The wedding veil is undoubtedly one of the greatest symbols of ‘getting married’. In fact, what bride hasn’t dream of wearing one, or at least hasn’t tried one on while choosing her wedding gown?
Let’s face it: a wedding gown without a veil is like a painting without a frame. Even today there are many brides who opt for the classic headdress for their wedding.
If today, however, the bridal veil has a purely aesthetic aspect and usually complements the wedding gown, during the course of history this had taken on deeper symbolic meanings.
The wedding veil in different eras
The first brides who decided to cover their heads with a veil were those of ancient Rome. In reality, at that time both spouses were covered during the ceremony by a cloth, which was a good omen for the future.
In the Middle Ages the veil began to be used exclusively by the bride, even if its function was always to protect her from bad luck. The interesting thing was that it was composed of multiple layers of linen just to perform this task well… nothing to do with the intangible veils of tulle we see today!
As we approach the twentieth century, the veil becomes the accessory symbol of the wedding dress that we all know. From then on, the brides were able to indulge themselves in choosing the model that best suited their tastes.
A veil for every bride
Today, every bride can find the veil to complete her wedding gown. The wedding veil is in fact an accessory that can be adapted to any style:
• Smooth
• Embroidered
• With or without a train
• Enriched with a tiara
These are just a few examples of the different bridal veil designs that can be found. The imagination, however, has no limits, and you can be sure that even the most skeptical and least traditionalist bride will be able to find a veil that is right for her.
The most important thing is of course to choose it in tone with the dress, to avoid exaggerated or badly matched looks. So, yes to a simple veil if the dress is embroidered and vice versa.
What are the most popular models?
In recent years we have seen a return of the wedding veil, which had been somewhat abandoned in previous decades. In fact, fashion trends see it as the main accessory of the bridal look, available in a myriad of varieties.
Among the great classics we have the long cathedral wedding veil with a lace trim, suitable for both a romantic look and a boho-chic style. Lace is by far one of the most popular fabrics this year in the making of bridal veils, and gives a touch of timeless elegance.
Alternatively, you can opt for a waltz veil in tulle with a satin edge, ideal to wear with empire-style dresses. This model streamlines the figure and is less demanding than a floor-length wedding veil.
Finally, brides who want to break with tradition without giving up a great classic, can opt for a sparkling veil enriched with sequins, or a short veil, perhaps embellished with a crown.
Personally, in this period I have a great inclination for veils with floral embroidery, I really love the modern and colourful touch that plays down and contextualizes this timeless accessory in a contemporary key.
Which type of wedding veil do you prefer? We have prepared a Pinterest board with our favourite models: let yourself be inspired and leave a comment on the photo of the models you prefer, or tag us on your Instagram stories.
For information about the best ateliers where to find beautiful wedding veils, contact us.
Ph. Copertina Daniel e Valentina
