Wedding Veils

Choose the Dress First

Elbow Veil

Hopefully, you’ve chosen your wedding dress first. The style of the dress determines the type of veil you’ll be wearing. You wouldn’t wear a flowing veil and ornate head piece with an informal wedding dress. Likewise you wouldn’t want a short, simple veil with an elegant, designer wedding dress. How do you know what’s right for you?

One way to find out is to try on wedding veils at the same time you try on dresses. This way you can see what style of veil works best, and most bridal shops have a selection of simple veil styles available for this type of trial. For the best fit, however, be sure you are wearing the same hairstyle you plan for your wedding day so you can see just how the veil looks.

The Length

Wedding veils come in different lengths. To determine the length that works best with your dress, you’ll need to try a few on. The different lengths are as follows:

• Cathedral Length – These are formal veils most often worn with those wedding dresses having a long train. The length of the wedding veil usually exceeds the length of the dress train by at least six inches.
• Fingertip Length – This is self explanatory. A fingertip length veil is about as long as the bride’s fingertips. This veil can be worn with almost any wedding dress, the exception being dresses that come above the ankles.
• Elbow Length – This wedding veil is, of course, as long as the bride’s elbow. This veil can be worn with any wedding dress.
• Shoulder – A short veil, this one lands on the shoulders usually with a piece called a “blusher” to be worn over the bride’s face. This style too goes with almost any dress.

The Headpiece

Another consideration is the headpiece. This too depends on the type of dress. A more formal gown might require an ornate headpiece or tiara, while something simple might require the veil be free of embellishments. In fact, many informal brides choose not to wear a veil at all!

To choose your headpiece, first decide where you want to wear your wedding veil. Will it sit on the back of your head? If so, you’ll want something light. A tiara perched on top of your head might be a bit heavier. Keep in mind that these will all be affixed with combs.

Useful Tips for Wedding Veils

Waterfall Veil with Tiara

Here are some more useful tips for choosing a wedding veil:

• Colors should match. Don’t choose an ivory veil for a white dress. Even though the difference may look slight, the contrast will show.
• Embellishments on a veil should match those on the dress. If your dress is studded with pearls, you’ll probably want pearl embellishments on the wedding veil.
• Make sure the weight of the headpiece and veil combined is something you can deal with. Most headpieces are secured to the head with combs. If the wedding veil is heavy, the combs can play havoc with your hairdo.
• If you’re in love with your veil but don’t feel it will be comfortable for an all day affair, consider getting a wedding veil with a detachable headpiece. After the wedding ceremony and pictures, you can detach the veil and wear the headpiece only. You want to feel light as you dance the evening away.

Once you choose a wedding veil, you’ll be able to choose your hairstyle. If you’ll be having your hair and makeup professionally done, it would be a good idea to bring your veil to the hairdresser’s with you when you go for your initial consultation. You can discuss styles in advance and perhaps try a few for your consideration.

If you’ll be doing your own hair, take some time and practice with styles that work best with your wedding veil. The last thing you want on the day of your wedding is to have to experiment with several different styles.

Storage

Before the wedding, hang the wedding veil in a closet, preferably away from sunlight, moths and other elements. If it came in a garment bag, you’ll want to keep storing it that way for protection.

After the wedding, take your wedding veil, along with your dress, to the person who will be preserving the dress. The veil will be stored in the same box for future generations to use.