8 Nail Polish and Bridesmaid Dress Color Combos You (and Your Girls!) Will Love

How to choose the right nail shade for your bridal party.

Updated 02/10/20

If there's one must-have accessory all bridesmaids need, it's freshly polished nails. A glossy manicure is the perfect finishing touch to any bridesmaid dress, but with so many polish colors available, choosing the best shade for your bridal party can be overwhelming. Do you match those blush bridesmaid dresses with equally pretty-in-pink nails? What about black bridesmaid dresses? Does the neutral color mean you can choose any polish for your girls?

To help you choose the perfect nail polish to match your bridesmaid dresses, we reached out to Candice Idehen, owner of Bed of Nails salon. She's here to break down which mani hues pair best with this season's most popular bridesmaid dress colors.

Meet the Expert

Candice Idehen is an entrepreneur and owner of Bed of Nails salon.

01 of 08

Coral Bridesmaid Dresses

Coral Bridesmaids Dresses — PHOTO BY MELISSA BEATTIE PHOTOGRAPHY

If your bridal party is looking chic in coral, Idehen recommends pairing the fun and flattering hue with a nude shade like Essie's Perennial Chic, a nude with peachy undertones. She explains, "The color is very interesting, so I wouldn't want to overload the look but complement it with a clean, always beautiful color."

This vibrant hue adds a pop of color to bouquets, dining tables, and yes, even bridesmaid dresses.

Essie Perennial Chic — COURTESY OF ESSIE

SHOP NOW: Essie, $9

02 of 08

Blush Bridesmaid Dresses

Blush Bridesmaids Dresses — PHOTO BY DAVID SALIM

Wear a complementary pale pink polish with this perennial favorite bridesmaid dress color. Have your 'maids pair their pretty-in-pink look with a similarly soft blush nail shade, like Nails Inc. Gel Effect Nail Polish in Mayfair Lane.

Nails Inc Mayfair Lane — COURTESY OF SEPHORA

SHOP NOW: Sephora, $15

03 of 08

White Bridesmaid Dresses

White Bridesmaids Dresses — PHOTO BY LAURA GORDON

Good news! Nearly any nail color pairs well with a white bridesmaid dress. Nothing says "wedding" like a clean white polish, so suggest that they match their white dresses with Nars Nail Polish in Ecume.

It's best to request that your bridesmaids keep their nail color neutral to avoid drawing too much attention from the rest of the bridal party's looks—including your own!

Nars Nail Polish in Ecume — COURTESY OF NARS

SHOP NOW: NARS, $20

04 of 08

Grey Bridesmaid Dresses

Grey Bridesmaids Dresses — PHOTO BY CORRINA WALKER PHOTOGRAPHY

Saying "I do" at a daytime wedding? Pair gray bridesmaid dresses with a silver shade like Base Coat Nail Polish in Robot. For a nighttime soirée, try a deeper metallic shade with a hint of bronze that'll bring the drama.

SHOP NOW: Nordstrom, $18

05 of 08

Yellow Bridesmaid Dresses

Yellow Bridesmaids Dresses — PHOTO BY A HEART STRING

For this bright spring shade, Idehen recommends a surprising nail polish color. "White would be my pick," she explains. "It compliments yellow. They melt together nicely and it's super chic." She recommends Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Color in Amazing Grace, an opaque white polish that leaves plenty of opportunities for minimal nail art.

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Color in Amazing Grace — COURTESY OF DEBORAH LIPPMANN

SHOP NOW: Deborah Lippmann, $20

06 of 08

Mint Bridesmaid Dresses

Mint Bridesmaids Dresses — PHOTO BY AMY LYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

It may sound crazy, but try pairing a mint bridesmaid dress with a warm peachy nail. The complementing colors look like pure summertime! We love Peach Side Babe, a juicy and bright shade by Essie.

Essie Peach Side Babe — COURTESY OF ESSIE

SHOP NOW: Essie, $9

07 of 08

Navy Blue Bridesmaid Dresses

Navy Bridesmaids Dresses — PHOTO BY JENNA MCELROY

For a bold dress, Idehen suggests an even bolder hue. "I love a good chrome against a navy dress. I think it pops, but still reads as elegant and sexy, as well as sophisticated and trendy." Her pick is Deborah Lippmann's aptly-named polish, Wow.

Deborah Lippmann in Wow — COURTESY OF DEBORAH LIPPMANN

SHOP NOW: Deborah Lippmann, $20

08 of 08

Red Bridesmaid Dresses

Red Bridesmaids Dresses — PHOTO BY ALEJANDRO CERDENA

Outfitting your bridesmaids in shades of red? Burgundy is the way to go. "To offset the red, I would go with a nice burgundy because it leaves room for makeup to have color as well as accessories," Idehen says. "The burgundy has just enough color to get noticed, but won't overpower since red is such an intense color." Consider Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour in Miziggoo, a rich shade that's flattering on all skin tones and nail lengths.