Wedding Veils: 26 of the Prettiest Designs for Brides
On the hunt for a wedding veil? We round up the seven types of wedding veil out there plus our favourite designs to shop now…
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From Meghan Markle's regal wedding veil, to Kourtney Kardashian's statement lace accessory and Hayley Bieber's monogrammed masterpiece, wedding veils are a popular choice with celebrities. But, when it comes to your own big day bridal veil, you might have a few questions. What wedding veil style will suit you? What length veil should you wear? Should you even wear a wedding veil at all?
Traditionally worn to ward off evil spirits and cover the bride’s beauty, bridal veils highlight the bride as she walks down the aisle, often enhancing her wedding dress by complementing the lace or embroidery.
If you’ve decided you’d like to wear a wedding veil on your special day, you need to decide on a wedding veil style. That said, the decision isn’t as easy as just choosing “long” or “short”. Covering cathedral-length tulle wedding veils to statement wedding veils with crystals, here are our favourite veils for weddings to shop now, plus every bridal veil style you can choose from explained and expert advice from Grace Loves Lace founder Megan Ziems.
- Shop Our Favourite Wedding Veils
- The 7 Types of Wedding Veil
- How to Choose a Wedding Veil
- What Style Wedding Veil Will Suit Your Wedding Dress?
- Veils For Brides FAQs
Our Favourite Wedding Veils
1. Celestial Veil – £430, Grace Loves Lace
Covered in 139 glass gems and unapologetically bold, if you want your wedding day get-up to truly wow, the Celestial wedding veil from Grace Loves Lace is the one for you. As far as wedding veils with crystals go, it's a real winner.
2. Bow Front Volume Veil – £39, Coast
Pretty and romantic, if a cheap wedding veil is what you are looking for, Coast have nailed it with their bow adorned beauty. You would never guess that it costs less than £40! Pair it with a bow wedding dress for a flirty, fun look.
3. Annette Lace Wedding Veil – from £77.46, Etsy
There's something seriously special about an all-lace wedding veil and this option by La Voile Rose is ticking all our boxes. Available in multiple lengths, we love the idea of a cathedral wedding veil that is crafted from this luxe fabric.
4. Iris Flower Embroidered Wedding Veil – £125, Not On The High Street
Pair your boho wedding dress with this embroidered flower wedding veil for a look that is unique and perfect for a laid-back bride. Oh, and don't forget to don a cool pair of bridal sunglasses too!
5. Helena Veil Headband – £863, Jenifer Behr at Farfetch
Jenifer Behr is the designer to know for modern and on-trend bridal accessories so when we saw this veil headband on Farfetch, we fell head over heels. It's on the pricier side, but just look at those intricate florals and light-weight tulle.
READ MORE: 24 Stunning Wedding Tiaras
6. Hip Length Floral Embroidered Veil – £48, ASOS
ASOS is another great contender for cheap wedding veils that look anything but bargain! Take this hip-length flower wedding veil for example - we love its simplicity.
7. Penny Pearl Veil – £75, Sister Jane
We're obsessed with the pearl wedding dress trend, so it's no surprise that we are swooning over this pearl embellished wedding veil too. Classic yet cool, the Penny pearl veil will be a dreamy addition to your look.
8. Barely There Skylar Veil – £73, Not On The High Street
The Skylar veil by Britten Weddings is perfect for brides who want something subtle and understated. It would look beautiful paired with a wedding hair up-do and can be attached to a silver, gold or rose gold clip.
9. Feather Trim Veil – £75, Gigi & Olive
As well as rocking this feather-trimmed wedding veil on your big day, how about wearing it as part of your hen do outfit too? Stylish, chic and glamorous, we love how playful and fun it is.
10. White Diamante Veil – £16.99, Quiz
This wedding veil with crystals from Quiz is incredibly affordable and ideal if you want a touch of sparkle without making a huge statement. It'll look amazing when it catches the light.
