Deborah Chan
Wedding veils come in a variety of lengths and styles, from face-framing four-inch silhouettes to floor-skimming 120-inch designs. Long veils, such as chapel and cathedral veils, are often paired with more substantial headpieces like crowns or headpieces with combs to anchor the veil securely in place. When attaching a long and heavy veil, it is important to consider the weight and balance of the veil and headpiece combination. This may involve reinforcing the veil with extra bobby pins around the comb, especially if the wedding is outdoors, to ensure it stays put in windy conditions. Additionally, certain hairstyles, such as braids or updos, can provide extra support for the veil. For very long and lightweight veils, magnetic veil weights can be attached to the edges to prevent them from blowing around.
How to attach long heavy wedding veils
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Veil Style | Drop veil, blusher, mantilla, detachable blusher, fingertip-length, cascading veil, ballet veil, waltz veil, floor-length veil, bird-cage veil, chapel veil, cathedral veil |
| Veil Attachment | Combs, bobby pins, veil weights, clips, hairbands, stitching |
| Veil Placement | Front/top of headpiece, underneath at the top of an updo or half-up hairstyle, nape of the neck |
| Veil Length | Face-framing, four-inch silhouette, knee-length, waltz (mid-calf length), floor-length, 120-inch |
| Veil Fabric | Tulle, lace, beading, ribbon |
| Veil Cost | $250 to $3000+ |
| Veil Maintenance | Can be cleaned in the same way as a wedding dress |
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Using a comb
Combs are the most common attachment for wedding veils and can work with all hair types. However, due to their weight, some long or heavy veils may not be suitable to attach with a comb. This is because the comb may not be strong enough to hold the veil in place and/or the fabric could tear.
If you have a long or heavy veil, gathering the veil and fastening it with hairpins may be the best option. If you want to use a comb, you can sew the veil onto a ribbon attached to the comb to reduce the chance of the fabric tearing.
If you are making your own veil, you will need to select the right fabric, prepare the comb, find the perfect placement, and then attach the veil to the comb.
Select the Right Fabric
When crafting a wedding veil with a comb, selecting the perfect fabric is crucial. Opt for lightweight materials like tulle or chiffon that will flow gracefully and create an ethereal look. Avoid heavy fabrics such as satin or velvet, as they can weigh down the veil and make it difficult to manage.
Prepare the Comb
Before attaching the veil, make sure the comb is clean and free from any dirt or debris. Gently wipe it with a soft cloth if needed.
Find the Perfect Placement
Hold your veil up to your head and experiment with different placements to find the one that suits you best. Consider where you want your veil to fall and how you want it to sit on your hair. You can also use bobby pins or small hairpins to secure the comb in place. Insert them vertically through the holes in the comb, making sure they are firmly anchored into your hair for added security.
Attach the Veil to the Comb
To attach the veil to the comb, you can sew it by hand or with a sewing machine. Choose a fine needle with a sharp point, such as a size 9 or 10 sewing needle, for delicate fabrics like tulle or chiffon. The thread should be lightweight and match the colour of the fabric. You can also use glue to secure the veil to the comb.
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Reinforcing with bobby pins
Reinforcing a long, heavy wedding veil with bobby pins can be done in several ways. One way is to create a solid base for the veil by using bobby pins, small elastics, or a tiny braid hidden underneath your hair for a neat finish. This is especially useful if you plan on wearing your hair down with loose curls. By sectioning off the top area of your hair at the crown, you create the perfect section to build a foundation to secure your veil.
If your veil has a comb, you can use bobby pins to reinforce it by crossing them over the teeth of the comb. This is a good method for updos and half-up styles, as these hairstyles provide more grip for the veil to be secure and easier to manage. If your veil comb is plastic, you may need extra bobby pins or small alligator clips to secure the veil. Metal combs are generally sturdier and more flexible, but they are not as easy to secure with extra bobby pins.
Another method is to use bobby pins as the primary method of attachment. This works well for shorter veils or for securing a veil over an updo. Simply slide the bobby pins into your hair at the desired height and position, making sure to criss-cross them for a secure hold. You can also use this method to attach a veil to a headband.
If you are concerned about the veil tearing under the weight, you can try using a hair clip or sewing the veil to a special vintage barrette or decorative hairpiece. Alternatively, you can use safety pins along the inside border of the veil and then put bobby pins through the safety pins to attach them to your hair.
