Wedding veils have been synonymous with bridal wear for centuries. Historically, the veil represented modesty before God and obedience. When brides wore white wedding dresses, it was to symbolize purity; the white veil followed suit. (Metro Creative, 2019). The wedding veil represented virginity. The material of the veil was thin to reference the hymen. A bride wearing the white veil and the dress showed that her virginity was intact (Sinrich, 2018).
Today, not all brides wear veils. When I got married, a veil added to the romanticism of wearing a white dress, walking down the aisle covered and having your father or partner lift the veil, uncovering the beginning of something extraordinary. And yes, having your partner be blown away by how fabulous you look.
I knew that a veil would be part of my bridal look; the problem I had was that I did not want a traditional looking one made from tulle. I chose a Georgette veil, walking length. It was made from silk with chiffon trimming. The length was walking. It complimented my dress beautifully.
Wedding veils are an accessory, meaning that there are plenty of choices, both in styles, colours and materials. Being an accessory, it should complement and not overshadow the bridal gown, particularly as it is worn during the ceremony and when photos are taken.
For brides who choose to wear a veil but are unsure of what to choose, we recommend starting with the length that fits in with the dress style.
Types of veils
The following factors will dictate the type of wedding veil chosen
- Style and silhouette of the dress
- How the hair is worn
- The headpiece
- Budget
Below is a schematic view of the different veil lengths brides can wear.
The elbow and fingertip length is quite traditional. It falls beautifully across the shoulders and does not cover the back detail of the bridal dress.
The walking length, which is what I chose, adds elegance to the bridal dress without overpowering the look. As I wore a strapless, slim wedding dress, I felt that the walking length suited my overall look.
The cathedral is quite dramatic. It sweeps to the ground and falls beyond the brides’ gown. If the length is too long yet, you want to add an element of flair, consider the chapel length that falls just slightly beyond the dress.
Unique Veils
At Wedztyle, we encourage something different. Colour changes the effect – Go as bold or as subtle as you dare out some of these ideas:
A wedding veil is a personal choice. It is no longer a prerequisite. Some brides opt not to wear one, and some brides do. Although some brides consider the veil as an afterthought, I think they are special. A veil is only for brides and wearing one not only completes your look, it really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Need help planning your wedding day? Check out our digital wedding planner! https://wedztyle.com/product/wedding-planner-ebook/
References
Metro Creative. (2019, September 18). History behind the bridal veil. Retrieved from Richard Times-Dispatch: https://richmond.com/history-behind-the-bridal-veil/article_1d042232-e3f9-11e2-af1e-0019bb30f31a.html
Sinrich, J. (2018, July 9). Veil or No Veil? Real Brides Weigh In. Retrieved from WeddingWire: https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/veil-or-no-veil
Main Image: Elie Saab https://www.instagram.com/p/CNX4LV8BNCJ/