A Handy Guide to Bridal Veils and Every Veil Style

2 months ago 177

Karen Louise Daly

After a while out in the cold, veils are back en vogue. Text veils are #trending, birdcage bridal veils are once again dominating the aisles, while Millie Bobby Brown and Olivia Culpo both rocked dramatic long veils last year. So, what are your choices if you're thinking of donning a veil? The options are as varied as wedding dress styles - there are short veils, long veils, birdcage veils, cathedral-length showstoppers and half a dozen more. So we thought it would be useful to create a guide to the different types of wedding veils, outlining the main veil styles and options, and providing a few top tips for choosing the right one!

A Handy Guide to Bridal Veils

Birdcage Veil

Birdcage veils are also commonly known as cage veils, face veils, cage blushers, and pouf veils. Shortest of all veils, they may be worn on the front of the face, or they may cover the entire head. As far as the length goes, the netting may come down to cover one or both eyes, down to the nose or chin, or even cover the entire face, depending on what you feel most comfortable with.

Blusher Veil

This is another short style of veil, with the veil material falling to the lip line. Tradition states that a blusher wedding veil covers the bride's face until presented to the groom. Many veil lengths incorporate a blusher which can cover the face and then be pushed back to sit on top of the head after the ceremony. Blusher veils can be worn alone with informal dresses or paired with hats for a modern look.

Flyaway Veil

A short, floaty style with multiple layers of tulle that just sweep the shoulders, the flyaway veil creates a cute, retro look, very reminiscent of the '60s. This one is perfect for brides who love vintage style.

Shoulder-Length Veil

This one is a very simple veil that sits on the shoulders and can be made to look fuller with a blusher. The shoulder-length veil makes for a fairly informal look, again slightly '60s style. It's often referred to as the Madonna veil, because it resembles a shroud around the face, but the amount of tulle can range in length from 18" to 27", so just about reaching the shoulder or passing the shoulders.

Elbow-Length Veil

Slightly longer than the shoulder-length Madonna veil, an elbow-length veil can be a good choice for shorter brides as it spans to the elbow and won't swamp you in fabric. This one can be informal or formal and can also include a blusher, but often an elbow-length veil is made of plain tulle with a lace, embroidered or contrast edging, as in the above example.

Fingertip Veil

Taller brides can carry off this style, which looks very elegant and veers towards more formal styles. The veil just reaches the end of your outstretched fingertips and floats around you almost like a cape. This veil was hugely popular during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Fingertip veils are often more embellished, so if choosing one, make sure to consider the style of your wedding dress.

Juliet Cap Veil

A Juliet Cap is a small open-work crocheted or mesh cap, often decorated with pearls, beads or jewels. The cap can be worn alone or as part of a longer veil, and is perfect if you're looking to ooze 1920s, Gatsby-esque glam.

Mantilla

This Spanish-style Mantilla veil is often made of lace and usually trimmed with lace and embroidery. It drapes over the head to varying lengths from elbow to waltz, and is oh-so-romantic!

Draped Veil

Compared to the traditional veil, the draped veil has clips on both sides rather than on one comb for a more a relaxed, romantic style. Perfect for outdoor or destination weddings, and for any bride who wants something a little different. Lending a boho vibe to your bridal look, this style can often be adapted to be worn as a bridal cape later in the day instead.

Bow Veil

A bow veil combines a bow with a veil, offering a unique and stylish alternative to traditional veils. It's essentially a veil crafted into a decorative bow, often made of lace, tulle or satin, and it's typically attached to the hair with a comb for easy wear. Bow tails can be left short or long.

Drop Veil

The drop veil is a seamless and ethereal option that provides a soft and romantic frame for the bride’s face and gown. It is typically worn without a comb or other visible attachments and without the typical gathers brought on by a comb, allowing it to drape effortlessly over the bride’s head - as if it was simply 'dropped'. This veil style suits a variety of wedding themes and gown styles and ranges from short to cathedral-length.

Ballet Veil

Also known as the waltz, walking or knee-lenght veil, the ballet veil doesn't quite hit the floor, allowing you to dance without tripping yourself up! Typically, the tulle ends somewhere between the knee and the ankle.

Floor-Length Veil

A floor-length veil, also known as a full-length veil matches the length of the wedding gown, typically just skimming the floor. Floor-length veils often range in length, but typically are around 78in, or 198cm and can be found in various styles, including single-tier, two-tier, or three-tier options.

Chapel Veil

A chapel length veil is around 96in, or 244cm from comb to end. The most popular veil length by far is chapel length (sometimes called church length), and the single layer version in particular, if often the most popular due to it's romantic, yet manageable length.

Cathedral Veil

The most formal of all veils, cathedral veils are designed to be worn with a full gown with a cathedral-length train and to extend well past the end. This veil can reach up to around 114in, or 290cm long (known as a royal cathedral veil) and is typically worn in a formal church setting for a dramatic walk down a long aisle. If you opt for this style, make sure the rest of your gown is strong enough to support it!

Multi-Tiered Veil

For extra drama, a multi-tiered, or muti-layered veil is a perfect choice. This style allows you to have as much personality and length as desired, from simple tulle layers to intricate ruffles of lace. The multi-tiered veil pairs beautifully with a minimalist gown as it will add a whimsical and voluminous contrast.

Our Top Tips for Choosing your Bridal Veil

Decide whether or not you want your veil to be a statement piece or a finishing touch that doesn't compete with the dress. A heavily embroidered veil looks best paired with a simple, unembellished dress, and vice versa.
Consider your day - are you having a relaxed, festival-style wedding or a glamorous, formal affair? This will give you an idea of which style of veil to go for.
Ask yourself, how long do you plan on wearing the veil, as this can also dictate how long it should be. If you're planning on wearing it for the ceremony only, go ahead and get a head-turner like Princess Diana’s, but if you plan to wear your veil until the party’s over, you will need a more functional piece.
Make sure to pick a hair style that will both accentuate and support the veil, and don't forget to bring it to your hair trial.
If you're looking to find out the average cost of a wedding veil, you should find our veil cost guide here very useful!

Still putting the finishing touches on your look? Head to the accessories section of our Supplier Directory.

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