The Coolest Nail Art Trends For Your Wedding

Looking for your wedding day manicure look? You might want to consider skipping the classic pale-pink shade and go for a unique nail art look. “We have definitely seen the resurgence of nail art early this summer. Geometric patterns and clean lines seem to dominate the nail art scene,” says Leah Yari, CEO and founder of Côte, a California-based non-toxic nail polish line and salon. 

Across trendy nail salons and on social media, professionals are seeing the emergence of clean and modern nail art, including a big move back towards the French tip. Amanda Lazaroff, senior nail educator at Denver-based Base Coat, says she saw the trend start to blow up last year. She says some popular designs include abstract lines and shapes, nude colors with pops of color, multiple colors in a gradient order across each finger, and half-moon designs.

But, Mabelyn Martin, the creative director at New York City’s Paintbox, says nail art is actually nothing new. “It has been a part of my whole life,” she shares. “I was born in Patterson, New Jersey. Nail art, from the most maximalist to the most minimal, has always been around me. It’s one of those things—it depends on who’s wearing it if it’s trendy. It’s always been there in the inner city.”

Martin, who designs most of Paintbox’s designs—many of which fall into the current trend of geometric shapes, negative space, and color blocking—in part credits the Kardashians with the nail art renaissance. “Some [people] aspire to be like them and nail art is something most can afford—it’s different from an Hermes bag. Nail art is more attainable and easier to copy when you see it on an influencer,” she says. 

Experts agree that nail art has infiltrated the bridal world as well. Brides and bridal parties come in for manicure trials, much like they would for hair and makeup. Some brides even set goals to reach as to how long they want their nails to get for the wedding. At Paintbox, special two-hour bridal appointments can be booked with a specialist, and Martin says brides will often bring in jewelry and photos of their gown to help choose the right manicure. 

Inspired to try some bridal nail art? These are the top trends for the big day, according to nail experts.