READ MORE: 55 Designer Wedding Shoes
11. Margarita Daisy Veil – £300, Anne-Marie Faulkner
This stunning chapel-length veil is made from soft tulle embroidered with a scattered daisy design in ivory. We’re all for a statement veil, and this one would look fabulous paired with a simple wedding dress.
12. Fingertip Length Lace Edged Wedding Veil – £148, Britten
Next up is another beautiful veil for brides who want to keep things simple. Elegant and classic, this off-white wedding veil has a lace trim which starts around shoulder height. It falls to fingertip length and would look beautiful with all styles of wedding dress.
13. Pleated Wedding Veil – from £92.49, Etsy
A modern alternative to the traditional wedding veil, this pleated piece is available in shoulder, elbow, fingertip, and ballet length to suit your needs. It falls so elegantly!
14. Truly Madly Deeply Long Veil – £290, Grace Loves Lace
Steal Hayley Bieber's bridal style by opting for this monogrammed wedding veil from Grace Loves Lace. As this model showcases, it makes for a pretty spectacular photograph.
15. Bridal Bow Wedding Veil – £15.99, Not On The High Street
Bridal bows are having a major moment so whether you wear a wedding dress with bows, or go for this beautiful bow wedding veil, you are guaranteed to be right on trend.
READ MORE: 23 Wedding Trends Set to be Huge in 2023
16. Firefly Crystal Drops Bridal Veil – £99, Rainbow Club
This stunning wedding veil with crystals gives the illusion of rain cascading from tulle and is a sight to behold. We think it would look wonderful with a winter wedding dress.
17. Bridal Sequin Tulle Veil – £59, Coast
A tulle wedding veil dotted with shimmering micro-sequins? Yes, please! A contemporary twist on a classic look, this Coast number will help you shine on your big day.
18. Lovesick Glitter Birdcage Veil – £35, Not On The High Street
For a bridal veil that is quirky and cool, consider this birdcage style pick that features tiny glitter hearts. You can mix up the colour of the embellishments but we love this pretty pink hue.
19. Lace Flower Motif Wedding Veil – £148, Britten
If you’re after something longer, the Paisley veil is a lovely choice. It has lace motifs appliqued around the edge of the train and the front of the veil which each have silver metallic threading running through them.
20. Riviera Bridal Cathedral Wedding Veil – £989.76, Etsy
Yes, the Riviera bridal veil is pricey, but it will leave your guests (and your partner!) speechless. From the pearl detailing to the delicate florals, if you're after an out of this world wedding veil, this is it.
READ MORE: 19 Things You Need to Know Before Your Hair and Makeup Trail
21. Flores Veil – £380, Ann-Marie Faulkner
If you want to add a bit of colour to your wedding day get-up, a veil like this one from Ann-Marie Faulkner would be perfect. We love the pastel-hued embellishments which adorn the bottom of the veil. This veil can be worn as a single or double tier.
22. Silver Mica Flake Veil – from £170.90, Etsy
Flecked with metallic flakes, this tulle wedding veil is an ethereal and magical accessory. Choose from silver or gold and watch your wedding day look totally transform when you wear it.
23. Into The Meadow Flower Veil– £95, Gigi & Olive
Fashion-forward brides will love Gigi & Olive's wedding veil offerings. Their Into The Meadow veil has dried flowers scattering the tulle for an effortlessly chic finish.
24. Satin-Trimmed Tulle Wedding Veil– £370, Jenifer Behr at Net-A-Porter
Another beautiful Jenifer Behr wedding veil is this classic and simple piece on from Net-A-Porter. It'll be easy to slip on and off thanks to it's short length.
25. Custom Slogan Circle Veil– £45, Not On The High Street
Whether you personalise this wedding veil with 'Hell Yeah', 'Forever' or 'I Do', this custom slogan veil will say it loud and proud. Get creative and have fun with it!
