Crafting A Birdcage Wedding Veil: A Step-By-Step Guide

Birdcage veils are a retro style of veil that covers just the top part of the face and are often made from netted tulle. They are typically affixed to the hair with a comb, clip, or headband. This style was first introduced in the 1940s and remains popular today, with many modern variations available. Making your own birdcage veil is a fun and easy DIY project that can save you money and allow you to customise your wedding look.

Choosing the right materials

The materials you will need to make a birdcage wedding veil are fairly simple and easy to get hold of.

Firstly, you will need a veil material with a fairly wide mesh, such as milliner netting or tulle. Tulle comes in various degrees of "stiffness", so you can choose how structured you want your veil to look. You will need around 16-18 inches of 9-inch French netting. You can buy this online for a reasonable price, or you could even recycle some fabric offcuts from your wedding dress.

Next, you will need a comb to affix the veil to your hair. You can wrap the comb with a ribbon and then sew the veil onto it. You could also use a clip or a headband, depending on your preference.

Finally, you will need some embellishments. You can choose from feathers, rhinestones, pearls, crystals, lace, or anything else that takes your fancy. You can sew or glue these onto the veil for a fabulous finishing touch.

Cutting the fabric

The first step in making a birdcage wedding veil is to cut the fabric. For this, you will need a veil material with fairly wide mesh, like milliner netting or tulle. The amount of fabric you will need depends on how long you want your veil to be.

For a simple veil, cut a piece of tulle in a rectangular shape. The size of it will depend on how long you want your veil to be. For a more creative design, cut a length of tulle around 70 or 80 cm long and 20 cm wide. Also, cut a smaller strip of tulle around 10 cm long. You will use this to tie your flower in the middle.

If you want to add a headband to your veil, cut a piece of ribbon with the length of your headband. You can also cut out a piece of lace in the desired length and attach it with a glue gun.

For a more structured look, cut the fabric at a diagonal. How you cut it determines how your veil will fall across your face. So, your best bet is to measure the edge you’ve just cut and make sure it’s hitting your face where you want it to. It can end at your forehead, eye, lips, or cover your whole face!

Once you have cut your fabric to the desired size and shape, you are ready to move on to the next step of stitching the fabric together.

Adding embellishments

Birdcage veils can be embellished with anything from feathers, rhinestones, and flowers to pearls, crystals, and lace. The only limit is your imagination!

If you want to add some extra sparkle to your veil, consider gluing or sewing on some rhinestones. You can also attach a flower made from the same fabric as your gown, or cut into a pattern and sewn together. If you're feeling extra creative, you can even make a flower from beads, crystals, or lace.

For a more natural look, try embellishing your veil with feathers. You can sew these directly onto the veil or attach them to a comb and then sew the comb onto the veil. This will give your veil a more three-dimensional look.

If you want to go for a vintage-inspired look, consider adding some pearls or crystals. You can scatter these across the veil for a subtle shine, or create a more defined pattern for a bolder look.

Lace is another great option for adding interest to your veil. You can cut it into a specific pattern and sew it onto the veil, or use it to create a flower embellishment.

Remember to stick to the style of your dress so that your veil looks perfectly matched.

Attaching the veil to a comb

Now that you have gathered all the materials and cut the fabric to size, it is time to attach the veil to a comb. This will be the base of your birdcage wedding veil and will be essential in keeping it in place. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to attach the veil to a comb:

Step 1: Prepare the Comb

Before you attach the veil, you will need to prepare the comb. Cut a piece of ribbon, approximately 10-12 inches long, and wrap it around the comb. Start by wrapping one end of the ribbon through the teeth of the comb and tying a knot. Then, continue to wrap the ribbon between the teeth and over the top of the comb until you reach the other end. Tie another knot to secure the ribbon in place. This will provide a base for you to sew the veil onto and will also add a decorative touch to your birdcage veil.

Step 2: Sew the Veil to the Comb

Take your needle and thread and begin sewing the veil onto the back of the comb. Sew along the uncut side of the veil, using the diamonds in the netting as a guide. Pull the thread tight to create gathers in the fabric and adjust the length to match the size of your comb. Make sure to adjust the creases and the way the fabric is scrunched before tying a knot to secure it in place. You can also use hot glue instead of sewing if you prefer, or if you have reached your sewing limit!

Step 3: Embellish (Optional)

If you would like to add some extra sparkle to your birdcage veil, now is the time to add your chosen embellishments. You can sew, hot glue, or clip on feathers, rhinestones, flowers, or any other decorations that excite you. Get creative and make your veil unique!

Step 4: Adjust and Style

Once your veil is attached to the comb, you can adjust the way it falls across your face. Play around with the positioning to find the most flattering angle, and trim the edges if needed. You can style your birdcage veil in various ways, such as straight over the face or to the side as a hair accessory. Now you're ready to wear your handmade birdcage wedding veil with confidence!

Styling the veil

Birdcage veils are synonymous with vintage glamour and can be styled in various ways. They are typically affixed to the hair with a comb, clip, or headband, and can be worn straight over the face or to the side as a hair accessory.

When styling your birdcage veil, consider the silhouette you want to create. If you're wearing an updo, a birdcage veil can be a beautiful, traditional touch. For a more contemporary look, try pairing it with loose curls or a sleek low bridal bun. If you have long hair and a short hemline or a minimal dress silhouette, be mindful that long loose hair with a birdcage veil can appear top-heavy.

For a secure fit, particularly if you have short or fine hair, consider a birdcage veil sewn directly onto a headband. You can also add embellishments to your veil for a dramatic effect. Feathers, rhinestones, flowers, pearls, or crystals can be glued or sewn on to create a unique and personalised look.

The shape of your face is another important consideration when styling your birdcage veil. To accentuate your features and draw attention where you want it, play around with the angle, width, and overall shape of the veil. For example, if you have a wide or tall forehead, a wider veil can offer more coverage, and a veil with volume at the sides can balance out a tall forehead.

Finally, think about the style of your wedding dress. A birdcage veil is a defining accessory that sets the tone for your bridal look. If you're wearing a short wedding dress, a shorter veil that's proportional to the shape and length of your skirt is best. For a playsuit or wide-leg pants, you can experiment with both short and large veils, depending on the shape and width of the pant leg. Traditional wedding gowns can be paired with birdcage veils to capture a vintage or contemporary mood, taking into account the neckline, size, and shape of the skirt for a proportional overall look.

Frequently asked questions