or the longest time, wedding manicures were limited to a sheer wash of color (typically along the lines of OPI Nail Lacquer, $12, in the shade Bubble Bath) or classic French tips. While both of these wedding nail art ideas are pretty, there are so many other ways to accentuate your nails on your big day. To prove it, we’ve rounded up over a dozen nail art ideas for your wedding day. Whether you’re looking for sheer or opaque washes of color, glossy or shimmery finishes, you’re bound to find a wedding nail art idea you love.
01of 18Studded Glitter Wedding Nails
@DISSEYNAILS
Even if you want your wedding beauty look to be as classic as possible, there are still ways to tie in some of 2023’s top trends. Case in point? This nɑƙeɗ studded glitter wedding manicure. It’s sparkly but neutral, making it a great option for brides.
02of 18Wavy Stud Wedding Nails
@LOLO.NAILEDIT
We’re loving this wavy wedding nail art idea. It looks retro and modern all at once—and the teeny gemstones give it a touch more glam.
03of 18Ombre Glazed Donut Nails
@SASSNAILARTISTRY
Glazed donut nails make for a very pretty wedding nail look, especially when paired with an ombre fade that almost gives the mani a blurred French tip effect.
04of 18Velvet Wedding Nails
@OVERGLOWEDIT
Velvet may be a textile reserve for fall and winter, but these stunning velvet nails would be a beautiful addition to any bridal beauty look, no matter the time of year. To recreate it, use Gelcare UV Gel Nail Polish ($20) in Oyster Velvet.
05of 18White Shimmer Wedding Nails
@BRUSHEDBYB_
There’s always the option to go with a solid white mani. To make it a bit more special for your big day, top it off with a shimmery chrome finish. Here, nail artist Brittney Ellen used Lights Lacquer Nail Polish ($11) in Dream St., topped off with the Ofra Cosmetics Glazed Donut Highlighter ($25). She completed the look with the Lights Lacquer So Over It Top Coat ($13).
06of 18Diamond Dotted Wedding Nails
@LOLO.NAILEDIT
Love this rhinestone-dotted wedding nail look? Recreate it with Cirque Colors Nail Polish ($13) in the shade Georgette, topped off with rhinestones. The HUETFAT Nail Art Rhinestones Kit ($6) has a variety of sizes to choose from.
07of 18Pearl Studded French Tips
@POP_POLISHED
A simple way to instantly update any classic French mani? With pearl accents on each nail!
08of 18Gold Glitter Details
@PAINTBOXNAILS
Love a little sparkle? Consider opting for gold shimmer if you have warm undertones, as it will give your bridal beauty look even more of a glow.
09of 18White Swirls Wedding Nails
@DISSEYNAILS
Give a classic French mani a modern twist by incorporating abstract swirls on a few of the nails.
10of 18Ombre Wedding Nails
@LOLO.NAILEDIT
Make your nails pop on your big day by opting for an ombre design in a classic bridal color palette. As pretty as it is on its own, there’s always the option to layer it with gems for a more glamorous wedding nail art idea.
11of 18White Floral Wedding Nails
@BAHNANNANAILS
If you’re having a spring or summer wedding and prefer bolder nail looks, consider this dainty white floral wedding nail art idea. You could even add gems or pearls in the center of each bloom.
12of 18Sparkling Floral Nails
@OVERGLOWEDIT
Need a visual for how gemstones and florals could pair for the prettiest wedding nail art idea? Here’s your proof.
13of 18Milky Sparkle Nails
@HELUVIEE
Here we have a simple wedding nail art idea that makes a milky mani shine like never before. It’s also one of the easier-to-copy wedding manis. Simply start with a milky neutral polish, like the Olive & June Nail Polish ($9) in the shade BEB. To create the sparkles, use a dotting tool to apply a dab of white polish, then use a fine-lining brush to drag out the lines. (The FULINJOY 5-Piece Nail Art Design Tools, $6, has both tools to create this look.) Finish by gluing a tiny gem in the center of each star and finish with topcoat.
14of 18Glazed Donut Nails
@HELUVIEE
Hailey Bieber proved that you can never go wrong with glazed donut nails. To recreate this recreation of Hailey’s nails, use the OPI Nail Lacquer ($12) in the shade Pale to the Chief, topped off with the OPI Chrome Powder (if you can get your hands on it, as it’s a salon-only product). If you can’t find the powder, know that some people say using pale eyeshadow can create a similar glazed effect. Don’t forget topcoat.
15of 18Silver Studded Wedding Nails
@AMYLE.NAILS
For a high-fashion take on wedding nails, consider this eye-catching studded nail look.
16of 18Heart Accent Almond Nails
@DIGITZBYDEV
From far away, these nails will look like nude almond-shaped tips but close up, you’ll be able to see the dainty silver heart detailing. Cute, no?
17of 18Jelly Sparkle Wedding Nails
@OVERGLOWEDIT
How pretty are these glittery abstract nails? Given the fine, steady lines, you may want to enlist the help of a pro to recreate this jelly wedding mani.
18of 18Square French Tips
@DIGITZBYDEV
You can never go wrong with a French manicure on your wedding day but if you want to give it a little extra character, opt for a bolder nail shape, like the square look above.
