Let's talk nail designs and nail shapes. Specifically? Wedding manicures. The choice is overwhelming, and, call us dramatic, but shouldn't be taken lightly. Just like hair and make-up trials, brides to be will likely benefit from trying an array of different designs and hues in the run up to their big day - take notes from Grazia's Beauty Director Annie Vischer who committed to the cause and tried out numerous looks as part of her wedding day beauty preparations.
'I ultimately went for a glazed micro French mani with pearl tips and a side of luxe hand care,' says Vischer. 'My nail artist, Iram Shelton, used OPI’s Bubble Bath as a base - ‘one coat to keep it natural’ - OPI Funny Bunny on the tips and chrome powder over the top to lend the look its pearlescent finish. I was head over heels.'
Beauty Director Annie Vischer's wedding day nails were created by Iram Shelton
Of course, as OPI’s Global Ambassador, Shelton knows more than just a few things about choosing the correct bridal manicure.
'Always try the shades and designs before the big day and never make an impulse decision as it’s something you’re going to have to live with,' she advises. 'I would recommend trying the shades you have in mind a few months before the wedding and leaving them on for 1-2 weeks at a time to see if you like the colour. The same goes with the length and shape of the nails. When picking the design and colour, don’t opt for something that is out of the ordinary as you’ll most probably regret this. It’s better to try something that is unique to you or your style with that extra little oomph - whether it be focusing on the shape or the prep or even the tiny details like art or enhancements.'
Beauty Editor Rachael Martin's nude-meets-pink wedding nails were created by manicurist Milly Mason
Unsurprisingly, it's not a one design suits all situation - although most brides to tend to sway towards a timeless nude tone or French design.
'If you are going for a nude I'd advise trying different shades,' says Shelton. There are so many different options whether it be a pink undertone like "OPI Bubble Bath" or something more neutral like "Put It In Neutral" or "Bare My Soul" or even perhaps more peachy like the shade "Passion." There are so many to choose from to create perfect nails for your big day.'
How soon before your wedding should you get your nails done?
You should aim to get your nails done between three and five days before your wedding - this will minimise the possibility of any chipping or peeling. Consider opting for a BIAB nails (a technique that strengthens and fortifies) or a Russian manicure (ideal for creating the illusion of longer nail beds.)
What are the best wedding nails?
Totally inspired, we’ve scoured high and low to bring you the best wedding nail art designs from across social media. From subtle accents of glitter to bright swirls of colour – have some fun on your wedding day and use it as the perfect excuse to do exactly what you want.
Best Wedding Nail Designs 2024
1. French Wedding Nails
Proof that the correct wedding manicure can set off an engagement ring beautifully, Nicola Peltz's bridal nails were softly shaped with a subtle French design. Credit: Instagram @tombachik
2. Sofia Richie Wedding Nails
Georgia Rae was behind Sofia Richie's viral manicure. She wrote, 'I had the absolute honour of doing @sofiarichiegrainge‘s manicures for her fairytale wedding weekend. I used Sweet Candy Breath by @biosculpturegelgb.' Credit: Instagram @raelondonnails
3. Natural Wedding Nails
'Consider these lipgloss nails the little sister to Hailey Bieber's glazed donut nails,' says Grazia's Beauty writer Sameeha Shaikh. 'It's a manicure look that packs high-shine gloss in a new understated guise.' Ask for a semi-sheer polish in a nude or pink tone and a high-shine top coat. Credit: Instagram @Iramshelton
4. Quirky Wedding Nails
One celebrity who totally overhauled the bridal mani status quo and opted for a bright, ‘out there’ design was Lily Allen. Thanks to pink and red love hearts adorned with confetti, there's no denying she made that wedding day nail art decision even harder. Created by Nail Artist, Naomi Yasuda, the impressive detail added some drama and fun to Lily’s otherwise minimalist, chic look.' Credit: Instagram @naominailsnyc
5. Halal Bridal Nails
Grazia's Beauty Writer Sameeha has waxed lyrical about the first ever halal gel nail polish for her wedding day, writing, 'As someone who has always had to steer clear of gel polish, discovering L’Atelier Green's Evergreen new range for the week of my wedding was serendipitous. I visited the brand at The Lanesborough Club & Spa in London a day before celebrations began and opted for a fresh and classic French micro manicure. The treatment followed a similar pattern to regular gel mani appointments: a thin coat of base polish, cure under an LED lamp, follow up with your colour polishes, cure and repeat before ending with a top coat and final cure.'
