CSB Assistant Manager, Liz (and #CSBbride), photo by Joy Shots Photography

As bridal consultants, we are often asked, “Should I wear a veil?” As always, we tell our brides to do whatever they want, not what they think they should do. There are no “shoulds” in the wedding world, well, at least we think so, and we will always cheer on what you want! This week, we wanted to give you a guide to all things veils- the origin and history of them, names of the different lengths, and what looks good with what!

Let’s cover the history of veils. Veils originated in an effort to protect the bride and hide her from evil spirits that threatened happiness on her day and a happy marriage. Most historians believe this tradition dates back to the early days of Rome, but Queen Victoria (who also set the trend of having a white wedding dress) made them a modern-day look! Now, the tradition of a veil is more seen as a rite of passage and more of an “It’s my big day, I want to feel like a bride!” kind of mentality. We always say that your wedding day is the one day in your life to wear one, so go for it!

Next up, let’s talk about veil lengths! Veils come in a variety of sizes to help you pick the perfect complement for your gown and your vibe! From birdcages to cathedral veils, there’s a lot to choose from! Below are the most common lengths:

Birdcage: 4-10”

Elbow: 32”

Fingertip: 38-40”

Waltz: 60”

Floor: 72”

Chapel: 90”

Cathedral: 108-120”

Photo from ahelpfulguidetotheperfectwedding.wordpress.com

Going for a wedding day that is fun and flirty? Go for a birdcage or elbow-length veil! Want drama? Well then, we definitely suggest a cathedral-length veil. But again, there is no right or wrong way to do veils!

Many brides who are saying yes to a veil often will ask us, “What will look best with the dress I love?” Often, we recommend that if a bride’s gown is more simple, making a bold style for veils can be so so stunning! Think of a simple, crepe sheath gown paired with a pearl veil. If a bride is saying yes to an ornate lace-patterned gown, we usually suggest either having a veil that has edging that matches the lace pattern, or going super simple with a veil so it doesn’t take away from the gown’s detail. If your gown has an open back, we suggest not doing multiple layers for a veil, just keeping it simple so it still remains sheer. (Avoid doing a blusher with this open-back design so you can showcase the open-back that made you say yes to the dress!)

As consultants, the biggest piece of advice we can give is “find something you love and something that doesn’t distract from your gown!”

Also, we just got a new shipment of veils in all different lengths! Feel free to stop by any time during our normal business hours to shop them, or try some different styles in your bridal appointment.