How are you spending the day before your wedding? Are you having a rehearsal followed by a rehearsal dinner like us? Are you going to a salon with your bridal party to get pampered? A couple’s massage with your betrothed? Or are you doing something adventurous and random like rock climbing or go-kart racing?
For our big day before the Big Day, Mom Sword will be hosting a luncheon for all of the women in our very small families and the bridal party ladies at her house. It’s called “Lunch with Princess Miss Sword” and it will be a time for me to relax and chat with 17 of my favorite people in the whole world. This is the only event that my FMIL and FSIL will be able to attend since they live in Scotland and weren’t able to attend the bridal showers or other planning events for obvious reasons. Mom Sword wanted them to feel special and included and I know this is going to make for one awesome memory. How often will I get all of these women in the same room again? Plus, it’s a great way to kick off the wedding weekend festivities!!
Immediately after the lunch the bridal party and I will head out to get our nails done at Livvy Nails and Spa.
I’ve said before I’m a bit of a nail salon snob and I’ve gotten spoiled living in Chicago. I have about three salons I alternate between and I’m really weary of trying new places. I decided to use Facebook to ask my Minnesota friends for recommendations of fabulous nail salons and went to check them out when I was in town.
I’m so happy with our choice and so far the owner of Livvy Nails and Spa has been very helpful, and they even have this adorable pink butterfly chair for Littlest C to use. How adorable! I can’t wait!
The big question is what color should I do my nails!?!? I’m definitely doing a gel manicure for my hands (they are addicting), but I can’t decide between bridal white and eggplant purple…any thoughts? Also I only use Essie nail polish. I mentioned I’m a snob, right?
For my toes I’m thinking either the eggplant again or lavender?
It ended up being a very busy two days during my quick planning trip to Minnesota but somehow I managed to fit in a fitting, and meetings with our florist, bakery, venue, and hair/makeup artist. Everywhere I went I had to drop off a little piece of our tartan so it could be incorporated into the wedding in some way. We still have a few scraps of it left, but I think we’ve used it every single place we could imagine! I can’t wait to see it all come together. SO.CLOSE.NOW.
(all photos personal)
Are you doing anything special the day before your wedding? What color should I paint my nails? Is anyone else a nail salon snob?
Ooooooh I luuuuurve the eggplant purple.
Wanna know a secret – I’ve only had ONE manicure in my ENTIRE LIFE.
I’ll be getting my nails done on the Thursday evening I think, so I don’t have to worry about self-prep the day before!
Eggplant on your fingers and lavender on your toes! Two gorgeous colors!
I’m a nail snob too – only Essie or OPI for me! I will be doing “Deutsche You Want Me Baby” (copper/orange) for my nails for the wedding to match my bridesmaids dresses!
So, with that said, I am ALL about the eggplant for your nails!
I got an eggplant color like that on my toes for a wedding that I was a bridesmaid in. I’d caution against using something so dark, as the color looked almost black in the shadow of my dress.
LOL I’m kind of a nail salon snob, with the funny part being that I go to this kind of kooky nail place. But they do a better job than a lot of the expensive swanky places I’ve gone, so I keep going back to them! I’m also a nail polish snob, but I’m a snob about China Glaze. It’s my favoritest ever!!! 
I also vote eggplant. It’s gaaaaawgeous.
Essie or OPI for me too! I LOVE dark colors. I have just about every shade from slate to black that both companies make. But that said… I’d go with the white for your nails. There will be tons of shots of your hands and you’ll want the eye drawn toward your ring, your bouquet, how your fingers intertwine with your beloveds… not your nail beds.
That looks like a fab salon! I am such a salon snob, so much so that I usually do my own nails because I am so picky. I have a full salon worth of nail polish and tools at home. I think you should go for a darker color on your hands, I love the eggplant! Very modern compared to the usual pink, white or french for weddings. Does Essie make Gel polish? I had no idea!
Oh I have a post coming up about the weird thing we’re doing the day before the wedding haha
As far as colors go, I’m weird and don’t like to have a different color on my fingers and toes! I say eggplant for both.
I do like the eggplant. I think I’m going with Passion gel nails for my wedding.