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Veil weights
If you're planning on wearing a long and heavy wedding veil, you may want to consider using veil weights to keep it in place. These are especially useful if you're having an outdoor wedding where wind might be an issue.
You can find veil weights at many online retailers, including Amazon and Etsy. They typically come in sets of 8 to 12 pairs, and some sellers even offer free shipping. When ordering, it is recommended to get two sets for a long veil, especially if it is cathedral-length.
In addition to veil weights, you can also use bobby pins to secure your veil to your hairstyle. This provides extra reinforcement, especially if it gets windy.
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Veil length
The length of a wedding veil can vary from a short, fingertip-length veil to a long and dramatic cathedral veil. The longest wedding veil in the world, certified by Guinness World Records, measured 6,962.6 m (22,843 ft 2.11 in), created by Maria Paraskeva, a bride from Cyprus.
Long veils can be attached to the hair with a comb, which usually comes attached to the veil. It is important to reinforce the comb with bobby pins to ensure the veil stays in place, especially if you are wearing your hair down or it is windy. You can also create a "nest" of bobby pins where the veil is supposed to go, even if there is no specific hairstyle to hold in place. Braids are also a clever way to keep the veil in place.
If you are wearing a long veil outside, you can hold it in your hands or loop it over your arm to prevent it from blowing in the wind. Veil weights are also useful for this, especially for super light veils that are at greater risk of blowing around. They can be attached to the edges of the veil and come in pretty designs such as pearls, crystals, or rhinestones.
The placement of the comb depends on the style of the veil. For a mantilla veil, the comb is attached about an inch back from the hairline at the front of the face. For a drop veil, the comb is attached at the very top of the head. If you want a blusher, the comb goes on the underside of the veil, and you do not need to fold the fabric in half first. Most veils have two layers of fabric, with one layer longer than the other to highlight features such as lace edging.
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Veil placement
If you are wearing your hair down, you may want to attach your veil at the very top of your head or about an inch back from your hairline, depending on the style of veil you have chosen. A drop veil, for example, will need to be attached at the very top of the head, whereas a mantilla veil should be attached about an inch back from the front of the face. If you are wearing your hair in an updo, half-up style, or loose style, you can attach the comb of your veil to your hairstyle, securing it with extra bobby pins for reinforcement. If your hair is particularly slippery, consider creating a "nest" of bobby pins at the attachment point. For a more seamless finish, secure the veil first and then place any headpiece on top.
The length of your veil will also influence the type of headpiece you can pair it with. Short veils, such as birdcage or blusher veils, pair well with smaller, more delicate headpieces like combs or clips. Medium-length veils are versatile and can be worn with a variety of headpieces, from tiaras to floral crowns. Long veils, on the other hand, often require more substantial headpieces like crowns or headpieces without combs.
Additionally, consider the weight of your veil. If it is particularly heavy, you may need to reinforce it with extra pins. If you are wearing a headpiece, make sure to secure the veil first, and then place the headpiece on top of the veil's comb. This will ensure a seamless finish and prevent the veil from pulling on your headpiece.
Finally, if you are wearing a long veil outdoors, consider using magnetic veil weights or pearl and crystal veil weights to prevent it from blowing around in the wind. You can also tuck the sides of the veil under your arms or gently hold it in your hands.
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Frequently asked questions
If you want to wear your hair down, you could consider a mantilla or a drop veil. A drop veil will need to be attached at the very top of your head, and a mantilla will need to be attached about an inch back from your hairline. You can create a "nest" of bobby pins where the veil is supposed to go, and attach the comb to a neutrally coloured hairband.
If you want to wear your hair up, you can secure the comb of your veil into your hairstyle (updos, half-up, or loose styles). You can also add extra bobby pins around the comb to ensure it stays put.
If it's windy, you can tuck the sides of the veil under your arms or gently hold the veil in your hands. You could also loop the veil over your arm. Magnetic veil weights are also useful for long veils, as they can be attached to the edges of the veil and come in pretty designs.
If you want to wear a headpiece with your veil, consider the length and style of your veil. Short veils pair well with smaller, more delicate headpieces, medium-length veils are versatile and can be paired with a variety of headpieces, and long veils often work best with more substantial headpieces.
If you're worried about the weight of your veil, you can reinforce the comb by stitching a length of ribbon to it. You can also add extra bobby pins around the comb to ensure it stays put.
