Wedding Blog
When I first purchased my dress I was pretty sure I didn’t want a veil. I revealed this to Mr. Canary and he was surprised. I guess he had always just supposed that all brides wear veils.
My reasons were:
1. I don’t want something in my face
2. I don’t like how veils look. For some strange reason, I always think of Barbie dolls when I see big poufy veils
3. We’re not religious and are not having a religious ceremony (not that veils are associated with any religion). I just associate veils with the whole church and steeple type of wedding
Initially, I just wanted a beautiful hair piece like one of these:
Various hair accessories from Leah C, Jennifer Behr, Bonbon Oiseau, K. Autumn
But I folded and purchased a standard single layer elbow-length veil for the ceremony just so Mr. C could see me with a veil. My only condition was that I did not want it covering my face.
Then I discovered Unveiled Bridal Designs and found the perfect compromise. I immediately ordered a birdcage veil (which I had been pining for since before I even bought my dress) with gold and pearl beading to match the tone of my dress.
The veil arrived neatly packaged in a box. Dorene had also wrapped the outer case in red cellophane. It really was like opening a present! To top it off, Dorene had included a hand written note and special little bag to keep the veil safe!
The veil is perfect. My favorite part is the beading. Dorene had dyed the feathers ivory, and it didn’t look like what I had imagined, but still lovely. The comb is very small, but well made.
At my hair trial we tried on both and everyone agreed that the birdcage suits me much better. I will still wear the classic elbow length veil for the ceremony, but I can’t wait to sport my birdcage for photos.
Here’s a sneak peak.
The packaging.
The note. How thoughtful!
The ostrich feathers and beads. I selected the design and colors off a menu on the site.
A closeup of the beads
And me! How do I look? 
If you’re in the market for a veil alternative, check out Unveiled. They’ve got a lot of variety and the veils cost about the same as a traditional veil, though I think prices have increased a bit since I ordered over the summer.
Some of their other designs (all from real brides!):
All images from www.unveiledbridaldesigns.com
Are you wearing a veil? Which style did you choose and why?
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it looks pretty in the pictures of the birdcage veil itself, but is it perched properly when you put it on? please don’t take this the wrong way - i can’t see any of the feathers from the front like in the magazine pics you posted, it kind of looks like a big hair net.
So jealous-wish I could pull the birdcage veil off!! I just look silly. I’m wearing my mom’s cathedral lace veil, absolutely beautiful, matches my dress to a ‘t’ and always daydreamed of it when I was little!
nejgne: LOL. no offense taken! You make a really good point. that pic is of me when I first go the veil and was playing with it.
Here are pics from my hair trial with the veil correctly placed.
http://img178.imageshack.us/my.php?image=canarybirdcagefrontsd0.jpg
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/659/canarybirdcagebackuo4.jpg
i love the birdcage veil too but still dont want something over my eyes!
did you see katheriene h.’s birdcage veil on the cover of OK! mag. It’s not in her eyes! I think I want to do that!
But I still also love all your flower/feather appliques in the hair too! I’m so torn!
Miss Canary, you have smashing timing! I am looking into birdcage veils currently, but I have no idea if it will look okay on me.
Did you go to a store to try one on before buying? Can you recommend any places?
I just have “big ear” issues (think Will Smith) and it just makes more sense for me to try a birdcage veil on before asking an artist to make one for me.
Your veil looks beautiful though! If you have time, show us a picture of the back with the comb in!
Ooh— I love it. I think it looks *so* romantic, sophisticated, and elegant.
I love the birdcage veil! I wanted to go without a veil, but before a Jewish wedding there is a veiling ceremony and it is customary to wear a veil to cover your face as you walk down the aisle. So, I’ll be in a 2-tier fingertip veil - but at least it has a fun beaded trim.
Ooh, love the hair trial pic from the back - the feathers drape perfectly around your curls!
lilneko69: Nope! I didn’t try one on before ordering, but I did email with Dorene, the owner, extensively and sent her pictures of my dress and asked for a recommendation since I planned on wearing my hair in a lower chignon. Therefore, she cut the netting larger so that it would still frame my face nicely.
If you’re worried about your ears, would you possibly wear your hair down (like the bride in the 2nd photo)? It seems that veil works great with an updo or down-do. But you’re going to be a bride– so you’ll be beautiful regardless.
I posted a link above to pics of the veil from the back. Hope it’s helpful!
Lovebird: Hahaha! I didn’t even realize that. I am crazy for all things bird-related.
ohh ok i love the pics you linked in the comments! it is very flattering on you.
I shopped for birdcage veils for months, constantly thinking “there’s so little to it, I should be able to make my own for a tiny fraction of that price.” I even found a pattern for one.
