Beautiful Nails on Your Wedding Day

You’ve had your dress for months. You’ve been having facials for weeks. Your beautiful pair of shoes has arrived, but have you made plans for your nails on your wedding day?  Nails play a bigger role than you might give them credit for.  Think of close-up photographs of you and your groom toasting champagne flutes or cutting the cake.  Healthy, well groomed, nicely manicured nails are key for any fashion-forward thinking bride, but make sure you tick all the boxes before deciding on your ideal look.

Nails Need to Last

Those who like nails to look natural, with just a touch of a transparent topcoat, generally prefer normal polish rather than gel or acrylic manicures, yet it is vital to think practically.  You will probably leave for your honeymoon the day after the wedding and standard nail polish usually chips in two or three days (if you’re lucky).

Since you will probably be taking pics and posting them up while on the island of your dreams, consider gel polish which stays in place for up to two weeks, or acrylic which can last even longer.  Acrylic works well if you desire long nails and your nails are naturally short.  Even if you have long nails, acrylic will strengthen them reducing the likelihood of chips and breaks while you are on your honeymoon.  If you are a whiz at home acrylic nails, bring your acrylic nail set with you on your honeymoon, so you can perform a quick touch-up if required after a sporty or adventure activity.  Buffing nails for acrylic application can damage them, so be gentle and keep nails and cuticles in a healthy state with cuticle oil and regular moisturization.

Deciding on a Color

French manicures are far less popular than they were a decade ago.  Today, neutral shades such as white, taupe, nude, or baby pink are de rigueur.  In the past couple of seasons, we’ve seen ‘something blue’ appear on nails, in a wide variety of shades ranging from a sweet baby blue to an elegant navy.

Be as free as you like when choosing a tone, thinking of how to complement your dress.  If your dress is heavily beaded or lacey, a hue like taupe or cream will work well.  On the other hand, if your dress is simple and minimalistic, add a splash of pearl or metallic to your manicure.

Nail Art is Not a No-No

Nail art comes in all styles and intensity.  It ranges from very subtle stripes to a pop of shimmer.  If you desire a creative look, by all means, go for it, but think ahead.  Your photos will be around for the rest of your life, so over-the-top creations might be best saved for another day and occasion.  Pinterest is an excellent source of inspiration for designs and hues. Without a doubt, after an hour or so of glancing through available pictures, you will find the perfect look for your dress and theme.

Your nails are an important part of your overall look and also a starring element of your photos.  Go for a professional look by selecting a well-reputed nail technician or practicing your home manicure technique in the months leading up to your big day, and take plenty of time to research your ideal look.  The catwalks of London, Paris or New York are a magnificent source of inspiration, as is Pinterest or Instagram. Whichever look you choose, make sure to test it beforehand to check for durability and photographic suitability.