Wedding Veils

Veils

CHOOSE THE RIGHT LENGTH.

Back in the ages, the bridal veil was worn to fend off evil spirits, or to cover the face of the bride before the groom from her arranged marriage saw her face for the first time. Now the tradition has become more of a finishing touch!

Color

Veils are usually a bright white when paired white a white gown; off-white veils work best with antique white or candlelight gowns; ivory is the perfect match for light ivory gowns. But what happens if the colors don’t match perfectly? No problem, simply choose a veil one shade lighter than your gown.

The Right Length

When choosing a veil, it is not only important to match it to your gown, but to consider where and how you want to wear it. Here are a few tips that will help you make the right choice.

+ Does your gown have a lovely back bustle or bow? Maybe some tiny buttons that trail down the back? Then choose a longer veil so it doesn’t interfere with these details.

+ Chapel and cathedral veils can be harder to walk with and control in tight spaces.

+ Fingertip veils are easier to manage and pair up just as elegantly with a chapel or cathedral-length train. However, they work best for brides over 5’7”.

+ A double-tier veil (usually two veils of varying lengths, or a veil and a blusher) is fuller and will attractively frame your face on all sides.

+ For an outdoor, semi formal, or informal wedding, you might opt for a simple (fresh or fabric) floral wreath; maybe add ribbons of satin or silk

tied into “love knots.”

The Low-Down on Veils

Round faces look best with veils that fall below your waist.

Narrower faces are enhanced by fuller veils.

BIRDCAGE A traditional veil gently shirred or drawn together at the sides. It reaches just below the bride’s chin and is often fastened to a picture hat or pillbox hat. FLYAWAY: Features multiple layers of illusion descending 18 inches to touch the bride’s shoulders - a perfect choice for an informal wedding, an ankle-length or shorter dress.

BLUSHER: A short, single veil, about 20-24 inches long, traditionally worn over the bride’s face as she walks down the aisle, then lifted back over the headpiece - when she reaches the altar or sometime during the ceremony; it may be fastened to a longer, three-tiered veil that cascades down the back of the gown or may be worn alone for a semiformal or informal

ceremony.

ELBOW: A veil that extends about 25 inches in length, to the bride’s elbows; a good match for semiformal and formal weddings; shorter, train-less gowns; gowns with full skirts and brides under 5.’4”

FINGERTIP: The most popular veil, which flows an ethereal 29-45 inches to the bride’s fingertips, measured with arms relaxed and resting at her sides; best for semiformal and formal weddings, and with any gown longer than tea length. Also works best for brides over 5’7”.

BALLET A veil that gracefully dances downward about 60 inches, reaching somewhere between the knees and ankles. It is best for semiformal and formal weddings.

SWEEP A veil that gracefully skims the floor; for formal weddings; paired with sweep train for formal weddings.

CHAPEL A more formal veil, extending two and one-third yards from the headpiece, or about 108 inches from the waist· best with a floor-length, longsleeved gown; usually paired with a cathedral train or chapel train (sometimes a sweep train), for a semiformal or formal wedding.

CATHEDRAL The most elegant veil, flowing three and one third yardsfrom headpiece, often cascading at least six inches past the train; perfect match for chapel or cathedral trains, formal and very formal weddings.