In our last blog we discussed the decision of to have a veil or not have a veil. If you’ve decided a veil is right for you this edition of the blog will give you an overview of the different lengths and edge options available to you from shortest (birdcage) to longest (cathedral)
Typically a shorter veil is appropriate when the back of the dress is very intricate. If the dress is more fitted or doesn’t really have a train, the veil can be longer and serve as train. This is also a good option if you plan to cut loose at the reception since typically the veil is only worn during the ceremony.
Something else to consider is whether you’ll wear the veil at the crown of your head of closer to the nape of your neck. Your hairstyle will dictate this decision so hopefully you’ve thought ahead on how you’ll be wearing your hair on the big day.
A birdcage veil also known as a face veil is one layer and generally only covers the face just below the chin. They can be attached to an embellished comb and easily folded back over an up do hair style.
The next length to consider is shoulder length, this style surprisingly goes just past the actual shoulder to about the middle of the upper arm and may go longer if worn lower.
Elbow length is the next length and this one actually hits right at the elbow or slightly below.
Waist length which is called by some “angel” length is the next level longer. It hits as you might guess at the waist or slightly above your rear end.
If you’re looking for some coverage of your backside, the fingertip length or longer is the way to go.
After fingertip is Knee Length, this veil is long but still won’t drag on the floor. This is the last of the lengths that won’t drag on the ground so it may be a good choice if you want long but not a trail behind you.
Then the final 3 lengths are Floor Length, Chapel and finally Cathedral. All of these style will provide some type of train. So if you’re dress already has a train and you want something to come just to the edge of it you should go with the Chapel or Cathedral length.
Starting with Floor length you can typically add about 18” for what is considered Chapel length and then adding about 36” to Floor length will give you Cathedral length.
There are lots of ways to finish the edge of the veil by adding rhinestones or ribbon or just a thin finished line called a pencil edge. If you decide you don’t want anything on the edge this is called a cut edge.
Veils are also available in single, double and triple layers. Many people do 2 layers so that one can be brought over the face. The more layers you have the more volume your veil will have.
A special thank you to The Veil Shop for contributing content to this blog.
