Natural Nails? tacky?

526SadieSadie

I grew my nails out really nicely for my college graduation and the morning of commencement, one tore down to the skin, it hurt and I was really really mad.  No one noticed but me of course, but I plan on getting short acrylics for the wedding just so they're perfect.  I don't think they look tacky - well, allow me to rephrase, the way I do them isn't tacky.  Short, french tip, beautiful.  I think the tacky part comes in when they're waaaaay too long and painted nasty colors or have stupid airbrushing on them.  It looks so trashy.  I just want my nails to look nice in pictures and not have to worry that I could tear one the morning of and be self-concious about hiding it all day.
(I actually grew them out again and they looked really nice until yesterday when one got caught on a nail protruding from a wall at work.  Ouch.  Now I have nine nicely filed nails with an even amount of white nail and one crappy looking one with hardly any white showing.  Not cute.)

luckyme502

Okay , I have "fake" nails.  I get gel put over my real nails as a coating because my real nails are so brittle and break easily.  They always have.  I get an American manicure, which is like a French manicure, but the white is more like a natural nail looking white.  I think there is nothing wrong with having natural nails for your wedding.  It will look beautiful! 

vanessaipadilla

i think whats tacky is the fake nails. I'll be having nautral nails witha french manicure

kinnykat21

I'm getting a mani pedi and just leaving my nails natural with light pink polish. I use to get acrilics all the time I stopped because they always look yellowed after a while.. its gross..lol

MsAdam

Nah, I pretty much agree with the whole "fake nails are tacky" opinion.. if your own nails look nice and you don't feel like spending the money, who even cares?  It's your day and you should be able to do what you want, especially on an issue so trivial as this. 

riverjib

I'm sorry, but are you joking? How are natural nails "tacky" in any sense of the word? I'd sooner call 1/2" fake nails unbelievably gaudy! Don't worry about your nails...make sure they look neat and polished and leave it at that!

Future.Mrs.Carter

I HATE fake nails!!!! They destroy my real nails and they make my fingertips feel numb.  I don't think having things o'natural is tacky, I quite like just being me ask I am and so does my FI. I'm barely going to be wearing make up and I'm considering going barefoot b/c shoe shopping is a nightmare.

pixiegloss

I'm wearing mine just like I do everyday - filed nicely with clear nail polish.  This day isn't about your nails!  As long as they aren't dirty and scraggly, you're going to look fabulous.  Go natural...no way they could look anywhere near as tacky as acrylic nails! Good luck!

dhassig

No way!! I think acrylic nails are tacky!!! I have some great advice for you though. I recently signed up for Groupon. (no i'm not spamming or getting paid to do this) They send you a daily email with a local deal. A few weeks ago they had a local salon offering $55 mani/pedis for $25. I bought 3 of them so that I could take my bridesmaids before the wedding. Go to groupon.com and sign up for your local area -- and then just wait to see what the daily deals are. Hopefully there will be a deal for your group before the wedding!!

kimbo1120

I think natural nails are actually a lot nicer!!! I would get a light pink polish to give a little color and shine....  thats all.  It is a great way to save money and looks really good.  They even make these white strips that you apply to your nail and it makes them like you just got a french manicure on your natural nails.  They look great and again are great for a Bride on a Budget : )

dieselsmomma

my sister and MOH loves doing nails and does a great job! She did everyones nails for the wedding and they looked fabulous.

Nails aren't a done once and you live with it item (like wedding day hair, unless your up early enough to do it over and over if you hate it). You can fix them easily either the night before or in the morning (during make-up or hair).

I think it'll be fine.

harpjen

I'm going to grow my nails, and have my MOH do them with French Tips.  It is only me and MOH and her Mom is in hair/make up.  Plus, she has done my nails before and they looked beautiful!  Don't worry about using clear polish... if you wanted the French Tip look, you can get "kits" at your local convince store (Walgreens, Walmart, etc) for just a few bucks.

We plan on having "girls" night the night before and doing mani-pedi's too!  Really excited about spending some great time with my MOH!

Good luck!

Lenore2010

Well, I think the "fake nails are outdated and tacky" crew has never dealt with genetically weak nails that that break and peel down to nubs. Also, I think that fake nails are only "tacky" if they are too long and in weird colors, but then again real nails fitting that description are "tacky" too.

If you are blessed with decent natural nails, go right ahead and keep them natural for your wedding day. Fake nails are just an option-and a great one for those of us born with nails so flimsy they bend!

michaela080

Maybe it's just me, but I would not pay for all my bridesmaids to have their nails done. I would invite them to come with me if they want, but I'm not paying.

sillypeliroja

of course not! natural nails are beautiful. I am going natural and trying really hard to take care of my "chip prone" nails by using cuticle cream every night. it is really helping! I am in nursing school and i can't wear acrylics in the hospital--apparently they carry germs? who knew. You can still french manicure natural nails and they come out looking cute--or a pretty pale pink would be lovely too.

jgmcrf26

I agree with everyone. I am leaving my nails natural but will get a manicure. Not getting fake nails is one less thing to have to worry about. Think about it...what if one breaks before or during your ceremony or reception. It's not like you can go have it fixed. Plus, they can just be a hassle when you are putting on pantyhose or fixing your hair.

