I was dead set on wearing a tiara sans veil at my wedding. Of course I saw all the photos in magazines and books with brides adorning gorgeous, long, floor-length veils. It was stunning, but so not for me. But at my last fitting, my seamstress said to me as we were looking at the finished product in the mirror, "You're not going to wear a veil?" "No, I think I'm just going to wear a tiara." "You're NOT going to wear a veil?" she repeated, and I swear she was shaking her head a little. "Try it on anyway," she coaxed me, already grabbing a veil from her stash hanging in the corner. "No, no thanks... I really don't want to... OH MY GOSH!!!" My Godsend seamstress placed the veil on my head, draped the tulle over my shoulders and stepped back.
Now I know why all of my bride friends all wore veils... it screams "I'M THE BRIDE!" and there's no sweeter words than that on your wedding day!
So I was hooked. Ring me up for the veil too please!
Veils have gone through a cycle of symbolism dating back to ancient the ancient Romans and Greeks who covered the brides head to toe in a red veil to ward off any evil spirits. The veil was also used as a way to shield the bride from any sort of visibility during arranged marriages, and made the bride submissive as only the groom was allowed to lift the veil from her face. Veils gained Western popularity when Major Lawrence Lewis saw his bride Nellie Curtis through lace curtains of a window and kept complimenting her on how beautiful she looked.
I sported a pretty fingertip length veil, meaning the veil literally brushed my fingertips. Not too long and not too short!
Other popular styles include
- Flyaway veil - short and sassy, ends at the tip of your shoulders
- Sweep veil - longer in length, just hits the ground
- Chapel - typically nine romantic feet long from your head to the train
- Cathedral - SUPER long veil measuring 12 feet from your head to the end of the train
Opting out of a veil? No problem! Island brides also look stunning with flowers (cymbidium orchids are extra popular!) cascading in their hair, a tiara for the Princess brides, jeweled hairclips that add some sparkle to your hairdo or a classic hat for the vintage glam bride!
