Ajanta Roy

Much has been said about the bridal gown, now, let’s talk about the “veils”. How do you feel about veils? Whether or not you are going to wear a veil will affect a lot of your other decisions, from the way you will wear your hair to how much jewelry you will wear around your face. Veils come in many, many styles, from wisps that just graze the bridge of your nose to full floats of tulle.

Veils and Head adornments we love:

• Soft veils made from antique lace or thin cotton gauze cascading down the back
• Straight, simple veils trimmed at the crown with fresh flowers
• Silk head wraps, or jeweled or beaded headscarves woven into braided hairstyles
• Beaded tiaras
• Beaded wire ponytail wraps
• Jeweled headbands with combs worked into the front of an up do

Whether or not to wear a veil is a very personal choice. Some women find the whole thing to be too creepy, the bride being shielded from all eyes until her groom claims her. Others just don’t feel totally bridal until they spy themselves floating inside a cloud of tulle! No doubt about it: a veil is the most instantly bridal garment we know. If you’re planning on wearing a very straightforward, unadorned dress, a veil can give you that extra bit of oomph.

Bridal shops speak a jargon, all their own, related to veils. Each slight variation in length, width, or shape of cut gets its very own term, all of which sound romantic. Here are a few basics to help you on your way.

• Blusher- Short, over-the-face that just grazes the chin.
• Flyaway- Like the blusher, only in reverse; covers the back of the head down to the shoulders.
• Fingertip- Falls to hip line.
• Waltz or Ballerina- Falls to just above the ankles.
• Chapel- Usually measures six to seven feet from the crown of your head.
• Cathedral- Usually measures ten to twelve feet.
• Monarch- The longest of all veils.

If you are planning a traditional wedding look and you are not sure whether you want to wear a veil, try a few on when you are trying on dresses. You might just end up surprising yourself!