Junior Rasmussen
The wedding veil is a time-honoured tradition that has been followed for centuries within families, cultures and religions. The veil is believed to have originated in ancient Greece and Rome, where brides wore it to disguise themselves from evil spirits. Over time, the veil became a symbol of a bride's chastity and modesty, and in some cultures, it is still used for that reason. In many religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam, the white veil symbolises virginity, obedience and modesty. The veil is also closely tied to the idea of ownership, with the groom's lifting of the veil signifying the transfer of ownership of the bride from her father to her husband.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | The wedding veil dates back to Roman times, when brides wore a red sheet called a 'flammeum' from head to toe to disguise themselves from evil spirits. |
| In ancient Greece and Rome, the veil was also used to ward off evil spirits. | |
| In the Middle Ages, married women covered their hair rather than their face with a veil. | |
| In the Tudor period, veils became less common as hoods gained popularity. | |
| In the 17th and 18th centuries, bridal veils were occasionally worn but were generally out of fashion in Britain and North America. | |
| Bridal veils became popular again after Queen Victoria wore one at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. | |
| Purpose | To disguise the bride from evil spirits and her husband, who wasn't supposed to see his new wife until after they were married. |
| To symbolise that ownership has changed hands, from the bride's father to her husband. | |
| To stop the bride from running away, as it hindered her vision and movement. | |
| To protect the bride's delicate skin from the sun. | |
| To show modesty and chastity. | |
| To symbolise virginity, obedience and purity. | |
| To add a dramatic touch to the wedding ceremony. | |
| To serve as a rite of passage. |
What You'll Learn
Wedding veils as a fashion accessory
Wedding veils are a major staple in the bridal fashion space. They are widely accepted as a bridal accessory that adds a perfect finishing touch to the overall bridal look. Modern brides use the wedding veil as a way to showcase their personal style with a nod to tradition.
The wedding veil is about making a statement. Brides tend to choose veils that complement their dresses, in both length and colour. Lace, rhinestones, and pearls can be added to give a personal touch to the overall bridal look.
There are many different types of wedding veils, from birdcage and shoulder-length veils to elbow and fingertip styles. A ballet or waltz veil hits somewhere between the knee and the ankle, while a floor or chapel style veil falls a couple of inches beyond the gown, creating a romantic and elegant look. The longest veil is the cathedral, perfect for brides who want a dramatic walk down the aisle.
Veils can be made from various materials, including tulle, lace, nylon, polyester, and illusion fabric. They can be embellished with rhinestones, crystals, beads, pearls, and sequins. Veils come in different colours, including white, off-white, ivory, light ivory, beige, and champagne, allowing brides to choose the best option to complement their dress.
When selecting a wedding veil, brides should consider their personal style, the style of their wedding dress, and their hairstyle. Veils can be worn with the hair up or down, and different lengths can showcase the details of a dress, such as an open back.
While some brides choose to forgo the veil, for others, it is an essential part of their wedding day look, whether for tradition, fashion, or a combination of both.
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The history of the wedding veil
The wedding veil is the oldest part of the bridal ensemble, with a rich history and cultural connotations. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where it was believed that the veil would help ward off evil spirits and protect brides from anything that would deter their happiness. The veil also served as a symbol of modesty and chastity, representing the delivery of an untouched maiden. In the Jewish religion, the veil is associated with the story of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah in the Book of Genesis, where Jacob was tricked into marrying Leah, who was veiled and hidden from him until the ceremony.
Over the centuries, the style and significance of the wedding veil have evolved. In the 18th century, veils fell out of fashion, replaced by tiaras, caps, and bonnets. However, in the 19th century, Queen Victoria brought them back into vogue when she wore a white wedding veil and gown, becoming the first woman in England and its surrounding areas to do so. This set a new standard for bridal attire, and white veils became a symbol of status, style, and wealth.
The 20th century saw a variety of veil styles emerge, reflecting the changing trends and styles of each era. The 1920s Flapper veil, the 1930s Cap veil, the 1940s Birdcage veil, the 1950s Blusher veil, the 1960s Bubble veil, and the 1970s Bohemian veil, each embodied the unique fashion sensibilities of their respective decades.
Today, the wedding veil continues to be a popular accessory, with modern brides incorporating it into their attire as a nod to tradition, a way to showcase their personal style, or simply as a fashion statement. While the veil's original purpose has evolved, it remains a cherished part of wedding celebrations, adding a touch of elegance and romance to the bridal ensemble.
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Wedding veil styles
Wedding veils come in a variety of styles, from short and flirty to long and dramatic. Here are some of the most popular wedding veil styles:
Birdcage Veil
Reminiscent of styles worn in the 1940s and 1950s, the birdcage veil is a short piece of netting or tulle that drapes slightly off-centre on the side of the head, leaving the lower half of the face uncovered. This style is often attached to a headband or pillbox hat, adding a demure charm.
Flyaway Veil
The flyaway veil is a simple, stiff, and usually single-layered veil that barely brushes the shoulders. It is considered less formal than other styles and is perfect for showcasing a heavily embellished wedding dress without distracting from the gown.
Blusher Veil
The blusher veil is a two-tiered veil, with the top layer being the blusher that falls over the face and is lifted during the ceremony. This style is more formal and is commonly worn for Catholic weddings and other ceremonies in houses of worship.
