Wedding Veil Styles and When to Use Them
Here at Chapel in the Hollow, we LOVE a gorgeous veil! It’s fun to see how it flows down the chapel stairs or how it blows in the wind. Veils can be an amazing accent for your perfect day! As the finishing touch to a bride’s ensemble, wedding veils possess a magical ability to transform a look into one of timeless elegance. With a plethora of styles available, each with its unique charm, choosing the perfect veil can be an exciting yet daunting task. We are going to take you on a journey through the enchanting world of wedding veils, exploring the various styles that will add that extra touch of grace and beauty to your special day.
Single Tier Veils –The Epitome of Classic Beauty
When envisioning a traditional veil, the single tier style comes to mind. Flowing from its attachment point, (usually a comb) down the back, this veil boasts simplicity and grace. With no blusher or veil section in front of the face, it beautifully showcases the bride’s features. Whether you prefer a full gather or a minimalist “barely there” style, single tier veils embody the essence of timeless beauty. These are the ones that are easiest to play with if you want to do floating veil photos. We recommend tulle only (no extra decor at the bottom) so that it can float lightly to give extra time for the photographer to capture all of the beauty.
Single Tier Blusher Veil – The Shortest of Them All
This delicate layer gently brushes the bride’s face, often covering it entirely during the processional. Historically, this veil was lifted by the groom at the moment of the first kiss, symbolizing the unveiling of the bride. The blusher veil adds an air of mystery and anticipation, bringing an extra touch of romance to the ceremony. We don’t often see this veil used in modern weddings, but it is lovely.
Two Tier Veil – Layers of Romance
For those seeking a touch of romantic allure, two tier veils are the perfect choice. These veils include a “blusher” that can be pulled forward over the face, creating a moment of anticipation during the ceremony. After the first kiss or the exchange of vows, the blusher is gracefully swept back to form a second layer at the back of the veil. The cascading layers of fabric exude elegance and add depth to the bridal ensemble.
The longer layer can be in varying lengths. The gorgeous veil below is a chapel-length. This majestic veil extends beyond the bride’s gown, typically reaching the floor or cascading a few inches behind her. The chapel-length veil is often chosen for formal or traditional weddings, where the bride dreams of making a grand entrance. The trailing fabric adds an air of regality, creating a stunning visual impact as she glides down the aisle. This particular veil also has a horsehair edge at the bottom giving it more movement on the ground.
Barely There Veils – Embracing Delicate Simplicity
If your goal is to showcase the exquisite details on the back of your dress, consider a barely there veil. Rather than focusing on the fabric, these veils prioritize the cut, featuring minimal gathering. By allowing the intricate beauty of your gown to shine through, these veils add a subtle touch of enchantment without overpowering the overall look.
Waterfall Veils – A Harmonious Blend of Styles
For brides who desire the best of both worlds, waterfall veils offer a captivating compromise. Combining elements of single tier and two tier veils, these ethereal creations feature a stunning waterfall effect at the top, gracefully cascading while maintaining sheer transparency. This style ensures that every exquisite detail of your gown is visible, while still retaining the romantic appeal of multi-layered veils.
Cape Veil
Cape veils have emerged as a captivating alternative to traditional veils, allowing brides to make a statement on their wedding day. With their graceful draping, versatile lengths, and enchanting embellishments, cape veils exude an air of elegance and charm. Whether you’re a bride seeking a contemporary twist or a vintage-inspired look, the cape veil is a bridal accessory that promises to transform you into a radiant and unforgettable bride.
A cape veil is usually attached to the dress and adds an extra detail. This is usually made from softer tulle or silk. As mentioned before, a softer tulle floats better too.
Semi Lace Chapel-Length
For those seeking a veil with grandeur and drama, the chapel-length semi lace veil is a breathtaking option. The lace does not cover all edges of the veil which is perfect for the train of this dress! The veil did not hide the details of the train and the soft tulle was no hassle to position for pictures. The veil can catch the leaves from the ground when walking down the aisle, but a coordinator or photographer’s assistant can shake them out before taking pictures.
Cathedral Veil
Reserved for the most extravagant and grand affairs, the cathedral-length veil is the epitome of bridal opulence. This awe-inspiring veil sweeps the floor, extending several feet behind the bride, creating a captivating train-like effect. The cathedral-length veil pairs beautifully with ball gowns and dresses with extensive trains, transforming any bride into a vision of timeless elegance. It is a choice that exudes drama and creates a lasting impression. A cathedral veil makes for a classic and dramatic look.
This single tier cathedral veil was SUPER long, but perfect for an artfully disarray look!
This cathedral veil was super soft and perfect for a snowy/sleeting/rainy wedding! Since the veil had no lace, the wind was able to pick it up for some epic portraits in the field. This veil flowed perfectly. We love to play with a gorgeous veil!
Mantilla Veil – A Touch of Spanish Sophistication
Drawing inspiration from Spanish tradition, mantilla veils exude a refined and sophisticated charm. These single tier veils, devoid of gathering, are adorned with a comb at the top, allowing them to rest gracefully atop the head. Their timeless allure is often enhanced by delicate lace details, making them a perfect choice for brides seeking a touch of Old-World romance.
This lovely Mantilla Veil, is fingertip length and was just perfect! The comb was pinned under her updo, and was a bit heavy. We still got some lovely fluttering veil pictures!
Wedding veils possess an extraordinary ability to transform a bride’s appearance, elevating her beauty and radiance on her special day. With an array of styles to choose from, including single tier, two tier, barely there, waterfall, drop, mantilla, Juliet, drape, cape, bandeau, and birdcage veils, there is a perfect veil for every bride’s unique vision and personality. Allow the veil to be your crowning glory as you walk down the aisle, enchanting everyone with your elegance and grace. We hope you enjoyed our breakdown of wedding veil styles and how to use them.
Here’s an extra…. a behind the lens pic of Beth fluttering a veil and trying to keep the bride and groom warm on a sleet and snowing day!
We hope you found the information about wedding veil styles and how to use them helpful in choosing your own wedding veil! If you’d like to join us to get some epic veil images, check out our calendar to see if we have your date available.
Photography by: Star Noir Photography
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