26. Polka Veil – £150, Ann-Marie Faulker
Brides who want to rock something a little different on their big day will adore this veil by Ann-Marie Faulkner. This elbow-length veil has been made using a delicately soft French tulle in ivory with flocked ivory spots.
The 7 Types of Wedding Veil
1. Cathedral-Length Wedding Veils
A cathedral-length wedding veil is the longest veil type of them all and will create an utterly regal look if a bride chooses to wear one on her wedding day. A cathedral veil will reach well past the end of the wedding dress, often measuring 120-144 inches in length.
2. Chapel Length Wedding Veils
Also referred to as a church-length veil, chapel veils ooze drama and glamour. They’re slightly shorter than cathedral wedding veils but are often chosen by brides who want the effect of a train without actually having one on their dress.
A chapel-length veil often sweeps across the floor behind the bride, extending slightly past her dress and measuring somewhere between 90 and 110 inches.
3. Waltz Wedding Veil
If you’re after a veil which falls between the calf and ankle, a waltz wedding veil is the wedding veil style for you. These are great if you’re hoping to keep your veil on well into the reception, because they don’t interfere with dancing.
The waltz wedding veil is also sometimes called a ballet wedding veil and measures somewhere between 54 and 60 inches.
4. Fingertip Wedding Veil
Fingertip wedding veils are perhaps the most popular wedding veil style, and for good reason. They fall just beyond the bride’s hip and are extremely flattering to most wedding dress styles. What’s more, they’re often single-tiered and beautifully sheer, so if you have any lovely detailing on the back of your dress, you guests will still be able to see it.
Fingertip wedding veils often measure around 40 inches in length.
5. Elbow Wedding Veil
Slightly shorter than the fingertip veil, elbow wedding veils typically measure 25 inches in length. Elbow veils are another hugely popular style due to their compatibility with most wedding dresses, from long sleeve wedding dresses to ballgown wedding dresses.
They fall gracefully over the bride’s shoulders to her elbows, and they’re a great way to cover your shoulders in a religious wedding ceremony without having to wear a bolero or shrug.
6. Shoulder-Length Wedding Veil
As the name suggests, the shoulder-length wedding veil falls to your shoulders before being cut off. They’re usually around 20 inches in length and are a great option for brides who want something understated which won’t compete with their dress.
They work particularly well with dresses which are heavily embellished on the bodice. Just remember – where in your hair you place the veil will alter the length of it!
7. Blusher Wedding Veil
Also known as an angle veil or wedge wedding veil, this veil style falls over the face and ends as the dress starts. Since it covers the face, it’s often pulled back by the bride’s partner at the start of the ceremony to reveal her face. This is a really romantic moment!
READ MORE: 21 Romantic Ways to Surprise Your Other Half on Your Wedding Day
Expert Tips for Choosing a Wedding Veil
1. Consider Your Budget
As with any aspect of your wedding planning, you need to consider your wedding budget. For a seemingly small accessory, wedding veils can come with impressive price tags. Decide what you’re willing to spend on your veil and that’ll limit your options from the beginning.
2. Think About Your Hairstyle
The wedding hairstyle you choose will determine what style of veil you wear. If you go for a low up-do, you may wish to clip your veil underneath the base of your bun. If you choose to wear your hair down in long, tousled curls, it’s nice to add the veil to the crown of your head for added volume.
Speak to your bridal hairstylist before purchasing your veil to check they’ll be able to incorporate it into your chosen look.
3. Try Your Veil on With Your Dress
Your wedding dress is the star of the show on your big day, so you’ll want a veil which enhances your dress without outshining it.
Consider what type of veil goes with which dress (more on that later) and then try on lots of different options. You’ll soon be able to see which work and which don’t.
Which Style of Veil Goes with Which Style of Dress?
If You’re Wearing a Simple Wedding Dress
If you’re wearing a simple wedding dress and don’t want anything too over-the-top, a blusher wedding veil would be the perfect choice. Choose one with a satin or lace trim if you’d like to frame your face, or a veil embellished in scattered pearls for a stylish take on tradition.
