The 40 Prettiest Wedding Nails for Every Kind of Bride

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Looking for ideas for wedding nails? Congratulations—both on your engagement, and on the fact that you’re in the right place; we can take it from here. After having settled on a venue, gown, and bridal hair and makeup (and you know, enduring the never-ending stress of wedding planning), the last thing you want to do is make another decision about the big day. There are plenty of nail trends and manicure options available, ranging from gel nails and acrylics, to French and chrome. Where do you even begin?

Fortunately, we did all the work for you and asked experts everything there is to know about wedding nails. From when to get them done to which shades to try, see all your bridal mani FAQs answered ahead. Then keep scrolling for wedding inspo.

How many days before the wedding should I get my nails done?

“To ensure the freshest manicure possible for your big day, it’s best not to get your nails done (or do them yourself) more than three days before your big day,” Juli Russell, DIY nail expert for Sally Beauty, tells Glamour. “Plus, this means they’ll also be on point for prewedding activities.”

In fact, getting your nails done too soon could result in visible growth and more exposure to elements that cause wear, Russell says, so be sure to wear gloves while doing chores like washing dishes to ensure your mani stays fresh for the wedding.

What are the best wedding nail polish colors?

“My bridal clients often request neutral shades, and it turns out that ‘something neutral’ nails are also the most popular nail look among Zola’s wedding community,” says celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt (creator of the glazed donut mani), who has partnered with wedding planning site Zola. “There seems to be an equal divide in popularity between nude nails and white nails: 37% of Zola brides prefer neutral nails with shades of pink, nude, and beige, and 36% opt for shades of wedding white.” For a neutral nail look, Ganzorigt’s favorite shades are OPI’s Bare My Soul, Put It in Neutral, and Bubble Bath.

Russell agrees, also pointing to OPI’s Bubble Bath as one of her favorite choices for brides. “It goes without saying that sheer pinks and Frenchies are the most popular and classic options for wedding nails, but pearl nails are having a moment and have a vintage aesthetic, which makes them both trendy and classic,” she says. She recommends China Glaze’s Diva Bride, FingerPaints’ In a Glaze, Gelish’ Mini Gel Curls and Pearls, and ASP’s Gel Pink Whisper as more options that will complement your wedding dress.

You can also try press-on nails for the big day, Russell says. “Pop them on the morning of your wedding, and you have a salon-like manicure in minutes,” she says, citing Dashing Diva’s White Claws, Double Trouble, and Rosewater Glaze as some of her favorite bridal sets.

Wedding nail designs and art

Of course, there is plenty of room for nail art and designs in bridal manicures too. “Brides are requesting the glazed-donut nail; this look has been popular because it gives a little extra shine to traditional neutral nails and makes them more modern without adding anything too extra,” Ganzorigt says. “I’ve also been getting requests for variations of French nail designs lately, but instead of the traditional white tip, many brides are asking for different color combinations or restructured designs.”

From classic white and minimalist chic to pastel French and everything in between, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of wedding nail designs for every kind of bride. Scroll on and get ready to screenshot—then say “I do” to your wedding day mani.

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