Why Does Width Matter When Choosing a Wedding Veil?
When it comes to choosing your wedding veil, length tends to get all the attention — but have you ever considered the width?
Veil width is one of the most overlooked elements in bridal styling, yet it plays a crucial role in how your veil complements your dress, enhances your silhouette, and frames those all-important bridal photos. Whether you're dreaming of a romantic, flowing look or a more subtle, tailored finish, the width of your veil can entirely transform your look.
Let’s explore why width matters — and how choosing the right one can elevate your look from beautiful to breath taking.
Veil by Natasha Nicole Studio - Photography by Fiona Lewis
What Is Veil Width?
While length refers to how far your veil falls down your back, width refers to how much fabric is gathered at the comb and how far it extends around your body.
Veils can be made in any width to suit your dress, but below are some standard widths designers use:
54 inches (narrow): A slim, delicate look.
72 inches (medium): A versatile choice offering a gentle cascade around your arms.
108 inches (wide): The most dramatic option, creating a full, enveloping effect.
Each width creates a different visual impact and helps shape the silhouette you present as you walk down the aisle.
How Veil Width Affects Your Overall Look
The width of your veil can influence:
Volume: A narrow veil lays closer to the body, ideal for sleek or minimalist gowns. A wider veil brings drama and grandeur — especially beautiful in romantic or traditional settings.
Framing: Wider veils tend to wrap more around your arms and shoulders, creating a sense of softness and elegance in photos. This can be especially lovely for outdoor or cathedral ceremonies.
Movement: A wider veil flows more freely, catching the light and breeze for that ethereal, dreamy look many brides adore.
A little note - if you’re unsure of the perfect width veil for your dress, you can try on veils at your dress fitting, or ask your boutique for the width of your dress train and take this measurement to a veil designer like Natasha Nicole Studio. We use these measurements to create a custom veil that is the perfect length and width for your dress!
Pairing Veil Width With Your Dress
Your veil should complement your dress, not compete with it. Here’s how to find harmony:
Fitted Gowns (e.g. sheath, mermaid): These often work beautifully with a narrow or medium-width veil. The slimmer fabric won’t overpower the streamlined shape of the gown.
Full Skirts or Ball Gowns: A wider veil balances out the volume of the skirt and enhances the fairytale effect.
Dresses with Trains or Detail at the Back: Consider how the veil will layer over or alongside these features. Ideally your veil should veil just after your dress train ends. However, if you’re having custom embroidery, such as a monogram, initials or other lace or beading, you may want the veil to finish at the exact end of your dress or much longer.
Minimalist Dresses: A slim veil will complement the minimal, modern style, but a wider veil can introduce a sense of romance or whimsy, especially if it features embellishments like hand-painting or lace.
Avoiding Common Misconceptions
It’s easy to assume that wider means better, especially if you’re interested in a long wedding gown and long veil, but the key is choosing a width that feels balanced and intentional.
Sometimes a slim veil is exactly what’s needed to keep the focus on your dress, other times, a wide veil completes the dreamlike vision you’ve always imagined and creates harmony with your dress.
Consider How Your Veil is Gathered
If you have always dreamed of a large, wide veil, or know that this would complement the skirt of your dress most, you may be worried about heaviness or obscuring the details of your dress.
In these cases, consider how your veil is gathered at the comb. No gathering creates a beautiful drop veils style that is extremely sheer. This is wonderful for creating a light and airy veil without taking away the width of the overall veil. Alternatively, your veil can be a partial or full gather, which will give that traditional volume at the veil comb. This can add more drama or may suit your hairstyle better.
Keep in mind, your veil doesn’t need to attach to a comb! We design veils attached to hairbands or clips as needed to make sure they are comfortable and fit your style perfectly.
Your wedding veil is the finishing touch that helps to your bridal look. There are so many different styles, lengths, and designs that you can easily find the perfect veil to balance your gown. Width might seem like a small detail, but when chosen thoughtfully, it can have a big impact on your overall look.
So if you’re feeling unsure about which width is right for you, take a step back and imagine how you want to feel on your wedding day, soft and romantic, modern and sleek, or somewhere in between. There’s a veil out there to match that feeling, and it might just start with the width.
Consider working with Natasha Nicole Studio on a custom wedding veil that showcases your bridal style. We specialise in beautiful custom embroidery, hand beading and even painting. We make veils of all lengths and widths and can give you advice on what would complement your dress most!
Images - Veils by Natasha Nicole Studio - Photography by Fiona Lewis
