Guide to Choosing the Right Wedding Veil

Wedding veils come in many lengths with a variety of style and embellishments. This can make it difficult for you to choose, especially if you’ve never given thought to your veil. The veil is the ultimate accessory to pair with your wedding dress and can make a huge impact. Not everyone opts for a veil in modern times, but for those that are considering a veil or know they want a veil this is the place for you.

Here we will provide some tips on how to choose your veil and give you a run down of all the veil lengths and how it would suit your needs. We hope this gives you the inspiration to find your perfect wedding veil.

First off, there are 3 things to consider when choosing your veil.

1. Your Budget

Much like your wedding dress, you should have a budget for the accessories that will accompany your dress. If the veil is important to you, you may have a separate budget for it. By looking at different examples online, I am sure you can narrow down an appropriate price point you’d like to spend. Once you have done so, remember to search within that budget so you won’t be in a difficult spot after finding the perfect veil.

2. Your Dress

It’s important to think about your dress when choosing a veil. If there are key details or design elements on your dress you do not wish to cover up, it will help guide you in the length of veil you’d consider. The opposite can also be true, if you wish you had some extra detail or embellishments that are not already on your dress, that can also impact what style of veil you’d consider. The veil works in harmony with your dress to help elevate your entire look.

3. Your Hairstyle

Depending on what kind of veil you’d like, the hairstyle can be impacted. Some are easier to pin to an updo, to help it stay in place because it’s more sturdy. Some can be draped over any hairstyle but may need some grip near your hairline. If you’re unsure about how the veil can impact your hairstyle, discuss with your hair and makeup artist about what they recommend. You can also consult with the wedding dress shop or wedding accessories shop where you may be purchasing this veil as to what is popular for said veil. You can also go the opposite route, letting them know what kind of hairstyle you will have and what kind of impact you want the veil to make and go from there.

Guide to Veil Lengths (shortest to longest)

It may seem confusing because there are so many different types of wedding veils. Here we will go over each one by name and length so you have all the information to make the best decision.

Birdcage Veil (4″ – 9″)

It’s short and just covers the eyes either until the nose or jawline. This style is perfect for a bride that wants a vintage touch. This veil can also be known as a bandeau veil.

Shoulder Length Veil (20″ – 22″)

This is also a short veil that hits just past your shoulders. This style is perfect for the bride who doesn’t want their veil overshadowing their dress, but also wants to keep the tradition of wearing a veil. 

Blusher Veil (can start at 24″+)

This veil has a shorter part that covers your face, and a longer part that drapes in the back. This is a go to style for those who want their groom to unveil their face at the ceremony. This veil style is also known as an angle or a wedge veil.

Elbow Veil (24″- 30″)

This veil is a medium length, also known as waist length. This style is perfect for a bride who wants to cover their shoulders for a more traditional or conservative aesthetic. It’s elegant without you needing to add more.

Fingertip Veil (36″- 40″)

This veil is medium in length. This style is popular because it does not cover the design on the back of the wedding dress. It adds that extra bit of tradition without sacrificing all the great details of your gown.

Knee-Length Veil (45″+)

This wedding veil is long in length. We are moving into the veil lengths that add an extra oomph and drama to your look. This length is perfect if you want an amazing veil, but you don’t want it to over shadow your entire outfit. Depending on your height it will more or less fall at your knees. 

Waltz Veil (50″ – 70″)

This is the longest wedding veil length that will not touch the floor. If you’re looking for the length and are worried about the heaviness or you getting tripped up, this would be the veil for you to consider. It should fall around your mid calf, therefore, giving you that amazing drama but steering clear of the floor and your feet. This style is also known as the ballet veil.

Floor-Length Veil (72″)

This long length wedding veil should just graze the floor and should match the length of your wedding gown (not including the train). This style is perfect if you wanted some extra volume, but did not want that volume in your gown. 

Chapel Veil (80″ – 90″)

This long length wedding veil brushes the floor behind you and can act in the place of a train if you do not have one for your wedding gown. Or it can add extra volume to your train if you have a sleeker dress.  

Cathedral Veil (108″ – 120″)

The longest of all the wedding veils and the most elegant and dramatic. This veil should extend well beyond your wedding gown and its train, giving you the most regal look as you walk down the aisle. 

Final Thoughts

Now that we know all the different veils out there, it won’t be as stressful in the decision process. Of course pictures can only do so much, go out there and try on different veils. You truly do not know how it completes your look until you have it on.