Your Wedding Veil Guide
When it comes to Wedding Dress Shopping the main attraction is of course THE dress and then you’ll want to start to style your wedding look.
The question next is “To veil or not to veil”.
Even if you don’t think you’re a ‘veil person’ – try one! It is generally the only time you will wear one in your life. It’s definitely the way to make your entourage cry happy tears and give you the realisation that “Wow, I’m getting married!”
The right veil can compliment everything you love about your chosen dress and even enhance the whole bridal look.
At your bridal or accessories appointment we will try different options and I can give you lots of advice and meet your expectations to make your whole bridal look perfect. I do love the styling side of a fitting.
It can seem like a very confusing area of bridal shopping so here are some top tips to help you make that decision and to give you the alternative option – yes I’m talking capes.
We work with lots of fab Veil suppliers like Neive Couture, Jupon, Richard Designs, Bianco Evento and Bowen-Dryden.
FIND YOUR DRESS
Choosing the right veil depends on your dress details, the style, silhouette, colour and the train. So once you have that big decision made and say your “Yes!” to your dress, start exploring the veil options.
When you have your hair trial make sure you take your veil (and any hair accessories) with you to work out the best placement for you.
At Saltaire Bridal we stock a wide range of veils to match our wedding dresses and bridalwear fabrics, lengths and colours and are more than happy to help you with your styling.
VEILS DESCRIPTIONS
Venues used to dictate the length of the veil hence the names Cathedral and Chapel length. With many changes over the years there are lots more options of wedding venues and locations like hotels and barns, in a marquee or on a beach so you can rock up in any length of veil.
Birdcage – the shortest length and is having a revival, usually worn to cover the eyes or extending down to the chin. We stock a variety of these.
Blusher – technically a blusher is the bit that is in front of your face as you walk down the aisle or often called shoulder-length veils, it can be any length from birdcage to much longer. It was originally for the father to lift when he presents to your partner. ‘Unveiling of the bride’ and luckily we have moved on since then.
Shoulder length – ending from shoulders to the middle of your back. Less common these days ideal for the fashion-forward bride especially if you have detailing on your dress that you want to show off and with a touch of tradition. A fun version is the flyaway veil which has more than one layer and just touches the shoulders. Ideal for the modern or city wedding.
Elbow length – a very romantic feel without the hassle of carrying a full-length train. Elegant and easy to handle. If you’re wearing a full dress or ballgown it will end at the point where the skirt begins.can be super flattering, less formal and
Fingertip length – This veil is the most popular and flatters pretty much everyone. It does what it says ‘is finger length’.
Chapel length – Want to make a statement with your veil ? this is the one that will go to the ground and can drape a little. A more formal, romantic and elegant veil. Think drama, think Princess.
Cathedral – As mentioned before this would have been the veil to wear for a wedding held in a Cathedral. Be prepared for the amount of veil that will require some support from your entourage. Lots of fuffing needed.
Two-tier Plus – A double tiered veil is basically two lengths of veil combined – a blusher and a longer version. It is possible to have a three tiered version to add even more drama, you would generally remove one layer at the wedding breakfast.
Juliette Cap – Having a boho chic wedding – this may appeal to you.Very elegant with lace edging – think Kate Moss or on the other end of the scale – Grace Kelly – both true trend-setters.
Cape – Yes you read that correctly – a CAPE – one of my all time favourites. From a sheer chiffon chapel length to a fun and flirty fingertip length with neckline beading or fancy embroidery at the hem. Top tip – Make sure your waistline is showing and emphasis any detailing,
MATCHING FABRICS, SILHOUETTES AND DETAILS
The question is are you going to “keep it simple and elegant” or go “All in”?
FABRICS
Veils come in a variety of fabrics; silk chiffon, organza, English Net, Italian Tulle, Silk Tulle, full lace. With details like crystals, lace, horsehair, glitter, floral, pearls, diamonte and embroidery.
Consider personalising your veil with embroidery like the date of your wedding, special meaningful words or signs, adding colour to tie in with your colour theme.
A veil in a different colour to compliment your dress. A single layer veil of a colour can create an ombre look. Team up with details like velvet ribbon in the same colour as the veil for waist detail like a belt or any embroidery on the dress.
Consider the back detail of your wedding dress – if you’ve chosen a dress with lots of beautiful detail or embellishments you want them to shine and not be hidden away under a triple-tier, thick fabric veil.
LACE WEDDING DRESSES.
With lace dresses (and there are many different types of lace) they can be all over lace or mostly tulle and a few appliques on the skirt. You may want to keep it simple with your veil if it’s all over lace or have a veil with a lace edge to match or something with sparkle to add drama. Try to match up patterns and shapes of lace, think about whether you need matte or shiny – ask for help if you need.
BEADED WEDDING DRESSES.
If your wedding dress is beaded or sparkly choose a veil with a subtle scattering of beads, diamonte that matches as close as possible or go towards the plain veil to showcase the beading. A tulle veil is sheer enough to let the beautiful details of your dress show through.
PLAIN WEDDING DRESSES.
Your options are endless! Whether it’s a satin or silk, matte or crepe, if the dress is understated you really can do whatever you want.
Some of my brides have chosen a full Chapel length plain or ribbon-edge veil or horsehair edged finger-tip length veil or even a full sparkle cape.
SILHOUETTES.
There are certain dress silhouettes that suit different veil lengths well. For example a ballgown dress will tend to have a nipped in waist so you could have a waist length veil to draw the eye to that area. A fishtail, mermaid or fit and flare dress will have a spot, usually around the fingertip level where the train starts to kici out. A fingertip veil that ends above that looks ideal. A tea length dress often has quite a fluffy triangular shaped skirt so a full and fluffy elbow length veil can echo that shape and give a retro vibe.
Slim sheath and column dresses have minimal trains and are perfect for slim floor length veils.
Adding a veil to a bridal jumpsuit, suit or fabulous and funky bridal separates can really make it scream ‘bridal’ or ‘wedding’ and may be just enough – try it – it looks stunning!
The key is BALANCE.
HOW LONG DO I WEAR MY VEIL FOR?
This one is totally up to you.
If it’s easy to wear then you may choose to wear it all day. Most brides wear their veil for the ceremony and take it off after photographs and before they eat. Some even put it back on at the end of the evening reception for their Grand Exit. Some brides have more than one veil, one for the ceremony and maybe a cape for the evening.
REMEMBER
If you do choose a veil make sure you choose one that’s totally ‘you’.
If you still have veil questions please do get in touch with us at Saltaire Bridal and we can work out between us what is right for you.