If You’re Wearing a Heavily Embellished Wedding Dress
If you’re already wearing a heavily embellished wedding dress, you can go one of two ways. If you want a sparkly and glamourous bridal look, go all-out and opt for a cathedral length train. Otherwise, opt for something shorter and simple with bead work around the trim.
If You’re Wearing a Dress with a Long Train
If you’re wearing a dress with a long train, you can pretty much wear any type of veil. That is, of course, as long as your dress doesn’t have lots of detailing to the back. A cathedral veil would be our choice – just make sure it extends past the end of the train!
If You’re Wearing a Dress with a Statement Back
If you’re wearing a dress with lots of pretty back detailing, opt for a blusher wedding veil which is designed with just one single tier. This will mean the veil is sheer enough for the detail to be admired through.
If You’re Wearing a Short Wedding Dress
If you’re wearing a short wedding dress, you’ll need to go for a shorter veil too. A blusher veil would be a lovely choice – or how about a veil alternative like a birdcage veil or headband?
Veils For Brides FAQs
Are Wedding Veils Out of Style?
Although wedding veils are a traditional accessory, they are certainly not out of style and are often worn by contemporary brides.
Megan Ziems, founder of Grace Loves Lace agrees, saying: “I don’t think veils will ever be out of style. While they might not always be for every bride, veils create wow moments and a dreamy entrance to be remembered. Different styles of veils certainly come in and out of fashion, for example traditional and more detailed veils are having a huge moment this wedding season.”
How to Get Creases Out of a Wedding Veil?
Your wedding veil will be crafted from delicate fabric, whether that's lace or tulle, so you need to be mindful of this when you get creases out. We recommend steering clear of an iron and instead gently steaming your wedding veil instead with a handheld steamer.
Should stubborn creases persist, hang your wedding veil in the bathroom and let steam from a hot shower work its magic!
How Much Do Wedding Veils Cost?
The cost of a wedding veil can really vary depending on whether you are having it custom-made, the type of fabric it is made from and the length of the piece.
What Does a Wedding Veil Mean for a Bride?
Traditionally, a wedding veil was used to hide the bride from evil spirits but these days they are typically used to make a stunning statement.
“Many of our brides will choose to wear a veil for a romantic yet show-stopping moment in their wedding ceremony. Although veils are thought of as traditional, Grace Loves Lace veils can add an element of interest to your look with exclusive fabrics and trims lending to a variety of styles - from the ultra-modern and glam to the time-honoured soft and sweet," explains Megan.
"We also see brides using their veil as a way to distinguish between their ceremony and their reception looks, often swapping out their veil for other accessories after the ceremony to create distinct aesthetics. We have a range of classic veils for the more traditional bride, along with others that feature lace, embroidery and embellishments for the bride that wants more impact.”
How to Keep Your Wedding Veil in Place?
We’ve got some top tips for keeping your veil put all day long.
- Backcomb your hair. Use a backcombing brush to lift the section of the hair where you’d like to wear your veil. Then, backcomb the lower section of hair before laying the smooth section back over the top.
- Use hairspray! A gentle spritz of hairspray will ensure your veil stays in place for longer.
- Use bobby pins if you don’t want to backcomb your hair. Lift the top layer of hair, just above where you’d like the hair comb to sit, and secure two bobby pins in an “X” shape. Drop the top layer of hair and fix the hair comb where you made the “X”. If your hair is really thick or extra silky, you may need more than two clips!
- Use pin curls to keep your veil in place as an alternative to bobby pins and backcombing. Do this by creating two pins curls where you’d like to secure the veil, then placing the veil into said curls.
Now that you’ve chosen your wedding veil, you can add the other finishing touches to your wedding day outfit. Check out our round up of the best designer wedding shoes which are worth blowing your budget on.
