The Best Nail Designs Bridesmaids Should Consider

It’s no secret that settling on the perfect bridesmaid nails can pose quite the challenge. Whether you’re the bride selecting a cohesive manicure look for her bridal part to wear or a bridesmaid part who’s been left to decide on the nail polish color or design for themselves, sometimes a little guidance from the pros can be helpful.

Enter celebrity nail artist Sigourney Nuñez and Nails Inc. founder Thea Green, who’ve been behind countless looks for some of the most recognizable public figures. Keep scrolling for their expert advice on how to decide on a nail look, ways to avoid classic faux pas, and their biggest predictions for this season’s bridesmaid manicure trends.

A clean, transparent pink manicure by Georgia Rae

How to Make a Decision

“When choosing nail colors and designs as a bridesmaid, it’s important to strike the balance between individuality and harmony with the overall wedding theme,” Green tells us. “While creativity is encouraged, here are some nail colors and designs that may be best to avoid.” She suggests avoiding neon colors that could clash with the soft tones classically attributed to wedding color palettes, ditching extremely dark colors, and deciding against distracting nail art that could detract from the cohesive look of the wedding party.

Generally, the main decision for the manicure look of the day rests with the couple who’s setting the tone. “I think it all comes down to the vibe of the bride! Some brides are very upfront with a list of dos and don’ts, and that sometimes includes nail polish colors. Other brides are more relaxed about the aesthetic,” explains Nuñez. The general rule of thumb is you never want to outshine the couple, so she recommends always speaking to them first if you don’t know if a nail look would unintentionally draw from her main moment.

Below, we’ve mapped out a guide two the best bridesmaid looks to consider for the big day from classic neutral shades to trendy chromes, plus helpful tools and nail polishes picks according to celebrity manicurists and beauty editors.

1. Classic Neutrals

If you’re part of a bridal party this season, consider embracing a manicure with fall hues for the wedding. “As weddings embrace fall’s natural hues, moody neutrals offer a subtle elegance that complements both minimalist and earthy color palette,” says Green. “These colors add warmth and sophistication without overshadowing the bridesmaid dresses, fitting perfectly into fall’s aesthetic of deeper richer tones.” If pink nails are your year-round go-to, try a dusty shade of pink with warm undertones.

“A dusty rose manicure is a perfect color that has that current trendy vibe with a hint to a timeless classic,” says Nuñez. We’ll be re-creating this blushing pink manicure by Julia Diogo.