There will be endless ring shots taken in the months between the proposal and the wedding. But have you ever taken a moment to think how many close-up sightings everyone will want of your two rings together once you’ve exchanged vows? It’s overwhelming. And I am definitely a culprit; at every single wedding I’ve been to (as an adult, at least), I’ve grabbed the bride’s left hand as she’s made her rounds so I could soak in her glittery glory and layer compliments on the physical proof of new status: Married Woman.
I chose to go with a gel polish for my wedding so that there was no risk of chips and it would remain shiny and strong throughout the honeymoon. But you can ask my mom’s manicurist who got stuck with me: the color selection process was a nightmare for all involved. There’s a shellac polish called “Cake Pop” that I’d worn layered over white as a bridesmaid earlier in the summer and I knew it would be just perfect. I wanted frothy, angelic, barely-there pink that was far from ballerina but definitely not neutral.
It took us three tries and two bouts of tears to get there.
Here is a more saturated version — two coats of pure Cake Pop.
Word to the wise: if you are custom-mixing your polish like yours truly did, make sure to stick with the same nail technician and let her know ahead of time: I want you to do exactly this, so she can make a note and recreate the look for your big day. Or, you could opt to be slightly less high-maintenance than I was and just go with a standard color. I mean, there are only, like, nine million options at your fingertips (literally).
For winter weddings, you’ll want to do something seasonal but still a color that complements your skintone, dress, rings, venue, and wedding colors. Black polish is so incredibly now (well, it has been for five years, but I digress). I’m not sure, however, that you’ll love looking back at your wedding pictures forty years from now and seeing black talons. Yikes.
Here are some ideas for the blushing (winter) bride-to-be:
Twinkling little stars, the subtle sparkles in Chanel’s Taboo, a deep purple, would be gorgeous on a winter bride.
Ignore her super-cool geometric eyeliner. A short, navy nail is divine!
Essie “Fishnet Stockings.” Elegant… and NOT Christmasy.
Dark polish doesn’t work on everyone and it certainly isn’t a requirement. What about white as the driven snow?
Hey glitzy girl, just do it! If gold glitter suits your fancy, pile it on.
PS. I almost did robin’s egg blue on my toes but my mom came through with something blue at the eleventh hour. For my pedicure, I went with this stunner from Tom Ford. I loved it so much I bought the bottle, and it’s come in handy ever since:
Born to be a Bride 