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Picking a manicure for your wedding is a more involved decision than selecting a polish during your regular visit to the salon. Your fingers and nails will be on full display—everyone will want a glimpse of that gorgeous ring—but that doesn’t mean you have to go for long nails if you don’t usually wear them. Short wedding nails are having a moment (especially when worn in a square or almond shape) and provide a timeless look. Whether you want to opt for a solid color or say “I do” in chic nail art, a short nail design can fulfill your vision. We’ve compiled some of our favorites ahead.

01

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The Classic French Manicure

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There’s nothing more timeless than wearing a simple, traditional French manicure on your wedding day. To perfect the look, keep the nails short (yet perfectly shaped), opt for a thin white tip, and go for the classic pinky-nude base.

02

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Basic Milky White

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No matter the season, a milky white manicure is the perfect short wedding nail. Pair the classic shade with a squoval shape for a pretty vibe that never goes out of style.

03

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Shimmery Dewy Nail Art

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If subtle nail art is your go-to, don’t eschew it just because you’re getting married. Take a cue from the fun manicure playbook and rock a glittery nail with a minimalistic design. The look is playful and wedding-appropriate while letting your personality shine through.

04

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A Monochromatic Gradient Manicure

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Wedding manicures on shorter nails don’t need to be boring, nor do they have to be just one color. Take inspiration from this gradient nail look, which features slight variations of nude polishes for a skin-tone-flattering manicure. The key to pulling off wedding nails like this is using sheer shades with the slightest hint of distinction in hue from one color to the next.

05

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Pink Champagne Party Nails

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Most people pick their wedding day nails based on the vibe they want to emit during their ceremony, but why not switch things up and make your manicure more sparkly and party-centric? Ask your artist to layer a silver glitter polish topper over a milky pink base for the perfect rosé champagne mani with a bit of a pop. Keeping the length shorter creates a more understated manicure.

06

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“Rich Girl” Nails

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Wedding day nails don’t have to be long, exaggerated, or covered in decorative rhinestones and pearls. A simple, sheer, neutral pink polish, like Hermès’ 03 Rose Coquille ($57), never fails. Consider this the quintessential “Rich Girl” wedding day manicure.

07

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Bejeweled Chrome Nails

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You can never go wrong with a shimmery chrome wedding day manicure. Try shades of pearl, champagne, white, and oyster for an elevated take on the glazed donut trend. Consider adding some dainty silver accessories to dress up your nails for the occasion. 

08

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Glitter-Tipped Nails

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A fun way to do wedding nails is with a hint of non-chunky glitter. Here, celebrity nail artist Betina Goldstein pairs a neutral nail with a shimmery gold tip. To recreate this look, keep the glitter concentrated at the tip of the nail and diffuse it down the center, evoking the look of falling stardust.

09

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Zebra Party Nails

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If a full set of nail art doesn’t match your wedding day aesthetic, but a basic manicure doesn’t work for you, consider an accent nail. A simple zebra print in white over a sheer pink base is the ideal mix of simple and fun, particularly if your wedding day is a little more casual.

10

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Golden French Manicure

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Consider swapping the traditional white French manicure for gold on your wedding day, especially if you’ll be wearing gold jewelry. A thin coat of gold on the tips pairs perfectly with a sheer neutral base. It’s an unexpected take on the classic French while still exuding sophistication and class.

11

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Iridescent Flecks

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Adding small pieces of crackled iridescent and gold foil in varying sizes and shapes raises the bar on a classic nude manicure. This delicate yet sparkly manicure is perfect for those seeking something a little out-of-the-box, yet still wedding-appropriate, for their winter wedding.

12

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Silver Diamond Cuffs

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Who says fun has to be exclusive to the tips? Switch things up and pair a sheer neutral nail with silver glitter highlights at the cuticles for a fun twist. Ask your manicurist to keep the lines super thin—a fine-tipped nail art brush will do the trick.

13

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Metallic Accents

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A beautiful light gold chrome mani dresses up for the occasion with gold wire detail and pearls. This manicure is sure to take center stage in all your close-up photos.

14

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Pearls and Gold

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The details on this stunning manicure conjure images of vintage pearl jewelry. Ask your artist for a shorter square length and a white shimmery base color. Then, add a mix of pearls and gold foil in a non-uniform pattern to the nails.

15

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Simple White Swirls

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A step away from traditional solid color pink and white wedding nails, this manicure draws the eye in with its simple swirl design and clean base. The thicker abstract art varies in shape on each nail for a less conventional manicure.

16

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Espresso Swirls

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Swirls of neutral polish in varying hues make for the perfect mani for a daytime summer wedding. The focus should be on using equal parts of lighter brown shades and white so that one color doesn’t dominate the nails.

17

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Gold Sparkle Nails

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Add a hint of sparkle to your wedding look with shimmery gold nails. Opt for yellow gold if your skin is warm-toned and champagne or rose gold for fair, cool-toned skin. These nails work for any wedding style and will match any ensemble.

18

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Silver-Tipped French Manicure

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Dress up a classic French manicure by painting the tips with glittery silver and adding tiny champagne glass decals. A pop of metallic lends a modern feel to the nails, and the thin strip of silver is just enough to add a touch of sparkle without distraction. You can also pop on Static Nails’ Metallic French Short Almond ($20) press-on nails for a similar effect and a bit of added length.

19

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Rainbow Gem Nails

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Are you stuck between a classic French manicure and a bit of nail bling on your big day? Combine the two with this simple yet subdued manicure. Tiny rainbow rhinestones sit solo at the center of the nailbed for a touch of glamorous color that doesn’t distract from the nails at all.

20

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Nude Nails and Rhinestone Accents

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Pair nude nails with darker rhinestones to dress up a traditional yet sophisticated wedding day manicure. The style is still sheer overall but with an elevated elegance thanks to the addition of some nail bling.

21

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Baby Florals

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If you want to add a bit of nature to your manicure, consider a style like this. The soft pink nude is glammed up by the subtlest touch of shimmery glitter, while a few nails feature tiny gold rosebuds for a subdued floral detail.

22

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Pink and Gold Wedding Nails

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Outlining the tips with a strip of gold polish creates a gorgeous, timeless manicure. We like pairing the unique manicure with a shorter nail, emphasizing the design rather than the length.

23

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A Delicate Floral Manicure

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Nothing screams “wedding” more than intricately designed white floral nail art atop baby pink jelly nails. Sheer perfection, the gorgeous rose pattern is elegant and romantic—and nail decals make it easy to recreate this sweet mani.

24

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Metallic Geometric Nails

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Pair a simple white opaque manicure with thin strips of gold and silver for the ultimate wedding manicure. The nails aren’t too classic, but they aren’t too avant-garde, and the thin lines don’t make them overtly geometric. Keeping the nails short and square fits a clean aesthetic.

25

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Gold Glitter Cuff Nails

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Gold-rimmed cuticles paired with a vanilla-almond-colored base make for the perfect timeless nail. This clean design is perfect for a modern wedding.

26

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Pink Quartz Nails

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Beachside weddings deserve a manicure all their own, and that’s where this pink-marbled quartz look comes into play. The pink polish and baby pearls at the base of the nails provide a subtle nod to the Earth. The overall manicure is pretty without being too expected or traditional.

27

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A Gold Glitter Lined Manicure

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You can easily dress up short nails to feel more wedding-appropriate with the right color combinations. Here, a nude pink base is topped with a precise line of gold glitter for a less-is-more-look. The result is simple but eye-catching.