Creating A Wedding Veil: A Step-By-Step Guide

Making a wedding veil is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your wedding. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create your dream veil.

Step 1: Measure and Cut the Tulle

First, decide how long you want your veil to be. Common veil lengths include shoulder, elbow, fingertip, floor, chapel, and cathedral. Next, purchase tulle fabric that is around 72 inches wide for a shorter veil, 108 inches wide for a longer veil, or 55 inches wide for a mid-length veil. Then, cut the bottom of the veil into a rounded rectangle or a circle, depending on your desired style.

Step 2: Add Trim (Optional)

If you want to add a decorative touch to your veil, consider adding trim such as lace, ribbon, or beading. Hand-sew the trim along the edge of the veil, or use a sewing machine if you prefer.

Step 3: Sew the Tulle

Sew across the top, straight edge of the veil using a running stitch by hand or a straight stitch on a sewing machine. For a full veil, sew across the entire width. For a less full veil, sew only the center portion, leaving gaps on either side.

Step 4: Gather the Tulle

Gather the stitching by gently tugging on the thread until the tulle is the same width as your hair comb, typically around 2 to 4 inches. Tie off the thread and cut off any excess.

Step 5: Attach the Comb

Align the top edge of the veil with the top of the comb and sew them together, wrapping the thread around the comb's teeth. You can also wrap the comb with ribbon before attaching the veil.

Step 6: Decorate the Comb (Optional)

Embellish the comb with pearls, beads, rhinestones, or other decorations that match your wedding dress. Sew or glue the decorations in place.

Step 7: Store the Veil

Store your veil in a cool, dry place until your wedding day. Consider hanging it in a garment bag to keep it wrinkle-free and protected.

Choose the right length for your veil

The length of your veil is a very personal choice and will depend on the style of your wedding dress, your height, and the hairstyle you plan to wear on your big day.

• Blusher: This veil rests just below the shoulders and is usually paired with a longer veil. It is typically 22 inches long.
• Elbow-length veil: This veil falls at the bride's elbow and is usually 25 inches long.
• Waist-length veil: This veil sits at the bride's waist and is typically 30 inches long.
• Mid-hip-length veil: This veil is designed to reach the bride's mid-hip and is generally 33 inches long.
• Hip-length veil: This veil reaches the bottom of the bride's hips and is usually 36 inches long.
• Fingertip veil: This veil brushes the tips of the bride's fingers and is typically 45 inches long.
• Waltz veil: This veil hits just above the back of the bride's knees and is generally 54 inches long.
• Ankle veil: The ankle veil sits just above the floor and is usually 70 inches long.
• Chapel veil: This veil has a short train and is typically 90 inches long.
• Cathedral veil: The cathedral veil has a longer train than the chapel veil and is generally 108 inches long.

If you are unsure about the length, it is always better to go longer than shorter. You can always cut off any excess fabric, but you cannot add more if you realise your veil is too short!

Gather the right supplies

To make a wedding veil, you'll need to gather the right supplies. Here's a list of what you'll need:

• Tulle: This is the main material you'll be using for the veil. The amount of tulle you'll need will depend on the length and fullness you want your veil to have. For a shorter veil, go for tulle that's around 55 inches wide. If you're making a mid-length veil, look for tulle that's 72 inches wide. For a long veil, opt for tulle that's 108 inches wide.
• Comb: You'll need a comb to attach the veil to your hair. You can use a plain comb or a decorative one, depending on your preference.
• Needle and thread: You'll need these for sewing the veil together and attaching it to the comb. Choose a thread colour that matches your tulle, or use clear thread for a discreet look.
• Embellishments (optional): You can add embellishments like beads, rhinestones, pearls, or lace to your veil for a more decorative look.
• Ribbon (optional): If you want to add a ribbon trim to your veil, choose a thin, white satin ribbon.

Cut the tulle

Cutting the tulle is the first step in making a wedding veil. The length of the tulle will depend on the length of the veil you want. The longer the veil, the more tulle you will need. For a shorter veil, 55 inches of tulle will be enough, while for a longer veil, you will need 108 inches.

