How To Nail The Perfect Manicure For Your Wedding Day

Just like your dress, jewellery and bridal bouquet, your wedding day manicure is personal to you. While one bride may wish to keep their wedding nails simple and neutral, another may wish to opt for a bright and bold design - there's no rulebook when it comes to wedding day manicures. One thing that is important, however, is ensuring that your selected style and colours perfectly complement your wedding and engagement ring.

In this blog, we reveal some of the best-kept industry secrets on how to nail the perfect wedding day manicure to match your choice of jewellery.

Matching Your Nail Shape With Your Engagement Ring

When it comes to the finer details of your wedding day, nails are not to be overlooked. Once the vows are exchanged and the ceremony is over, everyone will be itching to see your beautiful rings side by side. In many cases, your photographer may also wish to capture this moment with an up-close photo of the rings in all their glory.

With this in mind, it’s understandable why so many brides (and grooms!) wish to perfect their wedding day manicures. Not only does this allow them to showcase their hands with confidence, but it’s also a chance to consider what colours and nail shapes will best complement their rings.

For women, it’s the engagement ring that often does most of the talking, due to the traditional raised gemstone design taking centre stage above wedding rings, which typically tend to be a plain band or part of a diamond-encrusted bridal set. The unique cut of an engagement ring lends itself to nail shape, making this an easy bridge for style cohesion between the two.

Emerald Cut Engagement Rings

An emerald cut diamond is treasured for its striking silhouette. The shallow pavilion and open table accentuate the clarity of the stone, while the many rectangular facets create lots of shimmery reflection when they catch the light. A squoval nail shape mimics this perfectly.

 

Princess & Cushion Cut Engagement Rings

One of the most popular engagement ring cuts on the market, princess cut diamonds are symmetrical and square-shaped with four pointed corners. This silhouette typically features over 70 facets which create maximum sparkle. Cushion cut diamonds share similar characteristics to the princess silhouette, but feature slightly rounded corners. A classic square or squoval nail shape will match this cut beautifully.

 

Round & Oval Cut Engagement Rings

As the name suggests, round cut diamonds take a spherical shape, designed to maximise light due to the many circular facets that this cut boasts. With oval cut diamonds taking on an elongated version of the round shape, these dazzling designs pair perfectly with rounded nails to mimic the curves of round and oval diamonds.

Not sure what silhouette your engagement ring is? Take a look at our Guide To Engagement Rings to discover yours.

 

Choosing The Perfect Wedding Day Nail Colour

Whether you prefer natural nails or beautiful bridal nail art, selecting your wedding day nail colour can be a tricky decision. The devil is in the detail and it’s the little things that make you feel your best on your big day, so getting your wedding nails just right is essential.

Naturally, the perfect shade has to complement your wedding dress but should also stand the test of time - no bride wants chipped nails on her wedding photos!

To help you decide, we’ve done a brief roundup of a few of the most popular bridal manicures in 2023.

Neutrals & Nudes

There’s a reason neutrals are easily the most common nail colour for weddings and it’s because they’re a tried and tested classic that blend beautifully with any colour scheme. It should be noted that different shades complement and clash with different skin tones in different ways.

The general rule of thumb when it comes to finding your perfect shade is as follows:

Fair skin: blush pinks
Medium skin: pinky/beige nude
Olive skin: creamy nude or peachy shades
Dark skin: dusty rose or coffee-coloured tones

@sweetnailsbysab_ - @raelondonnails - @oliveandjune

Classic French Manicure

If you want to go for something timeless, there’s no better choice than a pretty French manicure. Featuring a pink or nude base with delicate white tips, this is a simple yet elegant style for any bride on her wedding day. The simple, neutral tones blend seamlessly with an array of tones, without detracting from the dress or flowers.

@moskvichka_nails - @meganmargotevans - @5ivenails

Bright Colours

If you’re partial to a splash of colour then don’t be afraid to incorporate this into your big day by opting for vibrant nails! Your wedding manicure is entirely personal to you. Not only can certain colours instantly boost your mood, but they can also be a great way to tie into the overall colour scheme of your wedding party. For instance, if your bridesmaids are dressed in lilac or green, mimicking this in your manicure can be a stylish way to create colour coordinate with these shades.

@heluviee - @allnailss._ - @heluviee

Alternatively, if your engagement ring or wedding jewellery contains any precious gemstones, nail colour is a beautiful way to complement this and accentuate these unique tones. Emerald stones can be paired with fresh forest greens, sapphires can be paired with tranquil blues, and rubies will blend beautifully alongside rich reds and crimsons.

@overglowedit - @deathvalleynails - @bycheznails

 

4 Benefits Of Having A Wedding Manicure

For some, it can be a tricky decision whether or not to opt for a professional manicure on your big day. If you’re still undecided and are wondering whether it’s really worth it, here are a few benefits to consider.

It Saves Time

As your wedding day draws nearer, you’ll likely have an endless to-do list to get through. The last thing you want to do is add to that list by putting pressure on yourself to do your own nails. Chances are, unless you’re a pro, it’s going to take you much longer to perfect your chosen colour or style than it would a professional. Save yourself time by booking into your favourite nail salon and letting them do the work for you.

Your Manicure Will Last Longer

There’s nothing worse than chipped nail polish on your wedding day. At home varnishes are much more prone to chipping meaning any small graze or knock to your nails could put your manicure at risk. Opting for shellac or gel polish at a professional salon will ensure your wedding nails stand the test of time (up to 3 weeks!) so you can rest easy knowing your nails will be on point from the ceremony right the way to the dancefloor.

Enjoy Being Pampered

With so much to look forward to, the lead-up to your wedding day should be a joyful and exciting time, yet it’s easy for these days to become stressful when there’s so much to do. Taking time for self-care rituals is vital to ensure you look and feel your best on your special day. Booking a nail appointment allows you to unwind, and take a little time for yourself. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy being pampered as you watch your dreamy wedding manicure take shape!

Men Can Book A Male Manicure

Gents, it’s not all about the ladies when it comes to manicures. In order to look and feel well-groomed on your wedding day, why not treat yourself to a male manicure to tidy up those cuticles before saying “I do”?

If you’re looking for further jewellery inspiration for your wedding day, check out the latest collections at Hatton Jewellers today. From diamond earrings and gemstone jewellery to sophisticated men’s chains and necklaces, we have plenty of styles to choose from that will ensure you look the part on your special day.