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Bridal Headpieces

The perfect accessory  to a gorgeous wedding gown  is the right headpiece.  Whether you love to play up the glamour or keep things simple and sweet, the proper one will complete your trousseau  and add glamour to your wedding attire. The question is, which type would best suit you and your ensemble? Always keep in mind that you want the headpiece and veil to complement your gown, never overpower it or take away from how it flatters your figure. Also, the headpiece should be chosen so that it can be integrated into your hairstyle  without weighing anything down or distracting from your look. With that said, before shopping for veils  or headpieces you should have already picked out your gown and at least considered some of the possible hairstyles that you might like to do. Then, once you purchase the headpieces and veil, you can go to the salon and try out a few styles to see what you like best.

Remember that brides who want to wear a veil  throughout the entire wedding, from ceremony to last dance, will want to look for something that is beautiful, functional, and durable. The hairstyle will become secondary in relationship to how the veil looks from the front AND behind. If your goal is not the veil, then focus more on your hair and how it will look when the veil comes off. Either way you choose, try and find something that will accentuate your favorite facial features and that will balance out your face shape.

With sunglasses,  haircuts, hats,  shirts,  and jewelry,  face shape always plays a part in which type you choose. The same goes with veils and hair pieces. The bottom line is that opposites flatter most.

  • Round face? Avoid full veils that make your head look rounder than it is; look for soft fabrics  that drape instead. Updos are excellent choices as are sleek styles with the hair down.
  • Oblong face? Give it a fuller look with a fluffier waterfall style veil  and avoid updos that will make you look even longer.
  • Square jaw? Soften it with tendrils of hair around your face. Avoid full veils that might make your face look wider than it is.
  • Heart-shaped? Updos with a veil placed below the hair extend out from behind the neck, making it look wider.
  • Short face? Lengthen it with a longer veil without too much fullness. Mantilla  styles will elongate your line.

Hairpieces

Hairpieces can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. Typically, pearls,  rhinestones,  sequins,  and floral embellishments are things you'll find on hairpieces.

Bun wraps  are great for decorating an updo and creating a simple look. A bridal halo is similar, but larger so that it can rest on the head. This is ideal for creating soft, curly updos and for those with short hair styles.

Hair jewelry , hair combs  and decorative clips  are small and elegant, perfect for nearly everyone who wants an understated hairpiece. Works for most hairstyles and hair lengths. Also good for sweeping updos.

Bridal headbands  are simple and sophisticated. Perfect for sleek looks with the hair down or straight back. The veil can be attached to the band or placed in the hair with combs.

Tiaras  are best worn with a smooth and controlled updo, whether it's curly or straight. This creates a traditional and romantic look. Use your hair or the veil to conceal the back of the band if it is halo style. 

A few fresh flowers  that you have used in arrangements can add a beautiful burst of color to your outfit. Perfect for spring, summer, and outdoor weddings.

Floral hair wreaths  are great for casual and bohemian outdoor weddings. A floral wreath adds a romantic and feminine touch.

A few strategically placed hair pins  with pearls,  flowers,  rhinestones,  or other ornaments add just a touch of timeless elegance and a little flirty fun.

For a slightly different look, try a bridal hat  with a built-in blusher veil. These are feminine and old-fashioned with a very glamorous feel. Pair it with a short, flirty dress.

The Veil

Besides personal taste, choosing a veil  has a lot to do with the formality and location of your wedding. Basically, the more formal your event and the longer the gown, the longer the veil. Usually, but not always, the veil is kept shorter than the dress. Keep in mind that the length of the veil will vary depending on your height and body proportions, so what may be fingertip  length on one person may be down to the knees of someone smaller. Another important factor of length is that you want the veil to highlight the most stunning parts of the gown  and frame your face and figure well. For example, if you have a very accentuated waist, it's best not to have the veil hit right at the waist because it will take away from the hourglass look. Better choose one that hits slightly above or below the waist. Likewise, if you have a lot of intricate embellishments on the back of the skirt, it would make sense to have either a shorter or longer veil that will showcase the detailing instead of covering it up.

Veil Length and Width

These are five of the most popular veil lengths, but you can also find veils in almost any length you want, from a barely-there birdcage veil  attached to a hat  to shoulder,  waist,  and floor-length  veils. Each length has its own stylistic effect and conveys a little about the bride's personality, so look for the veil that suits you best! 

Blusher veils  are shoulder length veils worn over the face, often in combination with a longer veil. It adds mystery and a romantic touch. Birdcage veils  poof out a bit, like a birdcage! 

