The Long and Short of It

The Long and Short of It

May 6th, 2011 @ 2:19 pm by Mrs. Snow Cone
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Having already picked out my dress, the next step in completing my bridal look was the veil. You know how on TV whenever a bride goes dress shopping and a consultant slips a veil onto her head, everyone in a three-mile radius automatically begins tearing up because she finally looks like a real bride? I definitely didn’t have that experience when dress shopping. I tried on a few veils, but never did I have an extra-bridal moment. Instead, I felt kind of weird having a big piece of tulle hanging from my scalp. Despite this lack of immediate attraction, I knew that I would be donning a veil, so I needed to do some research.

The Short

It seems like the most defining characteristic of a veil is its length; beyond that, you can play with different colors, materials, and adornments, but the length is kind of the go-to decision. On the short end of things, you have the birdcage veil, which is usually a very short piece of netting or tulle that hangs no lower than the chin. I had never even heard of this until I saw Reese Witherspoon’s bridal look in Sweet Home Alabama.

Image via Astra Bridal / Credit: Touchstone Studios

I immediately equated a birdcage veil with a traditional, quaint, Southern wedding…meaning it probably wasn’t the look for me. I love how sweet it looks, but it doesn’t really mesh with the style of my dress or the entire event. However, it seems like I may be in the minority with that opinion because, as Heidi Klum would say, these things are selling like bagels. The birdcage veil is cropping up all over the various wedding materials I peruse, even making into a celebrity wedding, so they clearly aren’t restricted to the South.

Image via Elizabeth Anne Designs / Photo credit: OK! Magazine

The Long

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, we have the cathedral veil, which is usually made of over 100 inches of tulle. Depending on the gown’s train, the veil may actually be longer than the dress! These veils are definitely high drama, but they make for some pretty stunning photos.

Image via Long Island Weddings / Photo by Duet Photography

Photo by Miller + Miller Photography

During my research, though, whenever I saw a bride with a cathedral veil, I always had a similar reaction to seeing a bride in a birdcage veil: nice, but not for me. I could just see myself wrestling with the yards of fabric, trying to keep it clean and pristine for the walk down the aisle. A cathedral veil just seemed like more, in general, than what I was interested in.

Even though I had a gut feeling I wouldn’t go with a birdcage or a cathedral, I had little to no idea beyond that what I wanted. Multiple tiers? A blusher? Beading and/or lace? It became pretty clear that the only way I could sort all this out was to pay a visit to a bridal salon, try my dress on, and begin the parade of veils.

What veil length did you select? Would you consider a super-long or a super-short one?

Tags: pittsburgh, veil |

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22 Responses to “The Long and Short of It”

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Member

lukesgirl1823 (message) 23 posts, Newbee

I am having the exact same conflict as you. I was so excited to have “the feeling” once I had the dress on that I knew was the one, but when the bridal consultant put on a veil I really did not feel like myself. I made another appointment at the end of May just to go back and try to find the right headpiece. I am leaning towards a birdcage or a ribbon headband with no veil. Good luck! I love following your blogs.

5/6/11 @ 2:27 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Candy Apple (message) 1,465 posts, Bumble bee

Blargh, veils confuse me

5/6/11 @ 2:27 pm (reply)

Member

lisaelanna (message) 315 posts, Helper bee

I have been having this same dilemma - exasterbated (sp?) because my mom wants to make my veil, so I’m not able to try on different ones til I find what I like and order that one. But there are SO many veil choices, besides…

And then, do you wear it for the reception or not. I feel like its the only time in my life I’ll ever get to wear a veil so I should don it for as long as possible, but at the same time I don’t really want to.

5/6/11 @ 2:28 pm (reply)

Member

babebabe06 (message) 861 posts, Busy bee

I chose a waltz length raw edge veil, im very short 5 foot and my dress is eleborate I wanted a fingertip or longer veil but cathedral length was to overwhelming even chapel was to long! The waltz length is perfect I love it

5/6/11 @ 2:29 pm (reply)

Member

babebabe06 (message) 861 posts, Busy bee

@ lukesgirl I purchased my ribbon head piece from an etsy seller and its amazing for only 35 davids bridal had a similar one for 200!!! I love ribbon!

