How to choose a wedding veil – Part 1
March 9th, 2010
I think the most adorable wedding story I have ever heard was from my roommate in college. Her husband is painfully shy, and he was terrified when it came to their wedding day. She is quite the social butterfly, herself, but she wanted her man to feel comfortable standing up there in front of all those people, so she did some research and came up with a comforting surprise: her veil!
Jon, her husband, grew up with a blankie – the kind with silky edges he could run his fingers over. It was his comfort object until age ten, when his mother threw the ratty old thing away. My roommate, Kathleen, decided to find a veil that would remind him of this comforting lovey and she chose one with a thick silk banding around the bottom. When she got to the end of the aisle, she put the edge of her veil between his fingers and he smiled, realizing what she had done and how much thought she had put into the choosing of the veil for this day of days.
Veils are quite the tradition at weddings today, and there are numerous varieties to choose from, but the most important thing to remember is that this is the day for you, the bride, to look your very best – it should be the day when you feel more beautiful then you have ever felt in your entire life, and so, you must choose a veil that you love.
If you want to be completely traditional, choose a veil that covers your face with a sheer fabric. This is also nice for the bride who is a little shy, because she can feel as though there is something between her and the 150 people on the guest list. It is also thrilling to see the father of the bride lift the veil to reveal his daughter to her husband-to-be for the congregation as well as the groom.
Some women, however, may not want or need to hide behind such a veil, and may choose one that simply adorns the back and sides of the face. This is an especially good choice if she has had an amazing make-up job for the occasion, or if she tends to feel claustrophobic under stress.
Choose a ribbon for the edging that is reflective of the style of your dress, or, if you are like Kathleen, one that will provide comfort for your groom. A thick ribbon gives a more expensive or elegant look, while a thin one gives a light and airy feel to the veil.
Top off your veil with a tiara, comb, or crown of flowers. Again, this is up to the bride and the style of the wedding dress she has chosen. A tiara will make her feel like a princess and add sparkle to the dress as the light flickers from her hair. A comb is a more subtle touch, and can be used to enhance a hairstyle for the day. Flowers are natural beauty at its finest. Choose those that reflect and enhance the dress and bouquet.
Finally, when choosing the length of your veil, be sure that it does not exceed the length of the dress and that the edging of the veil does not stop at a place where the bride does not wish to draw attention. If you have a thin waistline and wish to show it off, choose a veil ending just above the small of the back. If you wish to call attention to your chest, choose a shorter version. If you wish to enhance a long, luxurious gown, choose a long, luxurious veil that ends just before the dress to further beautify an already amazing train.
Again, think about what you want and don’t hold back. Today is a day for you and your husband-to-be to cherish forever. Let your veil reflect your personality, priorities, and panache.



