How to Match Your Wedding Veil to Your Dress: Length, Colour & Style Tips
Your wedding veil is the finishing touch that brings your whole bridal look together. Many bride to be’s mention that when placing their veil, they start to truly feel like a bride. Wearing one is such a sweet tradition, and there is an endless amount of designs, one of which will suit your dress perfectly!
Choosing the right wedding veil can feel a little overwhelming, especially with so many beautiful options to consider. The secret is finding a veil that complements your dress, enhances your features, and feels completely unique to your bridal vision.
Below we’ve placed a simple guide to help you choose the perfect veil to match your wedding dress. From length and colour to style and overall look. Reading this guide will give you a great starting point for wedding veil shopping, or for searching online for your perfect veil.
Photography by Fiona Lewis
Choosing a Veil Length That Complements Your Dress
Veil length can completely transform your look. It sets the tone for your style and can quite literally make the largest statement or the softest little addition.
Shorter veils such as shoulder or elbow length styles work beautifully with relaxed, modern, or tea length dresses. They show off your dress details and create a light, playful feel. Short veils are easier to wear for a long time and can be made in a variety of lengths from birdcage, to veils that graze your shoulders, to elbow or waist length veils that add a little romance without being overwhelming.
Fingertip length veils are timeless and versatile. They flatter most silhouettes and add just the right amount of movement and drama.
Chapel or cathedral length veils bring a touch of formality and grandeur, especially paired with dresses that have a train. They create breathtaking photographs and a sense of occasion.
Short Veil Tip
Often brides think that you might only choose a shoulder or elbow length veil for a tea length, or shorter dress. However, short veils can also pair beautifully with longer dress with trains. A long dress with a short veil will add soft and subtle detail.
Chapel and Cathedral Veil Tip
Once your veil becomes this long, remember to take width into account. This is often overlooked but creating your veil width so that it matches your dress width will elevate your bridal look tenfold. It will make the veil look like it was made for the dress.
Finding the Perfect Veil Colour
The undertone of your veil can make a big difference to how well it complements your dress. You need to ensure that you choose a true white veil to match a white wedding dress, or a veil in a shade of off white or ivory for an ivory wedding dress.
Pale Ivory or off white veils are our most requested veil colour. This is because they complement a range of ivory tones in wedding dresses.
Warm ivory veils suit wedding gowns that have soft, creamy undertones. This would likely be a true ivory dress and matches many vintage ivory dresses.
Champagne, blush or nude-toned veils beautifully enhance gowns with warm or coloured linings, adding depth and softness to your look.
Top Tip: Always compare your veil and dress fabrics in natural daylight as artificial lighting can change how the colours appear. If you’re unsure, ordering swatches first can be so helpful. Also, if your dress has a coloured underlay with lace over the top, take both colours into account and where they are on the warm/cool scale. This will help you choose the correct colour veil. Ask a designer, like us, or a boutique for some tulle fabric samples before settling on the perfect colour.
Photography by Meg Mari
Matching the Veil Style to Your Dress
Your veil should feel like a continuation of your dress not compete with it. The aim is harmony, where both work together effortlessly. Simple tweaks will enhance your look and make your style luxurious and perfectly matched.
Simple gowns look beautiful with a detailed veil, such as lace edging, pearl beading or delicate embroidery. You can really add anything to a minimal gown. A statement veil can be your bridal moment, or a sleek, column veil can echo your paired down style. You can likely go short or long with the length, depending on where the waist and train end.
Heavily detailed dresses often shine brightest with a sheer veil that lets the dress take centre stage. The sheerness will ensure you can see the detail underneath and you can add a trim, or detail at the end of the train to add even more texture and detail if wished.
Lace-trimmed veils pair perfectly with lace gowns when the patterns and tones are similar. It’s a wonderful idea to have a photo of or sample of your lace to take to a veil designer or to shop for your veil. The reason for this is that lace comes in many styles and colours. Knowing if your lace is Chantilly, or corded etc will ensure you choose the perfect lace veil to match your dress.
Embroidered or embellished veils can subtly echo motifs from your dress. We love adding floral details, pearls or sparkle to wedding veils to add something whimsical and pretty to your bridal look. You can always subtle personalisation to your veil, such as initials or wedding date, or even a quote or lyrics to make your veil very personal to you.
Top Tip: Think about the overall mood of your day. A sleek satin gown might call for a clean, minimalist veil, while a floaty tulle dress could be complemented by something airy and romantic. Don’t be afraid of layering texture if your dress has lace or a design. Providing the detail you’ve chosen, such as embroidery or beading complements your dress and is in the right place on your veil, you can elevate an ornate dress beautifully.
The Final Touches
Once you’ve found the right length, colour and style, think about how your veil will sit with your hairstyle and accessories.
A structured updo gives great support for longer or heavier veils.
Light, single-layer veils look beautiful with soft curls or half-up styles.
If you’re working with a veil designer like us, you can have your veil cut into a different shape or gathered differently. For instance a waterfall cut, or minimal gather will make your very extremely delicate and light, whereas a full gather will give you the traditional volume of a wedding veil. There are many ways to slightly alter the veil to make it suit you.
Bring your veil (or a sample) to your hair trial so your stylist can find the perfect placement and make sure it feels secure. We always suggest receiving your wedding veil before a hair trial as you will want to make sure it’s comfortable and matches the hairstyle you envision.
Top Tip: Comfort is key. Your veil should make you feel confident, not distracted. The right comb or attachment will make all the difference.
Finally
Your veil should feel like it belongs with your dress and be the final touch that completes your bridal look. Whether you’re drawn to something dramatic and flowing or light and understated, choose what feels true to you.
If you’d like a little help finding your perfect match, you can explore the Natasha Nicole Studio Veil Collection or get in touch for personalised advice. I’d love to help you find a veil that feels made just for you!