6. Pearl Drops
'If you've spent years developing your DIY manicure skills and would rather do it yourself, Iram recommends using either Chanel's Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Ballerina, £25, or OPI's Nail Envy in Bubble Bath, £21.10, as your base, and Gucci Vernis à Ongles in Winterset Snow, £24, for the tip, 'it's super pigmented, so one coat on the tip is enough,' she says. Add some pearly accents with a touch of nail glue for an elevated look. Credit: Instagram @Iramshelton
7. Euphoria Wedding Nails
A bolder take on traditional wedding nails, Shelton takes inspiration from a Euphoria manicure with swirling artwork, negative space and a gleaming diamond studs. Credit: Instagram @Iramshelton
8. Wedding Acrylic Nails
Acrylic nails executed correctly can be a beautiful and elegant way to elongate your fingers in time for your big day. This shape, coupled with the perfect shade of milky pink makes for a stunning wedding day manicure. Credit: Instagram @tammynails_design
9. Chrome Wedding Nails
Beloved by Hailey Bieber, glazed doughnut chrome nails make for a modern bridal manicure look. To mimic this hue opt for a sheer white polish with a pink-toned holographic top coat. Credit: Instagram @flamantnailboutique.
10. Glitter Tip Wedding Nails
'This is my most requested set,' says @nailsbykhristy. A sheer nude, coupled with a sparkling micro French manicure makes this one an excellent option for modern brides. Expect your engagement ring and wedding band to sparkle alongside. Credit: Instagram @nailsbykhristy
11. Something Blue
A subtle, blue toned French nail make for an excellent bridal manicure. Ask for short, square, natural looking length using acrylic extensions to recreate this look. Image credit: Instagram @mel.loves.nails
12. Stiletto Wedding Nails
These beautifully sheer milky pink nails ooze bridal glamour and are sure to reel in the compliments. The sharp, stiletto shaped acrylics would compliment a crisp white suit. Credit: Instagram @dovenailsbysharon
13. Holographic Acrylic Nails
Holographic, pearlescent and glittering, this is proof that your wedding manicure can still be elegant without being boring. Credit: Instagram @miiiiisn
14. Floral Accents
'Bridesmaid nails of dreams using all @glitterbels peekaboo builderbel gel and unbelievable gel paints for all the artwork,' writes nail artist Emily. 'Then finished off with the best @cutieoils passionfruit oil.' Credit: Instagram @silkbeauty.uk
15. Press On Wedding Nails
Short on time? Make like Sameeha who says stick on nails aren't what they once were. 'Elegant Touch's impressive offerings make them a master in the field of press on nails – the brand has 40 years of false nail expertise – Elegant Touch's selection of press on nails come in a variety of nail shapes, think: squoval, coffin, oval and everything in between, and boasts plenty of design options, whether you're after something festive, seasonal or trendy. I chose to keep things classic for my hen and picked Elegant Touch's French 117, £6.30.
16. Bejewelled Bridal Manicure
The perfect hen-do nails do exist. To mimic this vibrant look opt for pink French tips and rainbow toned jewels. More is more - you're the bride afterall. Credit: Instagram @thegelhouse
17. Classic Wedding Manicure
Top tip: If you're looking for bridal manicure inspiration then consider perusing Instagram accounts belonging jewellers. James Allen Rings is a total treasure trove to screenshot ahead of your big day. Credit: Instagram @jamesallenrings
18. Rose Toned Wedding Nails
We love when a manicurist doesn't gate keep. Harriet Westmoreland was happy to share that she uses the varnish BIAB 18 to achieve this wedding ready manicure. Unsure if your salon doesn't stock this shade? Then use the words 'sheer' and 'rose toned' to the look. Credit: Instagram @harrietwestmoreland
19. Barely There Wedding Nails
Barely there but oh so beautiful, Mateja Novakovic gives lessons in the perfect bridal manicure. Pink and set with a subtle white undertone is flattering on all skin tones. Credit: Instagram @matejanovakovic
20. Nude Nails With Hearts
For a fun bridal nail design look to these elegant muted hearts - it's also seriously Valentine's Day worthy. Credit : @nailsxmina
21. Ombre Wedding Nails
Ombre nails are a great way to add a modern twist to a classic French polish - it was a top spring nail trends of 2024 and is set to last well into the summer and beyond. Team with a soft almond shape for an elegant touch. Credit: Instagram @bycheznails
How should you care for your hands and nails ahead of a wedding?
'My morning ritual, no matter whether I'm a guest, a bridesmaid, or the bride, would be to first exfoliate my hands,' says Iram, 'this is to freshen up my skin and make them soft. My go-to scrub at the moment is Elemis Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow, £37, it smells divine and leaves your skin hydrated.'
'I'd always then use hand cream and cuticle oil,' says Iram, 'my go-to hand cream right now is Byredo Mojave Ghost Hand Cream, £31. It soaks into skin without leaving a greasy residue, meaning you won't have to worry about transfer onto your beautiful outfit, and it's quite small, making it perfect to carry around with you for top-ups on the day.'
'My go-to nail serum is the Dior Beauty Huile Abricot Daily Nutritive Nail & Cuticle Serum, £22,' she says, 'it comes in a tube with a brush on the end, which makes application fuss-free.'
Rachael Martin is Grazia’s Junior Beauty Editor. Originally from Northern Ireland, she studied English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, before moving to London to pursue a career in magazine journalism
Main image credit: Kat Mervyn