Bridal Millinery & Veils

Spoiled For Choice
An extensive range of veils in different colours, lengths and materials is available. And if you can’t find the veil you want, you can have one made. Remember too, that if you are having difficulty matching the colour of your gown and veil, you can always have a veil dyed.

Head Start
Faced with such a huge selection, you may feel slightly daunted. A good starting point is to talk to your hairdresser about your wedding day hairstyle, your gown, and the type of veil and headpiece that will work well with these elements.

It is also important to consider the shape of your face. If your face is heart shaped, a clever combination of hairstyle, headpiece and veil can add fullness at your jaw line. A bride with a round face should consider a headpiece that adds height, while a headpiece that sits towards the back of the head is ideal for a square face. And if your face is oval shaped, look for a headpiece that frames your face.

Aisle Style
Your wedding gown will dictate the design, length and colour of your veil, so wait until you know exactly what you’ll be wearing before you choose a veil. It’s always a good idea to buy your gown and veil from the same store. You will then be able to try them on together to ensure that the colour and style match.

If you have to look for a veil elsewhere, have a friend snap a photo of you in your gown and take the photo, a swatch of your gown’s fabric and your headpiece when you go shopping for your veil.

The Long & The Short of It
The length of your veil should flatter you and your gown, as well as being appropriate for the theme and style of your wedding.

If you decided on a formal wedding, you have probably chosen a full-length gown with train. Team it with a cathedral or a chapel veil. If your dress is full-length but has no train, a fingertip length veil will look fabulous, and for a cocktail or suit length gown, the chin length blusher veil is ideal.

Make sure that your veil has its own comb. This will allow it to be placed more easily, and will also afford you the option of removing your veil before your reception while leaving your headpiece in place.

Sating & Lace
There are endless choices when it comes to trimmings for your veil: from satin or lace edges, seed pearls and sequins, to crystals, beads and appliqué.

If your gown has pearls, beads, embroidery or a lace feature, you can continue that theme through to your veil by either subtly scattering the trim across the fabric or placing it around the edges of the veil.

Colour Co-ordinated
Veils are available in a spectrum of colours, and you can choose any colour you like. Just make sure that it suits the colour of your gown and that you can see clearly through it. The materials used for veils are usually light and delicate. Silk, nylon, lace or netting (tulle) are all popular choices. Tulle is the least expensive and is available in a wider colour range than other veiling.

Glamorous Hats
Many brides decide not to wear a veil and headpiece, opting instead for a glamorous hat. Look through bridal magazines to get an idea of what is available, or you may want to contact a milliner and have a hat made for you.

Again, there are no rules when it comes to the style of hat a bride should wear. The choice is entirely yours: from a pert pillbox to a sweeping brim, from exotic to cool classic. You will find hats trimmed with feathers or lace, hats with delicate tulle ‘veils’, and hats studded with pearls or crystals. Just ensure that the hat you choose complements the fabric and style of your gown, and matches your other accessories.

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