38 Wedding Nails for a Beautiful Bridal Manicure

Manicures are one thing—wedding nails are another undertaking entirely. “I want the wedding nails to be punctuation at the end of the sentence,” says nail artist Tom Bachik, who was responsible for Jennifer Lopez’s wedding-day mani. “So you have that full look, the gown, the hair, and the makeup, and then the nails are like that exclamation point.”

Bachik notes that wedding nails of late are understated yet deliberate, a minimalistic extension of the bride’s personal style rather than a study in trend. Nail artist Steph Stone agrees. “My biggest recommendation to brides and grooms when doing their nails is to choose a look they feels encapsulates their style while also remaining timeless,” she says. “You never want to look at your wedding photos and think, ‘Why did I follow this trend that ended a few months later?’”

For Betina Goldstein, Chanel nail artist and creator of some of the most inventive nail looks around, subtle adornments can help lend to a memorable wedding look. “If they want a little extra but want to keep it natural, I recommend adding an accent that won’t be the center of attention in the photos,” she says. “It’s a little something for the bride or groom to have during their special day.” Whether you opt for a shimmering nude or an individualized French, take a cue from these artists and allow your wedding nails to serve as the day’s final aesthetic statement.

Here, find 38 wedding (long and short) nail ideas for a perfectly minimalist manicure, pulled straight from the pros.

1. Gem DetailGemstone accents offer a playful and refractive note, particularly when applied to clear nails. Apply one gem to each bed, or opt to adorn one nail for a special, subtle detail.

2. Chain LoopWhile minimalism is the key word in the wedding nail conversation, there’s nothing wrong with a little irreverence. Nails encircled in diminutive golden chain are unexpected and cool while remaining understated.

3. Metallic Circlets“My favorite way to add some playfulness to a wedding manicure is adding metallic accents,” says Stone. Here, the nail artist creates layers of fluid gold circlets for a modern, minimal look.

4. Mix and MatchGet creative and and match your accents! This manicure incorporated pearls and metallic touches, each addition applied thoughtfully enough as to avoid a look that feels too distracting or overwrought.

5. Sparkle and Stars“Depending on if you are wearing silver or gold, add a tiny bit of sparkle!” says Stone, who opted for a whimsical medley of gold glitter and small stars for this occasion manicure. “It’s like jewelry for your nails.”

6. Classic NudeNude nails never go out of style. A set of groomed nails coated in a shade as close to your skin tone as possible ensures your wedding nails will be a chic extension of your natural look.

7. Triangular TouchGet geometric with a triangular accent. These silver studs are pressed over a nude nail for a look that can skew polished or punkish depending on the rest of your aesthetic.

8. Gemstone DaisiesDaisy chains are a sweet symbol of purity, aka an idyllic and playful nod to wedding whites. Retro daisies are transformed into a wedding-ready detail when punctuated by tiny gemstones at center.

9. Baby StarsOur fascination with the stars is mirrored in this surprisingly sophisticated wedding manicure. Tiny silver stars catch light from each nail bed, but would be equally effective applied to other areas of the nail.

10. Ballet SlipperBalletcore is here to stay, and a slipper-inspired shade is a neutral that feels delicate and innately romantic. Ditch adornments and let the colorway take center stage for a sweet and sophisticated look.

11. Diamond DustSuperfine glitter is reimagined as diamond dust in this unique reverse French. A clear nail bed provides a perfect platform to the light-catching detail (which we want to wear everyday).

12. Molten MetalApplied in silver or gold, three-dimensional, globular touches of molten metallic are an incredibly unique means of elevating your wedding nail game—whether applied to all nails or a choice few.

13. Embellished TipsThese gold-dotted tiny tips are reminiscent of a gilded, goddess-like crown, making it a regal choice for your wedding day. The style is easily reworked with silver, white, or nude dots to support your personal style.

14. Stark White TipsA micro-French in stark white offers a timeless take on wedding nails. The teeny-tiny tips add a special touch to a nearly-naked nail—and, as with all tips, can be tailored in shade.

15. Crushed Disco BallDisco balls are all the rage for their whimsy and light, so why not use them as nail inspo? A reverse French in a petite pieces that mimic a broken mirror are creative and cool—Goldstein’s specialty.

