Bridal Veil Guide

Ask any of your married friends when they first felt like a bride, and they'll tell you it was the moment when they put on their veil. There's something about a floaty, dreamy white fabric that transforms you from a normal persona to ...... a bride!



Blusher
Typically combined with other length, this is a short single veil worn over the bride's face.
It extends below the chin but usually drops no farther than the wrist (so as not to interfere with the bouquet).
It is worn over the face during the wedding ceremony and lifted by your partner for the kiss.



Shoulder length
A short veil, this one lands on the shoulders usually with a piece called a "blusher".
This veil is an excellent choice for brides who want to highlight the details on the back of the wedding gown.
This style goes with almost any dress.



Elbow or Waist length
Generally used for gowns without a train and will show off any detailing at the waist of the gown.
Best compliments a gown with a full skirt.
The wedding veil should end below a low back but above the start of the skirt.



Fingertip length
It falls right at the fingertips of the bride if her hands are at her side.
This veil can be worn with almost any wedding dress, except dresses that come above the ankles.
For brides under 5' 4", a fingertip veil is not recommended because this veil usually ends about mid-thigh on a petite woman and would visually cut your leg in half.



Chapel length
A chapel length veil either barely dusts the floor or is a few inches longer. It's length makes this chapel veil an ideal complement to a formal gown with a chapel or sweep train.
Generally used in formal weddings.



Cathedral
These are formal veils most often worn with those wedding gowns having a long train. The length of the bridal veil usually exceeds the length of the dress train by at least 6".

(Illustrations by Donna)


Useful Tips for Veils

• Make sure your "blusher" veil is long enough to flip over your head.

• Colour of veil should match. Don't choose an ivory veil for a white dress. Even though the difference may look slight, the contrast will show.

• Veils shouldn't be strewn with too many rhinestones because often rhinestones photograph like black dots. Even pearls, tiny satin bows and other embellishments may look spotty in photographs, so be sparing with these ornaments.

• Beware of ribbon-edge veils that hit at your middle - they can create a horizontal line, making you look shorter.

• A simple, unembellished wedding veil flatters an elaborate wedding dress best, while a classic gown can be paired with a plain or an ornate veil.

• Always check your rear view when trying on a bridal veil. To show off the back of your wedding gown, choose a sheer or single-layer design.

• Take your face shape into account when making your veil selection :
  
  - A veil that falls straight down narrows a round, full face.
  
  - A square jaw benefits a longer veil.
  
  - A waterfall design adds width to an oblong face.
  
  - A heart-shaped face looks best with a veil that falls behind the neck.