Guide To Crafting Your Own Wedding Veil

Making your own wedding veil is a fun way to save money and create something special for your big day. It can be an easy DIY project, even for those with little sewing experience, and allows you to customise the veil to your liking. Before you start, you'll need to decide on the length and style of your veil, and gather the necessary materials, which typically include tulle, a hair comb, scissors, and any embellishments such as lace, beads or ribbon. You'll also need to measure and cut the tulle to size, sew on any embellishments, and attach the veil to the hair comb. With some time and creativity, you can design a gorgeous wedding veil that's uniquely yours.

Choosing the right length

Veil Length Options

Firstly, familiarise yourself with the various veil length options available. The most common veil lengths include:

• Birdcage veil (22.5 cm or 9 inches)
• Shoulder-length veil (50 cm or 20 inches)
• Elbow-length veil (63-68 cm or 25-27 inches)
• Fingertip veil (91-101 cm or 36-40 inches)
• Waltz or ballet-length veil (152 cm or 60 inches)
• Floor-length veil (183 cm or 72 inches)
• Chapel-length veil (230 cm or 90 inches)
• Cathedral-length veil (275-305 cm or 108-120 inches)

Your Wedding Dress

The style and shape of your wedding dress should be a key consideration when choosing your veil length. As a general rule, your veil should complement and accentuate your dress without overwhelming its details. Consider the focal points on your dress as a guide for the veil. A veil that falls just above or below any horizontal lines or defined waistlines can create a proportional and effortless look.

For instance, if you've chosen a classic ball gown, a chapel or cathedral-length veil can add drama and elegance. On the other hand, a waist-length or fingertip veil can be a more elegant and refined choice for a shorter option.

If you're wearing a modern sheath or slip dress, a minimalist chapel, fingertip, or birdcage veil can be a perfect match. Gowns without a train or with a short train often pair well with a floor-length or chapel-length veil, ideally slightly longer than the hem or train of your dress.

Your Hairstyle

Your chosen hairstyle for the big day will also influence your veil length. If you plan to wear an updo, almost any veil length will work, gracefully cascading down from the back of your head. Loose waves can also be paired with various veil lengths, but additional pins and reinforcement may be needed to keep the veil securely in place. The versatile half-up, half-down hairstyle pairs beautifully with most veil styles, leaving many length options open to you.

Practical Considerations

Don't forget to consider the practicality of your veil length, especially regarding your wedding venue and weather conditions. If you're having an outdoor wedding, take into account that longer veils can be more challenging to manage in the wind. In such cases, a shorter veil or one that can be easily removed after the ceremony might be a better choice.

Additionally, ensure your veil is lightweight and comfortable, as you'll be wearing it for an extended period. It's also a good idea to have someone from your bridal party know how to remove the veil after the ceremony if you plan to take it off for the reception.

Personal Preference

Lastly, don't forget that your personal preference is what matters the most! Choose a veil length that aligns with your unique style and vision for your wedding day. Whether you dream of a dramatic cathedral-length veil or a playful birdcage veil, make sure it reflects your personality and makes you feel like the best version of yourself.

Buying the right materials

When making a homemade wedding veil, it is important to buy the right materials. The first step is to decide how long you want the veil to be. A typical veil comes down to the fingertips, but other popular lengths include shoulder, elbow, floor, chapel, and cathedral.

Once you have decided on the length, you can purchase the tulle. Tulle is a type of fabric commonly used for veils. The width of the tulle you need depends on the length of the veil you want. For a shorter veil, such as shoulder length, 55 inches of tulle should be sufficient. For a mid-length veil, look for tulle that is around 72 inches wide. If you are making a very long veil, such as floor-length or chapel-length, consider using 108-inch wide tulle for a more proportionate look.

In addition to the tulle, you will also need a hair comb. A larger comb, around 3 inches long, will help to secure the veil in place. You may also want to buy ribbon to cover the top of the comb and finish the edge of the veil. The type of ribbon you choose is up to your personal preference, but make sure you have enough to go around the perimeter of the veil if you plan to finish the edge.

Other materials you will need include a rolled hem foot, fabric scissors or a rotary cutter and cutting mat, a long ruler or measuring stick, and a fabric marker. These tools will help you to cut and hem the tulle accurately. If you plan to add any embellishments, such as lace or beads, be sure to purchase those as well.