Elbow Veil
The elbow veil is a versatile option that extends from the crown of the head to the elbows, providing more coverage while still allowing the bride to move freely. It is perfect for showcasing the skirt or train of the wedding dress.
Fingertip Veil
The fingertip veil is a popular choice, extending to the fingertips when the arms are resting by the sides. It pairs well with a variety of gown silhouettes, especially ball gowns and A-line dresses, and offers the drama of a longer veil without restricting movement.
Ballet/Waltz Veil
The ballet or waltz veil is the longest option before reaching floor-length. It falls somewhere between the knees and ankles, making it an ideal choice for brides who want a longer veil without the hassle of tripping over it, especially during the first dance.
Chapel Veil
The chapel veil is a semi-formal style that reaches the floor and extends just beyond the gown, often paired with a chapel train of similar length. It can add a touch of drama without the need for a longer veil.
Cathedral Veil
The cathedral veil is one of the most formal and dramatic veil styles, extending about two feet onto the floor behind the wedding dress. It creates a stunning effect as the bride walks down the aisle and poses for portraits. However, it requires assistance from a bridesmaid to spread out the fabric and carry it when walking.
Royal Veil
The royal veil is reserved for monarchs and the grandest of weddings, pooling onto the floor several or even dozens of feet behind the dress. Examples include Hailey Bieber's embroidered veil and Priyanka Chopra's 75-foot veil.
Juliet Cap Veil
The Juliet cap veil is a single-layer veil with a shaped tulle section that forms a little cap over the bride's head, often decorated with lace, flowers, or embroidery. It is a popular choice for boho-chic brides and can be attached to the head with bobby pins or a ribbon tied underneath the hair.
Mantilla Veil
The mantilla veil is a traditional Spanish wedding veil, usually made from all-over lace or featuring a full lace edge. It is cut in an oval shape and can be worn with or without a blusher layer. This style creates an exotic, Mediterranean vibe and is particularly striking on dark-haired brides.
Drop Veil
The drop veil is a newer style, featuring a sheer, ungathered design that drops straight down from the comb, with the blusher layer creating a gossamer-fine effect. It suits soft, flowing gowns and bohemian brides, as well as more modern bridal looks.
These are just a few of the many wedding veil styles available to brides today. The choice of veil style depends on the bride's personal preference, the wedding theme, and the hairstyle and gown they plan to wear.
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Wedding veil traditions
The wedding veil is the oldest item of the bridal ensemble, dating back to ancient Rome. In ancient times, brides were wrapped from head to toe in a veil to disguise themselves from evil spirits and protect them from people who might want to thwart their happiness. The veil also represented the bride as a modest and untouched maiden, and in some societies, it was used to protect the bride's face from her husband and the wedding guests until she was no longer under her father's ownership.
Today, the veil is widely accepted as a bridal accessory that adds a perfect finishing touch to the overall bridal look. It is also a way for modern brides to showcase their personal style with a nod to tradition. While some brides still wear veils for religious or cultural reasons, many now wear them because they like the look.
In some religions, the veil holds specific significance. In Judaism, for example, couples partake in the Bedeken ceremony, where the groom looks at his bride and then places a veil over her head to ensure he's marrying the right person. In Catholic weddings, the veil is meant to add to the bride's modesty, with some churches requiring the bride's shoulders to be covered during mass.
The length of the veil is also important, with various options available such as shoulder-length, elbow/waist-length, fingertip length, and cathedral length. Ultimately, the choice of veil is up to the bride and what makes her feel the most beautiful on her wedding day.
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Wedding veil cost
The cost of a wedding veil varies depending on the fabric, quality, style, and length. On average, the cost of a wedding veil is between $250 to $400. However, prices can go as low as $20 on Amazon and as high as $600 in high-end boutiques.
The most common type of veil fabric is bridal illusion tulle or nylon illusion, which is more budget-friendly and gives a traditional bridal look. English netting or English tulle is a luxury fabric that is softer and flowier, but more limited in colour options. The most expensive fabric is silk, which comes with a hefty price tag and is not recommended for outdoor weddings or long veils due to its delicate nature.
Customizations such as lace, Swarovski crystals, embroidery, and length can also increase the cost of a veil. Purchasing a veil from a high-end bridal salon will likely be more expensive than buying online or from a less expensive salon.
Some ways to save money on a wedding veil include DIY options, shopping around online, or borrowing a veil from a relative.
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Frequently asked questions
The history of the wedding veil can be traced back to ancient Rome. Brides would arrive at their wedding with a veil over their face to shield themselves from evil spirits. Over time, the meaning of the veil evolved and was influenced by religion. In many faiths, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam, the white veil symbolises virginity, obedience and modesty.
In Judaism, couples partake in the Bedeken ceremony, where the groom looks at his bride and then places a veil over her head to ensure he's marrying the right person. In Catholic weddings, the veil is meant to add to the bride's modesty.
Today, wedding veils are widely accepted as a bridal accessory that adds a perfect finishing touch to the overall bridal look. Modern brides use the wedding veil as a way to show their personal style with a nod to tradition.
Wedding veil styles include the bird cage veil, the shoulder-length veil, the blusher veil, the elbow veil, the fingertip veil, the knee-length veil, the waltz veil, the floor-length veil, the chapel veil and the cathedral veil.
When choosing a wedding veil, it's important to consider your budget, your hairstyle and the style of your wedding dress. Your veil should complement your overall look and achieve balance.
