You’ve found the gown, sent the invitations, and booked the venue—now all there’s left to do is nail down your wedding nails. Oh, and marry the love of your life. But back to manicures: By this point in your bridal journey, decision fatigue is likely to have entered the chat. That’s why we’ve gathered all the best wedding manicure ideas for you in one convenient place.
2026 brides, you’re in luck. The year’s top nail trends—like magnetic cat-eye effects, luxe gilded details, and more names for nude nails than we can count—lend themselves particularly well to bridal manis. Whether you’re into gel nails, acrylics, faux tips, or natural shapes, there are plenty of elegant ways to dress up your nails for your big day. And while there are plenty of trendy options, the most important thing is to pick a style that feels like you.
Ahead, we asked bona fide nail experts for a quick crash course in wedding manicures. From when to get them done to which shades to try, see all your bridal mani FAQs answered ahead—then keep scrolling for all the 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 pre-wedding 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.