BRIDAL GUIDE: WEDDING VEILS
From bold to delicate, glam to demure, there is a veil for every bride just waiting to be discovered. Find yours here.
Once upon a time… veils symbolized modesty and obedience. They ranged from long and flowing to short and sweet to creams and pastels. While your wedding dress is undeniably the most important piece of your wedding day look, it’s the veil that brings your whole ensemble together.
Typically thought of as a pinnacle of tradition, the wedding veil has undergone such an evolution that to wear one today feels more rebellious than ever. Even the most unconventional brides can make this headpiece stand out and feel special.
Because, in the end, the best wedding accessory is always the one that best fits the bride. From short to medium to long, discover the perfect veil for your big day from this carefully curated collection.
SHORT WEDDING VEILS
BLUSHER
The blusher veil is just the top layer of a two-tier wedding veil. Blushers, which can be attached to wedding veils of any length including medium and long veil styles, tend to fall between the shoulders and elbows but can sometimes be longer.
FRENCH LACE BLUSHER VEIL AT TWIGS & HONEY FOR $625
PEARL VEIL BLUSHER AT TESSA KIM FOR $190
BIRDCAGE
Reminiscent of styles worn in the 1940s and 1950s, the birdcage veil is a short raw-edged netting or tulle that drapes the face slightly off-center on the side of the head. Its super short length gives it a distinctively retro effect and leaves the lower half of your face uncovered. Birdcage veils are sometimes attached to a headband or pillbox hat, adding even more demure charm.
DORIS HEADBAND WITH NET VEIL AT JENNIFER BEHR FOR $350
DIAMOND BRIDAL VEIL AT SHERIDAN TJHUNG FOR $2,800
FLYAWAY
A simple veil that barely brushes the shoulders, the flyaway veil is considered less formal than other styles. It's often made with tulle, giving it a stiff shape, and can be single- or multi-layered. If you're wearing a wedding dress with a heavily embellished back or neckline, this shoulder-length style is the perfect hair accessory that won't distract from your gown.
DAPHNE NEWMAN POLKA DOT FLYAWAY VEIL AT AFTER-WHITE FOR $295
TWIG & HONEY BAMBI VEIL AT ANTHROPOLOGY FOR $268
MEDIUM WEDDING VEILS
ELBOW
This type of veil extends from the crown of your head down to your elbows. Its shorter length makes it a great option for showcasing the skirt or train of your wedding dress while covering your shoulders and back. Elbow-length veils are also a good compromise if you like the look of a veil but don't want to risk snagging it or feeling restricted with your movements.
MATISSE ELBOW LENGTH VEIL AT TANIA MARAS FOR $495
REVELLE ELBOW VEIL AT UNTAMED PETAL FOR $254
FINGERTIP
A perennial favorite, it touches (you guessed it!) your fingertips and is smashing with just about every kind of dress. This wedding veil style extends to the fingertips when your arms are resting by your sides. It's a particularly popular pick for ball gowns and A-line dress silhouettes that get wider at the bottom.
E.B. ELLIE ROSEIA PEARL FINGERTIP VEIL AT ANTHROPOLOGY FOR $298
AMELIANA FINGERTIP VEIL WITH SCATTERED LACE EDGE AT BRIDE & HAIRPINS FOR $225
BALLERINA
Landing anywhere from knee to ankle, the mantle is long enough to add drama, but not so much that you'll trip on it while dancing. Also called a waltz veil, this medium-length veil is the longest option before you enter floor-length veil territory. It falls somewhere between the knees and ankles.
DIANA BALLET VEIL AT DAVIDS BRIDAL FOR $88
NESTINA HAND PAINTED BABY’S BREATH VEIL AT ANTHROPOLOGY FOR $395
LONG WEDDING VEILS
CHAPEL
The chapel veil is a semi-formal veil style that reaches to the floor and extends just an inch or two behind your gown. It's often worn in combination with a chapel wedding dress train that is roughly the same length. If you want to add oomph without resorting to a longer veil, look for a chapel length veil that has a blusher or embellishments, such as beading, sequins or lace.
SKY MIST CHAPEL VEIL AT ANTHROPOLOGY FOR $245
AMORA BRIDAL VEIL WITH BLUSHER AT TANIA MARAS FOR $345
CATHEDRAL
The mother of all wedding veil styles; the cathedral veil is also one of the most formal lengths. This bridal veil extends roughly two feet onto the floor behind your wedding dress, which creates a stunning effect as you walk and pose for portraits.
An angled 10-foot-long waterfall veil, which cascades in tiers, continues the liquid theme of a hand-beaded dress without competing for the limelight. The gown's glass droplets are placed in delicate rivulets that swirl as you walk, visible through the transparent tulle wave spilling over it. With a length of nine to 25 feet, this is the stuff of fairy tales, especially when paired with an equally grand gown.
LONG FLORAL VEIL AT ANTHROPOLOGY FOR $598
DVO2 CATHEDRAL LENGTH VEIL AT ALLURE BRIDES
ROYAL
Typically reserved for monarchs and the grandest of weddings, the royal veil pools onto the floor for several (or dozens of) feet behind your dress.
LACE TRIMMED ROYAL VEIL AT MALINA FOR $$320
EMBROIDERED FLORAL VEIL AT ETSY FOR $228
OTHER VEILS
JULIET
Tulle veil is fitted to the curve of your head and fastened on both sides above the ears. Juliet veils were extremely popular in the 1910s and 1920s, so you might recognize them for their Art Nouveau and Art Deco-inspired look. The cap part of the veil is typically embellished with ornate beading or appliqués.
EMMA PEARL DROP BALLET LENGTH VEIL AT EDEN LUXE BRIDAL FOR $348
CALLIE BALLERINA VEIL AT MADMOSIELLE FOR $119
MANTILLA
The mantilla veil is a large, circular piece of tulle that is fastened just a few inches from the hairline on the top of the head, versus at the crown where most other veils are typically worn. This Spanish-style wedding veil is finished with scalloped lace trim and reaches the floor.
MANON LACE SILK JULIET CAP AT ERICA ELIZABETH DESIGNS FOR $825
SOLSTICE VEIL AT GRACE LOVES LACE FOR $445
LACE MANTILLA
With its classic scalloped edging and chaste shoulder coverage, a mantilla veil, which originated in Spain, gives any wedding look a decidedly Old World feel.
They're often pinned at the hairline with a comb to frame the face, but we placed ours below the crown to strike an airier note while still providing a modest screen for a revealing bodice cut entirely from Chantilly lace. A circle of tulle and lace, it is a regal, old-world option that's usually worn draped over the head, framing the face.
LACE MANTILLA VEIL AT TWIGS & HONEY FOR $175
CARMEN LACE VEIL AT THE MANTILLA COMPANY FOR $300
DROP
Like the mantilla veil in its circular design, but instead of being fastened near the hairline, it fully covers the face and upper body. Unlike two-tier veils, there's no rouching or volume to this style, which creates a sleek and timeless look.
MIRAGESHEER DROP VEIL AT NOON ON THE MOON FOR $315
PINK OMBRÉ DROP VEIL AT VEILED BEAUTY FOR $165
VEIL ALTERNATIVES
CONTESSA TULLE WINGS WITH FLORAL DETAIL AT HUSHED COMMOTION FOR $550
MONROE BRIDAL COWBOY HAT WITH BIRDCAGE VEIL AT ANTHROPOLOGY FOR $388