The tulle should be folded in half lengthwise, and then the bottom corners can be cut off so that they are rounded. This will give the veil a nice shape. If you want a blusher veil, cut the tulle in a circle.

It is important to use a rotary cutter to cut the tulle, rather than hand scissors, as this will ensure that the edges do not become choppy.

Once the tulle is cut to the desired length and shape, it can be sewn to create the desired veil style.

Add embellishments

Adding embellishments to your wedding veil is a great way to make it unique and special. Here are some detailed instructions on how to add embellishments, focusing on four main types: lace, beads, trim, and other decorations.

Lace Embellishments:

Lace can add a delicate and elegant touch to your veil. To add lace embellishments, you will need lace of your choosing and hand sewing needles. Pins are also useful to temporarily hold the lace in place. Start by pinning your veil so that it hangs as it will on a person. This can be done on a dress form or even a live model. Once the veil is hung, pin the lace where you would like it to be placed. If you are working with a bride, be sure to take a photo and get their approval before moving on. When you are happy with the placement, sew the lace to the veil using matching thread. Hand sewing is usually best for this step, as most lace is delicate. A running backstitch is a good option for attaching the lace, as it creates secure seams without putting too much stress on the fabric.

Bead Embellishments:

Beads can add sparkle and glamour to your veil. To add beads, you will need beads of your choosing, hand sewing needles, and invisible thread. Start by threading your needle, but do not knot the thread. Come up through the veil, insert the needle into a bead, and then go back down through the fabric a few threads over. Tie a square knot on the back of the fabric and cut the thread, leaving about 1 cm on either side of the knot. Repeat this process to add as many beads as desired. Beads can also be added to the top of the comb for extra sparkle.

Trim Embellishments:

Trim can be used to finish the edges of your veil and add a hint of elegance or drama. Ribbon is a popular choice for trim, but you can also use lace or other types of trim. If using ribbon, consider gluing it in place, but be sure to test first to ensure the glue does not discolour or mottle the ribbon. If sewing, pin the trim to the veil's edge with the wrong sides together, then sew all the way around, close to the edge. Flip the trim so that the right side is showing and press with a low heat iron. Finally, stitch the trim down again, close to the edge.

Other Decorations:

In addition to lace, beads, and trim, there are endless other embellishments you can add to your veil. Rhinestones, crystals, pearls, sequins, and embroidery are all popular choices. You can also get creative and use recycled materials, such as lace from a vintage wedding dress or beads from old jewellery. When adding these types of embellishments, hand sewing is usually the best method, and you may want to enlist the help of your bridal party or a crafty friend!

Attach the veil to a comb

Attaching the Veil to a Comb

Now that you have gathered the veil, it is time to attach it to a comb. You can use a simple French comb, a barrette, or any headpiece you already have picked out.

Take the gathered portion of the tulle at the top centre and sew it securely to your clip. You can use a needle and thread or a sewing machine for this. If you are using a needle and thread, place two to three stitches around each tooth of the comb. If you are using a sewing machine, sew a straight line of stitches across the comb.

If you are planning to wear a fancy tiara and want to be able to remove the veil for the reception but still keep the tiara on, just sew the veil to a simple French comb and you can wear both pieces at once, then easily take just the veil off later.

Optional: Cover the Gathered Edge

This step is completely optional, but makes for a prettier comb. Skip if you're pressed for time.

Cut a length of ribbon the size of your comb plus a few inches. If you're using grosgrain ribbon, carefully use a flame to melt the ends of the ribbon (do not do this with natural fibres).

Pin the ribbon in place along the comb so that it covers the edges of the gathers and the stitching from attaching the veil to the comb.

Stitch into place along the top and bottom, wrapping the ends of the ribbon around the back of the comb.

For natural fibre ribbons, tuck under the ends of the ribbon before stitching into place to prevent fraying.

For veils where the comb is completely underneath the tulle, the ribbon won't wrap around. Simply tuck under the ends and keep the ribbon along the top of the comb.

Frequently asked questions