WHILE CHOOSING THE STYLE OF YOUR VEIL IS IMPORTANT, SO TOO IS ITS DECORATION. WITH SO MANY OPTIONS AVAILABLE, FROM FULL LACE TO SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL EMBROIDERED VEILS, YOU’LL BE SPOILT FOR CHOICE, BUT MAKE SURE TO CHOOSE ONE THAT COMPLEMENTS YOUR DRESS RATHER THAN COMPETES WITH IT OR STEALS THE SHOW!
As wedding fashion trends come and go from decade to decade, there are some style elements that remain classic, even iconic, amid the ever-shifting tides of fashion. The wedding veil is just such an element. Surviving and surpassing competition from tiaras and headpieces, the veil remains a timeless addition to any bride’s wedding ensemble, so much so that some brides wouldn’t consider themselves completely dressed for their wedding day without one.
Traditionally, the veil was an essential piece of kit for any bride’s wedding day outfit as it symbolised the purity of its wearer in many cultural beliefs and traditions. To represent their virginity and innocence, brides wore their hair loose and flowing down their backs however wearing a white shear veil came to take the place of this custom. The lifting of the veil during the wedding ceremony was often part of an ancient wedding ritual, which jointly symbolised the groom taking possession of his wife as a lover and his rightful property as well as the revelation of the bride by her parents to the groom for his approval. Today it is more common for a bride to lift her own veil to reveal herself to her new husband, therefore representing herself as an equal partner in the union of marriage.
If your ideal wedding outfit includes a veil, make sure to keep that in mind when you are shopping for your dress. It is advisable to work closely with the bridal salon where you intend to purchase your wedding gown so that they can properly consult you on the choices of veils available and which ones suit your chosen dress. Following this you should also have a hair trial with your hairdresser in order to figure out the best way to style your hair for the veil on the big day.
Which one is right for you? Wedding veils come in a variety of lengths and styles, and there are four main types: mantilla, blusher, chapel and cathedral.
Cathedral
Fashionable for royalty and high society, the cathedral veil extends beyond the wedding dress train for the most dramatic and ceremonious look. Brides opting for the longest veil are advised to make sure their dress is just as dramatic in the style stakes to wear the cathedral veil with all the ceremony it justly deserves.
Mantilla
Briefest of the veils, the mantilla drapes just over the head (not the face) and usually has a lace-trimmed scalloped edging. Spanish in origin, mantilla veils can add a lovely and unexpected look to any style of dress. The right option for those brides who just want a ‘hint’ of a veil, the mantilla is very versatile for a variety of dress styles as it comes in a choice of lengths.
Chapel
A full-length veil, the chapel matches the wedding dress lengthwise, flowing down the back of the gown and train. Though suitable for a more formal wedding, the chapel veil complements most dress styles.
Blusher
A shorter length veil, the blusher can end briefly at the chin or a bit longer at the bottom of the neck. Sometimes teamed with a longer veil for a more dramatic look, the blusher veil is a popular and practical option for brides who want to wear a veil over their face during the procession yet flip it back for the ceremony.
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