Summer weddings are the perfect excuse to get dressed up and indulge in the good stuff, like spending time with family and friends. But if you’re putting together the ultimate wedding guest look, your nails are a big part of the equation. You might be thinking, “What if I upstage the bride?” or “What if my nails clash with the wedding theme?” Fear not! We’ve got the secrets and inspiration you need to get your wedding guest nails just right this summer.
Wedding Guest Nails
“You don’t want to upstage the bride,” says celebrity manicurist and KISS brand ambassador Julie Kandalec. “You probably don’t want to show up with three-inch stilettos with big charms, but you do have the opportunity to do something special for the couple.”
It’s not the time to show off 3D designs, but there are plenty of classic and elegant manicures that would be perfect for any wedding. Go minimal with nail art and choose a length that feels good for you. Also, check in with the bride to see what she’s wearing and make sure your nails complement her style rather than compete with it.
Wedding Nails Next Level
If you’re close to the couple, you can take it up a notch by incorporating elements of the couple or the wedding into your look.
“If you know the colors of the wedding, use those colors to inspire your manicure,” Kandalec says. “Even a single heart or their initials would be a nice nod to the bride and groom.”
The good news is no one will be offended by a little glitter. “You don’t have to hide the sparkle and shine,” she says.
There are also trends perfect for special occasions like weddings, like the butter yellow manicure and updated French tips. These will give you a modern twist while still keeping your look elegant and wedding-appropriate.
Elegant Nail Ideas Always
If you’re not privy to all the details of the wedding theme or colors, a classic look is always the way to go. “This is when you see a lot of French tips, maybe with a pop of color on the tips to add some interest,” Kandalec says. “I get asked for nude shades, French tips, and even chrome finishes for occasions like these.”
These classic styles are elegant and will keep you looking sophisticated while complementing the overall wedding look. Whether you go for a nude or chrome look, these nail ideas will keep your look polished and wedding-appropriate.
Wedding Guest Nails
1. Barely There Sparkle
This manicure is just the slightest bit sparkly, the “your-nails-but-better” look. The subtle shimmer is elegant without being too much, perfect for wedding guests who want to look refined but still show some personality.
The Balance
The beauty of a barely there sparkle manicure is its versatility. It will work with any outfit, from a little black dress to a floral number. I love how this style allows for creativity without overpowering the overall look. You can go for a sheer base coat with fine glitter or a soft metallic that catches the light just right.
Customization
To make this manicure even more special, customize it to the wedding theme or the couple’s style. If the wedding colors are soft pastels, you could do a pastel base with a whisper of iridescent sparkle. If the couple is modern, a nude base with silver or gold shimmer will add a touch of chic.
Personalization
A personal touch can also add meaning to your manicure. For example, you could do a tiny accent nail on one or two fingers with more sparkle or a small gem. This can be a nod to the couple or your own style. I find these little details make a big difference and often spark conversations at the event.
Application Tips
When applying a barely there sparkle manicure, you need to be light and even. Start with a base coat to protect your nails, then apply a sheer polish followed by a light dusting of fine glitter or a shimmery top coat. This will give you a subtle sparkle. I recommend finishing with a high gloss top coat to give your nails a glossy finish and make the sparkle pop.
2. Catch the Bouquet
Florals are a classic for wedding nails, and for good reason. The Catch the Bouquet manicure is a beautiful color combination that makes a statement without being too much. This design is romantic and celebratory, perfect for any wedding guest.
Timeless Floral Elegance
Florals are joyful and loving, which is what a wedding is all about. Whether you do delicate daisies, elegant roses, or whimsical wildflowers, floral nail art adds a lovely touch to your overall look. I love how florals can be customized to match the wedding colors, so you can nod to the couple’s theme while still expressing your own style.
Color Combinations
When it comes to color combinations, you want to choose colors that work together without clashing. Soft pastels like blush pink, lavender, and mint green create a dreamy, romantic look, while bolder colors like deep red, royal blue, or vibrant yellow make a statement. I personally love a mix of soft and bold colors; it creates a beautiful contrast and makes the floral design pop without being too much.
Design Ideas
For the Catch the Bouquet manicure, consider doing floral designs on a few accent nails and keeping the rest of your nails in a solid color that matches the flowers. For example, you could do a nude or soft pink base with floral designs on your ring and middle fingers. Alternatively, a full floral design on all nails can be cohesive and striking if you choose a more muted color palette.
Application Tips
To do a beautiful floral manicure, start with a clean base coat to protect your nails. Once dry, apply your base color. For the floral designs, you can use nail art brushes or dotting tools to create the flowers or even floral nail stickers for a quicker application. Finish with a high-gloss top coat to seal your design and add shine. I always say take your time with the details; the little things make a big difference.
