As if finding your dream wedding gown wasn't hard enough, now you're being thrown into the world of veils! And that world, my friend, is a whole other animal! You'll hear words like waltz, chapel, soutache, mantilla, flyaway, and cage. Your mind is probably reeling at this point and ready to throw in the veil. (Sorry, I had to!) But don't! We are here to help you make picking your veil super easy. First off, let's break it down.
Step 1. Pick a Length
There are 7 basic lengths for veils. Let's start small. The shortest length is a birdcage veil. This veil is worn in the front to cover your face. The next longer veil is the flyaway. It is shoulder length and should fall about to the shoulders. It is perfect for a less formal wedding. The next longer veil is the fingertip veil. Yes, you guessed it! It falls to right about the tip of your fingers. This veil length is the most common because it is flattering on every size and shape of bride. It also pairs nicely with the majority of dress styles. On a side note, Kate Middleton wore this veil length. So if it's good enough for royalty, it's good enough for you! The next longer veil length is the waltz (sometimes referred to as ballet). This veil length typically falls below the knee. It pairs well with a more fitted gown to silhouette the dress. The next longer veil is the chapel length or sweep veil since it just sweeps the floor a few inches beyond the train of your wedding gown. This is a great length for a formal wedding and helps to visually extend the length of the dress. And finally, the longest veil length is the cathedral. It is the most formal and dramatic. It is a definite statement piece as you walk down the aisle! Let's not forget the blusher. A WHAT you ask? A blusher is a shortened veil that goes over your face as you walk down the aisle. It is a traditional part to a veil that is starting to make a comeback with some of our brides. Just don't forget, make sure you flip the blusher before you attempt to kiss your new spouse!
Step 2. Select the Cut
There are just as many cuts for the veil as there are lengths. The classic mantilla cut is a circular veil that is attached to a comb on the top of your head and typically is edged in lace. The veil then drapes over your shoulders. Traditional and beautiful! Another veil cut style is an angel cut. It is one of our most popular styles with our brides. It is cut so the sides cascade in folds and the back rounds out nicely. Another cut is the drop veil. This veil is cut in a circular shape and folded in half. It is then attached to a comb in the middle. The sides of the veil fall in soft folds. There are always two tiers to this style veil. A cage (or bubble) veil is a modern single tier veil with a slight bubble cage cut that softly frames the shoulders. And lastly, another popular style with our brides is a straight cut veil. It is gathered on the comb and then cut straight down the sides to a soft rounding shape at the bottom. This veil is versatile for any veil length!
Step 3. Choose the Edging
And the edging of your veil is limitless! A cut edge veil has no edging on it at all. It is light and airy! A rolled edge (also known as pencil edge) is exactly that, the material of the veil rolled into a thin edge. This edge can also come in a metallic silver or gold that can add a little pop without adding weighted crystals to your veil. A soutache edge is best described as a tight stitching around the edge of the veil. It is a little thicker than a rolled edge. This veil edge compliments most gowns. Another option for your veil is a ribbon edge. A ribbon can come in any width! You can have a 1/8 inch all the way up to 1/2 inch. Our most popular width is 1/4 inch. The ribbon edge is versatile for most classic wedding gowns. An embroidered edge veil is individually designed by the veil maker. Typically, these veils are hand embroidered in India and simply gorgeous! The pricing on these veils tend to be much higher in cost due to the craftsmanship involved. And let's not forget the bling! Crystal edged veils are always top of our brides' lists. The detail on these veils vary, as well. Some edges are lightly scattered with crystal. Others may be edged with both crystal and pearl. And as always, crystals can be scattered throughout the body of any veil. Lastly, and definitely not least, is a lace edged veil. Each veil designer will use their own type of lace. So you'll want to match your lace according to the style of your gown. And we are here to help you with that!
Step 4. Match the Color
The sky is the limit on this one! Tulle (the main veil material) can be dyed to any color you desire. However, the most popular veil colors are diamond white, pale ivory and ivory.
Now, with all that crazy information running circles in your head, don't throw the veil out the window! We are here to help you make sense of how a veil can finish off your bridal look on your wedding day. Trust us - you will look stunning and love your veil on your wedding day!
Photo cred: weddinglds.com; usabride.com; bellamerabridal.com; saragabriel.com; laurajayne.com; boutiquedevoile.com; mantilla veil photo by Apryl Ann Photography via wantthatwedding.co.uk
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