In ancient Greece
Wedding veils
these days are more fashionable than symbolic, with its style and length determined
by what a bride wants to wear. How you wear your hair on your wedding day will
affect the style of veil you choose. Some veils are designed to be worn on the
top of your head and others at the back. First you need to decide if you want
your wedding hairstyle to dictate the veil you choose or if your headpiece and
veil will dictate how you will wear your hair.
Various
shapes and sizes
Ballerina veil: Also known as the
waltz veil, walking veil or princess length veil. This is a tier of veiling
hangs between the calf of your leg or ankle. Popular during the 1970's.
Birdcage veil: Also known as
madonna veil or french net veil, this veil is attached to a small metal comb
and sits just below the chin, covering the face. The edges can be gorgeously
trimmed in peals. Similar to a fascinator.
Blusher or shoulder length veil: A
single-layer veil that sits at the shoulders and covers the bride’s face as she
enters the ceremony, and then is pushed back over her head or removed. A
blusher veil is usually worn layered over a longer back veil.
Bubble veil: This chic veil is
one layer doubled to create a bouffant style that sits under the shoulders.
Works best with an up hair style at the back of the head.
Cathedral veil: A very dramatic veil
that will cover the entire dress at the back and falls approximately three
metres from the headpiece. Ornamentation on the cathedral veil should cover the
end third of the veil, the part that drags along the ground. Brides often
remove a cathedral veil after the wedding ceremony and replace it with a shorter veil to avoid whip lash from
unsuspecting wedding guests standing on the back of it. The most memorable
cathedral veil was worn by Lady Di on her wedding day.
Chapel veil: About one metre
shorter than the cathedral veil and barely scrapes the floor. This veil is
often worn with a sweep train to give the illusion of a longer train and also
coordinates well with a chapel train. The chapel veil was popular with brides
in the 1930's.
Elbow veil: Usually a multiple
layered veil that extends to your elbows.
Fingertip veil: Extend to the
fingertips and floats around you like a cape. A fingertip veil works well with
ball gown style wedding dresses.
This veil can be worn as a single layer or doubles with a blusher veil.
Fingertip veils were popular during the 1940's and 1950's.
Flyaway: A wispy multi layered veil that
barely touches your shoulders.
Mantilla: A long, romantic style circular piece
of lace or lace trimmed tulle that frames the face and is secured by a comb. As
the fabric of the Mantilla veil is less transparent than tulle or chiffon any
back beading or detail of your wedding dress will be mostly obscured by the
fabric. This veil looks stunning with a simpler wedding dress and was very
popular in the 1990's. This veil can be removed or pinned to the side after
your wedding ceremony.
Pick up veil: Where the fabric of
the veil is picked up at various points to create a dimensional look.
Pouf: A short, gathered veiling that
attaches to a headpiece or comb at the top of the head to add height to the
veil. A pouf veil is usually worn with a less formal wedding dress.
No veil : If the veil doesn’t suit you or the
style of your wedding dress, simply do not wear one! You might prefer to wear a
a simple fresh flower fastened in the hair, crystal hair clips, satin bows,
gorgeous feathers, hair jewels or a head band.
If religious reasons requires you to wear a veil during the
wedding ceremony and you want to remove it afterwards, then ask someone before
your wedding day who has a flair for hair styling to remove the veil and secure
any other wedding hair ornaments for you.
Different
cuts
Veils are cut either circular, square or angel cut. The angel
cut veil forms a gentle point in the back with wide sides, creating a look of
angels’ wings. Circular and square cut veils can be any length and attach to
the head with a flat comb to keep the veil in place. Worn long, this veil will
create an ethereal look with the bride swathed in a cloud of tulle.
Veil
fabrics
Bridal Illusion: A very fine, soft
nylon veil that is the most common veil fabric because it hangs nicely.
Tulle: Slightly heavier, stiffer fabric
Point D'esprit: A courser mesh with
a dotted Point design.
Russian or French veiling: a stiff diamond
shaped mesh used mostly in Birdcage veils and fascinators.
Fashion
tips for choosing your veil
Balance an ornate wedding dress with a plain veil and add detail
to a simple gown with a more elaborate veil. Any ornamentation on the veil
should start where the ornamentation on your wedding dress ends. Veils can be
decorated with Swarovski crystals, pearls, beading or lace.
The edge of a veil can be left raw, have a stylish satin ribbon
or cord trim or an elegant lace or beaded trim. Edging your veil isn't always
the best choice Take a look at where the veil hangs and consider if the trim
creates too much of an obvious line across your centre. This can make you
appear shorter. An unfinished tulle veil might be the better choice.
You don't need to match the ornamentation on your wedding dress
and veil, choose decoration that complements each other. Keep in mind crystals
reflect light better than sequins or rhinestones and won't look like black dots
in wedding photos.
Veils don't suit all wedding dress styles. More modern styles
such as Kimono or Grecian style, silk chiffon wedding dresses look better
without. Choose gorgeous hair accessories instead such as hair jewellery, a
tiara, fresh or silk flowers or a bridal headband.
Tip:
Most brides choose to
remove the veil at the end of the formalities, Don't try this alone! Always ask
a competent friend or scan your guest list for any hairdressers to help you
remove the veil without spoiling your hairstyle.
Removing your veil
will change the overall look so you need to decide if the veil is to be a
feature of your wedding dress, and you still feel the bride without it.
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