Which Bridal Veil Is Right For You Based On Your Wedding Dress

Tips and Trends | August 27, 2024

Bride wearing a bridal veil by Maggie Sottero

Behold, the ultimate flourish on a dreamy nuptials look: the bridal veil. It’s chic, dramatic, unlike any other accessory you’ll wear to any occasion. And with the variety of styles, lengths, and embellishments available to shop? You have everything you could need to find the perfect veil to match (and enhance!) your chosen wedding gown. Ready to start shopping? Dive into our style and inspo galleries below!

What Does Wearing A Bridal Veil Symbolize?

Wearing a veil can mean something different to each bride! While the meaning behind wearing a bridal veil has changed throughout history, most modern brides choose to wear a veil based on their own personal preferences or for aesthetic purposes. However, here are some things that wedding veils can symbolize:

Purity and modesty
Your transition into wifehood
Your commitment to your partner
Respect for your partner, religion, or cultural tradition
Mystery and anticipation
Romance and mood
Style, elegance and sophistication

Want more info? The Knot has a great article on Everything You Need to Know About the Wedding Veil Meaning and Tradition, including more ways to style, personalize, and pair with other accessories.

Should A Bride Wear A Bridal Veil?

PC: Shannon Bryn Montgomery | Tara Statton

Whether or not you wear a veil on your wedding day is totally up to you. If one of the symbolic reasons above resonates with you, you’re on the perfect track for creating your bridal look. But even if you just love the aesthetic and drama, a veil is the perfect option to elevate your style and create exceptional bridal photos. Remember, it’s YOUR wedding day! Do what makes you feel the most beautiful, special, and true to your vision.

Whether you love veils or they’re just not your thing, you’ll still find tons of inspo for How To Accessorize Based On Your Wedding Dress in our style rundown. We have gorgeous options to choose from when it comes to bedazzling your perfect gown.

What Is The Average Cost Of A Wedding Veil?

As a beloved part of the traditional bridal ensemble, wedding veils can get a little pricey. That being said, your budget, bridal aesthetic, the length and amount of embellishment on the veil, and where you shop for one will all make a difference in how much it will cost. On average, a bridal veil costs between $300 and $400 — AKA an important factor in your overall budget.

Looking for veils that will match your dress perfectly? Check out our full selection from our latest collections.

Who Pays For The Bridal Veil?

Bride wearing Bracken by Sottero and Midgley

PC: Katherine Sparks Photo | Rachel Stevens

Traditionally, the responsibility for the bride’s attire resides with the bride’s family. They typically purchase her wedding dress and accessories, including everything from the dress itself to the veil and shoes. That being said, modern weddings are all about flexibility and options… Plenty of brides who fall in love with a certain veil and want the freedom to make an executive choice to purchase it cover the cost themselves, as many brides do with different aspects of their weddings. Your veil budget is totally up to you and whoever is contributing to your bridal accessories.

How Do I Choose A Bridal Veil?

There are several factors to consider when shopping for bridal veils. While no rules are set in stone, we recommend checking off a few fundamentals when curating your look.

Silhouette

Perhaps the most important consideration for accessories is your silhouette: the length of your veil depends on the length and shape of your wedding dress. If you’re wearing a more fitted silhouette like a mermaid or fit-and-flare, a longer veil like chapel or cathedral-length will probably look more balanced on you. An A-line gown, on the other hand, suits a fingertip-length veil beautifully as the veil ends right around the widest part of your dress, leaving your full skirt as the center of attention from about the waist down.

Fabric

A lot of brides love a veil that matches the fabric of their dress. For example, a bride in a lace dress might prefer a veil with lace accents that match those on her gown. A bride with pearl detailing on her wedding dress will look stunning in a veil that also has pearls to tie the look together and make everything cohesive. However, in some instances, it’s fun to mix and match! For example, a bride with a simple gown might choose to glitz it up with a very embellished veil. Or a bride with an over-the-top ballgown might contrast it with a demure, minimalist accessory. (We adore these contrasting combos.)

