The long and short of veils and headpieces.

Your Crowning Glory

Headpieces sit on the head differently, so pick one that will complement the shape of your face and hairdo, as well as the style of your gown.  While one of the options includes a hat with a veil attached, that look is not currently popular with brides who are generally choosing headpieces that work with their hair style. Style options include:

Backpiece: any headpiece that attaches to the hair at the back. It is often a bow or cluster of flowers.

Bun Holder or Wrap: a  small to medium sized circular headpiece that wraps around a bun. Often decorated with beads or lace.

Butterfly: a partial headband that arcs over the top of the head but does not extend all the way to the ears.

Combs: while they serve a function to hold a veil down, they can also serve in lieu of a headpiece when trimmed with jewels, flowers, or feathers; close together teeth will hold more securely than widely spaced ones.

 Fascinator: a concoction of feathers, ribbons, beads,  flowers, or a combination of them attached to a headband, clip, or comb.  This style of  headpiece is not confined to bridal occasions, but in white with a birdcage veil attached, they top off a sophisticated bridal look.

Headband: usually a design of flowers and/or pearls going all across.

Jeweled Pins & Sticks: an alternative to an actual headpiece; these hair ornaments can embellish your updo or add some sparkle to a standard hairstyle with pearls, flowers, or crystals.

 Juliet Cap: a small cap that covers the crown of the head; it usually is done for a retro look. 

Tiara:  a crown, which can feature crystal, pearls, flowers, or any combination of the above, sits on top of the head.

Vines: a wire base adorned with jewels or flowers produces a headpiece that is flexible enough to wrap around an updo or to frame the head with hair worn down.

Wreath of Flowers: this is worn on the crown of the head, some may extend to the forehead, while others sit further back. Wreaths are a popular adornment for flower girls, too. A kallah could also skip the headpiece and add a blooming touch with flowers woven into her hair or with a flower comb for a less formal look.  You can make these out of fresh flowers, but then you would have to have great confidence in your florist getting the measurements exact, as you will only get to ascertain that the finished product is a perfect fit on the wedding day instead. Silk flower wreaths can look perfectly lovely and offer more peace of mind.

Veil Styles

 Angle: a version of birdcage, it features a length of 11”-13” of netting  set at the side near the ear to covers both eyes with a subtle angle.

Birdcage: the same style of veil as you would see on some elegant retro hats, it incorporates a net fabric that wraps close to the head and ends above the chin or even above the nose. The veil could be attached to a pillbox hat or a feathered or flowered comb.

Blusher:  short over-the-face veil that just grazes the chin.

Cathedral:  measures 108” for a dramatic sweep.

Chapel:  Measures up to seven feet from the crown of you head, so that up to two feet will trail behind you.

Elbow Length: will show off any detailing at the waist of the gown. This style is especially flattering to petite brides less than 5’4” tall.

Fingertip: 38-45” in length --falls to the hip line.  Choose the length according to your height, so that it won’t fall to the point just above the knee.

Pictured here is a chapel length
train on the gown echoed by the 
somewhat longer veil with a cut edg

Flyaway:  multi-layered veil that just brushes the shoulders, up to 18” long. Though it is considered less formal than longer veils, it may be the choice for a bride who wants the back detail of her gown uncovered.

Fountain: a slight pouf at the top of the head cascades down to shoulder or elbow length, shoulders also may be referred to as a bubble shaped.

Mantilla: Spanish style, lace trimmed veil that is secured directly to the head without an additional headpiece by a comb.

Monarch or Regal: 120”long, for a really royal effect.

Princess: veiling that is approximately 60" in length. It comes to about your knees. Waltz or Ballerina:  at 81” falls to just above the ankles, the point at which a tea-length dress will fall.

 

Veils could be finished and embellished in various ways. 

Cut Edge:  has nothing added, also known as Raw Edge

Embroidered Edge also known as Pencil Edge provides a subtle definition.

Pleated Veil: designed by folding the netting to create "pleats" to create a dimensional look

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Satin Edge: available as a rounded cord that measures approximately 1/8" wide or in Satin Ribbon in a variety of widths.

Scalloped Edge: features an embroidered edge stitch to the veil whose edges have been cut in a rounded scallop pattern.

Scatter Embellishment: pearls, rhinestones, or crystal distributed throughout the veil.  You can also opt to have pearls or rhinestones strung along the edge

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Soutache Edge: 1/8" wide flat braided satin band that gives effects similar satin cord.

 You can add color either by selecting a sheer veil fabric with a whisper of color or by selecting a colored trim for the edging.  The one rule that holds is to select the gown first and then a veil that works well with its style, color, detailing, and train length.  Also be sure it’s not too complicated to get the front veil on for the bedecken [veiling].  You can choose a veil style and then attach it to a headpiece or select a headpiece with a veil already attached.

Where to shop for the headpiece?

If you shop for a headpiece in a salon, you are likely to spend more than you have to.  Even the rental charges often exceed what it would cost you to buy if you know where to shop. While I would not recommend that anyone but a truly skilled seamstress attempt to sew a wedding gown, that is not the case with headpieces, which can be very easily put together.  Check out the headpieces, veils, and kits for customizing in craft supply stores like Michael’s.  You know that gorgeous headpiece you saw in a salon for $200, you can duplicate it for a fraction of the price without any sewing skills. 

Then of course, you can borrow.  A friend or relative who got married recently may have her headpiece just sitting in the closet.  She will probably be happy to lend to you because, unlike dresses, headpieces do not require expensive dry cleaning or alterations for each wearing.   Many gmachs will return the full deposit paid when the headpiece is returned undamaged.

Related: Shades of White

Decking the Bride