Easy Weddings' ultimate guide to veils

Nothing screams “here comes the bride” quite like a wedding veil – even if your dress is an 11 out of 10 on the grandeur scale! Soft, romantic and feminine, bridal veils are as much a traditional rite, as a symbol of modesty and purity. In modern culture, wearing a veil is no longer a prerequisite for the bride-to-be getting married in a church, which is why many brides now forego a veil in favour of a beautiful fascinator or sparkling tiara. If you do have your heart set on a veil of sorts, you might want to consider a shape and length that best compliments your wedding dress. Discover the perfect style for you with our run-down of the most popular types of wedding veils.

The Birdcage

Birdcage veils might seem like a very recent style, however, they’ve actually been popular since the 1920’s. Traditionally they’re very short and made of a thin netted lace, intended to add a hint of modesty to the bridal look by partially considering the eyes or face. Modern styles vary from short, chic veils that fall asymmetrically across the eyes, to floaty, chin-length styles. Birdcage veils are commonly worn with a small fascinator pinned to the hair, but can easily be attached to other hair adornments, such as a tiara or comb for a more traditional look.

The Flyaway

If you love the idea of a traditional style of veil, yet don’t want anything too weighty or likely to catch in the car door on your way to church, the Flyaway is a great option. Flyaway veils are romantic and wispy, created using multiple layers of organza or lace to soften a vintage look. This style of veil is beautiful and versatile, since it only falls to the shoulders. Some brides prefer the multi-layered style as it adds texture and contrast if wearing the hair up, however, many modern styles feature a straight hem for an edgier look. The Blusher is a modern variation of the Flyaway, with a sheath of fabric pinned to the front of the headpiece, cascading to the waist.

The Elbow

Possibly one of the most flattering of the shorter styles, the Elbow veil is a popular choice among brides who’ve opted for a fuller skirted gown with a cinched in waist. It’s also great if you’re a little self-conscious about your shoulders, since there are many variations on the style which are designed to cascade over your face rather than down your back. The hemline of an Elbow veil typically stops just above the elbow when holding a bouquet, or at the point where the line of your gown begins to flare.

The Fingertip Veil

There are many things in life designed for convenience, and the Fingertip veil just so happens to be one of them. Typically made from just one or two sheaths of thin organza or tulle, Fingertip veils are intended to add a little mystique to the bridal look, yet are also utterly romantic. As a general rule, Fingertip veils rarely exceed 48 inches in length, falling just above the point where your fingers rest when your arms are down by your sides. Fingertip veils are also a leading choice among Royal brides – Kate Middleton sensationally opted for a lace and silk Fingertip veil in 2011 to compliment her beautiful lace Sarah Burton gown.

The Waltz/ Ballerina Veil

Fancy a traditional veil without the tripping hazard? So called because of its versatile length, the Waltz, or “Ballerina” veil as its more commonly known, is a great alternative to floor-length Cathedral and Chapel-length veils. Ballerina veil styles typically fall just above the knee, although its not uncommon to find modern, gathered styles that cascade down the back to the calf. This style works best with formal, A-line and empire line gowns, creating an ethereal silhouette that will accentuate a curvaceous figure.

The Chapel

Smaller than a Cathedral veil, yet longer than a Ballerina, the Chapel is still the most popular vintage style of the 21st Century. The beauty of a Chapel veil is that you can wear it regardless of whether your hair is elegantly pinned, or cascading over your shoulders in beautiful tumbling waves, and has dramatic visual impact no matter the shape of your gown. A traditional Chapel veil grazes the floor behind the train of the dress, approximately two yards beyond the range of the head fastening. Originally it was intended to create the illusion of volume around the hem of the dress, and would be carried by one or more attendants as you entered the church.

The Cathedral

If you really want to create an air of drama about you on your wedding day, the flowing, floor-length Cathedral style of veil is the best way to do it. This voluminous, cascading style was once the reserve of the wealthy upper classes and Royalty; an exaggerated length which, in those days, demonstrated the bride’s family could afford the most expensive lace that money could buy. Cathedral veils extend roughly 3 yards from the head piece, and because of the vast amount of fabric, will necessitate the assistance of two or more bridesmaids when walking from the car to the altar.

The Bouffant

Pouffy, voluminous veils were a popular sight in the 1950’s and 60’s; a time when big hair and big statements were de rigeur. Customarily worn with an exaggerated headpiece, such as a large comb or tiara, just below the crown at the back of the head, Bouffant veils were often worn with huge, meringue-like dresses to create maximum visual impact. Today’s variations are a little more subtle than their early counterparts, yet remain prominent in Mediterranean cultures where flouncing and ruffles are still popular. Three-tier veils are becoming an increasingly trendy alternative to the Bouffant – slightly less voluminous, and far more structured, they’re a fetching alternative to the floaty Flyaway!

From elongated ovals to ruffled squares, bridal veils come in so many unique shapes that differentiating between them can be confusing. If you are thinking about wearing a veil, always pick out your wedding dress first, since shorter veil styles, like the Birdcage, won’t always look quite right with a voluminous, meringue-like dress. Will you stick with family tradition and choose a veil, or keep things simple with a contemporary floral hairpiece?