Wedding Veils—So Many Choices

A wedding veil adds elegance, charm, and a hint of old fashioned mystery to a wedding. In the modern age, brides have a choice of lengths, fabrics, and even whether they want to forgo the tradition at all. Older couples or those getting married for a second time may not be all aflutter about yards of lace cascading down around ones shoulders.

The type and length of veil takes several factors into account. An elbow-length veil is usually used with shorter gowns and may be preferred if the dress has elaborate embroidery or beading that you just do not want to cover up. These are also suited for semi-formal weddings.

Fingertip veils are best suited to long gowns. The edge falls at the fingertips of the bride if she has her hands down at her side. Gloves are a nice touch with these types of veils.

Chapel length veils are three yards (just under three metres) long and look their best with full-length gowns sporting long sleeves. Elbow-length or longer gloves also go well with this style.

Cathedral-length veils are the ones little girls dream of when they think of themselves as brides. Suited for elegant, floor-length gowns, these veils extend past the train and create the most ethereal of looks. These are suited for the most formal of weddings.

Don’t forget the blusher. This is a shoulder-length part of the veil that covers your face during the ceremony. It is the groom’s first duty as husband to lift the veil for your first kiss as man and wife.