Wedding Blog

I’m so silly. I do this type of thing all the time, you see. I pick one thing, then change my mind. I think of one extreme, then switch to the other. I do it all the time, and this aspect of my personality comes out in all areas of my life… so, of course, my extremist nature rears its head whilst wedding planning.

At first, I envisioned an ultra-modern wedding, sleek lines, at a loft in the city, with a sheath dress (no lace), structured flowers, bold colors, and a birdcage veil.

As planning has progressed, I’ve seen myself gravitate towards traditional and classic, and away from that ultra-hip, too-cool-for-school wedding. That no-lace sheath dress? Became the all lace dress. The structured flowers? Became the soft, feathery flowers. That hip, city space? Became a country manor.

I’m sure you can see where this is going (if only I had!). In those very first stages of wedding planning, I was determined to have everything planned before I left for England. So, I rushed and forged ahead, without fully thinking things through. I circled, dog-eared, and tabbed bridal magazines out of their little papered minds. The first thing I knew I wanted? A birdcage veil.

So I rushed again, did a quick Google search, found a woman whose veils looked nice and prices seemed reasonable, compared to what I had seen in bridal stores (mistake).

I hurried to purchase one, and I explained to her exactly what I wanted. She made it—exactly as I had described it.  I’m just not sure if it’s what I want now.

I’ve seen so many pictures of gorgeous mantilla veils, and think about just how lovely and bridal they are, blowing in the wind, with the faint lace edging. It’s okay; I know by now, you’re probably thinking, ‘Miss D’orsay - you’re crazy.’ Mantilla vs. birdcage veil… verrrrrrry different.

Not to mention that my dress is all lace, and matching the lace to veil could be complicated. And honestly, it could be lace-overload. Most of the mantilla veils I see are photographed with non-lace dresses.

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I found this veil diagram via Mrs. Ladybug, and woweezowee, has it been helpful! After seeing so many “veil blowing in the wind” photos, I see that I should be looking for a veil that is between 45″ to 54″, according to this diagram.

I’m not coveting a blusher or a drop veil, mostly because I don’t like the idea of having things completely covering my face. I’m not considering ankle or chapel veils, because for me, walking is already dangerous enough. I really just want a windswept, “swooshy” veil. Even the David’s Bridal model is rocking the swooshy veil in my dress!

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I assume the best course of action is to wait until I’m back in the U.S. where I can try on different veils with my actual dress on. So hive, do you suggest I hang onto the birdcage veil for the reception, and acquire a longer veil? Or, should I ditch the birdcage veil and look for a new, longer veil?

What are your favorite resources for veil shopping? Were you able to try on your veil and dress together before you purchased your veil?