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PHOTO BY JENN OCKEN PHOTOGRAPHY / Design by Jiaqi Zhou
If there's one must-have accessory for bridesmaids, it's freshly polished nails. A glossy manicure is the perfect finishing touch to add 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 a neutral dress color mean you can choose any shade of polish?
To help you choose the ideal bridesmaid nail color for your bridal party's dresses, we reached out to Candice Idehen, owner of Bed of Nails salon. She breaks down which mani hues pair best with some of the most popular bridesmaid dress colors.
Meet the Expert
- Candice Idehen is a New York City–based nail tech and nail educator. She is the owner of Bed of Nails salon and the CEO of Bed of Nails Academy.
Keep reading for expert tips on choosing the best bridesmaid nail color and dress combination for your bridal party.
Gray Bridesmaid Dresses With Silver Nails
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Photo by Kaylee Chelsea Photography; Event Planning by Novelty Events; Bridesmaids Dresses by BHLDN
Pair gray bridesmaid dresses with a silver shade like Côte Nail Polish in No. 110 Molten Metal for a daytime wedding. For a nighttime soirée, try a deeper metallic shade with a hint of bronze that'll bring the drama.
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Courtesy of Côte
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Red Bridesmaid Dresses With Burgundy Nails
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Photo by Alejandro Cerdena
If you're outfitting 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.
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Courtesy of Christian Louboutin
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Black Bridesmaid Dresses With Jet Black Nails
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Photo by IVASH
For a look that's fresh off the runway, pair black bridesmaid dresses with matching jet-black polish for all the noir elegance. Essie nail polish in Licorice is a tried-and-true staple. For a more demure touch, consider sheer, barely there shades that give nails a healthy shine sans color.
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Courtesy of Essie
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Coral Bridesmaid Dresses With Nude Nails
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Photo by Taylor McCutchan
If your bridal party is looking cool in coral, Idehen recommends pairing the fun and flattering hue with a neutral shade, such as Essie's Perennial Chic—a nude with peachy undertones. "The color is very interesting, so I wouldn't want to overload the look," she says. "Complement it with a clean, always beautiful color."
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Courtesy of Essie
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Blush Bridesmaid Dresses With Pale Pink Nails
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Photo by The Present Perfect
Wear a matching pale pink polish with this perennial favorite shade. Have your bridesmaids pair their pretty-in-pink look with a similarly soft blush nail color, like Nails Inc. Gel Effect Nail Polish in Mayfair Lane.
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Courtesy of Sephora
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Yellow Bridesmaid Dresses With White Nails
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Photo by Sotiris Tsakanikas; Event Planning & Floral Design by Stefanotis Weddings
For this bright spring shade, Idehen recommends a surprising nail polish color: white. "White would be my pick," she explains. "It complements 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.
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Courtesy of Deborah Lippmann
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Mint Bridesmaid Dresses With Peach Nails
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Photo by Hailley Howard Photography
It may sound like it wouldn't work, but try pairing a mint bridesmaid dress with a warm peachy nail. The complementary colors look like pure summertime! We love Peach Side Babe, a juicy and bright shade by Essie.
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Courtesy of Essie
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Navy Blue Bridesmaid Dresses With Chrome Nails
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Photo by Heather Waraska
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 Wow.
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Courtesy of Deborah Lippmann
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White Bridesmaid Dresses With Opalescent Nails
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Photo by Laura Gordon
Nearly any nail color pairs well with a white, and nothing says "wedding" like a clean white polish. Suggest your 'maids match their white dresses with the opalescent Zoya Nail Lacquer in Genesis.
Ask your bridesmaids to keep their nail color neutral to avoid drawing too much attention from the rest of the bridal party's looks—including your own!
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Courtesy of Ulta
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Pink Bridesmaid Dresses With Moody Plum Nails
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Photo by David Bastianoni Studio
Freshen up a feminine pink look by opting for moody manicures in deep jewel tones like oxblood or plum. Pink may bring forth the most feminine and demure imagery, but that doesn't mean you're confined to prim and proper pastel hues. We love OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark, a decadent inky hue that never disappoints.
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Courtesy of OPI
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Orange Bridesmaid Dresses With Creamy Coral Nails
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Photo by A Heart String Weddings
Depending on the season, burnt oranges, sepias, terracottas, and bronzes can all create a wedding-worthy manicure palette. Orange is a versatile fashion choice as it can evoke all the playful whimsy of summer or the warm spiciness of autumn. For a bridesmaid nail color that flatters any month, consider Gucci's Peggy Sunburn—a vintage coral—for a retro touch.
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Courtesy of Gucci
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Nude Bridesmaid Dresses With Champagne Nails
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Photo by Danilo and Sharon
While nude nails are an obvious choice for nude or champagne bridesmaid dresses, the ideal nude polish can differ for everyone depending on individual skin and undertone combinations. If uniformity is what you're after, opt for a metallic champagne like Orly's Moonchild for a similar lengthening effect with a hint of glam. For a bold statement, we love saturated jewel tones like velvety blues or vampy reds.
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Courtesy of Orly
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Purple Bridesmaid Dresses With Smoky Mauve Nails
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Photo by Judy Pak
For a sophisticated bridesmaid manicure, we're obsessed with chic creamy grays or dusty mauves that elevate any shade and undertone in the purple spectrum. Essie's Chinchilly, a smoky urban mauve, is a cult favorite for a reason.
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Courtesy of Essie
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