Sounds like you have such a fun day planned. I think the day before my wedding we will be spending a lot of time decorating the house we are staying it because it’s also the reception space. And then rehearsal/rehearsal dinner.
110% about the eggplant, for sure. I love dark ‘statement’ nails. I also love that you’re all going to a salon. My girls have asked me if I had similar plans and I’ve been like “I mean. . .I’m going to go get them done, so if you want to come with me. . .” Maybe I should make it A Thing?
YAY for being so close and getting stuff accomplished! EEEEE!
Definitely eggplant. It goes with your tartan too perfectly not to use it.
Eggplant, definetley, but I am bias becauee I am not a big fan of white nails, but since your dress will be white-ish it will be nice for your nails to stand up.
Eggplant! I love Essie too. I love white nails also but I think the Eggplant is kind of perfect. I also own that lavender color and it’s outstanding so maybe choose that for your toes!
I totally understand about being picky when it comes to nail places. I do my own fingers but when it comes to my toes I have been going to the same place for 13 years (I am only 31 too). I trust them totally, and they don’t laugh when I fall asleep during the foot massage.
Go with what ever color makes you happy. The eggplant is beautiful for fingers but might be too dark for toes.
You can also bling out one of your nails to add a bit of pop. Basically, get the normal gel mani, then you can Elmer’s glue (any water soluble) on rhinestones or pearls. Do it the day of, and to take them off just soak your nail in water for a bit and your nail will go back to like new. But accent nails are not for everyone.
I got my first manicure in Chicago about a month ago…it met my approval! What salons do you love?
I say eggplant! I feel like its go big or go home.
Oh, I love the eggplant, but I think it will look black in any black and white photos, so I would go with white on your hands, eggplant on your toes.
@Miss Jackrabbit: My mom just got her first mani a few weeks ago before my bridal shower, AND my future mother-in-law will get her first one a few days before the wedding! I love witnessing a person get one for the first time, haha!
@sarahblais: Thank you, that’s great advice!
@Blonde17Jess: I wasn’t very clear in my post, but i agree just because it’s swanky doesn’t mean it’s the best quality! I don’t go to the nicest salons in Chicago, I go where the service and the quality of technicians is good!
@Miss Lemur: Yes, I just read that you are running before your wedding, that’s awesome although I can’t imagine doing that in a million years! To each their own, it’s going to make your weekend so special for you because you love running, what a great memory!
@Miss Palm Tree: Totally! Make it a “thing!”
@Mrs. Pony: @Mrs. Toadstool: Thanks ladies, both good points!
@carol: OH MY, what an awesome idea! I think I want bling on my nails now!!!
@Pinkypez: I wasn’t clear, I use Essie on my toes, and whatever gel color I fancy for my nails. I don’t know if Essie makes gel yet but they should if they don’t!
@ChicagoDreamer: Yay, congrats on your first mani! I go to Sonia’s Salon, any location. Or Get Nail’d is good. Or Juko in Wicker Park. Also sometimes hole in the wall salons are just as good quality-wise, but not quite as big on customer service!
Thanks for all the ideas everyone! I can’t wait to show pics after the wedding!
I love the eggplant too, plus I think it’ll match well with your tartan
I love the eggplant! I’m using OPI Bubble Bath gel on my fingers, and some type of purple (complimentary color to our green) on my toes. Where in MN is the nail salon you’re going to?
Mrs. Sword, Chicago Age and Occupation: 28, Nanny/Actress Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Software Engineer Engagement Date: February 19, 2012 Wedding Date: March 2013 Venue: Embassy Suites Bloomington West in Bloomington, MN About Me: I am a true girly-girl originally from the great state of Minnesota and my fiancé hails from the beautiful country of Scotland. We met and fell in love in our favorite city, Chicago, and are having a blast blending our cultures for "A Highland Fairy Tale" wedding! We are truly a case of opposites attract in that he’s a world traveling introvert and I’m a social butterfly who is never too far from home. We both love hanging out with family and friends, fine dining, and laughing at ourselves. He drinks a lot of beer and I talk too much. We wouldn’t have it any other way!
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