Wedding Veils

Wedding veils are the quintessential bridal accessory, and when you start shopping for one, you may be surprised by how many options there are. There are so many wedding veil styles, from stunning cathedral-length veils to fun and flirty birdcages to demure bandeau veils. You’ll shop wedding dresses before shopping wedding veils because your veil needs to complement your overall look, but it’s a good idea to start browsing veils early on in your wedding planning journey so that you have plenty of time to decide what look you want.

There are so many wedding veil styles beyond the classic unadorned or lace-edged fingertip-length veil. If you’re creating a glam look, try a vintage-style birdcage veil topped with feathers or flowers. You can give a classic veil silhouette an updated look by choosing one with dainty Swiss dots. A halo veil is a romantic choice and one that lets you wear both a circlet and delicate cascade of tulle. Any veil can be embellished with organza flowers, pearls or beads, and embroidered appliques to match your gown or your wedding jewelry.

Your veil should harmonize with your wedding dress first and foremost, and your goal should be to achieve balance. Bold bubble wedding veils are statement pieces and should be paired with simpler gowns while trailing cathedral wedding veils can hold their own next to the most billowy ballgown. That said, if you want to wear an embellished veil, it also needs to complement your earrings, necklace, and anything you're wearing in your hair.

What Is the Significance of a Wedding Veil

The history of the wedding veil involves many cultures and traditions, but it’s generally accepted that the significance of wedding veils can be traced back to ancient Rome. At Roman weddings, a bride would arrive at her wedding with a veil over her face to shield herself from spirits who might try to interfere with her happiness. Since then, veils have been a part of weddings in many cultural traditions, and there are many beautiful designer options available.

Wedding Veil Dos and Don’ts

Choose a veil you’re comfortable wearing. Make sure it can be pinned securely in your wedding hairstyle. There’s no one right answer to the question ‘how much should a veil cost’. Most brides spend about $250 on their wedding accessories, including the veil, but how much you spend should depend on your budget. Choose your veil based on the vibe you’re trying to create. Short veils are flirty and fun, while longer veils are dramatic and regal. Don’t just buy the first veil you try on unless you absolutely love it. Your wedding day may be the only time in your life that you wear this particular accessory, so it makes sense to spend some time picking the perfect one.

At The Knot, you can browse different styles, materials, and lengths of wedding veils so that you can narrow down the type of veil you plan to wear and create a beautiful wedding day look.