There are various theories as to the origins of the symbolic wedding veil. Many believe that the Romans originally used to veil to help ward off evil spirits. In the medieval times the wedding veil was seen as a symbol of chastity, purity and modesty. Regardless of where the veil has originated, it has become, over time, almost as important as the wedding dress. Many brides will spend a lot of time trying to choose the perfect veil from the many different styles available.

These days, wedding veils can either be simple or elaborate, just like the wedding dresses that they are being worn with. It is important to remember that wedding veils should always complement the wedding dress rather than clashing with it. Traditionally, your wedding veil should be shorter than your wedding dress. Your body type as well as the length of your wedding gown may influence the style of veil you choose as well.

Gorgeous wedding veils that are created by talented designers from across the world can have a different numbers of tiers, or layers of fabric. Typically, one or two tiered veils are the most popular style. The one tier veil manages to achieve a simple, elegant, less formal look, and is a great choice for the bride who wants to wear the veil on the back of her head as she shows off her unique hairstyle. The two tiered veil, on the other hand, works with almost any hairstyle, and accentuates formal wedding gowns with its blusher. The blusher is a shoulder length layer of material worn over the face, and is a great choice for the bride who wants to keep her ensemble traditional, or make a dramatic statement.

Contrary to popular belief, a veil does not have to be strictly white or ivory in color. For a traditional bride who wants to stay close to the norm but step out on her own slightly, there are wedding veils available in an ivory white or champagne hue. If your wedding dress is ivory or white, then ideally your veil should be the same color, matching flawlessly. If you are wearing a silk or antique wedding dress, then a diamond white shade would be the best color for the veil. If you are wearing a wedding dress that is dark ivory in color, a champagne colored veil will look fabulous. A general rule of thumb concerning wedding veils is that if you put into a situation where your dress and veil need to be different colors, for the best effect the veil should always be a shade lighter than the dress.

The length of your veil is also going to be an important factor that you should consider before making any purchases. Wedding veils come in several different lengths from the short or birdcage veil to the extremely long cathedral veil. The birdcage veil will just about cover your face, while the extreme opposite, the cathedral veil, will elegantly trail several feet behind you. In between these two opposites are other lengths, appropriately named by where they fall on your body. For example you can choose to wear an elbow length veil, a shoulder length veil, or a fingertip length veil depending on your preferences. Another general rule is that if you are having an extremely formal wedding, you may want to consider a longer, more flowing veil.

Wedding veils can also come in a range of different fabrics. The most popular fabric for a wedding veil is the somewhat stiff nylon tulle. Other materials for wedding veils include silk or rayon, both of which tend to be a bit looser and perhaps more comfortable. Veils also come in three main shapes including tiered, square and circular. As the names suggest, a square veil has a straight edge, while a circular veil has a rounded edge. Certain veils that have a coarser weaving, such as the birdcage veil, are made from a unique material known as netting.

Depending upon the look you are trying to create, a veil can be cut or shaped in a variety of ways. The standard cut veil has the most traditional look to it, and can be worn either on top of the head or at the back of the neck, allowing the edges to frame the face perfectly. A center gathered veil is flat and usually made from a circular piece of fabric that is folded to create layers. This type of veil can also be worn either on top of the head or behind it. A flare cut veil creates a particular effect by gathering or cutting the material in a certain way to create a fountain shape or a cascading effect.

The right veil, when worn correctly, can make all of the difference to your overall look on your big day. Take some time to choose the veil that is just right for you by trying multiple styles on with your gown.

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