Rhiannon Hendricks
The wedding veil is the oldest part of the bridal ensemble, with its origins dating back to ancient tribes who would wrap the bride's head to toe to represent her purity and protect her from evil spirits. In the Middle East, over 1000 years ago, bridal parties travelled under a protective canopy, which is thought to be the modern veil's predecessor. Today, the veil is still worn by brides for religious or cultural reasons, or simply because they like the look. While some brides fear they will regret not wearing a veil, wedding experts advise that it is important to stay true to your personal style and what makes you feel best.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of brides wearing veils | 51% |
| Percentage of brides wearing veils over the face | 14% |
| Percentage of brides not wearing veils | 14% |
| Reasons for wearing veils | Religious or cultural reasons, personal style, family expectations, tradition |
| Reasons for not wearing veils | Not representative of the bride's personality or event vibe, not in line with personal style or bridal look |
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What You'll Learn
The veil's history and meaning
Wedding veils are the oldest part of the bridal ensemble, with their history dating back to ancient tribes who would wrap the bride's head to toe. This was done to represent the untouched maiden and protect her from evil spirits. In the Middle East, over a thousand years ago, bridal parties travelled under a protective canopy, which is thought to be the miniature version of the modern veil.
The veil has also been used for practical purposes. In the days of arranged marriages, which were common until the 1700s, the veil was used to hide the bride's face from the groom until after the vows. It also served as a covering that was not removed until the marriage was consummated, allowing the groom the opportunity to back out if he felt the bride was ugly. In the 18th century, the popularity of veils waned as brides began wearing tiaras, caps, bonnets, and other headwear. However, in the 19th century, Queen Victoria brought them back into fashion when she wore a white veil and gown at her wedding. Since then, brides worldwide have continued the tradition of wearing white veils.
Today, the veil is widely accepted as a bridal accessory, with many brides wearing them to complement their wedding dress or as a nod to tradition. Some brides also wear veils for religious or cultural reasons, while others choose to forgo them altogether. Ultimately, the decision to wear a veil or not is a personal one, and brides should choose what makes them feel best on their special day.
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Religious and cultural reasons
The wedding veil is the oldest part of the bridal ensemble, dating back to ancient tribes who would wrap the bride's head to toe to symbolise her purity and protect her from evil spirits. In the Middle East, over a thousand years ago, bridal parties travelled beneath a protective canopy, which is thought to be the miniature version of the modern veil. In the Roman Empire, brides wore veils to hide their identity and deter evil spirits from preying on them as they walked down the aisle.
In Christianity, the veil is mentioned in the Bible when Rebecca meets Isaac for the first time. The purpose of this custom was to hide the bride's face from the groom so that the marriage would not be spoiled in case she was not very pretty. In Christian weddings, the veil is meant to add to the bride's modesty and symbolise her interior desire to be humble and pure.
In Islam, the custom of wearing veils for non-wedding purposes dates back to the 7th century. The hijab provides the least coverage, while the burqa provides the most. The niqab and chador are in between. These coverings can be transformed into a wedding veil by wearing a white one with the addition of a blusher.
In the 1930s, Vogue magazine declared the practice of wearing the veil over the face "outmoded", but today, around half of brides still wear veils for the ceremony, with most wearing it with the face exposed, cascading down the back. Ultimately, the decision to wear a veil depends on personal preference and style. Brides should feel free to choose what makes them feel stunning and confident, whether that includes a veil or not.
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Veil alternatives
Wedding veils are still common, with around half of brides choosing to wear them for the ceremony. However, many brides are choosing alternatives to the traditional veil. This could be for reasons of personal style, ease of movement, or cost.
If you're looking for veil alternatives, here are some ideas:
- Flower crowns: A flower crown is a trendy and carefree option, especially for boho and beachside weddings. It can be made with fresh or silk blooms.
- Wire hair vines: A wire hair vine is a flexible and pretty way to add interest to your hairstyle without a veil.
- Hair combs: Hair combs can add a bit of sparkle to your wedding look and are available in a wide variety of designs.