Bride wearing Alexandria by Rebecca Ingram

PC: The Delauras Photo | Gae

Hairstyle

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a veil is how you plan to style your hair. Picturing a delicate updo? If your plans involve something more fragile that might come loose, we’d recommend looking for a lighter veil. (Your glam squad will thank you later!) Also to consider: some brides choose stunning hairpieces that should be considered before choosing a veil. This ensures the two accessories don’t overpower or clash with one another.

Bridal Veil Aesthetic

You’ll certainly want to consider your overall bridal aesthetic when choosing a veil. How does your veil pair with your venue vibe, bridal styling, and decor? Also, think about whether there are any features on your dress that you don’t want to be covered! If you love your gown’s gorgeous train, a cathedral-length veil might not be your go-to. Is your wedding set to be covered in opulent decor and you’re ready to bring the drama with your bridal look? Then go big! Our main takeaway? You’re not just looking for a beautiful veil, you want one that pairs with your wedding vision and aesthetic perfectly.

A Few Of Our Most Popular Bridal Veils

Miami Veil – Designed to complement the unique lace placements on its namesake Miami gown, this romantic design is perfect for a variety of sexy, bohemian, and glamorous wedding dresses.
Zander Veil – This black wedding veil is ideal for Gothic-chic bridal looks, but it also comes in traditional white.

Peony Veil – Another beautifully embellished option, this lush bridal veil comes in black, white, and even black with lavender lace for a stunning contrast.
Olympia Veil – This simple bridal veil can be paired effortlessly with chic, elegant, and modern silhouettes.

Nyjah Veil – This over-the-top design is exceptionally detailed, from the beautifully placed lace motifs to the petal-shaped train.
Athlone Veil – If you love the drama of a cathedral-length veil, this Athlone style makes an unforgettable entrance.

Edie Veil – Rhinestones add a simple yet irresistible flourish to this deceptively simple accessory. We adore the way it hugs closely to your gown silhouette.
Chesney Veil – Another stunning petal-shaped design, this glam bridal veil is all about the lace, illusion, and dimensionality.

Lavinia Veil – Love a pop of whimsy and color? The Lavinia veil is like wearing a lush, blooming garden for your happily-ever-after.
Ortensia Veil – A little vintage but so fresh for modern bridal looks, this lace-embellished cathedral-length style will make a stunning heirloom to pass along to future brides.

Bentley Veil – The train in this lush and boho-inspired design is chic and covetable. We adore the way it adds flourish and contrast to a simple gown.
Avalon Veil – If your bridal gown has subtle lace motifs in the bodice like Avalon, this namesake veil creates a lovely “trail of blooms” effect in the train.

Hattie Veil – Vintage floral lace is the perfect finishing touch to a variety of bridal looks, from vintage glam to modern boho and elevated chic.
Davie Veil – Imagine the soft glow of your bridal portraits at golden hour when you don this dreamy, classic tulle veil.

Tristyn Veil – The intricate lace in the Tristyn veil creates a lovely effect in the trim and hemline. We adore the contrast of black and white or the classic ethereal vibe of all white.
Lennon Veil – Embrace the ultra-feminine drama with this tulle and lace bridal veil with a petal-shaped train.

Greenley Veil – Lovely nature-inspired lace makes a beautiful statement in this soft, chic veil. It’s designed to match the motifs in Greenley, but would be lovely with a range of stunning boho silhouettes.
Bisette Veil – This 3-D floral veil is perfect for enchanted forests, black-tie celebrations, and vintage-themed venues. Gorgeous!

Brecka Veil – The simple tulle creates a stunning illusion effect in this ethereal veil, trailing into a lovely hemline trimmed in lace.
Knox Veil – A unique and whimsical use of scattered lace, this beautiful bridal veil pairs beautifully with vintage gowns and boho details.

Ladonna Veil – Another short bridal veil with a lovely scattering of lace flourishes.
Iravati Veil – This long, slinky design looks incredible in bridal portraits.

Feeling the bridal veil vibes? Excited to start shopping? Head to an Authorized Retailer near you to find your dreamiest accessory. Happy shopping and personalizing!

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