Understanding Bridal Veils
Choosing The Right Wedding Veil Length For Your Wedding Dress
Jun 16, 2009
While there are some brides who opt to forgo the veil for a simple hairstyle or headpiece, many brides still choose to wear a veil on their wedding day. But veils are no longer a one-size-fits-all bridal accessory. Veils today come in many different lengths with a varying amounts of volume and detail.
The Fingertip Veil
The fingertip wedding veil is one of the most popular wedding veil lengths available to brides. As the name implies, the length of the veil reaches to the bride's fingertips when her arms are resting at her sides. This style of bridal veil is flattering for any dress shape and style, as well as brides of all heights.
The Fly-away Bridal Veil
A less formal option than most wedding veils, the fly-away wedding veil consists of several layers of veil fabric that all end at the bride's chin. The casual nature of the fly-away veil makes it an ideal choice for brides wearing an informal wedding gown, for a beach wedding, or for themed weddings with a fun and flirty feel.
Alternately, the fly-away bridal veil can also be worn with a wedding dress with extensive detailing, beading, or lace on the back. In doing so, the attention is drawn to the features of the gown, instead of the veil.
The Elbow Length Wedding Veil
Extending to the elbow of the bride, the elbow length wedding veil can be one or many layers. When made of multiple layers, the elbow length veil is comprised of several different lengths. The bottom layer is the longest, the middle shorter by two or three inches, and the topmost layer two or three inches shorter than the middle layer. The result is a classic bridal look with a full veil.
The Birdcage Veil
Popular in the 1930s and 1940s, the birdcage veil has been making a steady comeback in modern bridal fashion. Customarily made with French tulle, the birdcage veil boasts a wide netting that is fastened to the hair with a small clip or fancy comb. A birdcage veil can cover just the eyes and the top of the cheek or extend to the bottom of the chin. The birdcage veil is suitable for vintage-style dresses, column or sheath dresses, and for non-traditional wedding gowns.
The Chapel Length Bridal Veil
Chapel length veils were designed to be worn with wedding gowns that have a chapel length train. The train extends about five feet from the waist of the dress, with the chapel length veil extending up to one foot beyond the hem of the train. A chapel length veil should be removed before the wedding reception.
The Waltz and Ballet Length Veils
While not nearly as popular as in times past, a waltz length veil lands between the knee and the ankle. Often worn in the 1950s, this length of veil suits brides wearing a gown with a vintage flair. Similarly, the ballet length veil stops at the ankles, never touching the floor. Both the waltz and ballet length veils also compliment sheath and column-style wedding gowns.
Semi-Cathedral and Cathedral Length Wedding VeilsRemarkably similar in length, the semi-cathedral and cathedral length bridal veils are ideally matched to a wedding dress with a cathedral train. Both cathedral veil options will extend beyond the train of the wedding gown, but the cathedral length veil is typically more full in volume with several layers. The semi-cathedral veil is often worn with another veil for a dramatic effect, while a cathedral veil may be worn on its own or with others.
In addition to the many styles of bridal veils, a bride may opt to wear a blusher. A blusher is a shorter veil that the bride traditionally wears over her face as she proceeds down the aisle. In modern times, the veil is often lifted as she is presented to the groom, though traditionally, the groom would life the blusher before he kissed his new bride. The blusher can be purchased separately from the veil, though many veils today have a blusher layer sewn into them directly.
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