Wedding Veils – Are You Wearing One? - Hummingbird Wedding Advice

Wedding veils are not usually the first thing you think of when it comes to wedding clothing, but they can play an integral part of your wedding day ensemble.

If you have ever watched an episode of “Say Yes To The Dress”, you know all about the term “jacked up”. This is when the salesperson on the show will place a veil on a bride, as she is wearing her potential wedding dress. The veil helps her see how her full outfit will look in her wedding day. When a bride is “jacked up” on the show, tears and cheers often follow.

While there is no rule that says wedding veils are a requirement to get married, they remain to be quite popular. And, this has been true since ancient times. Back in the day, brides used to be completely wrapped in fabric. Essentially, the veil was their outfit. More on that later. The point is that wedding veils symbolize tradition, and they can be quite special. Finding the one that works for you, and your wedding, is what can be tricky.

Wedding Veils – Are You Wearing One?

This post is going to tell you all about wedding veils. I’ll share their origins, the different types of wedding veils, and even some alternatives. I don’t mean to overwhelm you, it’s just that a lot can go into wedding veils. And, I want you to have a complete overview.

Let’s get into it!

THE HISTORY OF WEDDING VEILS

As mentioned above, wedding veils date back to ancient times. To get more specific about it, ancient Roman brides would swaddle themselves in red, or flame-colored, fabric.

The thought was that this fabric scared away evil spirits, as they looked like they were on fire. Because brides were supposed to enter marriage as pure, untouched, and clean souls, the Romans believed that the evil spirits would ruin that and wanted to be proactive.

As time has gone on, wedding veils have changed. They have become shorter, much more of an accessory. One could say they are more of a “covering” than an actual clothing piece.

Probably the most famous historical wedding veil was worn by Queen Victoria in 1840. She is the first recent queen to have worn a veil. Her veil symbolized modesty, and was a reference to her religious beliefs, covering her head during her ceremony. If you’d like to know more about Queen Victoria, and how her wedding influenced today’s weddings, check out this post.

WHY WE WEAR WEDDING VEILS TODAY

So we know historically brides would wear veils for all sorts of reasons, but why do we keep this tradition alive today?

Well, for some cultures, veils are meant to cover your face during the ceremony. It may be the first time that the groom sees the bride, and lifting the veil is a big reveal for him. In others, it may be believed that a long veil keeps the bride from running away. Either way, these are not usually the biggest reason why wedding veils are still popular in North America and Europe.

I think that the main reason we have wedding veils still present today is because they are beautiful. They complete the “bridal package”. Veils are a simple yet special accessory that can add a lot to a look. And, if a bride wants one, she should make it happen.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF WEDDING VEILS

So, the big question is, are you going to wear a wedding veil? Or, are you just thinking about it? Not sure where to start? Not sure what is right for you? Well, let’s go over the different terminology assigned to veil length, just to get you started.

Below is a little “cheat sheet” about wedding veils, from shortest to longest.

Birdcage – These veils are short, loose netting that is clipped, like a hair clip, on the top of your head. They tend to cover a bit of your forehead or face, but they do not typically go longer than your chin.
Blusher – These are a bit longer than birdcage veils, stopping at the bride’s neck.

Flyaway veil – Popular in the 1960’s (along with mini-skirts), these wedding veils stop at your shoulders. I like to think of them as a “look”.
Fingertip length – Fingertip veils are just as the name implies. They are as long as your fingertips when you are standing with your arms at your side. They tend to be very popular as they are manageable, affordable, and still make a statement.
Chapel or cathedral – These veils are long, reaching all the way to the floor. They may even drag a little.

Royal – Images of royal weddings come to mind when I think of royal wedding veils. These veils are epic, and quite long. In fact, the longest can be over 120 feet. I imagine that would be quite a heavy drag, but amazing in photos.

HOW TO DECIDE THE BEST WEDDING VEIL FOR YOU

So, with all the different lengths of wedding veils it can be a little tricky to decide what one is best for you. However, there are a few things you can take into consideration.