I say go natural and just have your real nails look great. You can buy manicure kits at a drugstore and get the same effect for a lot less money.

PDXMartha

While my normal response to "is this tacky" type questions is "if you have to ask, then you already know the answer is yes".
However, in your case, natural nails are NEVER tacky!!!!!
I am doing artifical (not sure which "type" of artificial, there are some really high quality, less fakey looking ones out there these days!) just so they last through the honymoon, too.  I have to remove them when I return to work, though.

dragonkat79

I am a baker so my nails are really weak from washing dishes by hand. So I am getting fake nails, not acrylic but the gel ones. I just want them to look nicer than normal and I get them professionally removed to lessen the damage to my nails. I agree that the only fake nails that look tacky are the ones that are REALLY long and over done. I also believe to each their own and do whatever you feel is right for you.

AndyKit724

I get acrylics fairly often (when I can afford it..) but I have never viewed them as tacky.  The large acrylics that are super long and full of jewels.  When I get them, they are shorter and look nice.  I've never thought of my nails being tacky as being acrylic... this is the first I've heard people call them tacky...

Freckles03

Natural nails are so much prettier.  If you want a great natural color-OPI Bubblebath.  Its my favorite color and I probably have that color on my nails 90% of the time.

money saver

I dont think that fake nails are tacky, for those who cant grow their own and want a feminine hand, they work wonders,,, agree with the very long ones being tacky, its just nasty. At first i thought about doing fake nails for the wedding. And i feel since my bridal party is going to pay for their own dresses and shoes, I feel like its only my right to take care of their hair, nails... debating the make up.
well i decided to go natural, i have a year to save for manicures and pedicures and we will be going natural, if any of my bms want fake thats ok they will pay for that themselves, but i think natural with a pretty nail polish will look great. I think just clear polish is boring. A light shade of pink, or pearl, or lavender looks fresh... good luck

themidge

if you really like the look of a french mani you can still get it without using artificial nails, they just paint the white part of the edge of your nail.  it's not that expensive - about $25 (versus the $40+ that it is for fakes)  or you could just get your nails painted one solid color.  maybe you could treat your BMs and FG to just a solid color mani/pedi.  it will still look really nice.  this is what i always have done for special occasions, i never had fake nails put on.  just keep in mind - a mani on natural nails usually only lasts a couple of days, so it probably won't last through your whole honeymoon.

SSY4745

When did we get to the point where wehave to ask whether natural nails, if clean, well groomed, and neatly trimmed, are tacky?  Is it because we've become so accustomed to seeing polished (generallf french-manicured) nails on brides that we assume that is the standard and anything other than that is not acceptable? 

I think it's perfectly okay to have natural nails, if that's what you want and you're okay with how your hands look on your wedding day.  If anything, I think the long (or at least more than a 1/4 inch past the nail bed), too pale, painted nails are what look tackier than the clean, natual nails.   

funnybunny7

I dont ever wear fake nails because i can't quite make my hands work right when i'm wearing them.lol  I just let my nails grow out a little and then get a french manicure done on my real nails. it looks just as good and i don't spend as much. We have little nail places ran by asians all over the place and they do an awesome job for about 17 dollar and 12 for a solid color. Last time i got my fingers and toes done for 40 dollars. And as nice of a gesture as it is, you really don't have to pay to get all your girls nails done. but if you want to just get together and do each others nails I would go with a light pearly color and that way your nails are pretty but they don't stand out too much. Just an idea.

cheyanna13

I'm going natural also.  I chose a light neutral pink color that's very soft and romantic.  I'm not a big fan of french tips.

kimhomeloans

I saw these on another board. I went out and purchased them and they are great: www.incoco.com/

willowprincess

i have really nice nails as well, and i'm going natural for that day. just some clear polish. as long as your nails look nice and healthy it will be fine.

Jeni35

I do not think that all fake nails are tacky; but you need to be comfortable in them. That said, I would certainly splurge for a mani/pedi. first of all; it is relaxing and secondly- I'd want a pro to do my nails which might get close ups for wedding shots. There is no rule that says you have to pay for everyone else's.

ShaunajRN

You could always pick a color that coordinates with your wedding colors and you and all your BMs can have your nails that color. But you also go get your own nails done and not take the BMs with you. I see no problem with that. I've been in a few weddings and we've never all gone to do the salon together. I just don't like the look of natural nails- you should spice it up on your big day, have at least a solid color!  

Lauren&Sean

Anything natural is never tacky. Fake things nearly always are. That said, there will probably be photos of your hands with the rings, etc. so if you have a nail biting habit you might consider getting a manicure the day before.