16. Pearlescent PolishShould you desire a touch of sparkle minus any extras, a shade infused with shimmer is the way to go. This pink pearlescent polish feels like an ethereal blush, a lovely and coquettish choice for your wedding day.

17. Chrome TipsThis French is all about molten chrome. The slightly raised pull of metallic sterling functions as an extra layer of adornment, and should be considered when choosing the remainder of your accessories.

18. Double Corner FrenchA classic French transmutes to something elevated and new when applied to top and bottom corners rather than tips or beds alone. The look is delicate but edgy in its innovation.

19. Allover PearlsWhy relegate decorative accents to nails alone? These pearl-touched fingertips feature tiny pearls that constellate around beds and beyond, creating a manicure-verse that’s dreamy and playful.

20. Pearl CuffMore pearls, please! This take on the reverse French is executed with arcs of diminutive pearls rather than white polish, delivering dimensionality and pretty whimsy to your wedding nails.

21. White Florets“The wedding I just did recently with Connar Franklin, we took the same type of flowers that she had running through her veil, kind of trailing, we did the same thing on the nails as an accent,” says Bachik.

22. Naked ShimmerBring a little endless summer to your special day with a shimmering nude. The naked nail is furthered by a light-throwing finish, calling to mind oiled skin and languid days spent in the sun.

23. Opalescent WhiteAn all-white manicure is made wedding-wearable ethereal with an opalescent finish. The quietly colorful iridescence feels dreamy and occasion-ready, instantly elevating a simple alabaster nail.

24. Personal Touches“When we did JLo, we incorporated a few flowers and a hummingbird, which is kind of her little lucky symbol,” says Bachik. “I put a tone on tone hummingbird in the nail, which you couldn’t see unless you got up close. [That sort of detail] makes the nail special without being overdramatic.”

25. Lipgloss NudeBachik is a forever fan of the lipgloss nail—manicures coated in a subtly shimmery glaze. Nude lipgloss nails are sumptuous, glamorous, and lend well to practically any wedding aesthetic.

26. Micro MetallicAn ever-so-slightly different take on Goldstein’s raised chrome French manicure, these sweet sterling tips lay flat, a super-high-shine top coat ensuring that the entire look communicates radiance and luxury.

27. Perfect PinkAgain, pink is a neutral. This pink is more candied than ballet slipper, but is effective for its pale, nearly-sheer finish.

28. American ManicureThe American manicure is a tone-on-tone take on the classic French.

29. Glossy NudeThis glossy nude is a warming option for those who plan to play in the peachy palette for their wedding day look.

30. Blizzard FrenchAn ombré French that results in a white haze reminiscent of a snowstorm.

31. Cosmic SilverSilver and scintillating, this polish job draws its inspiration from stardust. Sheer enough to allow natural nails to show though, this metallic mani is a refractive take on Bachik’s trademark gloss finish.

32. Naturally ChicThe latte look plays well on nails, too. The sophisticated shade plays well with nails of all lengths, offering the sort of sophistication that never goes out of style.

33. Bows and BaublesThe best bedecked bridal manicure comes with pearls and bows. Topped in translucent chrome and coupled with subtle French tips, the dimensional details blend into a dramatic, monochromatic moment.

34. Champagne ManiThis manicure calls for a toast. Executed for Margot Robbie, Bachik’s champagne nude is an example of understated shimmer. The metallic take on a neutral hue introduces the right amount of shine for a special day.

35. Neutral SkittlesMulti-colored manicures need not be relegated to rainbowed shades alone. An assemblage of alternating neutrals provides an unexpected approach to nude nails, one wholly worthy of wedding day consideration.

36. Cutesy SparkleFor your consideration: wedding confetti. Tips embellished in multi-colored pink glitter skew stylish and celebratory, a great choice for a bride eager to cement her love by dancing through the night.

37. Garden GirlFlowers, in all of their forms, communicate a timeless romance. Goldstein creates the illusion of diminutive microflowers pressed over clear nails for a look that is both sophisticated and singular.

38. Berry CupcakeThe wedding cake doesn’t have to be the day’s only sugary treat. A blueberry motif painted atop vanilla-coated nail beds is undeniably sweet—and an unexpected vehicle for your something blue.