Wedding Veils

Wedding veils add traditional elegance and even a little bit of mystery to your wedding day look. We think the perfect wedding veil will complement your gown, reflect your personal style, and perfectly complete your outfit. With so many different styles and lengths of wedding veils to choose from, finding the perfect veil can feel overwhelming. To help you understand all the lengths, styles, and options for bridal veils we've put together this guide to the most popular choices, from cathedral veils to birdcage veils, and everything in between.

Commissionable affiliate links are used in the shopping sources and product ideas in this wedding veil post and shopping guide. 

Image credits and shopping sources: 1. Ariana Birdcage Veils Untamed Petals  2. Theia Cascade Veil from Anthropologie 3. Scattered Pearl Veil from Dareth Coburn Designs on Etsy 4. Veiled Beauty on Etsy

Our Favorite Wedding Veils

When it comes to creating your bridal look, one of the most iconic and defining accessories is the wedding veil. The right wedding veil instantly makes the whole look come together.  As soon as they see themselves in the dress with the veil, many brides feel like their vision of how they will look on their wedding day comes together and becomes clear. While it's fun to try on a veil with your dress, it's another wedding accessory that takes a little bit of time and consideration to decide on.  Below are our favorite veils at the moment hand-picked by our editors. Read on if you'd like to learn more about the different types and lengths of wedding veils available to you.

Different Styles of Wedding Veils

As you may know, there are various styles and names for each of the lengths of wedding veils. Each style offers its own unique touch to your bridal look. Whether you're a minimalist and modern bride seeking a chic simple birdveil or a traditional bride aiming for the dramatic effect a veil can bring, there’s a veil to suit every bride's personal style. Here are the typical veil styles you'll encounter, along with some details about what to expect.

Cathedral Veils

A cathedral wedding veil is the longest type of veil and is a popular choice for traditional weddings. Cathedral veils are around 108 to 120 inches. Cathedral-length veils are perfect for formal wedding ceremonies, especially those held in large venues like cathedrals or grand ballrooms, which is how they get their names.  These long veils extend beyond the train of the wedding gown, creating a floor-length train that adds grandeur and drama to your wedding look - you can just imagine how it will sweep up the aisle.  This veil style pairs beautifully with long gowns and ball gowns making and will be a statement accessory for your special day. It looks fantastic in pictures, but it also adds a lot of weight and yards of fabric to manage, so be prepared for that element.

See more Cathedral Wedding Veils

Chapel Veils

The chapel veil is slightly shorter than the cathedral veil, coming in at around 90 inches, but it is still another long veil option. The chapel length typically extends to the floor or just a few inches beyond the train of the dress making a nice short sweeping effect behind the gown.

Floor Length Veil

This style of veil is usually over 70 inches and just grazes the floor when you walk, but without the sweeping action of a train. This is a great style if you want a full veil, but don't want a train to have to manage a train along the floor. This style can look great with a fitted mermaid or column wedding dress since it will end right by the hemline of the dress.

Waltz or Ballet Veils

The waltz veil also known as a ballet veil, falls somewhere between the knee and the ankle, usually between 48 to 60 inches in length. This veil length offers a longer style without the floor-length effect or the train of a cathedral or chapel veil. As the name suggests, this is a veil you can dance in without worrying about your hemline or feet getting caught in the veil. This style is a good choice for anyone who wants a veil that adds movement while still retaining a bit of length.

Fingertip Veil

A  fingertip veil is about  35-40 inches long. As the name suggests, it's about as long as your fingertips when you're standing hands down by your hips, or to about your mid-thigh, and above the knee.  This easy-to-manage veil is one of the most popular wedding veil styles because it's long enough to give that traditional look but short enough to walk with and manage to keep things practical. Fingertip-length veils are great options for those who want a classic look or want a veil that will work with a variety of wedding dress styles. We think a fingertip-length veil offers the perfect balance between traditional style and freedom of movement. 

Elbow-Length Veil

An elbow-length veil is usually between 25 and 30  inches long. If you’re looking for a shorter veil that still offers a traditional feel, the elbow-length veil is a good choice. It's just a tad shorter than the fingertip veil, but longer than a shoulder-grazing flyaway. As the name implies, this veil falls to your elbows, making it a great option for brides who want a bit of coverage without the length of a cathedral or chapel veil. Elbow-length veils come to mid-back and above your waistline. It's a chic length, without the retro style that the shorter veils can call to mind. Just remember that your dress has interesting detail at the back, just be sure this length won't obscure or compete with that element. 

Flyaway or Shoulder Length Veils

For brides who prefer a minimalist approach, the flyaway veil is a short and simple veil that usually consists of a few layers of tulle that barely touch the shoulders. This style is ideal for casual weddings or for brides who want to keep their look light and breezy. It's a great look for an elopement or city hall wedding dress or for a second wedding. It's a fun short and chic style.

Birdcage Veils

The birdcage veil is a chic and stylish option that feels a little bit retro. This short veil is usually just 4 to 10 inches and covers just the face and usually lands just below the jawline.  It was very popular in the 1940s and 1950s, so it gives a little bit of vintage style, but we see plenty with a modern interpretation.  Birdcage veils are often made from wide netting or sheer tulle and can be adorned with embellishments like floral appliqués or feathers. This type of veil is a great option for brides wearing shorter dresses, pants, or suits. It's also a great look for an elopement or a courthouse wedding, or as a veil to wear as a part of a getaway look as you leave the reception for an afterparty.

