Wedding veils are one tradition it’s worth considering, whatever style of wedding you’re having.
Whether it’s matched with a cocktail dress, a three piece suit, a puffy white dress, or a jumpsuit, a veil marks you out as the person getting married and elevates your entire ensemble into something more special and less every day.
And they’re versatile. There are a lot of ways to put your own spin on wedding traditions, but veils (for all their weird history) don’t come with set ideas or rules on how they should look.
There are dozens of styles, lengths, and ways to rock a veil at your wedding – whatever else you’re wearing.
Birdcage veils
Birdcage veils are short, made to cover your eyes or to sit jauntily over the side of your head.
They work brilliantly with other accessories – like big bows and headbands – and you should be able to take them out yourself after your pictures, so you’re not seeing everyone through a flattering tulle filter all day. (Though they’re light enough to leave in, if you’d rather rock the look all night.)
Elbow and fingertip veils
Less imaginatively named, elbow veils come down to your elbow and fingertip veils come down to your fingertips. But what the names lack in imagination is more than made up for with the versatility; they can be worked into your hair, placed at the top of your head, or placed under your hair at the nape of your neck, working with any style you want.
The length is perfect for keeping in all day without getting in your way, and looks flattering with any outfit.
Juliet cap veils
While elbow and fingertip veils can be worked into your hair, Juliet cap veils are designed to sit over it with the cap itself often a feature of the design, with lots of embroidery or lacing framing your face.
Juliet caps feel traditional without feeling old-fashioned.
Blusher veils
Blusher veils are designed to be worn over your face. They come in different lengths. (Though shorter might be better if you want your partner to do the traditional lift!)
They’re incredibly flattering – you basically have an in-built soft focus filter – but you’ll probably want to work out how to style it after the ceremony, so you can eat and drink without assistance!
Long veils
A long train from a cathedral veil definitely looks dramatic! If you want to make An Entrance, it’s worth looking at a long veil – but you’ll definitely want to style it so you can easily take it off yourself before the dancing!
Embellished veils
If you’re wearing a simple jumpsuit or an understated dress, you can have your veil bring the bling with pearls, glitter, or gemstones. Or go more is more and embellish your whole outfit!
It’s a great place to work in some subtle nods to your theme.
Embroidered veils
Or – if you don’t want to risk Home Alone-ing the dance floor with some lost pearls – embroidered veils look incredible.
Add flowers, a pop of colour, a quote, or a hearty ‘hell yeah’!
