How to choose the right veil for your dress
Your guide to different types of veil lengths and why wear a detachable blusher.
Veil Lengths
Face veil or Birdcage veil
Often covers a part of your face and can be complimented with a brooch, hat-type accessories or a hair-comb. Birdcage veils are the most rare choice among brides but one of the most feminine bridal accessories. Often seen in magazines with brides wearing sleek low-back silk dresses or fitted mermaid gowns, those are a perfect addition to create a twenties' look which can also be complimented with a bridal Rockcoco hand fan. Face veils beautifully frame your face and look perfectly timeless with a red lipstick for a classic elegant look.
Shoulder length veil 52''
Two-tier veil with the longest tier at the level of your shoulders. Shoulder-length veils look better without satin-trimmed edges if you are wearing a dress with shoulder-covering details as it interferes with the outfit and takes away attention from your gown's shoulder details. But it's the right choice if you are wearing a sweetheart or straight-cut open-shoulder neckline aline dress. It is also a comfortable option for brides who do not want to worry about fixing the veil throughout the day as it needs the least attention but simply keeps its shape the best.
Fingertip length veil 72''
Two-tier veil with the longest tier touching the tip of your finger arms down. Fingertip length is the most popular choice among brides - tried and tested during years of bridal retail experience. They also come as a single-tier option at 40'' length if you prefer not to cover your face for the ceremony but still like to have a veil below your hipline.
Chapel length veil 102''
Two-tier veil with the longest tier the same length as the length of a standard train on a wedding dress. Bypasses the hips beautifully framing your posture and blends in with the train at the bottom of your dress. Often selected by brides for the effect of a cathedral veil but a more comfortable way to manage it.
Cathedral veil 144''
Long two-tier veil that covers a standard-length train of a wedding dress and extends about 20'' longer on the floor when standing up straight. Another most popular choice for brides getting married in a church or simply those who love to feel a little royal. Practice wearing this veil for a little while before the wedding to learn how to manage it on the day. You may want to wrap it around the arm, have it pinned to the back of your dress or take it off completely and replace it with a birdcage for an evening look at the party.
Extra long bridal veil
Can be single or two-tiered to meet your personal needs and creates a unique look. Gives a royal feeling to any bridal outfit but one of the most unmanageable ones in terms of wearing it throughout the day. One of the ways to manage it to train your flower girls and page boys to carry it when you are walking down the aisle. For the reception, swap it for a shorter length veil with a similar decor. Money saving tip: order one extra-long veil with a detachable face blusher, wear the two for the ceremony, take the long piece off for the reception and dane away!
Good to know
Veils and hair pieces are selected after you've picked your dress and decided on your hair style.
An average budget for a veil varies between £50 and £300 but may cost more if you are having a bespoke design such as lace and diamonds to match your dress or if you like to have veils longer that a standard 144'' veil.
Some designers offer matching veils that suit most of the styles in their collection. Such veils are also made to order and take between 12-16 weeks to arrive if ordering from a chain retail store.
Bespoke veils are subject to availability of the seamstress making it for you.
Lace-trimmed veils come with lace all around the edges of the veil, 5-6 lace motifs scattered along the edges of the veil, or lace motifs scattered along the length of the veil.
When taking photos with the blusher over your face, straighten any pleats or drapes on the front of the veil as those tend to hide your face on photos.
Diamonds and sparkles look great anywhere but on the blusher that covers your face because on photos they look like spots or even unwanted 'moles'.
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