To wear a veil or not?
The bride stares into the mirror. She loves the dress and it checks all the boxes of her perfect wedding dress list. Something seems to be missing. As soon as the stylist delicately places the veil in her hair, tears usually start flowing from someone in group and the bride solidifies that this is “the one.”
Veils seem to be a staple of the wedding wardrobe but there are so many elements to something that seems to simple. What length do you get? Should you order white, ivory, candle, champagne or go for a color? Should you keep it in your hair all night? Will it block the view of the dress?
Ariel Taub “Gigi” waltz veil
There are many different lengths of veils, but here are the most common.
Elbow – 32”
Fingertip - 40”
Waltz - 60”
Chapel - 90”
Cathedral 108 - 120”
Veils can usually be ordered a custom length, so if there is a very specific length you want the veil to fall, have no worries.
Ariel Taub “Guilliana” fingertip veil
What length of veil should a bride get?
If a bride is 5’ 5” or shorter, I recommend fingertip length or shorter. A waltz length will hit the floor instead of below the knees. If the veil is longer than fingertip, it can cut the appearance of length and make a line that doesn’t hit at the most flattering spot. Cathedrals also work well because it creates a long, flowing line past the train instead of stopping somewhere on the bride’s silhouette.
Some brides are hesitant about veils because they think it will cover the back of their dresses. However, that shouldn’t be a concern because of the construction. Veils are created from very delicate, thin materials. When you are wearing a veil, it is sheer instead of opaque; you will still see so much of your back through the veil.
Ariel Taub “Dream” cathedral veil
Q: When should I wear a cathedral veil?
Contrary to its name, a cathedral veil doesn’t have to only be worn in cathedrals. I recommend cathedral veils for a few reasons.
1. You want to compliment the details of your dress. If you have a dress that is busy with lace, beads, etc., a cathedral veil can add to the grandness of the bridal look without taking away from it.
2. You want to dress up a simple look. I absolutely love a lace trimmed veil with a simple wedding dress. It can give the illusion of a detailed train without wearing a dress with a long train.
Q: When shouldn’t I wear a veil?
Again, it is personal preference. It’s popular to take pictures outside with cathedral veils blowing in the wind, which is great, but I do not recommend cathedral veils for outdoor ceremonies. Concrete and dirt are not materials that do well with fine tulle veils and if there is any sort of breeze, it will keep blowing and not lay how you want. Even fingertip length veils can become a distraction on a breezier day. I love a good headpiece for outdoor weddings and forgo the veil. I don’t know any outdoor wedding brides that said, “I wish I wore a veil.” :)
Q: I like the idea of walking down the aisle with the veil covering my face but I don’t want it to look poofy. What can I do?
There are two types of veils that get this effect. A double layered veil Is two pieces of tulle fabric sewn together onto a comb. The wider the fabric is bunched on the comb, the more volume there will be. A typical width of fabric is 72” that is scrunched to a 4 inch comb.
A style that is gaining popularity is a circle veil. This is one piece of tulle cut into a circle but the comb isn’t placed right in the middle. It is placed off center so it will give you the illusion of two pieces when it is towards the back but there is no bunching on the comb like on a two piece.
Ariel Taub “Dream” circle veil
My favorite veil from Ariel Taub is a circle veil where the stones are actually placed on both sides of the veil so you see the sparkle whether you wear it covering your face or not. It is absolutely stunning! Our store sample is a cathedral length but I am really debating getting it in fingertip as well because I love it so much!
Ariel Taub veils are all hand made in her studio in Michigan. We love to find small businesses that don’t mass produce their products and are very conscientious about their quality of work.
Veils are seen as the finishing touch to a wedding dress. As Michael Kors once said, “Accessories are the expclamation point of an outfit.”
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