3. Over the Moon for You
The Over the Moon for You manicure is a fun take on wedding guest nails. The lilac French tips and 3D gold embellishments create a cute crescent moon design. If you want to show your fun side but still look elegant for the occasion, this is the style for you.
A Twist on Classic French Tips
French tips are a classic, but adding lilac gives them a modern spin. Lilac is a soft, romantic color that goes with everything, so it’s a great choice for weddings. The subtlety of the lilac allows it to pop without being too much. It’s the perfect balance of fun and sophistication.
3D Gold Embellishments
The 3D gold embellishments in the shape of a crescent moon add a fun and striking element to the manicure. This detail not only enhances the design but also adds a bit of whimsy that will get people talking. I love how this embellishment can mean love and dreams, so it’s perfect for a wedding.
Customization Options
To customize the Over the Moon for You manicure, consider adding other celestial elements like tiny stars or sparkles along with the crescent moon. You could also try different colors for the tips, like soft pink or classic white, to see what looks best with your skin tone and outfit.
Application Tips
To do this style, start with a clean base coat to protect your nails. Apply lilac polish for the tips, making sure to get a smooth line. Once your base color is dry, you can use nail glue to attach the 3D embellishment to the crescent moon. Finish with a top coat to seal everything in and add shine. Use a light hand when applying embellishments so they adhere well without overpowering the design.
4. Sunset Beach Wedding
If you want to sparkle without upstaging the bride, the Sunset Beach Wedding manicure is the way to go. This gorgeous ombré glitter look captures the golden hour and the warm colors of a sunset but in a refined way that’s perfect for a wedding.
Ombré Glitter
The ombré effect creates a beautiful gradient from a soft, subtle base color to a glitter finish. This design adds depth and dimension to your nails and a bit of sparkle that catches light. I love how this style can look like a beach sunset, perfect for a beach wedding.
Colour Combinations
When choosing colors for the Sunset Beach Wedding manicure, consider warm colors that match the colors of a sunset. Shades like soft peach, coral, and light gold will create a beautiful gradient. Alternatively, you could go for a classic nude base and transition into shimmering gold or rose gold glitter for a more sophisticated look. Whatever colors you choose, make sure they match your outfit and the overall wedding theme.
Application Tips
To achieve this elegant ombré glitter look, start with a clean base coat to protect your nails. Apply your base color and let it dry completely. For the ombré effect, use a makeup sponge to dab the glitter polish onto the tips of your nails and blend it down towards the base. This will create a seamless transition that looks super chic. Finish with a top coat to seal everything in and add shine.
Personal Touches
To make the Sunset Beach Wedding manicure even more special, add a small accent nail with a delicate design, like a tiny seashell or starfish, to match the beach theme. This little detail will be a lovely nod to the wedding’s location and a personal touch to your appearance.
5. Simple Silver
You don’t need a lot of length or an intricate design to get a close-up-worthy manicure. The Simple Silver manicure is a beauty. It’s elegant and sophisticated and will suit almost any wedding party look.
The Silver Effect
Silver is a color that will enhance your overall look. It adds a bit of glamour without being too flashy, perfect for formal and semi-formal occasions. I love how silver nails catch the light; they look chic and polished and draw attention without upstaging your outfit or the bride’s.
Minimalist Chic
The beauty of the Simple Silver manicure is in its simplicity. You can go for solid silver polish for a sleek, modern finish or metallic silver for a bit of shimmer and shine. This style is for those who want a clean and understated look but still want to make a statement.
Personal Touches
For a different take on the Simple Silver manicure, add a small accent nail with a delicate design, like a silver stripe or a tiny gem. This will add a personal touch without overwhelming the simplicity of the overall look.
Versatility
One of the best things about the Simple Silver manicure is its versatility. It goes with so many colors and styles that it’s perfect for any wedding party look. Whether you’re wearing a classic black dress, a colorful floral gown, or a sleek jumpsuit, silver nails will suit your outfit.
6. Refined Artsy
The Refined Artsy manicure combines abstract line art with classic or wedding colours. It’s a perfect balance of simplicity and playfulness. This design is for those who want to express themselves while looking elegant for a wedding.
The Abstract Line Art Charm
Abstract line art is a trend in nail design. It’s modern and artistic. The beauty of this style is its versatility. You can create so many different designs, from minimal to more intricate patterns. I love how abstract lines can create movement and flow; it’s a canvas for your nails.
Colour Combinations
For the Refined Artsy manicure, you can stick to classic colors like white, black, or nude for a timeless look or use the wedding colors for a more personal touch. If the wedding theme is soft pastels, you can use a pale pink base with white or gold line art. A bold base color with contrasting lines will make a statement. I personally love a deep navy base with white lines. It’s sophisticated and modern and perfect for an evening wedding.
