I’m convinced that as a beauty editor, the first few weeks of each year will reveal similarities and inconsistencies between the trends with longevity and those that will be instantly (or gradually) replaced by something new. With that being said, identifying which wedding beauty trends will make it from my Pinterest board in early January to the festivities held by the chicest people I follow on my Instagram can pose quite the challenge. It takes a truly trained eye to identify the exact shade of pink or chrome used on the nails of bouquet-toting brides, but having intel from the talented nail artists who created them can make all the difference in my search for the year’s most notable wedding manicure moments.
This time around, I got ahead of the 2026 wedding season (and New York Bridal Fashion Week), by tapping international manicurist Georgia Rae for her official predictions on the nail looks and popular polish shades that will be worn by several of the most stylish people as they head down the aisle.
The Biggest Wedding Manicure Trends of 2026
1. Natural Elegance
If you’ve notice clean, barely there wedding manicures on the rise lately, you’re not alone: 2026 will see an uptick in the number of nail looks that naturally accentuate what’s already there. “The ‘no mani’ mani trend is huge right now, and I think we’ll see that influence carry into 2026 bridal nails,” Rae tells Who What Wear. “Brides are moving toward manicures that enhance the natural nail rather than overpower it.”
2. Soft Shimmer
Gone are the days of chunky glitter for wedding manicures, 2026 will be all about nails with a diffused shine. Julia Diogo created this manicure using two thin coats of Anthea by Bio Sculpture, but Londontown’s Enhanced Colour in Dream Scene ($16) offers a similar look to help you pull off a natural-looking glow.
Blush Tones
Rae predicts that blush tones will reign supreme this year for wedding nail looks (so, it’s time to stock up on your pink polish). “These are slightly pink toned sheer shades, almost jelly like, that give the nails a healthy, flushed glow,” she explains. Try adding light-catching, delicate pearl details for an unexpected detail.
3. Subtle French
With wedding season on the horizon, we’re already starting to hear some rumblings of clean, french manicures making their triumphant return. “I predict a rise in ultra-subtle French manicures, think a sheer pink base with a soft, sheer white tip,” says Rae. These will focus less on contrast, and more on enhancing brightness for, “the illusion of naturally perfect nails.”
4. Airy White
While milky white nails have always been in for wedding manicures, Rae predicts that with Cloud Dancer being Pantone’s Color of the Year, we can expect to fall in love with, “soft airy, elegant whites.” This elegant take on the trend features Nail Polish in Seafoam ($15) by Bio Sculpture.
5. Short Lengths
A scroll through Rae’s instagram feed reveals a rising interest in short nail lengths for weddings. “This may be controversial, but I also think we’ll see a shift away from long almond shapes toward shorter, neatly manicured nails that feel timeless, refined, and effortless,” says Rae. To create the look, she hydrated the hands with L’Occitane before using Bio Sculpture Color Builder Gel in Dream.
6. Quiet Details
So far, the clean, natural-looking manicures of 2026 feature minimal nail art and designs. When they do, however, nails will lean into delicate details and timeless touches. This nail look by Iram Shelton combines three of the year’s biggest trends: a milky white base, subtle French, and short length.
Rae’s Wedding Manicure Essentials
Essie
Nail Polish in Mademoiselle
Say “I Do” while wearing this classic, sheer pink polish. The award-winning shade offers a natural-looking flush to the nails.
OPI
Nail Lacquer in Baby, Take a Vow
OPI’s blushing pink nail polish is the perfect pick for a bridal ‘no manicure’ manicure for an elegant touch that’s versatile and endlessly chic.
Bio Sculpture
Gemini Nourishing Nail Polish in Sweet Candy Breath
To add more warmth your wedding manicure, consider opting for a soft, nude blush shade with a creme finish like Sweet Candy Breath.
Chanel
Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Ballerina
Perhaps one of the most recognizable Chanel nail polish shades, Ballerina is a dreamy sheer pink hue that adds a veil of glow to the nails.
Essie
Nail Polish in Imported Bubbly
While one of Rae’s favorite shades, Allure, is no longer available, Imported Bubbly is both in shade and shine with a luxurious gold shimmer.
OPI
Nail Lacquer in Funny Bunny
OPI’s Funny Bunny offers a soft, white polish that’s the picture of elegance with white, sheer coverage and the perfect amount of shine.
Bio Sculpture
Gemini Nourishing Nail Polish in Rose
What better way to exude romance than with a jammy, rose petal shade? It’s a flat pink polish that’s soft, sheer, and sweet-looking.
OPI
Nail Lacquer in Put it in Neutral
OPI’s famous pinkish beige nail polish offers the perfect neutral option for all your subtle manicures by adding a healthy-looking glow.
Bio Sculpture
Colour Gel in Donna
Ask your nail tech to treat your manicure to this soft, sheer white polish color. It offers a long-lasting, glossy finish that’s hard to beat.
*For professional use only.
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