Brides wearing a veil on their wedding day is a wedding tradition dating back to hundreds of years ago. Customarily, a veil is a thin piece of tulle fabric designed to shield a bride’s face either slightly or fully as she walks down the aisle to meet her soon-to-be husband.

According to Brides.com, historically, a veil represented the fact that brides were “modest and untouched” as they were handed along to their husbands. A secondary meaning was also that the veil guarded brides from evil spirits.

While this trend can be modernized in many ways and absolutely does not carry the same historical meaning that it was originated for; a thin piece of fabric is still a tradition that many brides uphold. From birdcage veils to knee or floor length veils, there is a size, shape, and material out there for every bride’s wildest veil dreams.

When deciding if you want to incorporate a veil into your wedding day ensemble, there are a few things to consider…

1. Material

While tulle is what most veils are made of, many brides also opt for lace, silk, beaded, or floral veils. It’s important to consider the temperature of your wedding, and if adding an additional layer of fabric will make you too warm in the summer or spring. It’s also important to make sure that the fabric of the veil matches or does not clash with the fabric of your wedding dress.

2. Length

What veil length would you be comfortable with? If you want to go for the traditional, romantic look; perhaps try a floor length, chapel, or cathedral veil. These are longer styles that are lovely for intricate ceremonies and romantic wedding gowns. If you want a shorter veil to allow for more mobility, try a shoulder or elbow length veil. If you want your veil to be more of a hair accessory than a statement, try a birdcage veil– a small headpiece that does not drape down past the crown of the head.

3. Wedding dress

Consider your wedding dress and if you think adding a veil would complement the style or distract from it. A ballgown or regal wedding dress with a train typically goes hand-in-hand with a veil; while floral, slip, mermaid shape or A-frame dresses may look more fashionable on their own. We recommend trying a few different styles of veils when you find your perfect dress. The gown is the star of the show, after all!

4. Price

While you can easily find veils for $300-$400, they can also range to as much as $3,000 or more. Make sure to prioritize your wedding accessories to make room in the budget for a veil if it’s important to you. If you don’t want to spend the money on it, no one could blame you! You’ll still be a beautiful bride no matter what. If a veil is too pricey for your budget, some alternatives are bridal hair pieces, flower accents, or intricate updos that a veil may take away from.

©CTW Features