Your guide to veils
Long, short or somewhere in between, your wedding is the only time you're ever going to wear one, so make your choice of veil the crowning glory to your outfit!
Long Veils
For some brides, a veil is not a veil unless it sweeps up the aisle behind them! “This is the one time in your life when you get to wear a veil, so go for it,” says Y&YW fashion director Peta Hunt. “And there’s nothing more show-stopping than a cathedral-length veil.”
Photo: Valentina Sposa for Pronovias
Long veil styles include:
Ballet or waltz: this veil usually falls between the knee and the ankle.
Chapel: a formal veil that extends to the floor , usually worn with a chapel or sweep train. Some chapel veils have multiple layers or a blusher veil.
Cathedral: the cathedral train is the most formal style of veil and is sometimes called a ‘royal veil’. It can have multiple layers or a blusher veil and is usually worn with a cathedral train in a very formal setting.
Medium length veils
“A medium-length veil is perfect for a hot summer wedding and can transform any style of dress,” says Y&YW fashion director Peta Hunt.
Photo: Johanna Hehir
Styles of medium-length veils include:
Double tier: a two-layered veil, usually of different lengths, one of which may be the blusher.
Elbow: the elbow length veil is most appropriate in an informal setting. May be used in combination with longer layers to create the blusher or face veil.
Fingertip: a long veil that reaches the fingertips when arms are relaxed.
Mantilla: the traditional mantilla is a circular piece of tulle or lace with lace edges draped over a comb. It’s an alternative to more formal veils and may be any length between elbow and ballet.
Triple tier: a veil of three layers, usually of different lengths, one of which can be the blusher.
Short veils
“Nothing says bride better than a veil, even a short one which can be fun and funky and perfect for a chic city wedding,” says Y&YW fashion director Peta Hunt.
Photo: Elie Saab at Pronovias
Styles of short veils include:
Blusher: a short, single layer of veiling worn over the face before the ceremony and then lifted back over the head.
Flyaway: a multi-layered veil that just brushes the shoulders which is less formal than other veil styles. A good choice for brides wishing to emphasise the back of their gown. Best worn with an ankle-length gown.
Fountain: a veil gathered at the crown of the head which cascades over the shoulders to form a fountain shape. Usually shoulder or elbow length.
Pouf: a gathered piece of tulle or netting that fastens to a headband, comb or headpiece to create height for the veil.
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