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

Making your own wedding veil is a special touch for your big day. It can be a fun way to express your creativity and add a personalised element to your wedding outfit. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making your own wedding veil with a beaded edge, from choosing the right fabric to adding the final embellishments. We will also offer tips on how to make sure your veil complements your hairstyle and dress, so you can feel confident and beautiful on your wedding day.

Choosing the right fabric

The fabric you choose for your wedding veil is an important consideration as it will determine how your veil looks and feels. Do you want it to be stiff or soft and flexible? The type of fabric you select will depend on the desired effect and your budget. Here are some popular fabric options for wedding veils:

Tulle: Tulle is a versatile and affordable option for wedding veils. It comes in a wide variety of colours and shades, making it easy to match with your wedding dress. Tulle can be used to create a voluminous, poofy veil with more height near the crown of your head. It is also suitable for a simple, single-layer veil.

Silk: Silk is a luxurious and elegant fabric option for a wedding veil. It has a soft, smooth texture and a beautiful drape. Silk veils are often more expensive than other types of fabric but can add a touch of sophistication to your wedding ensemble.

Russian Netting: Russian netting is a delicate and sheer fabric that is perfect for creating a light and airy veil. It has a hexagonal mesh pattern that gives it a unique, eye-catching appearance. Russian netting is a good choice if you want your veil to have a subtle sparkle.

Full Lace: Lace veils are classic and romantic. They can be found in various styles, from appliques to lace by-the-yard. You can cut and arrange the lace to your liking, adding as much or as little as desired. Full lace veils offer a beautiful way to frame your hairstyle and accentuate your dress.

Organza: Organza is a crisp and lightweight fabric that can add a touch of elegance to your wedding veil. It often has a subtle shine, giving your veil a hint of sparkle. Organza veils are suitable for those who want a soft and flexible fabric that flows gracefully.

English Netting: English netting is another type of sheer fabric similar to Russian netting. It has a hexagonal mesh pattern but with a slightly larger hole size. English netting is a good choice if you want a more open and breathable fabric for your veil.

When choosing the fabric for your wedding veil, consider the style you want to achieve, your planned hairstyle, and the overall look of your wedding dress. The veil should complement your dress without taking away from its details. If you have a complex dress design, opt for a simpler veil, and vice versa. Additionally, consider the weight and length of the veil, as a heavier or longer veil will require more support from your hairstyle.

Veil measurements

When making a wedding veil with a beaded edge, it is important to get the right measurements. The length of the veil depends on the bride's preference and hairstyle. For example, a wrist-length veil can be made with 29" of tulle for a bride who wants to wear it towards the back of her head. If the bride is wearing a bulky up-do, it is worth noting that this can make the veil appear much shorter.

The width of the veil is also important. A standard width for a veil is around 50", but this can be adjusted according to the bride's preference. To create a more flowy veil, a curved edge can be cut into one of the corners opposite the fold. The more curved the cut, the more flowy the veil will be.

When measuring the veil, it is a good idea to make a quick practice veil first, so the bride can try it on and adjust the measurements as needed. This is especially helpful if the veil is being made from a distance. It is also important to consider the length of the comb when measuring the veil, as the veil will be attached to it.

For a beaded edge veil, the beads can be added during the last step by hand-stitching them carefully in place along the edge of the veil. It is recommended to use lightweight pre-strung plastic pearls or other beads of your choice.

Adding the beads

Now that you've cut your fabric, gathered it, and attached it to the comb, it's time to add the beads!

For this step, you will need to choose your beads. Pearls, beads, mirrored crystals, and even flower petals are all great options to add weight and beauty to the veil. You will also need invisible thread so that the design looks polished.

Start by threading your needle with the invisible thread and tying a knot at the end. Carefully hand stitch the beads in place, ensuring they lay perfectly along the edge of the veil. Use tiny stitches to secure each bead, with a short running stitch under every bead and a small, straight overcast stitch between each bead. This method will ensure that there is no puckering or pulling, and that your veil remains symmetrical.

If you want to add extra detail, you can also stitch beads to the top of the comb. For this, you can continue to use invisible thread, as the comb will provide enough stiffness to keep the thread from kinking. Stitch each bead individually, then go back and stitch them together in groups of three. At the end of the row, use a blanket stitch to create a sort of knot, then put the needle through the comb's fabric for a few inches to secure it.

Attaching the veil to a comb

Now that you have cut your veil to the desired length and shape, it's time to attach it to the comb. Place the comb against the veil, with the teeth of the comb facing the wrong side of the veil. Line up the top edge of the veil with the top of the comb. You can use a washable fabric marker to mark the placement of the comb on the veil if needed.

Once you are happy with the placement, it's time to start sewing. Using a needle and thread, carefully sew the comb to the veil. Loop the thread around each tooth of the comb, catching the fabric of the veil as you go. Make sure to loop the thread through the entire top end of the comb for a secure attachment.

If you are using a veil with a gathered or ruffled top, you can sew the comb to the veil by hand or using a sewing machine. Sew along the top edge of the comb, catching the fabric of the veil in your stitches. This will create a neat and secure attachment.

Another option for attaching the veil to the comb is to use lace or ribbon. Cut a piece of lace or ribbon that is slightly longer than the width of the comb. Place the comb against the veil, and line up the top edge of the veil with the centre of the lace or ribbon. Sew the lace or ribbon to the veil, and then sew the comb to the lace or ribbon. This method can help to hide the gathering of a ruffled veil and create a neat finish.

When attaching the veil to the comb, it is important to use small, neat stitches. This will ensure that the stitches are not visible from the front of the veil. Hand sewing can give you more control over the placement and size of the stitches.

Once the veil is securely attached to the comb, you can add some extra decoration to the comb by sewing beads or pearls to it. Choose beads that complement the style and colour of your veil and dress. Sew the beads along the top of the comb, using invisible thread to create a polished look.

Veil style

The style of your veil will depend on your planned hairstyle and wedding dress. If you are wearing a detailed dress, opt for a simpler veil, and vice versa. If you are wearing your hair in a messy updo, bridal bun, or half-up, half-down style, you will need a veil that complements this. The heavier or longer the veil, the more support your hairstyle will require.

The length of your veil is also important. Common lengths include shoulder, elbow, fingertip, floor, chapel, and cathedral. A chapel-length veil has a small train, while a cathedral-length veil has a long train.

The fabric of your veil will also determine how it looks. Tulle is the most commonly used fabric, but you can also use silk, Russian netting, full lace, organza, or English netting. If you want a voluminous veil with more height near the crown of your head, choose a stiffer fabric.

The shape of your veil is another consideration. Veils can be oval, heart-shaped, or waterfall-shaped, among other styles. Choose a shape that you like and that will work with your hairstyle and dress.

Finally, decide on the embellishments for your veil. You can add lace, beads, or both. This is a great way to add a unique touch to your veil and incorporate something old, such as recycled beads or lace from a family member's wedding dress.

Frequently asked questions