Many brides make the mistake of assuming that choosing the veil is an easy task, and that almost anything goes. When they actually get down to choosing one however they realise that it isn’t as simple as they think.
Just like your wedding gown, shoes and jewellery, your veil is an equally important accessory. It can create an impact and make a difference in your appearance. Donning the right veil will highlight your gown and make you look absolutely ravishing. On the other hand, choose an inappropriate veil which doesn’t compliment your gown, and you may spoil the desired look of your carefully chosen dress.
Do you know that the veil is actually a reflection of the bride’s personality? A cheery fun-loving bride may go for elaborate flashy rhinestones on her veil. On the other hand, a grand and long cathedral veil gives the impression of a graceful demure bride.
Depending on your personality, the style of gown you choose and the formality of your wedding, these are some veils you can consider.
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Blusher
The blusher is a popular veil among brides. During the ceremony, it is the part of the veil that the groom lifts and throws back before he kisses the bride. Blushers are flexible veils which are suitable for informal and formal weddings. They can also be combined with veils of other lengths.
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Chapel
A chapel is a cascading veil measuring about 2.3 metres in length, and brushers the floor as the bride walks. When worn with a long-sleeved full-length gown, the veil compliments the gown to give an air of grandeur and elegance. Usually combined with other shorter layers, this veil can be used for semi-formal or formal weddings.
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Elbow
If you gown features intricate beadwork and details at the waist, then this veil is the one for you. The elbow veil ends just above and below the bride’s elbow and is generally worn together with a gown without a train. This veil also works well with a blusher and can be worn during formal and semi-formal weddings.
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Fingertip
All along, the fingertip veil has always been a popular choice among brides. It falls gently across the shoulders to the fingertips and ends just below the middle knuckle of the middle finger. Particularly beautiful when worn with an elbow length blusher, this veil is a crowd-pleaser as it is suitable for all types of weddings at any time of the day.
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Flyaway
Featuring multiple layers that brush the shoulders, the flyaway veil is generally worn during a more informal wedding. It usually complements an informal gown or a gown that highlights a smooth low-back cutting.
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Cathedral
Times have changed. The cathedral veil which used to be worn only during evening weddings is now acceptable during daytime weddings too. Measuring about 3.2 meters in length, the cathedral veil sweeps gracefully along the floor. It looks best when worn with a cathedral-length gown.
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Double Tier
The double tier veil consists of two pieces of fabric cut into different lengths. Examples are the elbow and fingertip length veils, or the fingertip and cathedral length veils. Depending on the look the bride desires, she can also choose the single tier or triple tier veil, which are variations of the double tier veil.