A Wedding Veils Guide: All You Ever Wanted To Know About The Bridal Veil

How To Choose the Perfect Veil for Your Body Type

The veil has the ability to help correct your body proportions.

• If you have a large chest or stomach, a long veil will be more flattering as it will make you look taller.
• Pear-shaped women tend to look better in a veil that falls on the shoulder, elbows or the waist. These lengths draw attention to the smallest parts of your body, instead of the width of your hips.
• Plus-size women should ideally wear a single layer veil to avoid adding more volume to the body.
• Tall women can wear longer veils, and short women will look better with a veil that falls at the waist or above.

Choose the right veil for your body type. Floral appliqué wedding dresses and bridal veils are so feminine, elegant and also on point – Oscar de la Renta.

Vintage french bridal alencon lace mantilla cathedral veil in ivory.

Bridal Veils Guide: The Long and the Short of it

There are seven main lengths: Birdcage, Flyaway, Elbow, Waltz, Fingertip, Chapel and Cathedral wedding veils. Let’s get to know them.

1- Birdcage Veil: Elegance meets Casual

Nothing screams vintage aesthetic like the birdcage veil. Generally made from tulle or net, they are attached to one side of the hairstyle.

The French or birdcage veil is a beautiful choice for brides who would rather avoid the fuss of longer veils while still matching any hairdo.

They are also ideal for windy venues where a long veil can be difficult to control.

A birdcage veil adds a romantic vibe to your aesthetic as a bride. Photography by Petter Karlstrom.

Birdcage veils.

2- Flyaway Veil: For a more Casual Look

A fly-away veil falls at or below the shoulders, and it’s another great option for vintage brides or for short wedding dresses. Compared to birdcage veils, fly-away veils make a bigger statement and offer more volume.

Veils that reach the shoulders fit well with dresses that have detail on the bust, hips or lower back. However, they are often too informal to wear with classic or formal dresses.

Flyaway veil.

3- Elbow Veil: Romantic Comfort

Its length falls to the elbows or below. It’s super flattering to a woman’s figure because it highlights the waist and it goes well with all wedding gowns.

Elbow veils pair well with a romantic dress, because they end where the skirt begins. It is a very versatile veil and you will feel elegant and beautiful on your big day, no matter your choice of hairstyle.

Elbow length veil by Smitten Photography.

Elbow length wedding veil.

4- Fingertip Veil: Versatile Wedding Veil Ideas

No wonder this is one of the most popular veils! You get a beautiful flow from a fingertip veil. It will look gorgeous while walking down the aisle… and on your pics!

These wedding veils go well with most dresses with no train. Short legged brides or those with round figures be warned. Avoid these veils as they would make them look even fuller or shorter.

Also keep in mind that it’s very unlikely that you’ll be wearing this veil all night long. Its length does interfere with hugging friends and family!

A guide to bridal veils to help you complement your wedding day look.

5- Ballerina or Waltz Veil: Elegant Wedding Veils

The waltz veil definitely adds a touch of drama with its fluid fall. This length falls below the knee but above your ankle. It isn’t as commonly worn as the other veils, which makes it a bit unique!

Waltz or ballerina veil paired with a gorgeous wedding hairstyle.

6- Chapel Veil: Formal Veil Styles

Touching the floor, this veil is a bit longer than the wedding gown.  Traditionally used in formal or religious weddings, as its length fits most venues without overwhelming the place.

Make sure it’s only a few inches longer than the dress. The chapel veil is perfect for brides with round shaped faces, because the fall slims down their facial features. It is ideal for wearing with updos and a short train.

Chapel veil. Swoon!!

7- Dramatic Cathedral Veil

The cathedral veil, often seen at extremely formal weddings, should be at least 8 inches (20 centimeters) longer than the train of the dress. They can extend up to 9 feet and look great with classic long dresses with trains. It is delicate and will add sophistication to your wedding attire.

Brides with square faces can opt for this type of veil, since its shape will soften the lines of the face.

You can add some volume on top to bring attention to the hairstyle.

The cathedral veil is impressive and it will make quite an entrance, particularly at a large church wedding.

Cathedral length veil. Swoon!

Touching the floor cathedral veil by Shady Zeineldine couture. Dreamy!

Silk cathedral wedding veil with Swarovski crystals and rhinestone pencil edge with blusher.

Photography Credits: weddingpartyapp, once wed, mywedding, Colin Cowie Weddings, bridal guide magazine, Bel Aire Bridal, Bridal Musings, Hey Wedding Lady, percyhandmade, Junebug weddings, swoonedmagazine