ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SHOPPING FOR A VEIL...

I make custom wedding veils that are simple…sheer…elegant. Each made with one layer of Bridal Illusion fabric (100% nylon and soft to the touch), 54” wide and attached onto a 3” metal comb. Veil length and optional blushers are customized to fit your body height and enhance your gown’s cut and embellishment.

Choosing a veil sounds easy, but there are so many things to consider – length, width, what’s best for your type of gown, to wear a blusher or not, where does the veil look best on my head, and more. Below is some information to help you choose the right veil for your wedding day.

Hope you find this helpful!
Bonnie

THE BASE OPTIONS
We offer two options of veil attachment:
Wire Comb: Ideal when placing the veil at the top of the head. Also suitable when worn at the back of the head below an updo.
Elastic Loops: Perfect to place around any bun shaped updo as the elastic will allow your hairstylist to conform the veil to the shape of the updo.

The different options of wire comb and elastic loops are best consulted with your hair hairstylist. Depending on the type of hair style chosen they will almost always have a preference to the type of base being used.

Is there a big difference between a plastic comb and a wire comb?
Most definitely! Ask most hairstylists and they will tell you there is a huge difference between the two! The wire comb will always anchor into the hair more securely and with less bulk. It can also be removed more easily without messing up your hairdo. It can also be anchored into place with additional bobby pins, something impossible to do with a thick and slippery plastic comb.

THE BLUSHER
Many brides are now choosing not to wear a blusher as they take their big stroll down the aisle. That's o.k. so long as you aren't having a formal church wedding that frowns upon exposed shoulders. If this is the case then a blusher is subtle compromise that will at least cover your shoulders on the way down the aisle, if not on the way back up. The blusher length is determined by the length of the bottom veil layer.

Brides are encouraged to have their photographer take at least one close-up of them with the blusher pulled forward. It makes for a beautifully romantic portrait...

CEREMONY ONLY?
Do I have to wear a veil at my reception is one of the most often asked questions I hear. You don't have to do anything, but keep in mind that your photographer will be taking pictures throughout your reception: the toast, the first dance, the bouquet toss, so you may want to keep your veil on at least through the cake cutting.

Many photographers over the years have told me they prefer the veil left on during the reception as it gives the finished wedding album a nice flow and continuity if you look the same from the first to final page. Otherwise you may go from looking like the "Bride" at your ceremony to looking like "the girl in the white dress" at your reception.

Another point in favor of keeping the veil on is that if your hair is pinned up the veil softly frames your face and looks beautiful in pictures. A well cut veil is very photogenic!

COLOR
White is a beautiful bright white only worn with white colored gowns.

Diamond White is the most popular shade of veils. A bit warmer then white but not as yellow as ivory. It is the color of white silk. Also known by the names candle lit white, natural and silk white. I often have brides with ivory gowns order diamond white as it is a more complementary color with most complexions, and close enough to ivory that it doesn't clash with an ivory gown.

Ivory is a true ivory. It has a more yellow color to it.

EDGED VEILS
To edge or not to edge that is the question: It is personal preference but I prefer the plain cut edge veil to those with edge treatments. Simply Sheer Veils are meant to be as light and ethereal in appearance as possible. The moment an edge is added it loses this quality as the shape is now defined by the lines the edging creates.

The gowns most appropriate to wear an edged veil with are those with no embellishments. That's right. No beads, embroidery or lace. The edging then becomes the embellishment to the gown, instead of competing with the lace, embroidery or beading already on the gown. Pencil and 1/8” ribbon edging are the most popular.

Length
ow long should it be? The most popular veils are the waist and mid-hip lengths. In most instances longer is more formal then shorter. The veil should fall a minimum of 3” below the back neckline of your gown. You will appear taller and it looks more stylish if there is no break showing exposed skin between the veil and the top of the gown. Illustrated below.

Embellishments on the back of your gown? The veil will complement your gown best if it falls 3” above or below any detail work on the back of your gown such as silk flowers or a bow at the waist or the bottom of where a corseted back or a bodice embellished with lace or embroidery ends. Illustrated below.

Floor length veils look best when they are either the same length as the train of the gown, or a minimum of 20” beyond the hem or train of the gown.

Length Chart: Please keep in mind that the names of these lengths are approximations and will vary depending on the height of each individual bride. It is the length of your torso, for instance being long or short waisted, which will effect where the veil falls to. Keep in mind that it is the back of your gown that determines the best length to complement your gown.

Finding the Right Length for YOU: Take a measuring tape (or ribbon/string) and hold the top end where you plan to place the veil on your head. Then allow it to fall straight down your back. With your other hand, pinch a hold of the tape where you want the veil to end – that is the inch length you want. Take the tape/ribbon/string and without pulling it taught - measure out on a ruler.

PLACEMENT
Hair Up: If you are wearing your hair in an updo the veil or headpiece will be most secure if you anchor it on a wire comb directly in front of the updo or low back bun. Illustrated below.

Hair Up: When placing the veil beneath an updo on the back of the head either a small comb or elastic loops are preferable to a regular comb.

The small comb tucks into the hair nicely and can be anchored with one or two bobby pins.
The elastic loops are pinned into place conforming to the exact shape of the hairstyle.
As seen in the third illustration, the length of a standard comb does not conform to the shape of the headpiece, which leaves an awkward looking gap between the two.

Hair Down: When wearing a veil at the top of the head the comb needs something to anchor into. If you are fortunate enough to be working with a professional hairstylist they will know what needs to be done.

If you are on your own, here is a suggestion: Create 2 flat pin curls twisting your own hair into place. From the front slip the comb beneath them as illustrated below.

VEIL CARE
When you receive your veil, let it hang. By leaving your veil hanging, rather than folded up in a box or cupboard, most creases will just fall out on their own. If there are creases, please do not attempt to iron your veil! For easy crease removal, place your veil in the bathroom while having a shower as the steam from the shower will help the creases fall out.

Remember that veils and accessories are just that. They are meant to accent your bridal gown, not overpower it. A clean refined look will always be elegant. Too many details will look overdone.