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Step 1
Learn The Basics:
Tulle is the classic veil material, although lace, silk, and satin are also options. Veils can be embellished with embroidery, pearls, or sparkly stones. Lengths run the gamut from short blushers to elaborate cathedral-length jaw droppers. -
Step 2
Determine Your Overall Bridal Style:
1) Hair Apparent: To showcase your hairstyle, choose a veil that fastens underneath your 'do or one you'll remove for the reception. Otherwise, you can opt for a veil that you'll wear throughout the event. In this case, your hair will simply support the veil.
2) What's Your Function: How long you plan on wearing your veil can dictate how long it should be. Wearing it for the ceremony only? Go ahead and get one that rivals Princess Di's. But if you want to wear your veil until the party's over, you'll need a more functional approach - either a shorter veil or a multi-layered one with a top layer that can be worn on it's own during the reception. You can also ask your seamstress to create a bustle for a longer veil (that's right, your train and your veil can be bustled!).
3) Picture Perfect: If you plan to remove your veil immediately after the ceremony, keep in mind that it won't appear in post-ceremony or first dance pictures. To ensure this classic accessory is adequately documented, many brides wait to remove the veil after the first dance.
4) Jazzing it Up: Your veil should not compete with your dress, so if you're donning an elaborately embellished gown, keep your veil clean and simple. Also, any ornamentation on your veil should start below where your dress embellishments end.
5) A Question of Formality: Your veil - like your gown - should remain consistent with the formality of your wedding. In other words, lose the cathedral-length veil if yours is a simple beachside ceremony.
6) Matchy-Matchy: When it comes to color and embellishments, veils should complement wedding dresses - not mimic them. Don't obsess about finding a perfect match. -
Step 3
Consider Your Budget:
Just like anything else, veil prices vary. According to The Bridal Association of America, the average cost of a bride's veil is $274. Here's what you can get for your budget:
* At the low end - for between $20 and $50 - expect to buy a short, one-layer veil made from tulle or netting.
* In the mid-range - for $150 to $250 - you can buy a tulle fingertip-length veil that includes some detailing, such as ribbon or pearl trim.
* At the high end - for $300 to $500 or more - you can get a long veil with several layers and ornate lace or beaded details, possibly in higher-quality silk tulle. -
Step 4
Brush up on Wedding Veil Styles:
From blushers, to sweeps, to cathedrals, there are a ton of wedding veil styles and lengths, and each has a specific set of style points and tips. A good place to brush up on your veil lingo is the wedding veils guide at Elegala.com. After that - it's decision making time!
