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When you find that perfect wedding dress, a lot of times, the next question is: veil or no veil? It’s important to ask yourself this question to put your wedding day look together. This question is a no-brainer to some people, and it can be a difficult decision for others. If you’re wondering if a veil is for you, don’t worry: We’ve created the ultimate guide, complete with tips, information, pros, and cons!
Birdcage 12-18″
Birdcage styles are all about the drama! They add a vintage vibe to any look and are perfect for outdoor weddings because they are short! Some prefer the birdcage style because they are low-maintenance. You can wear it by covering the face down to the chin or swept to the side for a more dramatic look.
Blusher 30″
A blusher is a traditional look that comes to mind when a bride hears the word “veil.” It is a short, single layer worn over a bride’s face as she walks down the aisle, later pulled back by the groom or father.
Shoulder-Length 20″
Shoulder-length veils are perfect for gowns with a lot of detailing on the back. This length can rest on or slightly cover your shoulders. This could be an option if you are worried about covering up the detailing on your gown but still want to wear one.
Elbow-Length 32″
An elbow-length veil can pair perfectly with many different dress styles. It falls at your elbows, as you probably guessed. This style can complement a ball gown because of where the veil ends, and the skirt begins.
Fingertip 38-40″
The fingertip length veil is a typical style worn among brides because of its flattering length. This style is suitable for bringing some details past the bodice of a dress. It’s long enough that it doesn’t cover the information on the top or bottom of the dress but complements them seamlessly.
Knee-Length 48″
Knee-length veils are perfect for those who want to wear a long veil and keep it on through their reception. It’s long enough, falling between the knee and mid-calf, but not too long that you’ll be dragging it around all night.
Floor-Length 72″
This style is perfect for a gown that doesn’t have a train. It should be just dusting the floor, as the hem of the wedding dress does. It adds a little bit of volume to your bridal look and doesn’t compete with the details. It’s sheer to see the details of your dress, short enough for comfortability, and flowy to create an elegant and effortless feel.
Chapel 90″
This style is perfect for a gown that doesn’t have a train. It should be just dusting the floor, as the hem of the wedding dress does. It adds a little bit of volume to your bridal look and doesn’t compete with the details. It’s sheer to see the details of your dress, short enough for comfortability, and flowy to create an elegant and effortless chapel veil that is perfect for formal settings and extravagant gowns. It adds length and drama to your bridal look, making for amazing pictures.
Cathedral 108-120″
Cathedral veils are the longest and most extravagant of them all. They extend past the train, seeing the entire gown and details.
Completing your Look
A veil is a perfect accessory that can complete a bridal look. Some people can’t imagine their wedding day look without one! If you want to tie in some lace or beading to a more classic gown, a veil can help, or you can complement lace and beading with a veil!
Traditional
A veil has got to be one of the most traditional and classic accessories that scream bridal. There will likely never be another appropriate time to rock one, so you might as well now (as long as you want to)! While the traditional style that comes to mind is a veil with a blusher, there are so many different styles.
Incorporating an Heirloom
A veil is an excellent opportunity to incorporate a family heirloom into your wedding! If adequately preserved, a veil can act as your “something old” at your wedding. This accessory is something that you can easily pass on from generations, depending on the quality and care taken to preserve it.
Two Different Looks
Most brides wear their veil only for the ceremony and then take it off at the reception. Doing this can allow you to create two different looks on your wedding day. If you have an intricate back and want to wear a veil, people will be even more shocked and stunned once you take it off at the reception! Some view the veil as more formal and bridal for the ceremony and take it off as more laid back for the reception. You can take wedding photos with and without the veil, but we will talk about that next.
Wedding Photos
We’ve all seen those picture-perfect photos of a bride with a veil flowing effortlessly behind them to create a dreamy display or wrapping around a couple as they embrace. SO ROMANTIC. What’s even better: you can take it off to get another look! Adding a veil to the mix can help you switch things up in your wedding photos instead of everything looking the same! Let your photographer get creative with all the possibilities of veil pictures, and you will be pleasantly surprised.
Additional Expense
There is an additional cost whenever you add a veil to your wedding look, as with any accessory. The price can vary depending on the price, designer, quality, and design. If you’ve always dreamed of wearing a veil, incorporate it into your budget. Planning keeps you from spending too much in other areas and ensures you can get a veil you’ve always envisioned.
Competing with a Detailed Gown
One of the biggest things we hear when talking about veils, especially with a detailed gown, is that it competes with the dress. A veil can sometimes block the way of the fantastic details you may have on the back of your dress. If you’re someone who values those details and wants them seen as you’re walking down the aisle, you may opt for a showstopping hairpiece instead.
Getting in the Way
A veil is something that most people just deal with like you would anything else to create your perfect look. It can get in the way, flail around when it’s windy, or catch your jewelry if you aren’t careful. You can take some steps to help with this, including weighted veil magnets or a veil that has an edge with some weight on it. Choosing one with an edge keeps it from flailing around as much when you walk down the aisle, take pictures, or stand with your partner. Although you can take steps to lessen the annoyance, it is something to think about!
Choose Your Dress First
Choosing your dress first is essential to finding a veil that will complement your wedding look perfectly. By choosing your dress first, you can try multiple veils on with it to make sure you find the perfect fit. Don’t be afraid to try on something entirely different than what you were initially thinking! You’ve never seen a wedding dress with a veil on it, so you never really know how it will look. Trying on multiple veils with the gown you say yes to helps create the vision you’ve always imagined for your wedding day.
Consider your Hairstyle
Your hairstyle can affect how a veil looks on, so it’s essential to find a veil that complements your hairstyle for your wedding day. Bring your veil to your hair trial to ensure it fits flawlessly into the look. Where your veil is placed into your hair can affect the length, so getting the two in sync before the wedding is essential.
Make Sure it is Pinned by a Professional
On your wedding day, have your professional hairstylist pin your veil! You want it to be extra secure for your walk down the aisle, so you don’t have to worry about messing with it or, even worse, it falling off.
Pinpoint Your Budget
Pinpointing your budget from the beginning will help you decide what you want to spend on other aspects of your wedding look. Maybe you opt for more affordable jewelry to have the veil you always dreamed of, or perhaps you go with the cheaper wedding shoe to accommodate the price of your veil. A budget is always a must in the wedding world!
Whether you choose to wear a veil or not, we hope this guide helps you make your decision! Either decision is entirely normal and acceptable. Some people simply choose not to wear one, but if you are on the fence, follow our advice and hopefully land on the right decision for you!
