Veils: Who Knew They Were So Complex?
January 15th, 2007 @ 8:24 am by Mrs. Hibiscus
At first, the idea of wearing tulle on my head during my wedding seemed quite unattractive. Therefore, I was convinced I would not need to be buying a veil. Case closed. Money saved. Hooray! That is, until I kept seeing all the beautiful pictures of brides with their hair and veil blowing in the wind. It seemed rather, “bridal” would be the word. Now I think the right veil completes the whole look. Needless to say, I softened to the idea and I’m currently in the market for a veil.
I seriously had no idea how complicated purchasing a veil truly is. You have to choose the number of layers, the fullness, the material, the color, whether you want a blusher, the cut, the length, the trim and how you want to wear it on your head. Then you have to decide whether or not you want beading, rhinestones, crystals, embroidery or none of the above. On top of that you have to justify paying $100+ for a piece of tulle you’re only going to wear once in your life. This is honestly more stressful for me than wedding dress shopping.
So I took the liberty of compiling several places you can buy your veil for a “reasonable” price. Some have pictures and “education” on all the different choices you have to make; some even have picture galleries showing the veils at different angles and different positions on the mannequin’s head. I hope this helps someone out because I was lost. Now I have some questions for you all. Where did you get your veil/Where are you planning to get your veil? How did you narrow down all the options to make your final choice?
Tru Pink Designs
Occansey Designs
Veil Shop
WeddingVeil.com
Veils by Oleana
Some off Ebay
VeilsNMore
Ginger Wedding
Bella Bridal Veils
ValuVeil
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23 Responses to “Veils: Who Knew They Were So Complex?”
I also didn’t want a veil - but softened to the idea and now I’m wearing a chapel length, actually the same one my mom wore. I wanted the super long one anyway, b/c if I was going to wear a veil, I was going to go all out. And luckily, that was the length my mom wore.
I bought mine from the store I bought my dress. I paid too much for it, but it was worth it to be able to try it on. ($50) I tried on two: a short one with a tiara and then a very long single layer one. I fell in love with the long one, and that was the end of the story!
After lots of research, I finally decided on weddingveil.com. I fell in love with a blusher/fingertip mantilla veil. because my dress is so simple, I wanted a more elaborate veil to complete the look. I should be getting it next week or so. I’m so excited!
At first, I too did not want to wear a veil but came around to it and bought it from Occansey Designs (they were wonderful, inexpensive ($30 for mine) and shipped very quickly). Since I wanted my lace jacket to be the focal point, I chose a very simple veil - slightly longer than elbow (I think it is 35 inches), no edging or beading, minimum fullness (it’s cut narrower at the top so it is less full and more sheer), no blusher. I really went as basic as possible.
Good luck in your decision!
I bought my veil from trupink designs and had a wonderful experience. 
Very reasonably priced, and the service was outstanding and very fast.
I remembered when my best friend got married years ago. Her veil, although very beautiful, came to about 250.00.
I told myself when the time came I would not do the same thing. But accepted the possibility that I’d end up shelling out the same.
When I made the decision that I wanted a cathedral length veil after trying on both with my dress, I was dismayed to learn my cousin, who had a veil of similar length, paid close to 1000 for hers.
Fortunately, a weddingbee blogger blogged about one of the sites you mentioned above and I found a veil at one for the bargain price of 69.00! I think it was 75 plus shipping and handling. But even so, it was a great deal!
I’m a simple kind of girl. I knew I wanted my veil long, as long as my train but not longer, and no beads or decoration. The lady at the shop I went to went to the back and came out with THE one on the first try.
Anyone use silk tulle? I’ve seen a few sites where it’s not terribly expensive, including some of the ones you listed. I’ve heard it’s incredibly delicate and catches on everything, including engagement rings, and then it runs. Also that if you try the “veil over the face” photo you end up looking like a corpse wrapped in a shroud. NOT a very bridal look! But, still, it looks gorgeous, especially for a simple veil worn at the back of the head…
Initially I didn’t want a veil at all. I don’t like their original purpose… But then, like so many of you, came around to the fact that it really does make you look like a bride. I am now a two veil bride! I couldn’t decide what kind of veil I wanted, long a traditional or short and retro, so I made one of each. The short one is my favorite. It is a fishnet that swoops over one of my eyes like the netting on many vintage hats. The long one, made of tulle, fastens onto either the crown of my head or to my pony tail and is shoulder length. I’m going to wear the long traditional one for the ceremony since I’m having an afternoon wedding in an art gallery. My dress is also tea length, so anything I can do to stress the ‘bridal’ aspect is good! Then I’m going to switch to the more fun, stylish short one for the reception entrance. Also, if any of you, or anyone you know, knows how to work a sewing machine AT ALL I really suggest you try making your veil. I bought all of the supplies for both veils, including a gorgeous vintage-style rhinestone hair comb, and it came to less than $17. Michael’s has some instructions on their website and just about any fabric store will tell you what do purchase and how to do it.
