Are you getting married and would like to wear a white veil for the occasion? Are you wondering how to choose one? How to attach it to your hair?
You are in the right place.
As a wedding event professional, I frequently assist and advise brides-to-be in selecting their ceremony attire. Romantic and elegant, the wedding veil often raises many questions.
That’s why I’m presenting to you today this comprehensive guide dedicated to this traditional accessory, still favored by many women today.
When choosing your wedding veil, base your decision on the color of your dress: the shade of white should match. For length, a classic long dress pairs beautifully with a long veil, such as a cathedral or chapel veil, or one that touches the floor. A more modern fitted or short dress will look best with a shorter veil that falls at shoulder level or simply along the face for a vintage touch. Most veils come with a comb, making it easy to secure them in a high or low updo, or even with loose hair, assisted by a hairstylist. Lastly, don’t hesitate to enhance your veil with lovely pearl or rhinestone hairpins, or even with a tiara or a flower crown.
Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out:
- The significance of the wedding veil,
- How to choose the length of your wedding veil,
- Which wedding veil to wear based on your dress,
- How to secure it to your hairstyle,
- Accessories to enhance your wedding veil.
Why Wear a Wedding Veil?
The tradition of wedding veils is very old. Originally, it was used to conceal the bride’s face before the ceremony, as it was believed to bring bad luck for the groom to see his bride before the wedding. This belief is still very much ingrained in people’s minds today, especially in the United States.
Today, it’s quite common to see many brides walking down the aisle with a veil, but positioned at the back, not covering their face. This serves as a romantic nod to ancient traditions, while also being a trendy accessory that complements the dress and gives the bride’s outfit a special flair. With its solemn ambiance, the veil contributes to making the ceremony a unique moment, distinct from the rest of one’s life.
👉 A veil also helps create beautiful photos! There are many staging options you can explore to capture wonderful memories of your wedding in pictures. Don’t hesitate to ask your photographer for advice! 😉
What Wedding Veil Should You Choose?
Contrary to what you might think, there are dozens of different styles of wedding veils. In the following paragraphs, I will provide you with more details on this topic to help you choose the one that suits you best!
What is the Ideal Length for a Wedding Veil?
This question is usually the first one that future brides ask. There are three classic veil lengths:
- at the ground level,
- chapel, which touches the ground about 1 meter behind the bride,
- cathedral, which touches the ground for several meters behind the bride.
However, there are also more modern veils that fall at the bride’s waist, or others that reach the tips of her fingers when she stands with her hands at her sides. There are even accessories that resemble a veil and can be easily attached to the hairstyle.
To choose the length of your veil, it’s best to already have your wedding dress in hand. By trying it on and testing out various veils, you’ll see which one complements both your dress and your figure the best.
How to Choose a Veil Based on Your Dress?
Here are some tips to help you choose a veil that perfectly complements your dress.
🔸 With a grand princess-style gown that drapes elegantly around you, I recommend a large veil, either chapel or cathedral length. Details with rhinestones, pearls, or Swarovski crystals sewn onto the veil will make it sparkle and create a stunning entrance for you.
🔸 With a simple and flowing long dress, without too many details or ruffles, I recommend a veil that falls at your hip level, made from a material like satin or organza. This will frame your face and highlight your features without overshadowing your dress. A veil with lace details can also work beautifully with this style of dress.
🔸 Do you have a backless dress and would like to wear a veil with it? You can have a custom long veil styled like a chapel or cathedral veil, which will elegantly showcase your back. In this case, avoid details like beads and shiny accessories in that area to enhance your natural beauty simply and beautifully.
🔸 With a modern wedding dress (fitted mermaid gown, knee-length wedding dress), I can only recommend a contemporary short veil. This can reach the shoulders, but it can also be complemented with a hair accessory that hints at the veil.
🔸 With a vintage wedding dress, you can dare to wear a “birdcage” veil, which simply covers the front of your eyes and perfectly complements dresses inspired by the fashion of the early 19th century.
🔸 Finally, with a bohemian wedding dress that is long and flowing, you can wear a chapel veil. This traditional accessory will help you capture beautiful photos in nature or on the beach.
What Color Veil Should You Choose with a White Wedding Dress?
At first glance, this question might seem obvious: with a white dress, one might be inclined to say that the veil should also be white. However, it’s a bit more nuanced than that. In fact, there are different shades of white:
- pure arctic white,
- diamond white, which is a bit closer to ivory,
- light ivory,
- dark ivory…
Be sure to choose a veil that matches the shade of white in your wedding dress: to do this, feel free to ask the boutique where you purchased your dress for specific details, or refer to a color palette.
Should You Match Your Hairstyle to Your Wedding Veil?
The answer is yes! If you plan to wear a veil, let your hairstylist know so they can tailor your hairstyle accordingly. It’s feasible to wear a veil with most hair lengths and styles, but don’t hesitate to seek your stylist’s advice, especially if you bring photos of your dress, to help you choose a veil that complements both the attachment method and the material and length.
How to Secure Your Wedding Veil in Your Hair?
Most bridal veils come with a comb, which can be made of plastic or metal. The easiest way to secure it is by creating a lovely bun, which will serve as a solid base for attaching your veil. Depending on your preferences, the bun can be:
- bottom, with the veil attached above,
- top, with the veil attached below.
Here’s a video to help you:
However, it is also possible to wear a veil with loose hair: for this, you will need a veil with a metal comb, which will be more stable. Your hairstylist can simply take two locks of hair from either side of your head, tie them together, and attach the comb, hiding everything with other hair.
How to Attach Your Bridal Veil to a Comb?
Does your bridal veil not come with a comb? It’s quite easy to attach your veil to a comb yourself. I suggest using the simple technique shown in the video below:
Here’s how to proceed:
🔸 Choose a side (usually the shorter one) and accordion-fold your sail onto it,
🔸 Next, gather your fabric, grab your comb (preferably metal), and secure the fabric to the top of the comb with glue.
🔸 Make sure the veil is evenly spread out over the surface of the comb. Press down firmly for about thirty seconds, then use a hair clip or clothespin to secure everything while the glue dries.
👉 A few hours later, once the glue has fully cured, you can try out your sail!
Elevate Your Wedding Veil with Accessories!
Looking to break away from the traditional look of a wedding veil? Don’t hesitate to pair it with one or more accessories to add a unique touch to your ceremony outfit and highlight your face.
You can, for example:
- secure it with bobby pins that have pearl ends or rhinestones,
- place a tiara on top to give yourself the appearance of a true queen,
- put a flower crown under your veil for an ultra-trendy bohemian look.
👉 Flower crowns also have the advantage of framing your face beautifully when your veil is lifted. Check out numerous easy-to-wear designs with a veil directly on our online store now!
Now you know everything there is to know about wedding veils, how to choose one, and how to wear it! Don’t hesitate to embrace this traditional accessory and make it your own to give it a bohemian chic and feminine touch!
In the meantime, I invite you to visit our Flora Tiara website to discover many items to help you plan your wedding and floral decor accessories for all your celebrations!