Weddings are all about sharing your relationship, your love and your sense of style! And thanks to Pinterest, we know that one personality-packed trend is gathering steam fast: bridal red nail polish. And thanks to the experts, we have the perfect shades for any bride looking to make a major impact.
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Bridal Red Nails Take Off
Pinterest recently released their first ever report on wedding trends, revealing the top color stories, themes and beauty looks for this season. Among the stats, one majorly stood out: the term ‘red bridal nails wedding’ rose 131 percent in 2024. That’s a big jump, and an even bolder shade.
Red is, of course, a nail color favorite. But choosing a red nail for your wedding goes against a lot of conventional bridal manicure advice. We might normally expect to see a classic French or a light pink manicure in this situation.
But for the bold brides looking to make a serious impact, red just makes sense! Amidst the metric ton of shades, though, how do you pick the one that says ‘bride?’
Expert-Picked Shades for Your Bridal Red Nails
For celebrity manicurist Alex Jachno, the goal of bridal red nails is elegance. “My favorite red nail polish for a bride is Chanel Pirate,” he says. “It’s a timeless, elegant red—bold but not overpowering, with that perfect balance of sophistication and classic romance. It flatters every skin tone, photographs beautifully and gives just the right amount of drama without competing with the dress or the overall bridal look. There’s something iconic about it. It feels elevated, chic and unforgettable, just like a wedding day should.”
And if it feels a little too red, you can easily tame this shade.
“If you still want a hint of a red nail but maybe not as bold as two coats of pirate, a little trick is to mix some of the red polish with a glossy top coat and create a blushy sheer red polish which also looks gorgeous,” Jachno explains. “Still giving that elegance with a glowy softer feminine touch!”
For those brides drawn to a more earthy red, celebrity manicurist and CND ambassador, Vanessa McCullough has the perfect pick. “Cherry Apple by CND is by far my go-to red for elevated events, and a wedding is the perfect day to wear this gorgeous shade,” she says. “It is a rich, warm, earthy red that is not too bright and not too dark.”
It’s that balance of shade that makes this shade perfect for a wedding. “When a bride is choosing a red shade for their big day, it is very important to choose a red that will complement the bride and not steal the show,” McCullough says. “That means steering clear of reds that are too brightly toned. The rich undertones of Cherry Apple give a romantic feel as well as a rich and elegant look that will feel flirty and sexy. It is a color that will complete the bride’s overall style. Don’t forget to wear it on your toes too!!”
Wedding Day Manicure Must-Haves
There are other considerations outside of the shade of your bridal red nails. Since your nails will be drawing eyes, you’ll need to prioritize prep, nourishment and longevity. The last thing you want is to break a nail or chip your polish on your wedding day.
“Before any polish even touches your nails, it’s so important to prep them,” Jachno explains. “That’s where ePhD Nail Bond Repair ($20) comes in. I always say that using ePhD ahead of your wedding is like eating clean, working out and getting your skin glowing for the big day!”
Jachno suggest prioritizing nail health early in your wedding planning to make sure you have the best mani for your big day.
“As soon as you start planning your wedding you start working out, and getting everything prepped for the big day right? Well start taking care of your nail health then, that way when it’s time for up close photos of your wedding ring, you have nothing to worry about,” he explains. “You wouldn’t skip your skin care before makeup, so why skip nail prep before polish? ePhD works from the inside out to strengthen and restore your natural nails, so when it’s time for that bridal mani (whether you go classic red, soft pink or something totally you), your nails are healthy, strong and the perfect canvas.”
