Meet Ver and Joel.
They’re my awesome friends and three weeks ago, they got married.
Their wedding was the real reason we flew to the US.
After spending a few days in New York, Jill and I took the train to Pennsylvania to help them get ready for the big day.
I was amazed at how hands-on Joel was when it came to planning the wedding. I was impressed – you don’t normally expect grooms to care so much about the small details. There was no wedding coordinator so he and Ver really took care of everything.
We all had our roles – Le was the maid of honor/makeup artist/hair stylist/stylist, Jill was the wedding photographer, Petah designed their gift mailbox and I was doing one of the church readings.
I also had another role – I was responsible for the bride’s nails. Weeks before the wedding, Le and I started planning Ver’s bridal manicure. We pretty much knew what we would use but I packed a few extras too, just in case. I was really excited. I love coming up with colors for people to wear on their special day (remember Marge, my first bride?) and I was even more excited because I knew Ver would be willing to go for something a little more fun than the usual boring neutral.
Since Ver was wearing a gold dress, this was the plan:
The night before the wedding, Jill started working on Ver’s nails. Yes, Jill. She can be a professional nail tech, I’m not kidding.
She’s much better at painting other people’s nails than I am.
The result? Edgy neutral nails with a smattering of gold glitter.
The next day, a couple of hours before the wedding, I added the matte top coat.
It was awesome to see how pretty the mani looked with Ver’s gown.
Here’s a closer look.
And another.
I love how understated it is – but how it has a kick when you look closely.
Soon we had to leave for church. Ver was changing into a spectacular gown for the reception and I wanted to change her mani to match it. “Would we have time?” she asked. “We’ll see,” I said, packing the second set of polishes.
The ceremony was beautiful.
It was so sweet and touching that I ended up crying.
And Jill caught it on camera.
When the ceremony was over, the bride and groom posed for more photos.
And naturally, there were mani sightings.
I love this photo.
Now zoom in.
Zoom in a little more.
After the ceremony, the drive to the reception venue and the portrait session, we had some time to hole up in the bridal suite. We attacked the hors d’oeuvres (they were excellent) and they drank the cocktails.
I knew I couldn’t let Ver leave that room without changing into mani # 2.
It would be perfect with her second dress. And here’s the awesome part – we just found that dress the day before – and Joel had no idea Ver would be changing clothes for the reception. It was going to be a big surprise.
And since Jill was busy taking pictures, it was my turn to be the wedding manicurist.
I wasn’t done with Ver’s left hand yet when Dina their waitress came up to say she needed to be down in 15 minutes for her big entrance.
Crazy. Pressed for time, we started working faster.
I love this photo so much.
We couldn’t stop teasing Ver about how she looked like a princess.
I was so happy we were able to use Today Was A Fairytale – the name is perfect for Ver and Joel’s special day.
Look at how beautiful Ver is. I love love love love love this dress so much.
And as she made her way down the stairs, her wedding entourage gasped. I swear, it was like that scene from She’s All That. Awesome.
Joel’s reaction was priceless. His jaw dropped. And then he said, “That’s my bride, y’all!” making everyone laugh.
Let’s go for another close-up.
There were more gasps when Ver finally entered the ballroom.
I love how the dress and mani fit their reception’s theme – Nightmare Before Christmas. (Ver loves Tim Burton and yes, it was only a couple of days before Halloween.)
It was fun watching Ver and her mani in action.
Such a happy day.
The bride and her nail girl.
And I am proud to say that my dress cost all of $5.
And in case you’re wondering what polish I wore on their special day, here it is:
To match their black and purple motif, I wore a-england Avalon with RBL Iconoclast + Deborah Lippmann Today Was A Fairytale on accent fingers.
Congratulations, Ver and Joel. It was such a beautiful beautiful day and I am so glad I was a part of it. I love you both. I can’t wait to see you again. To quote Joel, gu-good time tayo!
P.S. I’m sorry I stole four slivers of your wedding cake. I couldn’t help it, it was too good. Wedding photos by Jill Lejano
prettyness! the mani, the manicurist, the dress (super!) and of course, the glowing bride! <3 congrats to the newly-weds!
Godbless y'all 
Aww thanks Jera! So sweet
Wow! What a beautiful bride, dresses and manis to match!! Love! I wasn’t into polish yet when I got married but that Jane/BBP combo is soooo killer and I would have stole the idea from you if I could have
Looks like you had a blast 
Congrats Ver and Joel!
Kat! Haha! Wedding or no wedding, I would love to see Jane + Boom Boom Pow on you!
Love both manis! They matched what she was wearing perfectly!
I also love those 2 shots of you in the Church.
I was curious to what your hair looked like these days. 
Kitty! Thanks so much!
Haha I’m surprised my hair kinda behaved that day, wasn’t able to set it properly! And it’s faded even more now, most of my highlights have become a really pale pink… almost white.
Love both manis! They matched what she was wearing perfectly!
I also love those 2 shots of you in the Church.
I was curious to what your hair looked like these days. 
I love both manis! They matched eash dress perfectly!
I also love the shots of you in Church. I was curious to what your hair looked like by then. You rocked it!