For starters, don’t pick out a veil until you know what your wedding dress looks like. From there, you can use inspiration from your gown to match the fabric, beads, or jewels to your veil. You can also look at your personal style and which length of veil appeals to you. It may depend a little on how long your hair is, or how your hair will be styled on your wedding day. You may need to try on a few different types of veils to see what works the best.

Remember, it’s okay to have a wedding veil that is as basic or elaborate as you feel comfortable with. Some of us want a little extra bling, and others want to keep it simple. Either way is fine.

Bride and groom kissing. The groom is leaning up against a brick wall, and the bride is standing in front of him. Her veil is long and reaches the ground. This is part of a blog post about wedding veils.

This wedding veil is absolutely gorgeous – go to https://www.devaakman.com/ to learn more about the wedding and photographer.

ALTERNATIVES TO WEDDING VEILS

Just in case you can’t a wedding veil that works for you, or you want to explore some alternative options, I’d like to list out some for your consideration.

Hair pieces – Skip the veil and put a beautiful clip in your hair. Or a fastener. Or a feathery bird (you all have seen the first Sex and The City movie, right?).
Elaborate hair styles – Perhaps you don’t want anything in your hair because you want your hair to be the show stopper. If you have amazing hair, and want it to be the star on your head, there’s nothing wrong with going for it with awesome hair styles.
Flowers / Flower crowns – Flowers can be a statement at a wedding. Whether you place one over your ear, or actually put a wreath on your head, it’s a personal choice. And you’ll look beautiful.

Tiara / Crown – Maybe you want to bring out your inner royal at your own wedding. In this case, why not wear a tiara, or an actual crown? It’s your wedding, your way.
Jewels – Okay, so many a crown is too much for you. This doesn’t mean you can’t adorn your hair with jewels. It could be delicate clips, or strategic placement of gemstones. Either way, it’s okay to hide a few gems in your hair.
Skip It All – Remember, not having anything in your hair is an option. And it’s a great one. You don’t even have to be elaborate with your hair style. It’s okay to show up to your wedding, with as much or as little going on with your hair as you want.

THE COST OF WEDDING VEILS

No post about wedding veils would be complete without talking about how much they cost, and how you can save on them.

First off, wedding veils can be super pricey. For a new veil, from a reputable bridal salon, you can expect to spend upwards of $150 or more, just to start off with. The more fabric, the higher the cost. And, the more “bling”, the price goes up as well. However, there are some ways to get a better deal, if you’re open to them.

One way to save on wedding veils is to just borrow one from a friend. I’m serious. Chances are you know someone who has a veil that is in a style you’d like at your wedding. It can even double as your “something borrowed”, which is pretty cool. You can also buy your veil second-hand. A quick look online will surely bring up a lot of veil options. Another option is to make your own veil, if you’re the crafty kind.

The last way to save on your wedding veil is to look into renting it. Websites like Happily Ever Borrowed and Little Things Borrowed will allow you to rent a veil and return it after your wedding. Pretty cool!

TIPS IF YOU’RE WEARING A VEIL

If you’re going to wear a veil at your wedding, I’d like to share with you some of my biggest tips.

Be sure to bring your veil to your hair trials, if you have it handy. It may change up how you wear your hair.

You’ll likely only wear your veil for your ceremony, taking it off during the reception. Plan to have a safe place to store it so it doesn’t get lost after the wedding.
The longer your veil, the more opportunities it has to rip. Someone may step on it, or it can get caught on something. If your veil is long, it may be prudent to wear it as minimally as possible, or have a shorter veil to wear at some point.
The longer the veil, the heavier it will be. Beware of your head starting to hurt or feel pressure due to the weight, and be prepared with some pain relievers just in case.

If your face will be covered as you walk down the aisle, make sure someone knows to “smooth” out your veil once it’s lifted. Sometimes it can be lifted in an awkward way, and it doesn’t make for the best photos.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

To veil or not to veil? That is the question. I hope that this post gave you a little more insight into wedding veils, and if they are right for you. Remember, there are lots of styles and alternatives. Feel free to try different looks on during your search to see what feels right. And, don’t be afraid to borrow, rent, or make your own veil, if you’re more budget conscious. Happy wedding planning!