Deciding what veil to wear is a major moment in creating your overall wedding day look. A veil is a romantic addition to any wedding dress. It's usually a piece of tulle fabric that complements the dress, but it does not have to be. Whether your style skews ball gown or tea-length, it adds the perfect finishing touch. But how are you supposed to know which one is right for you and your wedding day outfit? Well, we gathered some tips in order for you to choose the perfect veil to top off your look.
Veil Length
To find the ideal veil to match your wedding style, first consider length. You should find a style that complements your overall silhouette—you don't want your veil to interrupt the flow of your look. Longer veils feel more dramatic and elegant while shorter veils are fresh and fun. Lengths can range from a birdcage veil (4-9 inches) to a cathedral veil (108-120 inches). Here are the 4 most popular veil lengths.
Fingertip Veil
Fingertip length veils are most commonly 45” in length. A fingertip veil falls beyond the bride's hips and is a popular choice because it allows any design on the back of a bride's gown to be seen through the sheer fabric. Fingertip length is one of the most popular lengths.
Chapel Veil
Chapel is typically 90” in length. A chapel length veil is often reserved for dresses with no train or a shorter train as it extends just slightly after the dress.
Extended Chapel
Extended Chapel length is really anything within the 95-110” range. This veil is a great in-between if you want something that is a bit longer, but not as dramatically long as a cathedral veil.
Cathedral Veil
A cathedral veil is the one bringing all the drama with all 120”! This veil extends well past the train.
Tip
If your veil is cathedral-style, you might want to take it off after the ceremony and after pictures are done so that people aren't stepping on it during the cocktail hour or reception. If you have a shorter style, then your chances of someone tearing it is much lower.
Hairstyle
This comes down to what kind of veil you choose. Some are made for up-dos, others lay perfectly flat if you choose to wear your hair down, and some are great for a half-up, half-down style. There's a veil for every and any hairstyle.
Choose a Complementary Color
Aim to match the color of the veil to your wedding gown as closely as you can. Typically, veils are a shade of light ivory or off-white. Keep in mind that as long as the colors are close enough don't worry if they're not a 100% match.
Find the Perfect Fabric
Tulle is the light weight fabric most veils are made of. There are a lot of types of tulle but most often your veil will be Classic tulle or Ballet tulle. In most cases, tulle is the most budget-friendly option, and it offers a few benefits over pricier fabrics. Synthetic materials like tulle tend to keep their shape better and have a lighter, more ethereal look than silk and satin, which are more likely to appear heavy and hang straight.