Pretty and polished: New looks for your wedding day nails

Every girl loves a good mani/pedi, but wedding day salon appointments are extra-special.

Amanda Duncan, a master stylist at eDen Spa & Salon in Cape Girardeau, says nail colors for the bridal party range from classic French to hot pink to shimmery sheers. OPI even has a set of neutral polishes designed for brides, with names like "Passion," "Mimosas for Mr. & Mrs." and "Altar Ego."

White nails have been very popular for summer weddings, says Duncan, while brides tend to go for metallics in the fall and winter. Coral has been huge at Style Stop Lifestyles in Jackson, says stylist Jennifer Mescher. Both Duncan and Mescher say brides like a lot of bling for their bridesmaids' nails -- think glitter, rhinestones, even a pop of sparkle or color on only the ring fingers.

Even though bridesmaids' dresses and accessories are trending away from matchy-matchy, Duncan says most parties do still want their nails to match or at least coordinate. For one recent bridal party, Mescher painted the girls' nails in different shades of purple, from lavender to deep plum.

"A lot of girls look at Pinterest, so they come in with ideas and ask if we can do this or something similar," says Mescher. "If you have something in mind that you really want, go ahead and bring it in."

Speaking from personal experience, Duncan says shellac manicures are great for the wedding party: The gel polish is cured under a UV light and promises to last chip-free for up to 14 days, so there's no danger of ruining your new French mani on those tiny bridal gown buttons.

Expert tip!

Stylist Amanda Duncan suggests giving each bridesmaid a cute bag with a nail file, polish remover and the nail polish color you've chosen for the wedding -- perfect for emergency touch-ups!