preparations, but we understand it’s far from simple. Not only do you have to find a manicurist you trust, but you’re also forced to confront the dilemma of whether to stick to a neutral’s safe and timeless appeal or venture into trendy territory, via pearl appliqués or gemstones. And each choice presents a host of pros and cons: Too bold? Overly extravagant? Too boring? Ultimately, there’s no incorrect decision; it all comes down to deciding what resonates best with your style.

We know the above statement might have sounded eye-roll-worthy, especially if you came to this article hoping we’d tell you what color to choose. It really does come down to personal preferences, but we can offer some guidance.

Mabelyn Alva, nail artist and creative director of Paintbox in New York City, points out that “milky sheers, nudes and pale blush tones” are traditionally favored wedding-day nail colors. Nevertheless, “the best nail color for your wedding day is the one that makes you feel your best,” she says.

Arguably, even more crucial is the timing of your nail appointment. “It’s best to wait until a day or two before the wedding to get your nails done for a fresh look on the day of,” says Los Angeles-based nail artist Queenie Nguyen. “Whether regular polish or gel polish, the shiny finish will dull over a period of time, and the nail edges will chip with daily activities.” Getting your nails done ahead of time also provides “enough time to ensure you absolutely love your nails, especially if you haven’t had a nail test like you might have done for makeup or hair,” says Alva.

Ahead, we’ve rounded up 17 of our favorite wedding nail ideas worth screenshotting. Whether you’re a bride looking to lock down your manicure or a dutiful bridesmaid hoping to help, there’s plenty of inspo in store. Keep scrolling to find out what we love about these wedding nail ideas, along with insights and tips from talented nail artists.

Clean and Neutral

A neutral manicure is a chic choice, plain and simple. To find the most flattering shade for your skin tone, follow celebrity manicurist Mimi D.‘s advice: Examine the veins on your forearms. Green veins signal warm undertones, while blue or purple veins suggest cool undertones. A mix indicates a neutral undertone. Mimi recommends warm undertones go for warm-toned polishes (with yellow undertones), and cool-toned individuals choose blue-based polish. Brides with neutral undertones should choose a shade that strikes a happy medium between warm and cool, per the pro.

Milky White

Theater kids may know this one as a beloved character from “Into the Woods”; but for everyone else, milky white has risen in popularity for its understated-yet-sophisticated aesthetic — and it’s particularly appropriate for celebrating nuptials. According to Molly Romah, the lead nail technician at Chillhouse in New York City, milky white nails exude a “timeless look and feel that’s perfect for weddings.”

Squared-Off Light Pink

This squared manicure proves that a monochrome nail look can still make a striking statement. Celebrity manicurist Sigourney Nuñez suggests experimenting with the shape and length to suit your unique style. For instance, she notes that selecting a medium coffin nail can create an elongated and elegant appearance, while rounded extensions offer a more manageable length.

‘Classic’ French

Without a doubt, French manicures are a timeless choice for wedding-day nails, affirms Mazz Hanna, nail artist and CEO of Nailing Hollywood. Keep in mind that there are countless ways to embrace the technique, whether you prefer it on long or short nails, with a modern twist or by sticking to the classic style. The Nail Shed, the salon behind the above design, calls this look a “classic French,” set atop a square-shaped nail bed.

‘Glazed Donut’ Nails

If you like being up-to-date with the most popular manicure trends, glazed donut nails “have been very popular since last year and will continue to remain one of the top wedding choices going forward,” says Nguyen. “It’s effortless and minimal, yet the chrome powder’s shiny finish helps extend the look’s overall wear,” she says.

Micro French

What sets a micro French apart from a traditional French is its ultra-thin line, as opposed to the traditional version, which typically extends slightly beyond the natural nail tip. Nguyen deems this manicure style an elegant option for brides with shorter nails.

For those looking to add a creative twist, we even came across a micro-French design featuring a blue tip for a touch of “something blue.”

Ombré French

Another popular nail trend is the ombré French manicure. “Instead of the classic French manicure, modern brides are choosing a gentle gradient appearance, shifting from sheer pink to white at the nail tips,” says Nguyen, adding that the trend “embodies minimalism, chicness and durability.”

Sparkles and Squiggles

When in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask your manicurist for something never-before-seen. “I recently had a bride client ask for a mix-and-match set that incorporated a nude color, a crisp white and glittery silver,” says Nuñez. “Minimal and abstract nail art isn’t going anywhere, so this was a modern way to incorporate the trend to her wedding-day nails. Keeping the color palette neutral allowed us to get playful with the designs without being too distracting.”

Glitter Ombré

One way to level up a neutral or natural-looking base coat is with some glitter. As seen here, this bride opted for a soft-pink base, with glitter tips that gradually diminish in intensity, creating a subtle ombré effect.

Pearls and Jewels

Embracing pearls and jewels in your manicure doesn’t automatically translate to a maximalist style, as demonstrated by this French manicure beautifully adorned with intricate pearls and gems. Worth noting, though: Antajah (aka @antajahdidthem), the nail artist behind this look, cautions that, with a manicure like this, you have to be really careful with your hands to ensure the appliqués don’t fall off before your big day.

Angled Glitter Tips

This might be a surprise if you have yet to delve into the world of press-on nails (or perfect the application process), but they’re an emerging trend in bridal, according to Alva. “Having the flexibility of not only changing out your nails from simple to sparkly and fun during the wedding festivities, but also being able to pack a few different press-on styles for your honeymoon, makes them a favorite for brides,” she says. Pictured here is Paintbox’s On the Verge set.

Pearl Embellished

Pearl manicures are currently making waves on social media, not just for their visual appeal, but also for the personality and texture they bring. There are numerous ways to embrace the trend, whether you cluster several pearls on a single accent nail or opt for a more minimalist effect with one small pearl per nail. Hanna considers the latter a great option for those with short nails.

Pressed Flowers

A suggestion from Hanna: Think about coordinating your nail color with the theme of your wedding. For instance, if flowers play a big role in your day, take inspiration from this nail artist who incorporated real pressed flowers into their client’s wedding-day manicure. The manicurist complemented the nail art with a neutral-colored, glossy base.

Double French

Despite doubling the French tip from one to two, this manicure maintains its “chic and minimal” feel. These are the qualities that brides traditionally seek out when it comes to their wedding-day manicure, as pointed out by Nguyen. It strikes the perfect balance between classic and creative.

3-D Maximalism

The timeless saying “less is more” doesn’t quite apply in the case of this 3-D wedding manicure. Nancy Nguyen, owner of Polished Nail Bar in DTLA, tells Fashionista that the design took inspiration from the client’s vintage wedding dress, which featured intricate detailing similar to the chrome and pearl embellishments that make this set extra special.

Rhinestone Cuticles

If your monochrome manicure lacks something, consider adorning your nails with gems above the cuticle for a sparkly finishing touch. This will complement gowns with rhinestone details beautifully.

Smoky Ink

This neutral manicure should be on your radar if you’re all about the details. Manicurist Rebekah Pritchard used It’s Lit Nail Mood Nail Ink to create this unique smoky effect.

Want the latest fashion industry news first? Sign up for our daily newsletter.