After seeing the prices for veils, I decided to make my own. I have a two-tier, fingertip length veil made out of sparkle tulle. It was relatively simple to make, and it looks gorgeous with my dress! I chose the sparkle tulle because my dress is fairly simple, and I liked that it was different from the other veils that I had seen in bridal salons and catalogs.
When I purchased my dress at a trunk show, the designer himself put the gorgeous veil on my head. It is a cathedral length veil with french alencon lace along the bottom. My dress is entirely alencon lace, so I think it ties it in beautifully. I was not thrilled to pay what it cost, but at least I got 10% off by buying it at a trunk show!
And one other thing–my dress is ivory, a darker ivory than some. It’s not one of those where you’re not sure if it’s “diamond white” or ivory, it’s definitely ivory. I’ve never seen an ivory veil in person, but all the ones I’ve seen online look, well, dirty. Is that true? I guess I should go look at them in a bridal salon, I just feel as if I’m being pounced on when I go into one other than RK Bridal. Or I could go look in Michaels at their tulle.
i already had an idea of what i wanted (a little full on top, 108″ wide, single layer, standard cut, cathedral length, ivory), so this helped a lot, but with the few questions i had, kathy at occansey designs was great! she even sent me pictures she thought would help me make my decision. i actually happened to receive my veil yesterday and it was perfect… and it was well under $100! i would highly recommend occansey.
Pencils, my dress is ivory as well. I have no clue whether or not the veil is, but I know the lace at the edge of the veil is ivory. It definitely does not look dirty. If your dress is ivory and your veil is as well, then there will be nothing for you to compare the veil color to on your wedding day!
I’m either making mine myself or buying it from Veils by Olena. A LOT of the Atlanta brides get their veils from her because she’s extremely nice and inexpensive. Plus, they say her work is quality. I’ve also heard great reviews on her customer service.
how funny, i went veil shopping this weekend and i was getting so irritated! i was gonna do research for veils online and here you are listing places THANKS!
Thanks sooo much for the info on veil sites!! I am totally clueless as to what kind of weil would look best with my dress. I am thinking cathedral length. Hmmm… Time to do some research!! Thanks for the starting point!
A veil is a great thing to borrow! Most former brides won’t mind loaning it out to a dear friend/relative because it’s less personal and won’t be damaged like having a dress re-fitted. I’ve been working with someone I found online to have a mantilla made, but I have my sister’s veil as a backup and I got the thumbs up from my gown designer that it’s a match.
Silk tulle — I love the idea of this. But also agree that it just doesn’t flow/hang the way modern veils do. The royal brides always seem to have silk veils but they are never shown worn over the face.
Inspiration from royal weddings:
http://www.amalfi-wedding-planner.com/eng/CoppieFamose.htm
I bought lace by the yard from the fabric store and sewed on a comb by hand after my hair was done on my wedding day.
I got raves from people acosting my mom asking where I’d found my veil. They weren’t prepared for the answer, much to my mom’s obvious amusement.
Glad I can help some of you guys! I’m looking into single teir, maybe fingertip length, cut edge….but who knows?
Can anyone help?!! I have a few yards of silk chiffon that matches my dress perfectly and I would like a simple veil made. I merely need the edges of the fabric to be rolled and then maybe a comb for my head. I live in New York City and can’t find anyone to do it for less than $100!! Is this a normal rate given that I have the fabric already? This veil stuff is totally stressful . . .
Please don’t use “Veils by Olena”….I had the worst experience with her. She was completely unwilling to work with me. They said that you could exchange your veil within 5 days, and due to shipping issues, I contacted her the morning of the 6th day…and she said “We can not exchange your veil, you will need to purchase another veil.” All of this because of a few hours….She was not willing to help me in any way, so please don’t use this website….it was an awful experience.
Mrs. Hibiscus, Orange County
Age and Occupation in 06: 25, Eyebal Doc
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Commerical Underwriter
Engagement Date: September 26, 2004
Wedding Date: July 7, 2007
Venue: Laguna Beach on the beach, reception on a yacht in Newport Beach
About Me: I'm an eyeball doc. Normal is boring. I'm a hat person and a cat person. I'm in love (so very very in love). I'm a dreamer. I want to change the world. Superheroes are my friends. Kindness is contagious. Music is in my heart. Carpe diem.
I’ve decided that the veil is the perfect place for me to incorporate something from my mom’s wedding dress. She wore a plain spaghetti strap A-line, but wore a long chiffon “cape” over the dress. My plan to have the chiffon train (which has plenty of fabric) tailored into my finger-tip to floor length, single layer (no-blusher) veil. My dress is a heavy satin, so the slightly heavier chiffon should compliment the dress - perhaps even better than tulle could have.