7. Pressed Flowers
Take your manicure to the next level with the beautiful Pressed Flowers art. This unique style incorporates real or faux-pressed flowers into your nail design. It’s a beautiful and organic look that is perfect for weddings and special occasions.
Nature’s Beauty
Pressed flower art captures the delicate beauty of nature so you can have a piece of the outdoors with you wherever you go. This design is not only visually stunning but also personal. You can make it reflect your personality or the wedding theme. I love how pressed flowers can evoke romance and whimsy, perfect for a wedding.
Choose Your Flowers
When choosing flowers for your Pressed Flowers manicure, select the colors and types that resonate with you or the wedding theme. Small flowers like daisies, violets, or even tiny rose petals work beautifully in this design. You can also choose flowers that match the couple’s wedding colors for a personal touch. I personally love a mix of pastel flowers on a soft nude or clear base.
To make the Pressed Flowers manicure more special, add some glitter or metallic accents around the flowers. This will enhance the design and add a little sparkle without overpowering the flowers.
8. 3D Crystal Touch
Take your French tip to the next level with the 3D Crystal Touch by dedicating one nail to a beautiful jewel accent. This little bit of bling will add glamour, and you can also match the wedding colors, which is perfect for any wedding guest.
3D Accents Elegance
Adding a 3D crystal or jewel to your manicure introduces a new element that catches the light and grabs attention. This design allows you to keep the classic French tip elegance while giving it a modern twist. I love how one embellished nail can be a focal point and make your overall look feel special and festive without being too much.
Choose Your Jewel
When choosing the jewel for your 3D Crystal Touch manicure, choose a stone that reflects the wedding colors. If the wedding theme is soft pastels, a delicate pink or lavender crystal will look beautiful to you. If the couple has chosen bold colors, a vibrant gem will make a statement. I personally love a clear or iridescent crystal with any color palette.
Application
To get the 3D Crystal Touch look, start with a clean base coat to protect your nails. Apply your French tip design as usual. Make sure the tips are neat and even. Once your base color is dry, choose one nail (usually the ring finger) to embellish with the jewel. You can use nail glue or a clear top coat to secure the crystal in place. For extra stability, apply a small amount of top coat around the edges of the jewel to help it stick better. Finish with a glossy top coat over the entire manicure to seal the design and add shine.
Personal Touches
To make the 3D Crystal Touch manicure more special, add a few smaller crystals around the main jewel for a more detailed look. This will create a waterfall effect and add depth to your nails.
9. Ink in Water
The Ink in Water manicure has soft marbling that’s gorgeous for wedding guest nails. By choosing the right colors, you can get a design that’s not only beautiful but also wedding-perfect.
Marbling 101
Marble nail art is a classic trend that adds depth and glamour to any manicure. The fluid, swirling patterns look like natural stone, and the finish is unique and artistic. I love how marbling allows for creativity and personalization; no two nails will ever be the same. This unpredictability is what adds surprise and charm to your overall look.
Choose Your Colors
When it comes to the Ink in Water manicure, choosing the right color palette is key. For weddings, choose soft pastels, elegant neutrals, or the couple’s wedding colors to create a cohesive design. For example, a combination of blush pink, soft lavender, and white will give you a romantic and dreamy look, while navy, gold, and cream will add sophistication. I personally love to use a gradient of colors that match the wedding theme to create a thoughtful design.
Application
For the marbling effect, you can use a water marbling technique or a simpler method using a nail art brush. If using water marbling, drop your chosen colors into a bowl of water and swirl them together before dipping your nail in. If you prefer the brush method, use a fine nail art brush to create the swirling patterns on your nail. Finish with a glossy top coat to seal the design and add the marbling effect.
10. Softened French Tips
The Softened French Tips manicure softens the edge of the classic French tip, taking it to a new level. This design maintains the elegance of the traditional French manicure but adds a modern and playful twist, perfect for wedding guests.
The Softened Edge Charm
By softening the French tip border, you create a more relaxed, organic look that feels fresh and modern. This will give you a sense of whimsy while still keeping the sophistication of the French tip. I love how this subtle change can turn a classic design into something on-trend and suitable for any occasion, including weddings.
Color Combinations
For the Softened French Tips manicure, you can try different color combinations to suit your style and the wedding theme. The traditional white tip is always a classic, but you can use pastel shades, soft metallics, or even a subtle ombre effect for the tips. For example, a pale pink base with a soft lavender tip will give you a romantic and dreamy look, and a nude base with a gold softened tip will add glamour. I personally love to use a light peach base with a creamy white tip for a beautiful, understated elegance that’s perfect for a wedding.