Elbow length  veils can be used as both formal and semi-formal veils. They are perfect for shorter dresses and they also help accent bodice  and waist detailing of the gown.

Fingertip length  is one of the most popular veil lengths. It works with formal or semi-formal attire, but the gown length should be at least tea-length  to get the proper effect.

Chapel length  veils are typically reserved for formal weddings and for gowns that are at least floor length. They are around three yards long, perfect for chapel length trains. 

Cathedral length  veils are the most formal style of veil and are generally only worn with long gowns, preferably with a cathedral  or semi-cathedral  train. Very dramatic.

Veils are also available in several standard widths, as illustrated below.

The most popular width is 72",  which may sound like a lot but actually is just enough to give a good shape to the veil without being too poufy.

A 54"  veil is the second most common, and gives a sleeker look without much "pouf".

A 36"  veil will hang straight down your back without a lot of volume; this is a good look for more casual weddings but may look strange with formal ball gowns.

The 108"  width is a bit poufy but has a very regal look, great for formal weddings or brides who want to feel like princesses.

Veil Shapes and Styles 

Veils come in several different shapes and styles. You should consider how many tiers you want; a single veil is simple and chic, while having a blusher and a longer veil are more traditional and a little more dramatic. Three tiers would probably be a bit much for all but the most formal weddings. Not all cuts or styles are available in multiple tiers; for example, a mantilla  is usually the only veil and is not combined with a blusher.  

The standard cut  is a rounded shape that can form one or two tiers. It's the standard because it's the most popular!

The oval cut  is another popular style for shorter veils.

The circle cut , also known as a cascade cut , drapes beautifully in a fuller, waterfall-like shape.

The square  veil, also known as the handkerchief  veil, has a very modern look.

The angel  or butterfly  cut veil is slightly pointed so that it drapes gracefully down the back.

The circular  veil is a single piece of fabric folded into two layers, which can be of different lengths.

The dramatic madonna  or mantilla  style of veil originated in Spain but has become popular for brides around the world.

A drop  or straight  veil is a single round piece of fabric affixed at its center to the bride's head -- as though someone had simply "dropped" it there

Veil Fabrics

The fabric used for the veil is the primary factor in the "poufiness" of the veil and will also affect the opacity, weight, stiffness and drape of the veil.

Tulle  is the most common veil fabric, with plenty of volume and average stiffness. It can be polyester,  silk,  or cotton ; cotton and silk are of higher quality and will be slightly lighter and more flowing than polyester (but are also more delicate). It can have unfinished edges.

Chiffon  is made of silk  or rayon.  It is more "fluid" than tulle and is somewhat heavier, giving is a more flowing drape. Not transparent, but sensuous to touch. Needs to have a finished edge.

Organza  is a stiffer fabric made of silk,  polyester  or nylon.  It is translucent, not transparent, and feels very smoothe (like a lighter version of satin). Silk is the heaviest of the three. Needs a finished edge.

Point d'esprit,  also known as Swiss dot,  is a stiff, tulle-like fabric that is especially popular for short or birdcage veils. Can have a raw or a finished edge.

 

Color and Detailing

The color of the veil should match to the dress as closely as possible. There are usually three colors to choose from: white,  off-white  (often called "diamond white"  which is best for white silk gowns), and ivory.  It is recommended that you choose a veil a shade lighter (rather than darker) than your gown. You should also order several swatches of fabric from the retailer before you buy a veil online; computer monitors can distort shades of white, and you want to make sure your veil looks great with your dress. If a  retailer refuses to send you a swatch, take your business somewhere else! Additionally, some brides choose to go with unusual shades; gold,  silver,  blush pink,  and baby blue  are all showing up at veil retailers. The choice is yours, it's your wedding day

Pay close attention to the detailing, if any, on the veil. There may be embroidered edges,  contrasting edges  (say in red  to match a sash), pearled edges,  sequins,  Swiss dots,  or all-over lace.  Try one of two approaches: match up the edging or overall decoration type to your gown or do completely the opposite. For example, if your gown has touches of Alencon lace  on it, try to get a veil that will mimic it. Small touches of lace on both pieces will really make the look come together. However, those with very "busy" dresses, perhaps covered in lace  or with elaborate beaded  designs, might want a simpler veil so as not to distract from the gown. The bottom line is, the more ornate the gown, the simpler you want the veil to be. The opposite is not always the case (a simpler gown calls for a more ornate headpiece) unless you want to draw attention to your face. However, if keeping an overall simple look is what you're after, keep both pieces as minimally ornamented as possible.

Major Manufacturers

Start with the links below to begin gathering ideas about the perfect veil for you.

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