Bare Nails-cessities

As someone who also rarely has their nails done and has never done gel or anything... First, you don't have to do anything specific with your nails. People will mostly be looking at your dress, hair, makeup, etc. So as long as your nails look "nice" it does not matter. I think it's ok to ask your bridesmaids to paint their nails. Especially if you are fine with them painting their own nails. I was recently a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding, and I was the only one that did not paint my nails. So most girls will probably paint their nails as a bridesmaid anyway.

The bridesmaids nails are not within your discretion to dictate. You have influence over the dress not their hair, makeup, or nails. They are people, not props as they say.

There's no polite way to tell your bridesmaids what nail color to have, it's not up to you to determine. As far as you wearing a clear coat, go for it. You could always do something very subtle like "Bubble Bath" by Essie.

Clear polish is fine if that’s what you want. I don’t usually do my nails at all, but I’m going to do a manicure just so my nails look nice in case they show up in pictures. (Closeups of the ring, bouquet, clasped hands, etc.) A simple French or American manicure look classy and simple. You don’t have to have long tips put on just because you have a manicure. Ultimately choose what makes you feel pretty and comfortable!


For the bridesmaids, dictating specific makeup is usually a no-no, but it’s totally fine to say “I’m just going to do a clear coat, don’t feel like you have to do a fancy manicure.”

I don't think a clear coat is too plain! As long as they look the way you'll want them to in pictures, then it's fine! I don't think most people look at nails that closely. I'm also a strong advocate for looking authentically yourself on your wedding day (for example: not putting on a lot of makeup if you don't like makeup, etc.) so if clear nails is what you like and makes you feel the most you, I say go for it!


As far as the bridesmaids, I think having a conversation about your overall vision for their look is totally ok. Although, I also think it depends on your bridal party. For example, for one of the weddings I've been in, the bridesmaids actually asked the bride first what color their nails should be painted, without her even bringing it up. The bride in that case didn't have a preference, but us bridesmaids would have done whatever she wanted and we talked about that with her. She also told us what shade pallet she would prefer us use for our makeup and none of us had any problems with that. However, I'm sure our willingness to do these things had to do with our personalities/relationship with the bride. You obviously know your bridesmaids best, but I would maybe talk to them about it in a way that shows you're not forcing them to do anything, but rather laying out a general scheme that everyone can abide by but still make their own.

Like you, I don't really do anything with my nails. I got them done once as a bridesmaid and actually hated how thin it made my nails and didn't feel like they looked right because I've never really had painted nails, let alone a full manicure, so I didn't really want to do that again for my wedding. I toyed around with painting them myself, or even doing stick on French manicure nails, and eventually settled for neither of those.


I actually just made sure my nails were clean and cut all to the same length, which took some being careful and trying not to break them before the wedding, but overall I like how my nails looked on my wedding day because they look like *me*.

View Quoted Comment I completely agree- definitely not cool to believe the bride should tell the bridesmaids to not do their nails .. dress shoes and makeup look(glam, soft, etc.) should be the only thing the bride have control over

They're your bridesmaids, meaning I am sure you have known them for a long time and can talk to them. Just bring up the topic of your nails and what you have in mind in doing and ask them what they're plans are too. Most bridesmaids will want to get their nails done but usually go for a more muted, natural look ie. skin colored, light pinks etc.

Countless brides wear clear polish or nothing at all. Even colored polish is not distracting, regardless if it’s worn by a bride or bridesmaid. The only way it would be a problem and distracting is if you were having a dimly lit ceremony and are wearing glow in the dark nail polish. Anything else won’t be noticeable because no guest will be searching for it. Wear whatever you feel best in.

Clear coat works. As long as you feel beautiful