How to choose the right length for your dress

Deciding which veil to wear is a major step in creating your overall look on the wedding day. With wedding veil styles ranging from a 4 “face framing to a 120” floor shave, many brides are overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. “A veil enhances the appearance of a bride as she walks down the aisle,” explains Stéphanie Caravella of Bel Aire Bride. “It can also enhance the wedding dress by complementing the beading or embroidery on the dress.”

But the decision is not as simple as choosing a long or short veil. Different types of veils and lengths can completely transform your wedding style. While a blush can convey a retro-chic vibe, a cathedral length veil is traditional and so dramatic.

If you’re wondering how to choose a veil, look no further: we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to wedding veil styles, with expert advice from bridal stylists.

Wedding veil styles by length

Birdcage Wedding Veil: 4-9 ”

This short and alluring bridal veil may cover only the eyes, brush the nose, or fall to the jawline. Usually made of mesh or lace, this style is also known as a headband veil.

Shoulder length wedding veil: 20-22 ”

As the name suggests, this style of wedding veil hits your shoulders. Shoulder-length wedding veils are a great option for brides who want a traditional-looking veil that doesn’t rival the details of their dress.

Blush Wedding Veil: 30 ”

Also known as corner veil or wedge veil, this style offers a less traditional look with vintage appeal. “A blush is a short veil that falls over the face and ends near the top of the dress,” Caravella explains. “During the ceremony, he is pulled back to reveal the bride, making it an exciting and moving moment – the first time the groom sees his bride’s face.”

Wedding veil elbow: 32 ”

If you want a more conservative look for your ceremony, an elbow-length veil is a stylish way to cover up without wearing a bolero or bulky shrug. “An elbow veil falls gracefully over the shoulders to the bride’s elbow, you guessed it,” Caravella explains.

Fingertip Wedding Veil: 38-40 ”

“A fingertip veil extends past the bride’s hips and is a popular choice because it allows any design on the back of the wedding dress to be seen through the sheer fabric,” Caravella explains.

Knee-length veil: 48 ”

Designed to fall to your knees, this length wedding veil offers drama and elegance without weighing you down. The veil can be adjusted to fall a little longer or a little shorter to fall just to your knee, depending on your height.

Waltz wedding veil: 60 ”

There is no rule that says you have to remove your veil for landing. But if you choose to keep it, make sure it won’t stop you dancing and mingling. “A waltz veil falls to mid-calf and is a great option for those who want to wear a longer veil for the reception, but still want the freedom to move throughout the evening.” This style of wedding veil is also called ballet veil.

Wedding veil at ground level: 72 ”

“A floor-long veil skims the floor and matches the length of the bride’s dress,” Caravella explains. The flowy fabric will add extra volume to your look, perfect for a bride who was torn between a ball gown and a more streamlined figure.

Chapel wedding veil: 90 ”

Choosing to forgo a train? A chapel-length veil will create the illusion of a train, with no pesky fuss required. “A chapel-length veil sweeps across the floor extending slightly beyond the bride’s dress,” Caravella explains.

Cathedral wedding veil: 108-120 ”

For the most regal entrance, you must have a cathedral length veil. “A cathedral-length veil extends beyond the train of the wedding dress and is the most dramatic length at the bottom of the aisle,” Caravella explains.

3 things to remember when choosing a wedding veil

1. Identify your budget

Have a price in mind. What may appear to be a flimsy piece of fabric can actually cost a lot more than you expected, easily increasing the cost of your wedding style. Some veils can even cost more than the dress itself. “Like dresses, the price of veils can vary widely, usually depending on the details,” says Briana Abedi, senior stylist at Carine’s wedding workshop in Washington DC “A simple veil can start at around $ 250 to $ 300, while our more ornate sails can run for $ 3,000 or more.” Having an idea of ​​what you can spend will help you narrow down your sailing options immediately.

2. Think about your hairstyle

An updo versus long, flowing curls can result in a completely different veil placement. For example, if you are wearing the first one, you might want to pin your veil under the bun to show off your bun. If you are considering the latter, you might want to pin the veil on the crown of your head to add volume.

3. Try on several wedding veils with your dress

Your veil will help shape your style on D-Day, so naturally you’ll want something that balances the vibes of your dress without overshadowing it. Abedi, who likes to show the bride different styles that could complement her dress, says “I like to choose multiple options for the bride to experiment with to embody different looks. The look can change completely just with the addition of a veil, so it is important that the bride feels the most beautiful regardless of the vision. ”

Don’t be afraid to try something that you wouldn’t normally turn to. You might be surprised – keeping things together isn’t always the best way to complete your dress, depending on the look you want to achieve. “Sometimes mixing textures is a great way to add originality,” adds Abedi. “For example, a veil edged with lace associated with a very clean dress.”

How to choose the right veil for your dress

Need more advice? We understood. There are a lot of things to do when it comes to choosing a veil. We asked expert bridal stylists what wedding veils they prefer, depending on the wedding dress styles. These are by no means hard and fast rules, but they are helpful tips for brides looking for a place to start.

A very ornate dress

If you have a very beaded or embellished dress at heart, you can choose one of the following two ways with your veil. For the princess bride who loves sparkle, a classic, raw-edged cathedral veil with scattered Swarovski crystals that will sparkle as you walk down the aisle is absolutely stunning, says Carla Imbriano, chief designer at Sailing Shop. Another fit option she suggests: “A veil with minimal matching beads along the edge.”

A simple but beautiful dress

If a bride has a simple dress and wants to amplify the drama without any embellishment, an angel cut veil trimmed with satin, horsehair or organza is always a good choice, note. Kleinfeld Fashion director Terry Hall. “It will frame the bride’s face beautifully, and when it cascades down, you’ll see a spiral of fabric around the edge that gives you that dramatic look and feel.” A veil with touches of light lace is also very elegant with a simple dress, explains the bridal stylist and wedding expert. Renee strauss.

A dress with a strong back

A jaw-dropping ornate or sheer illusion lace back is a popular trend. To show off your back, Imbriano recommends a special custom-cut cathedral without any accents (pearls or crystals) in the body of the veil. Think pure and chic, and don’t forget to avoid multiple layers of fabric.

A dress with a long train

As long as your dress doesn’t have a ton of detail on the back, you can pretty much wear any type of veil with a dress that has a long train, Hall says. Her favorite, however, is by far a cathedral veil. “It’s so interesting and creates a dramatic and ethereal look.”

A modern dress

For brides who go the contemporary route (think fitted and flared dresses, mermaid dresses and maxi dresses), a more modern-style veil is perfectly appropriate, points out Elisha Caplan, designer and owner of Elisha Caplan. “These are the short, layered, square cut, and blush styles. A short veil – from the shoulder to the elbow – is ideal for a tea-length dress or a town hall dress,” she says.

A vintage wedding dress

If your borrowed something happens to be your wedding dress, why not opt ​​for a matching birdcage veil? “This will become the ornate part of the set,” says Strauss.

A short wedding dress

The shorter the dress, the shorter the veil. “For a sassy or shorter cocktail dress, we love a birdcage veil, or better yet, a whimsical multi-layered veil in a shorter length… Something reminiscent of an Audrey Hepburn movie,” Imbriano explains.

A bohemian beach dress

Hang on to the ocean’s edge? According to Strauss, a chapel veil is ideal for a beach wedding when you want the veil to flow in the wind but not be too bulky.