Then I started on hats. I bought a cocktail hat…and returned it. I bought a cool vintage hat on eBay…and took it to Goodwill a week later.
Eventually I went with ye olde $15.99 Isaac Mizrahi for Target Bridal veil. My only regret is I still think I could have done something more…interesting if I’d put in the time, but by that point, I’d invested a ridiculous amount of time on just the veil, and it was time to move on to bigger things.
I love birdcage veils! I want to wear one and hopefully I can pull it off. But, I just thought of a question, all the pictures I see, including your gorgeous hair trial ones, have a hair up-do. I don’t want an up-do but curly/ wavy long hair. Do birdcage veils work with long hair?
I’m getting my veil from Doreen too!! LOL. I love the birdcage veil!
SO CUTE! What a great compromise between a veil and no veil. I think you look great!!!
I wore a birdcage veil and it was PERFECT! I loved it so much! I didn’t want a veil for the exact same reasons you listed above, but still wanted to feel special and somewhat bride-y. During the reception I had one of my bridesmaids tuck it back into a decorative proof, held in place with bobby pins. It was exactly what I wanted. Great look on you Miss Canary!
hooray for the return of the birdcage veil! i’m majorly lusting after these but i have to wait until i find my dress to commit…
a tip for girls who really want their hair down–i saw a play once where the girl had the material of a birdcage veil but it was turned into a large ornament sort of like the hair flowers seen above. it had the veil feeling without interfering with her face or hair at all…it looked very modern and classic at the same time. just a thought.
Yeah, you look super adorable. It suits and frames the shape of your face perfectly. So chic, I love it.
I love it - it’s very flattering to your face. Then again, I’m biased as I would love to have a birdcage veil at my wedding!
I think you’re onto something here trend-wise!
this is where I’m getting my veil from! now i just need to get that pesky wedding dress ordered first…
I love it! I’m going to order a birdcage from Unveiled. Dorenne has been great so far!!! I totally recommend checking out the place. Plus it’s customized to fit your style! I don’t want a feather so we’re doing crystals and roses to match my theme! I can not wait!!
My mother made a hairpiece for me with the netting and feathers, so it was the same kind of feel without it being over my face:
Just gorgeous! Another good site I found for birdcage veils is somethingbold.com. I fell in love with birdcage veils but the first ones I found were a little out of my price range. The veil I got ended up being less than $40 shipped. They didn’t offer many decorations but I like the simplicity of a plain veil anyway. It was a good option for a bride on a budget like me.
I wore a birdcage veil at my wedding. (You can see it, here on our photographer’s blog: http://bluewindowcreative.blogspot.com/2007/11/lindsey-dan-wedding.html )
Mine was customed made by a wonderful woman in Kansas City, for about $125. This included handbeaded crystals on the piece, a hand-dyed and created veil, plus all the feathers. It took about 3 visits to get it right, but it was the perfect (and I mean perfect!) look for the wedding and for me.
Yours is gorgeous! I hope you love how it looks in pictures as much as I did mine!
i’m loving this! i hadn’t considered one before, but was thinking of going with a hair ornament of some kind and was really drawn to the flowers.
my only question is: do you “lift” it to kiss or leave it down? for those with an opinion or know, shoot me a message!
Thanks!
If you’re looking for great flower girl hair ornaments, gloves, and matching evening bags , try http://www.andreasbeau.com. The site is full of beautiful special occasion accessories.
I wore a bird cage veil it turned out looking really well.
[...] When I arrived, I wasn’t quite sure what kind of hair style I wanted. I told her about my veil issues and how I would have to wear two. I also told her I had several dress changes and ideally would [...]
Hi,
I love your veil. I wanted to order one from Doren also, but I cannot find her contact info, every time I press obtain password or order here nothing happens. Could you please gice me her email address. My address is jamilya.sultan@gmail.com. You will be life saver!!!
Jamilya, I have a suggestion try not being such an adorable nerd. We don’t think you need an veil because your Russian lover won’t be able to see your beautiful face! P.S if it’s windy it might not matter b/c your veil could go flying…says Mikiko V( ^ - ^ )V
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Mrs. Canary, New York
Age and Occupation: 24, Marketing
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Journalist/Editor
Engagement Date: February 16, 2007
Wedding Date: July, 2008
Blogging Since: October 19, 2007
Venue: Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers
About Me: I'm a born and raised New Yorker who loves all things crafty and artsy, food (cheese and dessert!), magazines, and shoes. I'm a power shopper always on the lookout for good deals or great quality-- sometimes I'm lucky and I find both! I love to dance and "shake what my momma gave me" but can also really enjoy a quiet night in with Mr. Canary and a good episode of Seinfeld or curl up with a good book.
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