When should bridesmaids get their nails done?

Ideally, a day or two before—enough time for nails to fully dry but not enough for them to chip (with any luck). The morning of the wedding is not recommended. Even if it seems like the bridesmaids have plenty of time, it can take up to 24 hours for nail polish to fully set.

Should all the bridesmaids wear the same nail polish color?

If you'd like to get a close-up photo of your 'maids holding their bouquets, it may be worth it. But, really, there are no rules. Have your bridesmaids pick from approved colors or let them do their own thing.

What nail polish colors go with everything?

Neutrals are fairly foolproof. Try shades of nude, gray, or blush—and don't forget about French manicures. Classic red is classic for a reason, and it plays nicely with a wide range of colors, especially jewel tones and neutrals.

8 Nail Polish and Bridesmaid Dress Color Combos

woman — 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 perfect nail polish to match your bridal party's 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 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 dress and nail color combination for your bridal party.

01 of 08

Coral Bridesmaid Dresses

Bride with six bridesmaids in mismatched coral dresses — 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."

Utilize coral's vibrancy to add a pop of color to bouquets, dining tables, and—yes— bridesmaid dresses.

Essie nail polish in Perennial Chic, a soft peach color — Courtesy of Essie

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02 of 08

Blush Bridesmaid Dresses

A bride with four bridesmaids in pink dresses walking down steps — Photo by David Salim

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 shade, like Nails Inc. Gel Effect Nail Polish in Mayfair Lane.

Nails Inc nail polish in Mayfair Lane, a soft pink color — Courtesy of Sephora

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03 of 08

Yellow Bridesmaid Dresses

Bride with six bridesmaids in mismatched yellow, orange, and gold bridesmaid dresses — Photo by A Heart String Weddings

For this bright spring shade, Idehen recommends a surprising nail polish color. "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.

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Color in Amazing Grace, a white color — Courtesy of Deborah Lippmann

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04 of 08

Gray Bridesmaid Dresses

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.

Base Coat nail polish in Robot, a sparkly silver color — Courtesy of Base Coat

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05 of 08

Mint Bridesmaid Dresses

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.

Essie nail polish in Peach Side Babe, a pink peach color — Courtesy of Essie

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06 of 08

Navy Blue Bridesmaid Dresses

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."

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro nail polish in Wow, a silver color — Courtesy of Deborah Lippmann

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07 of 08

Red Bridesmaid Dresses

Bride with four bridesmaids in red-burgundy 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 Mizigoo, a rich shade that's flattering on all skin tones and nail lengths.

Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour in Miziggoo, a deep burgundy color — Courtesy of Christian Louboutin

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08 of 08

White Bridesmaid Dresses

Bride with four bridesmaids in white dresses and fur shawls — Photo by Laura Gordon

Good news! 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!

Zoya nail polish in Genesis, a crystalline white shade — Courtesy of Ulta

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FAQ

When should bridesmaids get their nails done?

Ideally, a day or two before—enough time for nails to fully dry but not enough for them to chip (with any luck). The morning of the wedding is not recommended. Even if it seems like the bridesmaids have plenty of time, it can take up to 24 hours for nail polish to fully set.
Should all the bridesmaids wear the same nail polish color?

If you'd like to get a close-up photo of your 'maids holding their bouquets, it may be worth it. But, really, there are no rules. Have your bridesmaids pick from approved colors or let them do their own thing.
What nail polish colors go with everything?

Neutrals are fairly foolproof. Try shades of nude, gray, or blush—and don't forget about French manicures. Classic red is classic for a reason, and it plays nicely with a wide range of colors, especially jewel tones and neutrals.

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