- Headbands: A crystal-encrusted headband can add a jolt of glamour to your wedding look. You can also pair it with a veil for the ceremony and then wear it on its own for the reception.
- Hair pins: Bridal hair pins usually have embellishments like beads or gems and are made of glistening metals.
- Bows: Bridal bows can be bejeweled, velvet, or satin. They can be used to secure a loose ponytail or accent a half-up hairstyle.
- Capes: Wedding capes are a trendy alternative to veils.
- Garlands: A floral garland is a good option if you want a more subtle bloom-forward look. Keep the blooms small and simple in the front, and position larger, more colorful flowers towards the back.
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Veil colours
Wedding veils are still worn today, with around half of brides choosing to wear one for the ceremony. While some brides wear veils for religious or cultural reasons, others wear them simply because they like the look.
The colour of the veil is an important consideration for brides. While the majority of veils are made in ivory or eggshell shades, there are many different colours to choose from.
Ivory is a warm, pale shade that can verge into the cream family. It pairs well with candlelight, cream, or champagne-coloured fabrics, such as silk mikados and brocades.
White veils, on the other hand, are a pure, bright white. They are best suited for pure white wedding gowns made from fabrics such as crepe, taffeta, chiffon, and charmeuse. However, it is worth noting that very few wedding gowns are truly pure white, even those commonly referred to as "white". For example, silk gowns are almost always slightly off-white, as are those referred to as "diamond white".
For those who want to add a touch of colour to their bridal look, there are veils in shades such as oyster, champagne, and light blush. A light blush veil, for example, can pair beautifully with gowns that have blush pink accents or contrast nude underlinings.
Ultimately, the choice of veil colour should be guided by the bride's personal style and what makes her feel best on her wedding day.
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Veil styles
Wedding veils are still worn today, with around 51% of brides choosing to wear them for the ceremony. The veil is often considered the oldest part of the bridal ensemble, with ancient tribes wrapping brides head to toe to protect them from evil spirits and represent purity.
Today, there are many veil styles to choose from, with options to suit every bride and wedding dress.
Short Veils
Short veils are perfect for brides who want to accessorize without compromising their wedding gown or ease of movement. A popular short veil is the birdcage veil, which is a short piece of netting or tulle that drapes off-centre. Another option is the flyaway veil, which brushes the shoulders and can be single or multi-layered. The bandeau veil is another short veil style that can cover just the eyes, skim the nose, or fall at the jawline.
Medium Veils
Medium-length veils are versatile and appropriate for semi-formal and formal weddings. Elbow-length veils are a common medium style, covering the shoulders and back while allowing the skirt or train of the dress to be seen.
Long Veils
Long veils create a dramatic entrance and an elegant look. The fingertip veil is a popular choice, allowing any design on the back of the gown to be seen through the sheer fabric. The waltz veil falls to mid-calf, providing freedom of movement for the reception. The floor-length veil grazes the floor and matches the length of the gown, adding volume to the bridal look.
Chapel and Cathedral Veils
The chapel veil is a semi-formal style that extends just beyond the gown, often paired with a chapel wedding dress train. The cathedral veil is one of the most formal lengths, extending roughly two feet onto the floor behind the gown, creating a stunning effect.
Blusher Veils
The blusher veil is a short veil that falls over the face and ends near the top of the dress. It is pulled back during the ceremony to reveal the bride's face. This style can be attached to medium and long veils, or it can be a separate piece.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, veils are still used in weddings, with around 51% of brides still wearing veils for the ceremony. However, only 14% are opting for the long-held tradition of wearing the veil over the face when walking down the aisle.
Historically, veils were used to hide the bride's face from the groom in arranged marriages. They were also believed to protect the bride from evil spirits. Today, some brides wear veils for religious or cultural reasons, while others wear them because they like the look.
No, there are no rules when it comes to your wedding attire. If a veil doesn't align with your personal style or the overall vibe of your wedding, you don't need to wear one.
