How to Do Your Nails For Your Wedding Day

Prepping for a wedding requires striking a delicate balance when selecting your manicure style and colour – you want something that not only reflects your own individual tastes but also complements that of the bride-to-be.

Nude or white nails are classic choices, but for an unexpected touch add geometric shapes or subtle sparkle. A daisy chain adds sweet flirtiness while silver studs add bold statement pieces.

Length

No matter the style of wedding you envision, nails should complement rather than dominate your look. Brides looking for classic manicures may try white nails with french tips; or opt for off-white or soft gray for something different.

A golden and rhinestone manicure will surely dazzle on any special day, making a statement and being sure to catch everyone’s eye! Bold glitter and stunning rhinestones will capture light beautifully and be sure to stand out.

Subtly upgrade your nails by using soft pink or nude bases with subtle shiny accents for an understated touch. Or if you plan on wearing flowers to the wedding, opt for neutral bases with white floral patterns on them!

Shape

Hanna recommends beginning nail care appointments a few months prior to their wedding date in order to have strong, natural-looking nails that will withstand the strains and stresses associated with a wedding day. That way, they’ll have time for them to grow into ideal length and strength before their big day comes.

Kim recommends starting any artificial nail extension style or acrylic nails off right by starting with a manicure designed to strengthen the nail plate first, before adding extensions or polish. She also advises using cuticle oil in order to maintain healthy looking nails throughout the day.

Shapes like square, almond and stiletto nails are extremely fashionable in bridal salons. To achieve an almond shape, simply file down and narrow its sides slightly until forming a sharp peak at its end. To create a stiletto shape use your nail file to gently taper off its free edges into an slightly pointed form.

Color

Though nail color may seem like a minor detail, it can have an enormously transformative effect on your wedding day look. From matching your wedding dress’s hue or complementing your bouquet’s colors to simply going for something completely unique – there are so many possibilities available to you when choosing wedding nail colors!

Nude manicures are classic, sophisticated, and perfectly complement wedding gowns; bolder shades add a dash of personality that speaks of you and capture your personal style. For those who prefer glitter, try metallic polishes with subtle sheen like Olive & June’s award-winning holo glitter mani from Allure Best of Beauty winner Olive & June for their winning design.

The classic French manicure can also be enhanced with soft ombre tips or a stiletto shape for added drama – as seen on Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor – or you could add subtle sparkle by dotting on some tiny rhinestones to make a lasting impression (as seen here on a bride). Kim and Hanna advise scheduling a nail trial ahead of time so you “know exactly how it will look and feel”, as well as having regular polish in the same shade available just in case any unexpected issues arise on wedding day!

Finish

Nail manicures are an integral component of wedding beauty; whether you opt for simple or bolder styles, it is essential that the finish matches your wedding vibe. A natural pink nail shade conveys classic romance; an iridescent robin’s egg blue manicure adds just enough blue without overdoing it.

Nail art can add an elegant finishing touch to your wedding-day look, adding flair and edge. Bachik recommends pressing silver studs over nude nails for an eye-catching bridal style, while daisy motifs offer a sweet yet romantic nod to white gowns.

Hanna notes that marbled manis are another timeless wedding-day classic, with so many shades to choose from and an assortment of getting-ready timeline and location considerations (if having your nails done at the same time as your hair and makeup). She advises having nail touch ups, press-on nails, or cuticle nippers handy just in case one or two chips occur during preparations.