How you paint your nails says a lot about who you are as a person. Are you a classic french manicure? A punky hot pink lacquer? Or are you decked out in decals, glitter, and gemstones?
The same goes for your wedding day. If you’re a true romantic, you’ll want to look like you’ve stepped out of a fairytale. A bohemian bride might opt for a manicure with a touch of whimsy. And a bride looking for all-out glitz and glam will need a manicure suited for a bejeweled queen. The fact is, on the day of your wedding, your fingers are bound to catch a little attention —but don’t panic, there’s a manicure soulmate for everyone.
Below, we found the best manicures for every bridal style. Keep reading to see which nail idea is the perfect choice for you.
Shimmery French
This romantic update on a classic french manicure is as if champagne bubbles are fizzing on the tips of your nails. Start with a neutral base and paint the tips in silver, gold, or any shimmery metallic polish. You can also shake it up by playing with the size of the glitter flecks (chunkier glitter will pick up more light, and a finer shimmer looks modern and is a bit subtler).
Pretty in Pink
The lightest of light pink is just sweet enough to add a touch of fairytale brideto your big day without stealing the whole show.
Bridal Buds
The sweetest, subtlest touch of nail art is a romantic way to fit a few extra flowers into the wedding (with no floral installation fee!). We love these delicate white daisies on a nude base—just enough petals to up the romance, but you’d have to look closely to catch it.
All White
If you’ve started wedding dress shopping (or you’ve ever painted a wall), you know there are about 2,000 shades of white—eggshell, ivory, porcelain, dove—you name it. Great news: all of them make for a wonderful, classic bridal manicure. Even if the white you choose for your nails isn’t exactly the same as your dress, your look will still be clean and timeless.
Red Hot
A red nail is so timeless that it’s basically neutral. If you’re a classic bride with a love of all things Audrey Hepburn, a deep, sexy red is Holly Golightly-approved. If you look better in warmer reds, try Chanel Le Vernis in Gitane. If you prefer cooler reds, try Chanel Le Vernis in Pirate.
Palm Springs Sunset
A sunset-hued manicure reminds us of the boho, “forever 1960s” vibe of Palm Springs. If your wedding is inspired by mid-century modern design and you have a flower crown ready, these warm, glowy colors will fit right in. Look for a Bellini-hued peach or creamsicle orange.
Color-Dipped
A color tip is a fun, cheeky take on the classic French manicure. Because it’s just a swipe of color at the top—as opposed to a full nail—you can really experiment with any color you want. Light blue would take care of your “something blue,” but the look is equally as fun in any poppy hue like hot pink or lime green (or both!).
Pretty in Pastel
Pastel colors are having a very trendy year, and they would be a great manicure for any bride looking to add a little innocent fun to their bridal look. We love a soft lilac, a cotton candy pink, or a mint green.
Chromatica
A shiny chrome manicure would be at home on a bride who isn’t just modern, but downright futuristic. Match the metal in your rings (or don’t!) and finish with a high-shine, glossy top coat to up the wow factor.
Fine Lines
There’s something very chic and sexy about thin, minimalist lines. We like this T-shape design in white but it would look just as modern in black or silver.
Naked Nails
A fully naked nail is about as timeless as it gets, and you won’t have to stress about auditioning nail polish shades before the big day. Plus, this style comes with a little extra treat. Book a spa manicure with no polish the day before your wedding to get your nails shaped up, cuticles cleaned, and skin pampered and moisturized so your hands look fresh and healthy.
Sleek Decals
These thin gold-wire decals add a touch of glamour and interest to an otherwise neutral nail. Since the decal is so small and delicate (and almost blends in with the cuticles), it’s an extremely fashion-forward look that feels super modern.
Glitterati
Glitter will never go out of style, and while a few coats of glitter polish is very simple to do, it will always look like a million bucks. Gold and silver are great bridal colors, but if you’re feeling adventurous, try a color like deep red or match the glitter polish to your flowers.
Swirl On
A French Manicure turned on its head. We love this minimalist, swirly take on white tips for a modern bride that wants something neutral but ultra-chic. Start with a neutral base and play with white lines in varying thicknesses—and remember, they don’t all have to match.
Something (Electric) Blue
Punky, 80s hair-metal cobalt is a great option for bold brides in need of something blue for their wedding day. Metallic is a cool touch, but a deep, saturated navy would look just as edgy and fun.
Polka Party
You can’t even say the words “Polka dot” without smiling a little. If you want something fun, out-of-the-box, and a little mod, a punchy polka dot manicure will be the talk of the wedding. We can picture this black and white manicure on Twiggy herself, but any colors will work here.
Diamond Dusted
Adding crystal appliques can be as subtle or as over-the-top as you want. You can add one to each nail, or dust every nail with a smattering of tiny crystals. Whatever your style, add them with nail glue when your polish is completely dry.
Back to Black
There’s nothing more rock-and-roll than a black manicure. If you’re a bride with an edge, this always-chic color looks dramatic enough to say “I’m not your typical bride,” while still looking clean and polished.
Happiest Holiday
If you’re having a themed or holiday wedding, your manicure is a great way to celebrate. Christmas brides can play with reds and greens or beloved attributes of the season, Independence Day brides might try patriotic nail art, and we love this romantic heart design manicure for Valentine’s Day.
