11 Modern Nail Polish Ideas for Your Wedding

While wedding hair and makeup might be the first things you think about when planning your bridal beauty look, don't forget this not-so-minor detail: your nails. Your photographer is almost guaranteed to get up close and personal with those babies (you'll need a shot of your engagement and wedding rings), as are guests who haven't seen it yet. But bridal doesn't have to mean "blah" when it comes to your manicure. In fact, your nails are a great place to play up a little personality. Though basic nudes and whites have become expected at weddings, modern wedding nail polish ideas have expanded to include a variety of shades including the soft, bold, and bright. There's simply no reason you have to settle for a basic nude anymore (unless, of course, you love it!). Here, some of our favorite fresh shades for wedding nails.

Zoya for Reem Acra's Nearly Bare Look

Zoya debuted an understated, modern approach to the nude wedding polish question at Bridal Fashion Week—by going super sheer and adding just a hint of sparkle. It's modern, timeless, and will probably be your new go-to for regular work days, too. Re-create it with Naked Manicure Base, Naked Manicure Pink Perfector, Loretta, and Sparkle Gloss Topcoat.

Instead of opting for the typical match-a-pair-of-ballet-slippers approach to your wedding manicure, opt for something with a soft shimmer like Sally Hansen Miracle Gel's Plush Blush shade. It's a soft, sophisticated pink that blends well with everything from crisp white to deep ivory dresses, and you can do it a few days before because it's sure to last. No lamp necessary.

Gray can definitely be the way, and this modern wedding nail polish choice has the potential to match your decor while easily lasting through the honeymoon as a trendy, versatile shade.

What makes this indie brand one of the best wedding nail polish choices? The gel-like shine, super long wear (you'll easily go days without chipping), and the five-free formula. The pale beige-y "Adored" shade is versatile, goes with just about anything, and will probably remain one of your post-nuptials favorites as well.

If you love high shine gel formulas, UNO by Gelish has a gorgeous pale tan-meets-nude shade that acts as a neutral with a hint of super modern, edgy femininity. It'll last through the honeymoon, too, and that's a major plus for any wedding nail polish.

Love the creamy white wedding nail polish look? Us too, and Morgan Taylor makes a shade called One And Only that'll remind you of your dress floating on a cloud.

Nothing says elegance like a little sparkle, right? This shimmery silver shade will match your best platinum bands and encourage a little more light reflection from your ring—and that's always a positive thing.

This wedding nail polish is a brand new launch, meaning there's a good chance nobody else you know will have it or even recognize the shade yet. That's perfect if you love being a total original, and the slightly coppery shade is a super modern take on classic marital metallics.

Nail health is important, and this soft lavender shade will do more than just complement your bouquet—it'll actually protect and nourish your nails for days to come.

This delicate, muted blue tone is the perfect "something blue" to add to your big day, and will help bring yellow gold wedding bands to life since they're opposites on the color wheel.

We can't get enough long-wear gel action for weddings because these formulas are just major big-day time savers. This subtle, sheer pink shade is a perfect wedding nail polish choice for accentuating naturally gorgeous nail beds and meshes well with just about any wedding dress design under the sun.