35 Unique Wedding Nail Designs For Every Type of Bride

From classic to modern, there's a manicure that works for your wedding.

Abstract white design bridal nail inspiration

Photo: Kami Arant Creative

Updated Nov 22, 2023

Finding your perfect wedding dress can be such a daunting undertaking that one could easily lose track of the smaller details. Don't make that mistake with your manicure. As the bride (and the center of attention), you want your wedding nail design to fit the vibe of your wedding, look beautiful against your gown, and stand up to the admiring glances you'll be getting all evening long. Many brides opt for classic wedding looks such as white, ivory, a traditional glossy French manicure, or perhaps a touch of shimmer. But since you're here, you're likely in search of something different and to make more of a statement.

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Your wedding nail design should be something you want to show off to all of the guests, but it also shouldn't compete with the dress (though it should compliment your ring). Opt for something that goes with your overall look. For example, if your gown is simple and classic, like an A-line skirt, you may want to stick with something more traditional, like a white French manicure. If your gown is more embellished and trendy, you may want nails that go the same route, like something bedazzled. And don't feel like you have to stick with white nails: a color, like pink or blue, can also be really fun.

Take a look at our favorite wedding nail designs below – there's something for every type of bride.

Angled French Manicure

If you're stuck between a simple classic like a French manicure and something that feels more modern, this is a good compromise. Each nail is slightly different, some with angled French designs and others with squiggles. It's pretty and interesting without being too loud.

Different Textures

There's no rule that says every nail has to be the same. This manicure features so many different textures and embellishments, from full gems to raised circles to a cool bedazzled design. It's so fun to look at and photograph.

Subtle Pearls

Take a traditional glossy French manicure up a notch with some tiny pearls. Add a few little pearls to each nail, preferably in a variety of different sizes, for a feminine and pretty touch.

Inverted French

One way to immediately make a French manicure feel more fresh is to turn it upside down – literally. The inverted French manicure has a much more modern feel and works well with the right nail shape, like this oval/almond shape. A neutral base and metallic swoop looks beautiful.

Pretty in Pink

Be your most feminine self with a pink manicure. This one uses a French manicure with two different baby pink colors, as well as some embellishments. Alternating between colors for the tips is unexpected, and you can add little gems, like these tiny pink bows, to make it even cuter.

Silver Shine

This play on sparkles is so cute. Instead of actually putting sparkly gemstones or shades on your nails, you can use silver polish to create sparkle images. Put them over a classic French manicure and you've got a really unique look.

Pastel Marble Nails

Marbleized nails are definitely a trend, and you can make them stand out more by using different colors. This manicure has a pink base with blue and white as pastels on top. The tiny touch of glittery silver polish on each nail gives just the right amount of sparkle.

Garden Nails

If you're having a wedding during the spring or having an outdoor wedding in a garden setting, these nails are perfect (although, of course, they'll work in other settings as well). Featuring little white flowers and green vines, they have a really cute botanical vibe going on.

Metallic and Geometric

Metallic geometric bride nail inspiration

Step away from the neutrals with this flashy manicure. It features unexpected wedding colors like gold, black, and silver, all drawn out in modern geometric designs on a neutral base. It's glittery, different, and looks great with a sleek almond nail shape.

Bedazzled Coffin Nails

Bedazzled coffin bridal nail inspiration

If the soft round, almond, or oval shape isn't for you, but you want long nails, consider the coffin shape. It's more rectangular, with sharper edges. This option is perfect for a bride, as the base polish is a shimmering white. Adding little gemstones on top is a nice addition, especially if they're all different sizes.

Beige Designs

Brides who don't want to do white or ivory but still want to stick to a versatile neutral may love the idea of beige nails. These are just a step up from your normal nail color (except a lot more glossy). You can make them more interesting by adding some cool designs, and there's nothing wrong with opting for a few on each hand.

Shimmering French

Another beautiful take on the classic French is to use metallic nail polish on the tips. This polish is a shimmering white and it is just subtle enough while still being obvious. You can also add an accent design to one nail on each hand to make it even more exciting.

Lots of Sparkle

French embellished bridal nail inspiration

Add texture and sparkle for a white manicure that still feels unique. This manicure features a square shape with a traditional French and some accents. Each nail is covered in a clear sparkle polish, one features floral details, and one nail on each hand is fully bedazzled with tiny crystals.

Swooped Design

This unique design features white polish on top of a clear base. There are swoops and lines that come together to almost look like branches or vines, so this could be cool for a floral themed wedding. The addition of some tiny gemstones is great finishing touch.

