The History Behind Why Brides Wear Veils

The History Behind Why Brides Wear Veils | Royal Palms Resort and Spa Wedding Photos | Scottsdale Wedding Photos | April Maura Photography | www.aprilmaura.com_2679.jpg

You see your friend who recently got married walk down the aisle to her beloved with a veil softly trailing behind. Ever wonder the reason why brides usually wear a veil on their wedding day? Some history insight you might not have known are discussed by Kathryn from Bridal Style Inc, who is enlightening brides on The History Behind Why Brides Wear Veils .

The first recorded instance of wearing a veil can be found back in the 13^th century BC when noble women mostly wore these gorgeous long pieces of fabric attached to their hair. Across the centuries, veils evolved to be used as a fashionable piece to hide the identity of the bride or add to the aura of propriety and modesty. In some cases veils were considered a religious necessity to wear veil.

With the passage of time weddings evolved into religious ceremonies and wedding veils came to symbolize modesty and obedience. Just as white wedding dresses were worn to express chastity, the white wedding veil followed suit.

Wedding veils can be found in many different cultures and religions around the world. In western cultures it is seen as a wedding accessory and it has become an important embellishment for the bride as part of her overall look on her wedding day. When choosing a wedding veil, a bride should consider the style of her wedding gown, and the way she wishes to wear her hair on her wedding day, as well as the theme and overall style of the wedding.
Royal Palms Resort and Spa Wedding Photos | Scottsdale Wedding Photos | April Maura Photography | www.aprilmaura.com_2678.jpg

Although there is no compulsion for brides to wear a veil in contemporary wedding ceremonies; the superstitious consider it essential to do away with evil spirits and demons by wearing one. The old adage that it is considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride prior to the wedding means hiding the bride’s face before the ceremony is achieved by wearing a veil.

Veils are now an iconic bridal style but with plenty of options to choose from, so the question is, how do you pick the right one to go well with your wedding dress? Length is one important factor when looking for a perfect match for your wedding style.

When it comes to your wedding, try to match the color of the veil to your wedding gown which will make you look perfect for the wedding day. Keep your veil simple with minimal extras if your wedding dress is deeply embellished. If you have a simple gown, you can be more adventurous with your wedding accessories, and your wedding veil can include a lace hem, sequin or beaded detail and an intricate design.

Veils come in many lengths – fingertip, waltz, ankle and cathedral are the most popular ranging from the shortest reaching your fingertips to the Cathedral length which sits on the floor behind you, creating a stunning photo opportunity as you walk down the aisle. For those who don’t want to make quite that statement, you can also go for blusher veil which is placed at the crow of the head and can be made longer or shorter depending on how far back you place the comb.

Standard sizes for veils:

Fingertip (43-45 inches)
Waltz (52-53 inches)
Ankle (70-72 inches)
Cathedral (108-110 inches)

Once you have picked your style, it is also important to know where and how to wear your veil. Veils can be fastened with combs, clips or bobby pins. The drop wedding veil is on-trend right now. An illusion comb can be stitched in with invisible thread to permit the veil to almost float on top of your hairstyle. Alternatively, to add a vintage look you can go for Juliet cap veil. You can use the veil tightly trimmed and wear it as a cap with the sides pinned back with combs or pins behind each ear. Try to put some fun ideas into the veil by using flowers, combs and pins – all add a vintage style to your wedding style.

No matter the reason for wearing a bridal veil, they are the consummate accessory for brides on their wedding day. Wearing one is often the piece that completes the wedding style of the bride and makes her feel like a true bride on her wedding day.

And with so many beautiful styles to choose from with online wedding shops like Bridal Style Inc, there is a wedding veil for every bride available to make her feel beautiful on her wedding day.

Guests Author: Kathryn Porritt

Kathryn Porritt is the owner of Bridal Style Inc., your feminine online wedding shop filled with a curated collection of bridal accessories, wedding lingerie and wedding gowns to buy online. A celebrated author on all things weddings and parties, and an experienced wedding planner and stylist, Kathryn’s unique feminine wedding style is brought to her customers through her beautiful online wedding collections.