Beauty Tips

Wedding Guest Nails: Ideas and What to Book

Nailed It Spa
Published
4 min read
Wedding Guest Nails: Ideas and What to Book
Illustration

Wedding guest nails usually stay quiet: a soft nude, a sheer pink or a fine French tip on a fresh manicure. At Nailed It Spa in Fresno, a Signature Mani costs $23 and takes 30 minutes, and a French Manicure costs $28 and takes 60 minutes.

Which wedding guest nails suit your outfit?

Choose the color after the outfit and the time of day. These are general style ideas for nails to wear to a wedding, so bring a photo of the exact shade when you book.

  • Soft nude: a muted, even color that sits well beside most dresses and suits.
  • Sheer pink: a light wash of color for a clean, finished look.
  • A fine French tip: a thin line at the free edge. A French Manicure is a full manicure with a classic French tip finish, while the French Tip add-on, $8 and 15 minutes, puts the tip design on another compatible service.
  • One accent: a single nail with Nail Art at $5 per nail. For a mirror shine, a Chrome Finish costs $10.
  • A deep color for a fall or evening wedding: burgundy, forest green or plum, with more shades in these fall nail ideas.

Pick one idea and repeat it on every nail. A single accent nail adds detail without making the set busy, and the gallery has more looks to save.

A guest has one more thing to think about: the bride. Many guests keep their nails clear of anything that could compete with her look, so a quiet shade is the easy choice. If the invitation names a dress code or the wedding colors, match your nails to those. The bridal nails post covers the bride's side.

Short sheer pink wedding guest nail style idea
Style idea (illustration)
Almond wedding guest nail style idea with fine white micro French tips
Style idea (illustration)
Short deep burgundy wedding guest nail style idea for an evening wedding
Style idea (illustration)

What are good short and simple wedding guest nails?

Three short looks work well: sheer pink with a micro French tip, a plain set with one accent nail, or a solid deep shade on every nail. For any of them, book the Signature Mani, which includes nail cutting, shaping and a lotion massage.

The Super Silky Manicure takes 45 minutes and costs $30. It includes an exfoliating scrub, a mud mask or paraffin wax, and a massage.

Think about whether to add gel. Gel polish commonly lasts two to three weeks, which helps if the wedding is a while off or you will be travelling. With gel, a Signature Mani is $23 + $15.

What do fall wedding guest nails look like?

For a fall or evening wedding, a deep shade on short or medium nails already looks dressed up, and a plain solid color needs no extra design.

If you want length, Gel X is a soft gel extension that costs $60 and takes 60 minutes.

How much do wedding guest nails cost?

Cash prices and listed times are below. Card payments add 2.5%, and prices may vary with nail length and design complexity.

ServiceTimePriceGood fit when
Signature Mani30 minutes$23You want a short, simple look
Super Silky Manicure45 minutes$30You have a little more time to spend on your hands
French Manicure60 minutes$28The French tip is the main design
French Tip add-on15 minutes$8You want the tip on top of another service
Chrome Finish add-on20 minutes$10You want a mirror finish
Gel X60 minutes$60You want added length for the day

Here is a worked example. A Signature Mani with gel and a French Tip is listed as $23 + $15 + $8. French Tip is usually paired with services such as Signature Mani, Gel X or Acrylic Full Set.

Should you add a pedicure?

Add a pedicure when your shoes show your toes. Many people match the toe color to the fingers or go one shade deeper.

The Classic Pedicure costs $35 and takes 45 minutes. It includes nail shaping, cuticle care, a sugar scrub and a lotion massage. With gel, it is $35 + $15. The other options are on the pedicures page.

When should you book wedding guest nails?

A day or two before the wedding is a common choice, so the polish still looks fresh on the day and you are not rushing out of the chair that morning.

The add-ons page lists every extra, and you can book an appointment online once you have chosen your look.