Before purchasing your materials, it is a good idea to measure yourself or the person who will be wearing the veil. This will ensure that you buy enough fabric and that the veil will be the desired length. It is also recommended to order your fabrics and supplies in advance, as some specialty fabrics may need to be special-ordered and may cause delays.

By buying the right materials and carefully planning your project, you will be well on your way to creating a beautiful homemade wedding veil.

Cutting the veil

Firstly, determine the desired length and shape of your veil. Standard veil lengths include shoulder, elbow, fingertip, floor, chapel, and cathedral. For an elbow-length veil, the fabric length is typically around 72 inches. The shape of the veil can be oval, circular, or rectangular, with oval being the most common.

Next, prepare your tulle fabric by gently pressing it with low heat to remove any creases or wrinkles. This step ensures that your fabric is ready for accurate measuring and cutting.

Now, it's time to cut the fabric to size. Fold the tulle fabric in half lengthwise, creating a "hotdog" fold. Measure the desired length along the folded edge and use a long ruler or straight edge to mark the cutting line. A rotary cutter is recommended for this step to ensure a clean and straight cut. If your fabric is very wide, you may need to fold it in half twice to maintain consistency in length across the entire width.

Once the length is cut, unfold the fabric and prepare to cut the width. For an oval veil, fold the fabric in half widthwise, creating a "hamburger" fold. If you prefer a circular or rectangular veil, adjust the number of folds accordingly to ensure the desired shape. Using your measurements, mark the cutting line on the folded fabric, making sure the corners are at a 90-degree angle. Cut along this line to create the desired width.

If you want a rounded edge for your veil, such as a circular or oval shape, you will need to trim the corners. With the fabric still folded, pin along the edges to prevent slipping. Place a large piece of paper under the tulle and draw your desired curve. You can freehand the curve or use a compass by tying a string around a pencil. Trace the curve onto the paper, then remove the paper and place it under the tulle. Use a fabric marker to transfer the curve onto the fabric by dotting along the line. Finally, cut along the marked curve to create a smooth, rounded edge.

Remember to cut the veil fabric generously, as you can always trim and adjust later. It is better to have a bit extra than to cut too much and risk starting over.

By following these steps, you will achieve a beautifully cut veil that is ready for the next stages of assembly and embellishment.

Adding embellishments

Planning your design

Before you start, it's important to plan your design. Consider how much embellishment you want to add. You can go for a minimalist look with just a few carefully placed details, or you can go all out with a heavily embellished veil. If you're adding lace, you can choose between appliques or lace by-the-yard that you cut yourself. Think about the colour, texture, shine, and glitter of your chosen embellishments.

Materials

The materials you need will depend on the type of embellishment you choose. For adding lace, you will require lace of your choice and hand sewing needles. If you plan to add beads, you will need beads, hand sewing needles, and invisible thread. You can also use recycled materials, such as lace from an old wedding dress or beads from broken jewellery.

Attaching the embellishments

Once you have your materials, it's time to start attaching the embellishments. Hang the veil so that it hangs as it will on a person. You can use a dress form or a live model for this step. Pin the lace or beads where you want them, taking care to ensure they are placed correctly if the veil has two layers.

For lace, use matching thread and sew by hand, using a running backstitch. Beads should be added one at a time, threading them onto the needle and tying a square knot on the back of the fabric.

Finishing touches

You can also add embellishments to the comb of the veil. Beads can be stitched onto the comb using invisible thread. Remember to take your time and enjoy the process of creating your dream veil!

Attaching the veil to a comb

To attach the veil to a comb, you will need a needle and thread. You can use a sewing machine if you prefer, but it is not necessary.

• Gather your veil fabric along the flat top. If your veil has two layers, you can fold it in half widthwise. Pin the layers together to keep them in place.
• Sew the veil with a simple running stitch. Keep the pleats alternating evenly. Pull the thread gently to gather the fabric and match the width of your hair comb.
• Wrap a piece of tulle or ribbon over the top of the comb and through the teeth. Secure the ends with a few stitches.
• Stitch the veil to the tulle or ribbon. Make sure the stitches are small and secure, and that every gather is stitched down.
• (Optional) Cut a length of ribbon the size of your comb, plus a few inches. If using grosgrain ribbon, carefully melt the ends with a flame to prevent fraying. Pin the ribbon along the comb, covering the edges of the gathers and stitching.
• Stitch the ribbon in place along the top and bottom. Wrap the ends of the ribbon around the back of the comb. For natural fibres, tuck under the ends to prevent fraying.

Your homemade wedding veil is now ready to wear!

Frequently asked questions