Ribbons and Pearls is following its theme of unique high-quality products with a large variety of different wedding Veils in stock by Richard Designs, individually hand made in Ely, Cambridgeshire.  Richard Designs uses the highest-quality British-made fabric whenever possible, and crystals by Swarovski. We have looked at veils by other manufacturers but they simply do not compare. The veil is so visible as you walk down the aisle that it's important to get a pretty one that complements The Dress, perhaps with a subtle sparkle to catch the light.

Below you will see a small variety of different veils to suit your preference and match perfectly with your dress: plain or spotted lace, scattered with pearls or crystals; 1-, 2- or 3-tier; long, medium or short; and a whole variety of different edging. These bridal veils are available in different weights from standard veiling to soft silk. Don't forget to click on the picture to see close-up details! For full details and to understand all the variations it will be useful for you to read Bride Talk 12 - Wedding Veil Style Guide. Richard Designs has literally hundreds of veil designs, and you can order any of them through Ribbons and Pearls.

Once you have seen a veil that you like, the best thing to do is to call us and talk about the length you want and any decorative variations; we can then tell you the price. Take a look at our bespoke tiaras too - you'll never see another the same.

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 your 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 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.