Wedding Wonders

Entice bridal clients & ensure nails dazzle for ‘I do’ with top tips, design inspo & product picks to suit a variety of wedding styles

Do you vow to consider your bridal clients’ nail needs and desires? To love and cherish their nails and help them achieve the styles of their dreams? While your bridal customers get set to make promises for a lifetime, the significance of their special days means you should be committing to create magical mani moments. And if you’re seeking ways to elevate your offerings, look no further. We’ve rounded up expert advice to nail bridal appointments and ensure they bring value to your business, and shared wedding-ready nail looks and products to suit different themes and preferences.

Nailing the consultation

“It’s important to be fully prepared for a bridal consultation,” says Kirsty Brown, owner of Paintbrush Nails in Stirling, Scotland: Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year 2024. “Ask the client to send inspiration photos and details about their wedding, so you can plan specific designs, ensure you have the products to create them and advise on colours, styles and finishes. Offer at least one trial appointment to allow the bride to test different looks.”

Katie D’Alessandro, owner of Luxe Nail Studio in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, has found that understanding what draws clients to certain bridal nail designs is key to creating their preferred looks. She comments: “I find it useful to ask about the particular elements the client loves. Is it the shape, colour, finish or something else that is attracting them to the look? Ensure you consider their bridal jewellery, as well as their wedding dress and colour palette.”

It’s not just the client’s wedding day attire that you should be thinking about, says The GelBottle Inc ambassador, Megan Kelly: “I ask bridal clients if they’ve planned other outfits around the wedding day or are going on their honeymoon soon after, so we can complement their nails accordingly. I educate brides on the aftercare involved in their nail looks, to ensure longevity throughout their celebrations.”

Elevating the experience

“A bridal nail appointment is more than a regular salon visit; it should feel like an exciting part of wedding preparations,” Kirsty Brown shares. “Every bride is different, therefore accommodating their needs is key to an enjoyable experience. For example, some like to bring a bridesmaid along, others book in with their mums for a pamper session, and some prefer to visit alone for a moment of calm.

“Small, deluxe touches can make the appointment feel more special, such as a soothing hand massage, collagen gloves or hydrating treatments,”

Kirsty continues. “You could offer a celebratory drink to toast the occasion, and create a relaxing atmosphere by playing soft music,” adds Sara Pinto, Andreia Professional product director.

“Ask the bride questions about her big day and how she’s feeling, to create a memorable experience,” advises Megan Kelly. “It’s important to ensure the client is relaxed but excitement is kept high. I like to gift bridal clients a card and bottle of fizz as a special treat.”

Appointment advice

“For clients opting for nail enhancements or overlays, scheduling the bridal nail appointment a few days before the wedding ensures a flawless finish,” says Amanda Gould, CND TM and Footlogix educator at Creative Academy, West Sussex.

FITTING THE THEME

Traditional

“A classic French manicure and soft nude or pale pink overlay suit traditional weddings, as the looks are timeless and complement most bridal fashions,” says Megan Kelly. They are also popular choices for Indian weddings, where outfits feature embellishments, intricate embroidery and luxurious fabrics. A subtle nail look maintains focus on the decadence of the bridal wear.

Something blue

Don’t forget the tradition of brides wearing ‘something blue’ to bring luck to their marriage – and what better way to honour the Victorian ritual than on nails?

Bohemian

“Boho bridal manicures may include earthy tones and patterns to complement this adventurous wedding theme,” details Megan Kelly. “A nail design could mirror the fabric of the bride’s dress, or the florals and foliage in the bouquets and décor.”

Fairytale

“Fairytale bridal nails often comprise sparkle, embellishments and florals,” comments Megan Kelly. “The bride’s dress and venue are likely to be princess-inspired, so the nails can complement with magical touches.”

Modern

“Modern bridal nail looks tend to be fun but chic, and may incorporate chrome, pearls and minimal art accents to elevate classic styles,” Megan Kelly reveals.

Vintage

“To complement a vintage wedding theme, I would keep nails simple and muted, using a nude hue or shade that matches the wedding colour scheme,” advises Megan Kelly. “For brides seeking a more detailed look, adding soft lace or floral effects would be effective.”

Alternative options

Katie D’Alessandro has created a number of alternative nail designs for bridal clients. “I stock a variety of mixed media to be able to craft unique bridal styles,” she tells Scratch. “Inks and flakes can add texture and interest, while warm and cool metallic foils can match metals found in wedding rings. I recommend choosing a gel polish brand that allows for the easy creation of custom shades.

“It is important to check with the client that they will be happy with the nail design when they look back at their wedding photos in years to come,” Katie continues. “Occasionally, it can be best to play on the safe side with the nails if the client is unsure.”

Marketing musts

“Attending wedding fairs has allowed me to show my work to engaged couples, connect with them in-person and offer mini nail consultations and demos,” reveals Kirsty Brown. “I have curated a lookbook of my best bridal nail designs, so that I can easily showcase my offerings to potential clients and streamline consultations. I’ve also collaborated with wedding suppliers, including photographers, make-up artists, hairstylists and wedding planners, on photoshoots and weddings, which has helped to expand my reach.”

Kirsty asks bridal clients to share professional wedding photos that highlight their nails, so she can use these in her social media marketing. “High-quality images of nails in the context of a wedding, for example with a bouquet or rings, are far more powerful than standard nail shots,” she says. Sara Pinto also offers social media advice, recommending bridal nail transformations and behind-the-scenes videos. “You could engage with wedding trends to attract attention, and feature the feedback of bridal clients to build trust and credibility,” she notes.

2025 TRENDS

“I predict that Halo Gel Polish shade, Presley, is going to be a popular nail choice for brides this year,” reveals Halo VIP, Shelley Lewis. “This hue enables bridal clients to achieve a classic French-style nail look, but with a pearlescent base hue.”

“I anticipate that modern minimalism will influence bridal nail styles this year, from soft, neutral bases with luxurious cat eye finishes, to sheer shades with opulent pearl chrome overlays,” says Kirsty Brown.

“This year, popular bridal nail styles will incorporate delicate embellishments like pearl accents and lace effects, as well as soft ombrés, milky whites and romantic blush tones for dreamy, ethereal looks,” shares Sara Pinto. “The Andreia Professional I Do collection matches these trends, with sophisticated shades from subtle nudes to pearl finishes.”

“This wedding season, it’s all about chrome and creating a sophisticated shimmer,” shares Amanda Gould. “Brides are also gravitating toward sheer shades that enhance the natural beauty of their nails, giving a fresh, healthy appearance. This can be achieved using CND™ PLEXIGEL Builder in Soft Blush, and Lecenté TM Chrome Powder in Iced Donut can be applied on top for a radiant finish.”