The Wedding Veil - Choosing The Right One For You.
Wedding veils have been synonymous with bridal wear for centuries. Historically, the veil represented modesty before God and obedience. When brides wore white wedding dresses, they symbolised purity; the white veil followed suit. (Metro Creative, 2019). The wedding veil represented virginity. The material of the veil was thin to reference the hymen. A bride wearing the white veil and the dress showed that her virginity was intact (Sinrich, 2018).
Today, not all brides wear veils. When I got married, a veil added to the romanticism of wearing a white dress, walking down the aisle covered and having your father or partner lift the veil, uncovering the beginning of something extraordinary. And yes, having your partner be blown away by how fabulous you look.
I knew that a veil would be part of my bridal look; the problem I had was that I did not want a traditional looking one made from tulle. I chose a Georgette veil, walking length. It was made from silk with chiffon trimming. The length was walking. It complimented my dress beautifully.
Wedding veils are an accessory, meaning that there are plenty of choices, both in styles, colours and materials. Being an accessory, it should complement and not overshadow the bridal gown, particularly as it is worn during the ceremony and when photos are taken.
For brides who choose to wear a veil but are unsure of what to choose, we recommend starting with the length that fits in with the dress style.
Types of veils
The following factors will dictate the type of wedding veil chosen
Style and silhouette of the dress
How the hair is worn
The headpiece
Budget
Below is a schematic view of the different veil lengths brides can wear.
Length Guide
Your veil length should complement your dress — not compete with it.
The elbow and fingertip length is quite traditional. It falls beautifully across the shoulders and does not cover the back detail of the bridal dress.
The walking length, which is what I chose, adds elegance to the bridal dress without overpowering the look. As I wore a strapless, slim wedding dress, I felt that the walking length suited my overall look.
The cathedral is quite dramatic. It sweeps to the ground and falls beyond the brides' gown. If the length is too long yet, you want to add an element of flair, consider the chapel length that falls just slightly beyond the dress.
Unique Veils
I always encourage something different. Colour changes the effect – Go as bold or as subtle as you dare with some of these ideas:
Colored Veil
A colored veil gives a bride the opportunity to express her individual style rather than following the traditional white-on-white look.
Non-Traditional Veils
Don't choose your veil simply because it's traditional. Choose something that complements your dress, your wedding style and most importantly, you.
Custom-Designed Veils
Think about your veil early if you're considering a custom design. Some personalised or hand-embroidered pieces can take time to create, so allow plenty of time for design, production and alterations.
Pear Veil
If your dress already has a lot of volume or detail, consider a simpler pear-shaped veil. If your gown is sleek and understated, you can make the veil more dramatic with lace, pearls, embroidery or a statement edge.
Embroidered Veils
If your dress is heavily embellished, consider keeping the embroidery delicate. With a simpler gown, you can be much more adventurous and make the veil the focal point.
Birdcage Veil
A birdcage veil works particularly well when you want the veil to be part of the fashion statement, rather than simply an accessory behind the dress.
Cap Veil
A cap veil can be especially striking with a simple, minimalist gown because the headpiece becomes the focal point.
Short Veil
A short veil doesn't mean your look has to be simple. Look for lace edging, pearls, embroidery, bows or embellishments to make the veil feel more special.
A wedding veil is a personal choice. It is no longer a prerequisite. Some brides opt not to wear one, and some brides do. Although some brides consider the veil as an afterthought, I think they are special. A veil is only for brides and wearing one not only completes your look, it really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.