How to Choose the Right Veil for You
Wedding veils, they permeate the wedding attire market, and come in almost as many shapes, sizes and styles as the wedding dress. With so many options out there, how do you choose which veil is right for you? Well, the aim of this blog is to be a help to you by clearing up some of the differences present in the wide variety of veils available! With so many options out there, I figured that providing a “roadmap” to veils would be a great place to start, so here it is:
Overview of Wedding Veils
Different Lengths and Styles of Wedding Veils
Alternatives to Wedding Veils
An Overview of Wedding Veils
Wedding veils have a long history and in order to appreciate them fully we need to touch on that history. While no one is 100% sure of when or where the wedding veil originated, it is thought to have come from ancient Rome. It’s believed that the origin was based around the superstition that a bride who was not veiled could be attacked by evil spirits who were jealous of her happiness.
In Mesopotamian and Persian cultures, the veil symbolized that a woman was engaged to be married, thus taking her off the “market” so to speak. However, during that time there were clear laws on who could and could not wear a veil. The right was reserved for women who were of a higher social class and free (not slaves), thus it was forbidden for most women, who didn’t fit into those categories.
In the Middle Ages, the veil was used to complete arranged marriages, as the covering of the face was a good way to make sure that the groom did not back out, in case he found the features of his wife-to-be less than satisfactory. Thus, the groom was not allowed to lift the veil till after the ceremony when the marriage would have become a legal agreement.
In more recent religious context, the veil was seen as a way to signify purity, modesty, and obedience before God. During that same time, the white dress became popular as a sign of purity as well. The lifting of the veil thus, became a sign that the groom had taken “possession” of the bride, to be his wife.
By the mid 1900’s the veil had become short and was often used to accent the wedding dress, being attached to the hair via a comb, or attached to the hat of the bride. It was common for the veil to only cover the eyes. It was less of an obstructive element and more of an accent, meant to provide some guise of mystic or hidden beauty.
Nowadays, the veil has little to do with historical superstitions and more to do with beauty. While this is the case today, those superstitions and religious affiliations played a huge role in creating the selection of styles and designs that we have for veils today! Each era presented something different in relation to what was required of the veil and how it was to be used, thus impacting the veils that brides use today!
The Different Lengths and Styles of Wedding Veils Today
With so many options available to choose from, one could easily become overwhelmed. Veils, like wedding dresses, come in a large variety of shapes, styles, and lengths. In this section I’m going to break down the most common options you’ll find and provide a little context on each item included!
Cathedral Veil
The cathedral veil is by far the most intense veil on this list! In general, the veil has a length of between 7 ½ feet to 10 feet, and some have been known to reach up to 20 feet in length! This veil is best worn for indoor ceremonies (thus the name), where the veil has less of a chance to pick up unwanted objects. They also require large amounts of attention in order to fully display, so beware!
Chapel Veil
The chapel veil, much like the cathedral veil, is one of the longest veils on this list! Chapel veils generally lay at about 7 feet long, just shorter than the shortest cathedral veil. Also, like the cathedral veil, they are best worn for indoor ceremonies as the length is prone to pick up unwanted attachments if outdoors. This veil also requires a decent amount of attention.
Fingertip Veil
The fingertip veil brings us into the less complicated zone of the veils on this list. As the name implies, a fingertip veil will generally go down to the length of the fingertips or about 3 feet. This veil helps with the elongation of the body as it doesn’t reach all the way down to the ground. This veil is also an excellent choice for the bride who is having an outdoor wedding and wishes for a veil of greater length, without the issue of it getting dirty!
Elbow Veil
As the name suggests, this veil goes down to the elbows, generally holding a length of about 25 inches or just over 2 feet. This veil is great for accentuating the train or skirt of the dress, as it is neither absurdly long, yet not too short. A great way to lead the eye down the dress.
Shoulder Veil
There’s not much to say about this veil, as like the name suggests, it generally hangs around shoulders. It’s an excellent choice if one wishes to accent and draw attention to the top of the dress, where there may be lacework present.
Birdcage Veil
The birdcage veil is considered to be the shortest veil that’s commonly worn. The base resides around the cheek bones, with the longest versions reaching down to the chin. The fitting varies from tight to loose and the veil is generally created from some sort of netting. This veil is the least commonly worn option on this list (outside of perhaps the Blusher Veil), but it’s great for accenting your makeup and personality!
Blusher Veil
The blusher veil, much like the birdcage veil, is a short and sweet option. Designed for the no-fuss bride, this veil is usually made out of standard veil fabric, unlike the birdcage veils’ netting, and is usually flipped over the head or removed completely once the ceremony is over.
Mulit-Tier Veil
The multi-tier veil is a combination veil that contains two veils or a veil and blusher. If the veil contains two individual veils, they are usually different lengths, to create depth and accentuate the hair and dress simultaneously. Though you are not constrained to only two, that’s the common amount present in most multi-tiered veils.
Mantilla Veil
The mantilla veil has roots in Spanish and Russian culture. This veil frames the face and is generally circular in shape with an edge that is made of lace or lace-edged tulle. This type of veil is held in place with a comb. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to bring some heritage or just different style, into their wedding attire!
Pouf Veil
Like the name suggests, the pouf veil is a bunched-up piece of tulle or netting, designed to add some height. It’s great for accenting the hair or face of the bride, though it should be worn off center for maximum effect! This veil is usually attached to a comb or a hat!
Waltz Veil
The waltz veil is the final veil on this list. Also known as the ballet veil, this option generally ends up somewhere around your knees or ankles. It’s a perfect choice for those who wish to have a veil of a little more length, without wanting to have the fears of tripping on it!
Alternatives to the Wedding Veil
But what if the wedding veil isn’t really your style. Perhaps you want something that still accentuates your beautiful hair and face, without the fuss. After all, veils are known to get dirty, caught, and simply not stay in your hair. If that sounds like you then I’d recommend that you look into some of these alternatives.
Headbands
Combs
Clips
Bobby Pins
Tiaras
There are some seriously beautiful alternatives to the traditional wedding veil. So, if you are up in the air over whether or not to get one, then consider steering away from tradition and accenting your beautiful hair with a different element! The unique thing about these alternatives is that they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, styles and colors! From floral influence on gemstones, there’s practically no limit to what these alternatives can do for you! Below you’ll find an awesome shop that carries loads of alternatives to the classic veil!
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