How much time are you allowing for nails to get done?

You should call the nail salon and ask them to reserve 8 chairs at a certain time.

Hi Katie!! Welcome to WeddingWire!! I agree with Keiwana. I think you should call ahead and see if they can fit you all in the day before with enough time before the rehearsal. The last wedding I was in, there were six or seven of us getting our nails done before the rehearsal and it got done, but we had called ahead to make sure it was possible.

Definitely call ahead and make appointments for as early as you can get in there. I don’t know how big your salon is or what type of treatment you want but mine has like 8 chairs and I’ll be getting gel most likely to avoid chipping and we are usually out in about 90 minutes if they are super busy.

It really depends. The salon I go to never has 8 people working at once. It’s also going to take longer for acrylics than it will for a basic manicure and polish. It would probably take at least 3 hours.

I get marry on a Saturday and I’m getting my nails done on Thursday

Could you do it the day before? That seems like a lot to handle with hair & makeup & getting dressed, in addition to nails. I get gel fake nails, and each fill takes 45 minutes. Usually pedicures take me 30 minutes, and that isn't including time to dry or sit there until they are 100% okay to have with shoes on. The timing would all depend on how many nail techs they had available.

As someone who used to work at a nail salon... please make reservations! A single person getting a gel manicure takes an hour. If you wanted to also get a pedicure, that may or may not add time, if the salon is big enough then there will be a separate person assigned to do a pedi while you’re getting a mani. However, a smaller salon might have your manicurist do your pedi after she’s done, so that would add another half hour to your time.

Id say just mentally prepare yourself to be there around three hours!!

I’m going two days prior to get mine done

It really depends on the nail salon (e.g., how many staff they have, what type of manicure/pedicure you're getting, etc.) For example I usually get gel and that takes an hour every time. You should call the nail salon and ask them if they can accommodate that party size and be out by a certain time. You should also mention if everyone is getting a mani AND pedi, or just a mani or just a pedi. And what type (gel, dip powder, acrylic, etc.) That will help you plan accordingly.

We made a reservation with the smaller nail salon daughter and I go to regularly. They opened an hour early for us (9 am vs. their usual 10 am opening). There were 6 of us (two with gel nails, four with regular polish) and mani-pedis for everyone took about 3 hours (they have six chairs, but only four technicians were working that morning [I think at least one person called off]). They let us bring in mimosa makings and baked goods. We had a really fun morning, and the salon staff was awesome and very sweet -- we took lots of pictures. It was a great way to spend more time together.

I would reserve about an hour per person per service. I would call the salon and ask how many people they can take at one time. If they can only take 4, you would need about 4 hours. If they can take all 8 of you, 2 hours should be good. If you're not set on a specific salon, I would try to find a big one, or find one that opens by like 9 am so you guys can be done by 1 (and maybe bring a couple snacks for the girls if you do this).

Oh God, I wouldn't do this the day before the wedding. I know myself well, and I'm sure that the day before the wedding I'd be more concerned with organizing the event than with my nails. I'll take my girls for manicures at least three days in advance. Moreover, we have already agreed with our master that she will give us an excellent discount in honor of her successful completion of the courses. I hope that after the finished manicure, I won't want to change the color scheme of the party, otherwise, it'll be a disaster.