Wedding Veil Style Guide

A Bridal Veil is so visible as you walk down the aisle that it's important to get a pretty one that complements your dress. The choices are seemingly endless; a subtle sparkle to catch the light, plain or spotted lace, scattered with pearls or crystals; 1-, 2- or 3-tier; long, medium or short; and a whole spectrum of different edging. Added to these choices, veiling is available in different weights from standard nylon net to soft silk. Confused? Don't worry, we are here to help and with our choice of veils by Richard Designs we can work through literally hundreds of veil designs and together find the perfect one for you.

Why wear a Veil?

A veil is the ultimate wedding accessory that creates that stunning once-in-a-lifetime look. It softens your outline and gives a truly wonderful halo effect as you enter the room. If you feel that a large veil is too heavy for the look you are trying to accomplish then there are other options. Try face veils, shorter length veils or headdresses that incorporate some veiling.

Veils have been worn for many years through history and are an integral part of a complete bridal outfit. It is traditional for the blusher to be worn over the face on the way to the church – sometimes removed when the bride is greeted by her groom at the altar, and sometimes left in place during the ceremony, only to be pulled back prior to signing the register (often done in a separate room away from the congregation). Nowadays there is less formality to wearing a veil; you can pick any style and wear it as you please, but veils are still considered the ultimate wedding accessory. It is fortunate that today there are so many different styles and ways of wearing a veil, so they can be incorporated easily into your look.

Things to remember

A veil can enhance any dress, no matter what the style. For example, if you choose a dress with a decorated back or train, then try a shorter veil or a style with the decoration around the edge, which will frame rather than hide the dress.
Many different edges are available on Richard Designs veils, from plain-stitched edges to elaborate embroidery. Satin ribbon edges have become very popular again this season, giving a classic look to any bride.

• Single-tier veils are becoming more and more fashionable, as they can be placed at the back of the head, often under a bun. This gives you a hassle-free modern bridal look on your day.
• Lace veils are not stiff and heavy; instead they give the appearance of the lace floating over the veil. For a modern look, try lace embellished with Swarovski crystals and crystal pearls.
• Mantilla veils are a fantastic way to wear lace in a modern, simple style. Unlike an ordinary veil there is no gather at the top. Instead the veil floats in a single layer from your hair giving a very sophisticated, elegant look.

If your dress is trimmed with lace, look for a veil with a similar quality trim. A veil with delicate appliqué will complement many styles of lace gown. Touches of lace can be added to your other accessories to give the perfect combination. If you are unsure about which style to go for, but you do not want a plain veil, then a crystal scatter is the perfect alternative. Bonding crystals, pearls, or a mixture of both onto delicate veiling creates a beautiful effect. The closer the scatter is, the more it will stand out, but it is fine enough never to hide your dress.

Choosing a Veil

A tier simply means a layer of veiling. Most veils have two tiers, which means that they have two layers of veiling coming down from the comb which sits in your hair. Usually the top tier is shorter than the bottom tier, and is called the blusher. This can be brought down over your face for the traditional ‘blushing bride’ look. If you want your veil to be a main feature of your outfit then a veil with three or more tiers will make a great statement. Richard Designs has many modern three-tier veils with a blusher that sits as a small face veil, giving a fantastic shape whether worn with or without the blusher pulled over the face.

The most popular veil size is 72 inches. This is the length from the bottom of the blusher to the bottom of the back of the veil, meaning that on a two-tier veil it will hang around 40-45in from the comb. The chart below shows standard sizes of two-tier veils.

Most veils can be made in any length. Remember the size in inches or centimetres includes the blusher or face veil.
The veiling used is exclusive to Richard Designs and is of the finest quality - Ribbons and Pearls has looked carefully at the market and no other manufacturer can compare to it. The veiling has a very soft, delicate feel to it and hangs beautifully from the comb. It is very fine so it will not cover your dress but will float over it.

Styles

• Birdcage - chin length or shorter often in a wide gauge net rather than soft fine gauge veiling
• Single Tier - ideal if being pinned low at the back of the head
• Two Tier - ideal if wanting to wear veil over face as you walk to meet your groom
• Three Tier - ideal when fuller veil is required or when greater detailing is needed
• Mantilla - single Tier, floor length, lace edge Spanish style

Edging

• Uncut
• Stitched with plain or coloured or metallic thread
• Cord
• Wired to create a “lettuce” or ruffled edge
• Ribbon in different width and colour
• Metallic Braid in Gold or Silver
• Lace edge
• Lace appliqué can be stitched or glued on
• Lace can be flat or corded and may have embroidery

Beading

• Can be stitched or glued (Hot Fixed)
• Clear crystals and/or pearls can be scattered in a 5 or 10cm scatter all over the veil or just around the edge.
• Foil backed crystals create a diamante effect
• Some veils have diamante trim around the edges
• If you have pearls or diamanté on the veil and you wear it over the face, they can look like black dots on photographs so opt for a plain blusher (the part of the veil that comes forward over the face) and be sure that the trim matches the dress.

Fixing

Most veils are sewn onto a comb and so are easily placed behind the tiara, but if you are wearing at the back of the head the comb needs to be sewn on differently. As you can see, with so much choice it is quite difficult to choose a veil! The best thing is to follow the guidelines below.

Guidelines

• If the dress is busy choose a simple veil
• If the dress is simple consider an elaborate veil
• Match diamanté with silver beading and pearls with pearl, clear crystals or AB crystals add light and sparkle to any dress.
• Match the beading to the tiara

When you think you have an idea of what you want, come into the Ribbons and Pearls shop and look out our extensive stock. We can advise you further and order a high-quality veil with the right style, length, beading, edging and fixing to go perfectly with your dress.

Ordering times                                                                                

Veils are generally made to order as there are so many variations that one would need a warehouse to stock them in. They are also very fragile and will spoil if hanging in a shop for any length of time. They usually take about a month to make. Old veils can be hand washed and steamed but any glued-on decoration is likely to drop off so be mindful of that. If a whitener is used then the veil can end up “dayglo white” instead of soft ivory, which may make your dress look dingy or yellowed by comparison. So it's really better to get a new one to suit your dress, rather than an old one to try and renovate

Looking after your Veil

• Care  -  Hang to allow creases to fall out naturally (keeping away from pets or small children!)
• Wearing  -  Lift and separate the layers at the comb to give the most delicate look and drape. If your veil is long you can drape the longest tier gracefully over your arm as you walk to your wedding car. This will also prevent others from stepping on it!
• Storing  -  Fold very lightly and pack with acid free tissues. Never wash or dry clean; any marks can be gently sponged off with a warm, mild detergent solution.

Go to Veils Catalogue