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Pink Bedazzled Coffin Nails

More is more with this trendy manicure. The coffin shape feels modern, the light pink color is a nice departure from white, and all of the glittering gemstones would play nicely with an embellished dress.

Elaborate Half Moons

Half-moon manicures are basically like French manicures with a larger tip. You can do this as is, or you can add some embellishments, like with this manicure. Some swooping, angled lines are subtle and pretty, and adding one or two silver gems makes it feel extra special.

Something Blue

Can't come up with something blue? Make it your nails. But instead of doing a full-blue manicure, you can do a French manicure with blue tips, like this one. The baby blue color is so pretty, but what really stands out are the detailed floral designs that make this feel so feminine.

Pink and Bows

Pink is always a good second option if you don't want to do white nails. While a pale pink is pretty and versatile, a brighter baby pink also works. You can leave them as is, just a solid color, or add large sparkling bow gems on a few nails.

Blue and Pink

Mix up two different colors with this unique option that will definitely pop against your gown. This manicure features light pink and blue, with a shimmering gold metallic detail. We love that the blue nails are slightly marbled for even more interesting texture.

Curved Design

A cool way to break up your traditional French manicure is to add some accent nails. There are two on each hand with this manicure, and each features a curved, S-like design. It feels more modern and unique than just a basic French, but it's still not over-the-top.

A Touch of Pink

Instead of going full pink, opt for a sort of pink ombre look. This one ends up looking almost like a French manicure with a touch of pink. The little white designs are bows, hearts, and sparkles, making this a very feminine look overall.

Floral and Pink

Another great idea for an outdoor or garden wedding is this floral and pink look. While most of the nails are a soft, glossy pink color, each hand features a nail with white polish and a brighter pink flower.

Multi-Color Marble

A light blue base and some sheer sparkle is a good start to this manicure. Add some darker details, like shimmering gold metallic and purple, for an even more interesting overall look.

Glitter and Pearls

Pearls are a big wedding trend, but they can feel a bit demure. To make them more exciting, use them as an embellishment over a clear base. Add a sheer sparkling gold layer and some tiny round gold stones to make this even prettier.

Different Embellishments

Multi embellished bridal nail inspiration

This multi-colored manicure is a little over-the-top, but if that's what you're going for, then it's perfect. There's a bedazzled inverted French, a colorful sparkle nail, shimmering flowers… it's really got it all. With the colors, it feels just right for a tropical wedding.

Silver French

Give your French manicure a metallic twist with some shimmering silver nail polish. For a more simple look, just switch up the colors. But if you want to go for something more elaborate, add some tiny gemstones for added sparkle.

Shimmering Pink

Baby pink nails are a popular choice for a bridal manicure. This one takes it up another level by adding some texture with a shimmering top coat and glittering gemstones.

A Subtle Floral Vibe

Green swoop floral bridal nail inspiration

Pink and green is a mix that feels botanical by nature. This look is so pretty for an outdoor or garden wedding. The pink base is light, and the green swoop is subtle but so pretty.

Large Gemstones

Tiny gemstones and embellishments create a more subtle look, while larger ones are all about making a statement. These glittering nails have a modern rectangular shape and some really cool gems on top.

Light Blue Flowers

Light blue floral bridal nail inspiration

Brides who want a design that doesn't call for too much attention will love this option. On top of a pale ivory, almost clear base, these very light blue flowers are almost easy to miss. This would be especially pretty if the color was one of your wedding colors.

Henna-Inspired

This intricate manicure features a design that almost looks like henna. It's pretty and so different, and we especially love the rainbow colored gemstones on the accent nails.

Thin Swoops

Thin white swoops bridal nail inspiration

Another subtle design, this manicure features an almost clear-colored base with white swoops. They look like little S's, or curves, and it's kind of a cool modern design that would work with a simple but slightly modern gown.

Wedding Ring-Inspired

A light pink base is a beautiful alternative to a white or ivory. This one is really simple, with the exception of an accent nail: tiny gemstones and a little pearl create a design that almost looks like an engagement ring and wedding band.

French and Pearls

Go for classy, chic, and trendy with this cool manicure. A half-moon French manicure is cool enough on its own, and adding little pearl embellishments makes it so much more fun.

Pink Chrome

Switch up the trendy glazed donut nail trend with this pink chrome look. The nails have a nice metallic shine to them, and adding a bedazzled accent nail is a great way to really make a statement on your wedding night.