In recent years, a growing number of brides-to-be are choosing to forego the wedding veil and tie the knot with the groom without wearing one. Several reasons for doing so include the veil not being in line with the theme, having to deal with the chaos known as choosing a bridal veil and, well, simply not being into veils.
While we at Madame Tulle respect our customers’ wishes for their wedding outfits, we also feel like we should explain why wedding veils are what they are. After all, it’s not like they’re a recent fad, with its first recorded uses dating back to ancient Rome and Greece. Trends may come and go, but not all of them go away for good.
In this post, we’ll explain what wedding veils represent in holy matrimony. If you’re sold on wearing one for your special day, we’ll also discuss the right way of picking one.
A Brief History
You can’t have a serious discussion on the significance of something without knowing its origins, including wedding veils. Most historians agree that they were widely used as early as ancient times. Brides in Rome would walk down the aisle with a veil over their heads to protect them from bad luck or evil spirits wishing them ill.
The cultural role of wedding veils also varies by religion. In a Jewish wedding, the groom would place a veil over the bride as a sign of his commitment to loving her for who she is instead of what she looks like. This tradition, known as Bedeken, has its roots in the Book of Genesis, where Jacob was fooled into marrying Leah due to the veil obscuring her face when he should’ve married her sister and true love, Rachel.
Meanwhile, the Catholic faith offers a different interpretation, as a wedding veil represents a bride’s humility and purity. In fact, the veil in centuries past wasn’t limited to weddings; it was a requirement for attending mass to show humility before the Lord. You don’t see a lot of veiled women in today’s masses, but veiled brides are still a dime a dozen.
The custom of wearing a wedding veil vanished with the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, at least for the next dozen or so centuries. It wouldn’t be until 1840, with Queen Victoria’s marriage to Prince Albert, that the wedding veil would be trending again, though initially reserved for royal weddings. She also popularised the white wedding dress, and her reason for such a choice had less to do with symbolism and more to do with fashion.
The Modern Wedding Veil
The thought of revolutionising wedding fashion never crossed Queen Victoria’s mind, but she inadvertently set the template for generations of brides to come. While some brides still wear veils out of belief for their symbolism, others do so to make a fashion statement.
Think about it: wedding veils today come in different lengths and designs, some of which hardly satisfy the old custom of practising humility. They can be short enough to cover the back of the bride’s head or long enough to kiss the floor. In addition, at least in a Catholic wedding, covering a bride’s face with a veil isn’t as commonplace as in ancient times.
If modern brides have a strong reason to walk down the aisle veiled, it most likely has to do with the family. It isn’t unusual for them to create bridal veils out of fabric that holds sentimental value or wear the same veil their predecessors wore at their weddings.
Whether it’s to appear humble on the big day or create a unique fashion statement, wearing a wedding veil today can be for any reason. Its long history has proven that it can change with society’s perception of it, let alone a wedding ceremony.
Tips for Choosing a Veil
At this point, you may already be sold on the idea of getting married with a wedding veil. If the thought of choosing one scares you, that’s what these tips are for.
Work with a Professional
Whether or not you have an idea of the kind of veil you want, it’s a good idea to make it a reality with a professional’s help. For starters, their job warrants staying up-to-date with the latest wedding fashion fads, even those that defy convention. If all you have is a vague picture to work on, a professional may know exactly what you’re referring to.
Complement, Not Contrast
While some contrast is okay, a wedding veil should prioritise complementing the bridal ensemble. For example, a floor-length veil like a cathedral veil goes well with a train, whereas short ones like a flyaway or birdcage veil pair nicely with a mini-dress. Take your time choosing, as a wedding is the only time in your life you can enjoy wearing a veil.
Consider Your Hairdo
Hairstyle is a major factor in the veil’s design and, more importantly, arrangement. Many veils necessitate styling the bride’s hair into a bun to serve as their anchor, namely short ones. If letting your hair down is more your style, consider a cathedral veil fixed to the top of your head in the absence of a bun.
Go Easy on the Embroidery
Planning on adding intricate embroidery to your veil? Keep in mind to not overdo it, as too many embroidered patterns will block your face (and line of sight while walking down the aisle). This tip also applies to adding precious stones to the veil.
Get Enough Inspiration
Looking at pictures of models and other brides may as well be a no-brainer in this case. The Internet has more than enough of these images than you can peruse, so it pays to gather as many ideas as possible.
Wrapping Up
No matter where the wind blows, wedding veils will remain a staple of weddings as far as we can see. You can count on guides and ideas, but there aren’t really any hard and fast rules on creating one. In the end, no one else knows what you want to wear for your special day than yourself. Go with the decision that’ll make you happy.