My most heartfelt congratulations to Ver & Joel! May they live a long, healthy, happy and truly adventurous life together! Their wedding looked so incredible; you know what I loved most? how “real” it was, while taking nothing away from the event. Ver’s dresses were simply stunning and her themes felt like so much fun! By the way, the mani’s were AMAZING!!!! I so love how you and your friends planned all the details, and how everything just seemed to mesh…meant to be, Pam! Loved your mani (Avalon!!!! How simply perfect!!) and I’m still trying to get over your dress costing just $5.00 I haven’t recovered from that shock just yet…you looked FAB! Ok…enough gushing! Love ya!! xox
My most heartfelt congratulations to Ver & Joel! May they live a long, healthy, happy and truly adventurous life together! Their wedding looked so incredible; you know what I loved most? how “real” it was, while taking nothing away from the event. Ver’s dresses were simply stunning and her themes felt like so much fun! By the way, the mani’s were AMAZING!!!! I so love how you and your friends planned all the details, and how everything just seemed to mesh…meant to be, Pam! Loved your mani (Avalon!!!! How simply perfect!!) and I’m still trying to get over your dress costing just $5.00 I haven’t recovered from that shock just yet…you looked FAB! Ok…enough gushing! Love ya!! xox
Awww thanks so much, Eugenia! I love ya!
What you said is so true, the wedding was incredible and yes, I loved how it was so them, you could really see their personal touch
And I still can’t forget the cake, haha!
Haha and yes, I love my crazy cheap dress! <3
Avalon rocks!
Great job you guys! For the bride’s mani and yours.. so elegant..
thanks so much!
Pam, I enjoyed reading this post very much. I remember doing the nails of my sister during her wedding. I love how the bride’s nails looked, in both accounts!
Rins! Thanks so much! So glad you enjoyed it! I bet your sister’s nails looked awesome! <3
Weddings rock!
Such a great article/blog! Along with Jill’s photos, you captured the essence of the wedding in the stoke of your brush and the glitter of your polish. You’re magic in a bottle Pammy and women everywhere are lucky to have you show them the power of the mani! You were such a big part of the wedding…thank you!
- Jose Cancio, Associate Director / Periodical & Book Association of America, Inc. (PBAA)
Aww Joel! I’m so touched you posted on my polish blog! Haha!
You know this isn’t the end! And there is so much more about the wedding to be read and enjoyed
It really was a beautiful wedding but it’s not just the wedding that made me happy. I love seeing you and Ver together. The love, thoughtfulness and consideration you have for each other is so wonderful to witness
I love you guys! Can’t wait to see you again!
Beautiful beautiful bride with beautiful beautiful nails.. Loved the dresses and the manis to go with them!!!
Totally agree! Ver was glowing
And I’m glad you liked her manis!
WOW what a fantastic re-telling of the wedding day through the eyes of one of the style-masters!!
You guys helped make the day truly magical and made my new sis-in-law look something FIERCE!!!!
(also, it makes me want to go out and be more creative with my nail art).
Awesome~~
Tina! It was great to meet you! Looking forward to seeing you again soon!
The wedding really was wonderful (yes, I still can’t get over it!) and it was amazing to be a part of it and to meet your lovely family.
Yay for creative nail art! We can talk nails next time, haha! I’m obsessed!
Loved this post. What a beautiful, unique wedding! Sounds like it was all so much fun too. Congrats to your friends and thanks for sharing:)
Thanks! It was my pleasure! It really was unique. I love how they totally owned it. It was a blast
What a marvelous post! Wish I could have been there.. you two are just awesome.. Kudos to your helpers.. Great manicure!! ;o)
Hi Ms. Pam,
It would be awesome if you can suggest a nail polish for my wedding too. It would be this Dec. 30 (with Santorini theme). I’m preparing a post for my brewing addiction (polishes!!) and your say for my wedding polish would be very much appreciated!
Hi Gizel!
I’d love to! Tell me a little more about the wedding so I can help you choose. Do you have a photo of your dress? What is the color motif of your wedding? Would you consider yourself traditional or edgy? Let me know once you post about your polish addiction – I’d love to see what colors you have
You’re so cute and your hair is awesome!!!! I love your posts because they’re always happy and show your love for polish (: Plus your collection is AWESOME I’m green with envy!!!
Hi Magdalene! Aww, haha! Thanks so much! Yes I like keeping Polish Police a positive, happy and colorful place! It’s polish! What’s there to be angsty about?!
Do you collect polish too?
I never EVER get tired of looking at wedding photos. Anyones. Anywhere in the world.
Just stunningly beautiful and amazing and everything a bride & her day should be. PERFECT manis to boot
Both of her dresses are stunning–I would have gasped too at the 2nd dress. And the adorable cake!!
Best wishes to them both! And I LOVE your hair & Mani and WTG on the dress! It always makes me feel that much more gorgeous to know I got a great dress for a steal
Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks so much! So glad you enjoyed this post
I love wedding photos too! 
I still can’t get over how pretty the second dress is!
And like you, I love finding clothes for a steal – because that means a bigger budget for polish! Haha
I absolutely love your blog. What a beautiful wedding day for your friend and what a rockstar nail-girl she had!
Hi Christine! Thank you so much! I’m so glad you like it!
Awww… I love how the manis were perfect. It looks like it was a beautiful wedding. Congratulations to the couple!
It was a great wedding
Will relay your greetings 