How to style a dramatic wedding veil

How to style a dramatic wedding veil, including styling tips for a show-stopping bridal look.

When it comes to bridal styling, it’s often said your wedding veil should accentuate your bridal look and not distract from your wedding dress. We generally agree to this. But, there’s always exceptions. For a lot of brides, the look comes down to their veil and they then choose their dress that best showcases their statement accessory.

But let’s be honest: there’s no rule book. Yes, there are traditions and conventions to be respected. For example, some religious and cultural customs require brides to cover their shoulders if they wed in a church. There are also certain symbolic colours that are best avoided. But beyond the walls of religious institutions and family/cultural traditions, brides today have more freedom than previous generations to be expressive and showcase their own style on their wedding day.

1. How to choose the right veil for your dress

Before we can explore how to style a dramatic veil, let’s explore how to choose the right veil in the first instance.

You might have chosen a dramatic wedding dress and you’re looking for a simple veil to complete the look. Or, your style might be minimal which allows room for expression where your veil is the perfect piece to capture your essence of your style and personality.

A cathedral length veil is all about regal appeal but you don’t need to have an extra long veil to create an impact. A short veil combined with handcrafted details, such as the WEEPING CHERRY veil, can be just as dramatic as a heavily embellished long veil as seen in our NIGHT GARDEN, ATHENA or RIVIERA veils.

Cathedral veil: A cathedral veil extends beyond the train of your dress, creating a regal and elegant look. It’s perfect for formal and traditional weddings and acts as an extension of your dress.
Chapel veil: A chapel veil is slightly shorter than a cathedral veil, it reaches the floor and extends a few inches beyond your dress. It’s a versatile and manageable length and works well with many dress styles and wedding themes.
Mid length veil: A mid length veil falls to the hips or fingertips. A fingertip veil doesn’t need to be boring – they can be adorned with intricate lacework and florals for added drama.
Short veil: A short veil can feel dramatic and energise your look. Ensure it falls to a flattering spot, based on your height and the horizontal lines on your dress, such as your waistline or neckline.

2.) Consider your wedding dress

Your veil should complement your wedding dress without overpowering it. Consider the style, shape and details on your wedding dress.

Try to define your bridal style with a few words. Free-spirited, relaxed and fashion forward? Or modern, clean and high end? If you’re struggling to find the words to best describe the vision you have in your head, a Pinterest board will help you gather your thoughts and better understand your vision.

As a general guide, your veil should accentuate and be proportional to your dress. When it comes to statement veils, we like to pair them with simpler silhouettes so that they doesn’t overpower or take away from the details of the dress.

The details on your wedding dress:

It’s important to consider the placement of any defining details on your wedding dress. Look for any focal points on the dress to ensure that the veil doesn’t interrupt the flow or details of the dress. Some things to consider include:

Are the embellishments on the dress mainly on the bodice, straps, on the skirt or all over?
Where is the main structural focal point on the dress? Is it a dramatic neckline, a low back or extravagant train that draws your eyes.
Does the dress feature a variety of embellishments such as flowers, lace, sequins and hand-beading?
Or all of the above?

We love the look of a veil where it falls where a focal point begins, for example a defined waist line. Where the defined horizontal line is at the hip, we recommend choosing a shorter or longer veil so it doesn’t visually cut you in half and interrupt the flow of your look.

Colour coordination:

Ensure your veil is a complementary colour to your wedding dress. Very few wedding dresses are actually white. Most are shades of off-white, light ivory or warm ivory.

3.) Hairstyles to support your wedding veil

The right hairstyle can enhance the beauty of your veil and keep it securely in place.

Updos: Classic updos like chignons, buns and French twists provide a secure base for attaching a dramatic veil. They also create a clean and elegant look, letting your veil and dress to remain the focus of your look.
Half up hairstyles: This versatile hairstyle offers both security and the beauty of loose waves. It’s perfect for brides who want a romantic and sophisticated look.
Loose waves: If you prefer to wear your hair down, loose waves can add a soft and natural touch. Use bobby pins to secure the veil without compromising the style.

4.) Securing the veil

A dramatic veil needs to be securely fastened to ensure it stays in place throughout the ceremony. We cover how to secure a wedding veil in separate post.

Most veils come with a comb attachment. Insert the comb into your hair at the crown or back of your head. For added security, use bobby pins to hold the comb in place.
If your veil doesn’t have a comb, use bobby pins to secure it. Choose pins that match your hair colour to keep them discreet.

5.) Accessorising your veil with other accessories

To quote Coco Chanel, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off”. This is valuable advice generally, and especially when it comes to incorporating a showstopper wedding veil into your bridal look.

If you’re fond of dramatic wedding dress, minimise the rest of your wedding accessories. Think simpler shoes, and choose one or two other elements to complete your look such as pearl drop earrings or a delicate bridal tiara.