When planning a wedding, there are so many things to consider. Sometimes nails are an afterthought, with an appointment to the salon slid in at the last minute. The bride’s nails will be seen in nearly every photo of the bride, so don’t wait until the last minute to decide on and plan for a manicure.
We’ve compiled a list of the six best nail tips for brides to know before their wedding day to make wedding planning just a little easier.
50 Shades of White Polish
While a French tip manicure or white polish may be the first style you consider when looking into your bridal manicure, you have reason to be wary. There are hundreds of shades of white that your wedding dress or nail polish may be, including ivory, cream, pearl, porcelain, powder, and champagne.
It may not matter much to some, but to others who are very detail-oriented, the slight difference may be a nuisance. To avoid this, a bride may consider bringing a sample of the fabric used in her wedding dress or getting a test manicure before the wedding.
Give Your Nails A Test Drive
Getting a test manicure before your wedding is an incredibly helpful step that many brides may not think to do amid the chaos that is wedding planning. By getting a test manicure precisely as you plan to for your wedding day, you can test out:
- How long the manicure will last
- How well the manicure matches your dress
- If you like the way it looks photographed
- How the length of your nails work for you
- How comfortable they are
- If you are happy with your manicurist’s work
If you are getting photography done before the wedding, it would be optimal to get the exact style, length, color, and shape you plan to get for your wedding to see exactly what it will look like in pictures with your wedding dress on.
Long-Lasting Manicure Options
When deciding what to do with your nails for your wedding, the longevity of your manicure matters. Some brides may get their wedding manicure done the morning of the ceremony for the freshest nails or might only need their manicure to last for the day of their wedding and do not mind the nails chipping or falling off after that.
However, if you’re a bride with a jam-packed week of wedding events, you are probably looking for durable nails to last you multiple days without a flaw. Ideally, this set of nails can get you through your photoshoots, bachelorette party, wedding day, reception, and honeymoon unscathed and gorgeous.
There are several options for a long-lasting manicure perfect for any bride, and they each have different benefits and expected lifetimes.
Dip Nails
Dip manicures are known for their durability and depth of color. High quality brands like SNS also have healthy nutrients that strengthen the nails. They can easily last two to even four weeks. They have the hardest finish and are the higher priced option and the longest lasting.
Gel Polish
Gel manicures are painted with a special polish and dried under a UV light. While quite durable, they are not as hard as other manicures mentioned; some women prefer the flexibility. They are perfect for a more natural nail look and have a shorter application time.
Acrylic Nails
Acrylic nails are fantastic for molding into the exact shape and length you desire, and typically last 2-3 weeks before needing to be filled in and can last several more weeks after.
Press-On Nails
While this is the option with the shortest wear time, several benefits may make you consider these for your wedding day nails.
- You can have backup nails on deck, ready to replace any of your fallen soldiers.
- The application time is much shorter than going to a salon, and you can do them yourself giving you more flexibility in your schedule.
- The cheapest and most accessible option.
We recommend getting high-quality nail glue that will secure the press-on nails without damaging your nail beds. Keep the glue and extra nails in your wedding day makeup bag or clutch in case of emergency.
Get Your Groom a Manicure
Break the stigma of men getting a manicure! Well-kept and groomed men should have no shame in taking care of their appearance – especially for their big day.
While your man does not necessarily need to get anything fancy or extravagant done to his nails, a quick cute, file, cuticle clean up, buff and shine will go such a long way in making him feel pampered and confident.
This will make the romantic close-up pictures of your hands and rings a breeze for your photographer, who will no longer need to edit a stray hangnail out of sight.
If you plan on going to the beach during your honeymoon, you may also want to consider your groom getting a pedicure, so his toes look fresh on your tropical getaway. The best part? You can spoil your soon-to-be husband for a fraction of the cost of the typical bride mani-pedi!
Bridesmaid Nail Date
If you are still brainstorming fun activities to do with your bridesmaids before the wedding or ways to thank them for being at your wedding party, consider a mani-pedi date! Even if you do not plan on paying for all of your bridesmaids’ manicures, booking out a nail salon for your wedding party for a few hours of quality times, pampering, and a mimosa or two will lead to a memorable day leading up to your wedding. You could even have this be a part of your bachelorette party activities so all your closet gal pals can get prepared for the wedding together.
With all these tips in mind, feel confident knowing that your wedding is planned out down to the tiniest of details, your fingernails.
