The Wedding Veil Guide

By Tahlia Butler

Choosing the right wedding veil to complete your perfect bridal look can be a bit of a struggle. There are a variety of things to consider when making a decision. Do you want a long veil? A short veil? Embellishments? It really comes down to how much to want to emphasize or complement your chosen dress. We have a guide for you to pick your perfect veil for your special day.

1. Material
2. Length
3. Width
4. Pieces
5. Blusher
6. Embellishments
7. Alternatives

Material
Your veil can be made from a variety of materials to suit you. What you decide is the best is completely your choice, but here are some of the options you have and the differences between them.
 

Bridal Illusion

• Made of nylon
• Extremely lightweight
• Particularly sheer
• Soft draping with a little body
• Elegant with a touch of body

Lux Tulle

• Made of nylon
• Denser weave, still extremely soft
• Slightly heavier
• Increased drapiness
• Opaque
• Very Fluid

 Silk Veils

• Made of silk
• Finest material 
• Extradordinarily sheer
• Incredibly delicate
• Light Weight
• Beautiful cascading veil

 Teardrop Veils

• Made of nylon
• Much thicker, heavier and stiffer
• Most voluminous option
• Teardrops throughout veil
• Dramatic but delicate

Glimmer Tulle

• Glimmer sheen to the material
• Not a glitter
• Subtle and soft
• Adds an iridescence touch
• Delicate and simplistic

Lengths

When considering the length of your veil you need to have a few things in mind. Overall look you want to achieve, the functionality and gown compatibility. Below is an overview of lengths and what they are most suitable for.
 

Birdcage 11”

• Perfect for an outdoor wedding
• Ends around the chin
• Dramatic and edgy but still elegant
• Great for a more vintage vibe
• Doesn't take away from your dress

 Shoulder 20”

• Perfect for indoors/outdoors
• Doesn't take away from detailing on the bodice
• Simple but still beautiful
• A little edgy

 Elbow 25”

• Universal length
• Any setting
• Pairs beautifully with most dress styles
• Great for emphasizing the flair of a ball gown skirt
• Fun, laid back look

 Fingertip 36”

• Universally flattering
• Gorgeous for any body type
• compatible with most dress styles
• Doesn't take away from the dress
• Not too dramatic
• Care-free and youthful look

 Knee 45”

• Perfect for fitted gowns without a train
• Freedom to move
• Accentuates lines of silhouette style

 Floor 72”

• Adds drama and elegance
• Best for a simpler style
• Ends at the bottom of your dress
• Silhouette or ball gown dress pair beautifully
• Traditional look

 Chapel 90”

• Slightly longer than your dress length
• Elegant with simplistic drama
• Beautiful with most dress styles
• More traditional look
• Mainly for indoor ceremonies

 Cathedral 108”

• Extravagant look
• Gorgeous with most styles
• Indoor ceremonies
• Dramatic but traditional

 
Widths
Deciding on the width of your veil can impact the overall effect it has. There are usually 3 widths that are chosen to display different degrees of the body on the top and sides.
 
54” Width

• Falls behind the shoulders
• Great choice for gowns with decorative sleeves or straps
• Slimmer look
• Less body

 72” Width

• Moderate height
• Romantic feel
• A beautiful option for spaghetti straps as it offers coverage around the arms
• A little body

 108” Width

• Fullness on top and sides
• Great option for a strapless gown to have a little coverage around your shoulders and arms
• Sophisticated gowns should shy away from this width as it can be overpowering

Pieces
When it comes to the number of pieces your veil consists of you need to pick carefully. There are 3 typical choices. Each one offers different aspects for you to finalize your veil.
 
A single piece veil is ultimately one continuous stretch of fabric. This creates a simplistic modern look but still incredibly alluring. A duo piece veil is two separate stretches of fabric. They are gathered and sewn to the comb, creating a little more volume – perfect for a little drama. Now, for those that can't make up their minds and want both, we have got you covered. You can opt for a single piece of fabric that is gathered at the comb to give a little amount of volume at the crown of your head. If you want more volume and drama you can have additional pieces to create layers.
 
 
Blusher
A blusher is that piece of fabric that is turned over the brides face once she walked down the aisle. This one is purely up to your preference. A blusher is considered to be very traditional and it naturally softens and illuminates the face. There is a large variety of brides who recount that a blusher is what made them truly feel like a bride, compared to other bridal fashion pieces. Those brides who are more care-free, relaxed and low key tend to opt out of having a blusher, or even abandoning the veil all together.
 
Embellishments
Picking your veil length, style and material is hard but you also have the option of adding embellishments. The most common adornment is Swarovski Crystals. Simply, beautiful as they catch the light and shimmer for all to see. Another favourite is lace, who doesn't like lace? Usually a delightful design that is incorporated in the veil throughout to give the appearance that it is floating, otherwise running along the edges. Other options you can play with include beads, crystals, embroidery, flowers, feathers etc. You can mix and match your embellishments to get what you truly desire. It is best to compliment the components of your dress for a completed look.
 
Alternatives
If you aren't really settled on a traditional veil, there are other options you could consider. There is a range of bridal caps, bandeau styles, mantilla veils, convertible styles and many more. Finding what you want is the most important, try something you wouldn't expect and you may just fall in love with it!
 
 
Tips

• Your veil shouldn't over power your gown.
• A simpler gown give you more freedom for embellishments on your veil.
• Consider your hairstyle before deciding on your veil length and width.
• The name of each length relates to the setting they were designed for. It is best to steer away from long cathedral lengths if your wedding is outside to prevent picking up sticks and dirt on the end of your veil, as well as the hassle of trying to control it blowing in a breeze.
• Pick a veil that compliments and accentuates your gowns details and style.

A veil is a gorgeous addition to any bridal look with a vast number of options and combinations to choose from. Whether you want a longer length with a blusher or an edgy dramatic look, pick what you desire to complete that perfect bridal appearance.