Top Five Bridal Veils
Weddings veils these days tend to be a fashion statement rather than the result of religious beliefs and there is a huge array of options out there. So without further ado here are my top five bridal veils, in no particular order.
Birdcage Veil
These have had a bit of a resurrection last year or two and are incredibly glamorous. These are quite short veils that cover around half the face. They reach almost to the chin. They are made of wide netting and are held in place like a fascinator or attached to a small hat. They can be embellished with various things such as feathers, flowers or crystals. An advantage to these veils is that they can be worn throughout the whole day as the veil can be fluffed up around your hair at the reception.
Angel Veil
Angel cut veils are cut in such a way as to fall to a tapered point at the bottom. They come in a range of styles and can have one or two tiers. The sides are cut wide to resemble wings and this kind of veil works best with a simple and elegant gown.
Mantilla veil
This is (usually) a circular veil originating from Spain. It is traditionally made entirely of lace but these can be made from lace-edged tulle. These veils are often worn just draped simply over the head so that they lie flat. A tip is to sew clear plastic snaps on both the veil and dress shoulders to keep the veil elegantly in position.
Cathedral Veil
This is a very dramatic veil, think Lady Diana, that covers the whole dress when viewed from the back. It falls roughly 3 meters from the headpiece. Any embellishments to the cathedral veil should only cover the bottom third of the veil, i.e. the part that trails along the floor.
Blusher Veil
This is a short, single tiered veil which is worn over the bride's face before the start of the ceremony. It usually falls to around shoulder level and, during the ceremony,it is lifted back over the head. This can either be done by the groom at the "now kiss the bride" bit or sometimes by the father of the bride when he gives her away. It is can also be paired with a longer veil which falls down the bride's back.
These are just a few of the many kinds of veil available today. One thing to remember though is that if your dress is quite fancy then it is best to keep the veil simple. On the other hand a simple dress can be teamed with either a simple or an ornate veil.