Article by Tyrell Vincent

A wedding veil is the final, exquisite touch on a bride’s ensemble. It should be as perfect as the dress and the shoes and the bouquet. But there are times when unpleasant surprises occur, so the wise bride will prepare for such situations.

A torn wedding veil sounds like the ultimate in bad luck. But the truth is that, according to legend, a torn wedding veil is a sign of good luck. This is especially true if the veil is torn at the altar. But the bride who just can’t stand the idea of a rip in her veil-good luck or not-should consider carefully exactly what type of veil to wear.

Avoid the risk of snagging the veil by wearing a small headpiece with a blusher that fits closer to the face. For example a headband that has been accented with a center flower and is crowned by a rhinestone and feathers looks lovely with a Russian tulle blusher that covers the face. It gives a sophisticated and feminine look to almost any wedding gown, and because the tulle covers a small area, it is safe from snagging on dress beading, pear buttons or a zipper tab.

But some brides want a longer veil and when the groom lifts her blusher back from her face, the move should be effortless and romantic. Having the edge of the veil snag on the beading or rhinestones-or even the lace-of the gown’s bodice can result in a comedic situation at best. Keeping the whole ensemble simple may be the perfect remedy for this situation. A simple gown with a strapless bodice could be paired with a one-tier U-shaped tulle blusher that showers down around the bride’s shoulders. With nothing to catch on, this veil can be lifted back with loving ease to reveal the bride’s face for that first kiss of married life.

Not knowing how she will wear her hair on the wedding day could result in the bride selecting the wrong veil when the wedding gown is ordered. To avoid this problem, the bride should have at least some idea of how she wants to wear her hair and what type of veil will best compliment that hairstyle. Veils can be worn at the top of the head or at the nape of the neck. Hair coiled at the back of the neck looks even more beautiful when shadowed by a long one-tier veil that flows over the coiled tresses to cascade down the bride’s back. Chapel length with a pencil edge, this dramatic veil comes in white or ivory.

On the other hand, an upswept hairstyle that reveals the line of the lady’s neck should be crowned with a veil that doesn’t shield all that loveliness from view. Clustered at the crown of the head, a short pencil edge veil that curves outward and down around the shoulders frames the bride’s face like a beautiful cloud. Small clusters of pearls and rhinestones add to the effect of angelic beauty.

Beading has a way sometimes of coming loose. Discovering on the morning of the wedding that the pearls on the veil’s headband have sprung loose can be a bad omen. To prepare for this, the bride should make sure she chooses a quality veil from a reputable provider. Well-made wedding veils are worth the hunt and the value will show from the first moment. There is little more beautiful than a fingertip length veil in white, edged with Alencon Lace, and secured to the head with a pearl band. The sturdiness beneath the beauty will make for easy arranging upon the bride’s head and security during her walk down the aisle.

The epitome of wedding veils may just be a cathedral length creation that pools upon the floor. Almost as long as the train of the wedding gown, this veil can top a vision of loveliness-or cause a disaster when the bride’s heal catches in it and she goes tumbling down the aisle. That is why attendants are such a necessary part of a formal wedding. The veil-perhaps a cathedral length of three tiers with pencil edging and scattered rhinestones-should be arranged behind the bride along with the train of the gown. If arranged correctly, the train and the veil will trail along behind a poised and confident bride as she strolls forward to join her groom at the altar. The lending of a subtle hand or two immediately after the ceremony will ensure that the return trip as man and wife will go without incident as well.

A wedding can be as complex as any Broadway stage production, with cues and costuming and supporting cast that require advance preparation and up-to-the-minute corrections. The wedding veil is a vital part of the entire production…not just an accessory.

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