Blusher Veil

The blusher veil isn't usually a standalone piece, but instead a shorter veil component and option that is usually paired with part of longer veils like a cathedral or chapel veil, but worn forward at first to cover the face, and to provide that traditional look  This idea comes from long-ago traditions where the bride's face was shrouded to protect her. Now, it's just a fun part of the tradition and ceremonial aspect of the wedding. The blusher is typically lifted to reveal the bride’s face, during the ceremony. The timing is up to you, the veil can be lifted either when you reach the altar, after the vows, or before the first kiss. A blusher veil is a great addition to a veil for brides who want to incorporate the classic wedding tradition of lifting the veil moment into their big day.

Lace Edge and Mantilla Veils

A mantilla veil is a Spanish-inspired style that is usually made from lace or tulle with a lace edge. This circular veil is worn draped over the head, with the lace edge framing the bride's face and shoulders. The lace style pairs well with both modern and traditional bridal gowns and is especially stunning when paired with a lace dress.

Cap Veils

Cap or Juliet veils have a distinctive look. These veils are worn over the top of the head like a band or scarf and impart a romantic and renaissance feel to your bridal style.

Drop Veils

As the name suggests, this circular veil style is worn dropped over the top of the head, rather than secured at a single point within the hair. This style creates a blusher of its own.

Embellished Veils

In addition to some of the border and edging details like eyelash lace, rolled, trim, or satin trim edges you'll also encounter lots of veils that have additional embellishment. We're seeing lots of styles embellished with oversized bows as the veil itself. Or, we see embellishments like crystal beads, pearls, ribbon sparkles, glitter, and star patterns, as well as floral prints and embroidered details. 

If your gown is simple and you feel like it needs a bit of oomph, then adding an embellished veil is like adding a bit of jewelry over your whole gown. Alternatively, if your dress has a bit of detail like pearls or crystal beading that you'd like to pick up on, one of the best ways to do that is by repeating that detail in the veil itself.

Colorful Veils

While white and ivory are traditional wedding veil colors, we're seeing lots of colorful wedding veils as well. Floral embroidery, patterned prints, ombre colors, and fully dyed veils are a great unique touch. This look is especially great if you're wearing a colorful wedding dress where a white veil just wouldn't work.  the combination of a black dress and a black veil or a pink wedding dress with a pink veil is striking!

How to Choose the Right Wedding Veil

The wedding veil is more than just a beautiful wedding accessory—wearing a veil steeped in history and tradition. Wedding veils were believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the bride on her special day. Today, while the significance has evolved, the veil remains a symbol of elegance and is often a key element in achieving the perfect bridal look.

When choosing your veil, it's important to know your options. Beyond that, you'll want to consider the style and theme of the wedding, your bridal gown, and how the veil will fit with your own personal style. The length, material, and embellishments on a wedding veil are all choices you can make to ensure that your veil is the perfect match for your big day.

Selecting the right wedding veil involves considering several factors, including your bridal gown, personal style, and the overall theme of your wedding. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect match:

Consider Your Dress

The style and length of your wedding veil should complement your gown. For example, longer veils like cathedral and chapel veils pair well with formal, floor-length gowns, while shorter veils like the birdcage or blusher veil are better suited for modern, shorter dresses.

Consider Your Venue and Season

The time of year and the location of your wedding ceremony can also influence your veil choice. A grand cathedral or ballroom during a winter wedding may call for a more dramatic, long veil or even a cape, while a garden or beach wedding might be better suited for a shorter, more casual veil that won't get taken away in the wind.

Suiting Your Personal Style

Your personal style should shine through on your special day. Whether you’re a classic bride, a modern bride, or somewhere in between, there’s a wedding veil style that will perfectly match your vision. You may intuitively know that you've always thought you'd look good in a little birdcage veil, or that a long veil is for you. Whatever you choose take the opportunity to try on several styles in person in the wedding salon, and don't feel pressured to buy a veil that day - like the dress you can take your time to find the perfect one.  However,  if you plan to buy from Etsy or somewhere else, trying on all the different veil in person with your dress is something to take advantage of if you're shopping in-store.

Take Your Hairstyle into Account

The way you plan to wear your hair on your wedding day will have a huge impact on how your veil sits and flows.

For example, a veil secured at the crown of the head may need a headpiece or crown or strong comb to secure it here, and you'll need the hairstyle to work with that. A veil pinned under a bun or chignon at the nape of the neck offers a subtle placement. You might also want to hold your veil in place with a wedding hair accessory like a headband or comb.

Consult with your wedding hairstylist beforehand to make sure the hairstyle you have in mind will be compatible with your veil, and include your veil in your hair trial to ensure you like the look and that your hairstylist knows how to secure it with your hairstyle.

Don’t Forget the Details

There are so many veils with interesting details, from all-over lace, and lace trim, to satin trim or a raw edge. There are embellishments like faux pearl beading and floral embroidery, there are even colorful veils. Knowing these are options can help you choose a veil with a personal touch, and tie your veil to your dress.

Where to Shop for a Veil

Most bridal boutiques also stock a variety of veils. However, there's usually a small and sometimes expensive designer selection in many boutiques. If you are looking for something very unique, you may wish to search for your veil separately from your dress. If you want something customized and affordable, we highly recommend searching Etsy. 

More Bridal Accessories

Choosing the perfect wedding veil is an important part of creating your look. With so many different styles, lengths, and embellishments to choose from, we hope this guide helped you find the perfect veil that complements your gown and enhances your appearance. Don't forget to check out our picks for other wedding accessories like wedding shoes, wedding clutches as well as more bridal accessories.

Pictured Veil: Lace Wedding Veil by Veiled Beauty on Etsy. Photo by Kurt Boomer.

 

 Originally published on Feb 17, 2017 updated on October 15, 2024