5/6/11 @ 2:31 pm (reply)

Member

AdrienB (message) 31 posts, Newbee

I have hated every veil that I have tried on so far Long, short, medium I found them all to be ghastly on me (I have a short, thick, sometimes poofy but never tame mop of hair)… My FH doesn’t really want me to wear one… I’m wondering if it would be so bad if I just didn’t…Well Good Luck!! Keep looking. There are so many options I’m sure you’ll find the perfect one!!!

5/6/11 @ 2:33 pm (reply)

Member

AlliRae (message) 290 posts, Helper bee

I have a waltz length veil with a ribbon edge. It is the perfect length for me, and the ribbon makes it hang in a swirly way, which is fun!

5/6/11 @ 2:40 pm (reply)

Member

Crown (message) 548 posts, Busy bee

I may go for a birdcage, but my first choice is to wear a beautiful fascinator with rhinestones and creamy feathers.

5/6/11 @ 2:47 pm (reply)

Member

Courtnee (message) 153 posts, Blushing bee

It was easy for me. I never wanted a veil and only tried one on just to make sure I didn’t have that “bridal moment” when I put it on. I didn’t–it felt like i was wearing a costume. I’m a no veil bride!

5/6/11 @ 2:47 pm (reply)

10.

Bee

Miss Pony (message) 4,175 posts, Honey bee

My consultants never tried to put a veil on me. I guess I don’t look like the veil wearing type?

5/6/11 @ 2:54 pm (reply)

11.

Member

soontobeMrsEschberger (message) 352 posts, Helper bee

I bought mine when I bought my dress back in March, I really am not a huge fan of hats, veils, headbands, basically anything on my head (odd, I know) But I knew I wanted a veil, because they look pretty (& I would only have it on for a few hours). But to be honest, I don’t really remember what my veil looks like…it had to be ordered…I do know that it was fingertip length, or maybe elbow? But it was definitely ivory (to match my dress). And it was two layers (so I would have the option to wear it as a blusher or not).

5/6/11 @ 2:55 pm (reply)

12.

Member

vaness13181 (message) 687 posts, Busy bee

I’ve had the same dilemma. Most of my friends suggest a plain, raw-edge cathedral veil with my dress, but it just doesn’t feel like me. And same as you said, I don’t want to be wrestling with the thing as it blows in the wind all around me (Chicago is, well, windy!). I also wasn’t sure about birdcage either, and I definitely don’t want a flower in my hair (again, not me). What I do love though are the illusion tulle birdcages. When I tried my dress on last week for the first time since May 2010, I tried it on with an Erin Cole veil I first spotted on a bride featured on Style Me Pretty. I was in love and purchased it on the spot. I ordered it without the fascinator and I may have them shorten it a bit from chin length to eye-range at a slight slant.

Looking forward to hearing what you decided upon! Veil or no veil…

5/6/11 @ 2:59 pm (reply)

13.

Member

Miss Crystal (message) 7 posts, Newbee

I never considered wearing a veil for the ceremony until the “older” ladies in my family started asking me what type of veil I would be wearing. I do like traditional… but the thought never crossed my mind. I started looking at the price of veils and automatically started with the finger tip veils because anything longer would be way out of the budget.
Trying on veils proved very discouraging and I gave up. Then one day talking to my friend she mentioned her sister wore a veil that would match my dress and would mail it to me. I tried the veil on and it was magical… I felt like such a princess. The veil is cathedral, raw edge, with minimal crystals all throughout the veil…. absolutely gorgeous! I cannot wait to wear it. For the ceremony I ordered a flower and feather fascinator.

5/6/11 @ 3:20 pm (reply)

14.

Member

Tulips (message) 40 posts, Newbee

Just do both. Long for the ceremony and short for the banquet. Besides, it is a lot easier to dance and have fun with the short one later in the evening. You can get a cheaper birdcage veil on ebay or etsy. This way you can have best of both world. At least that is what I did.

5/6/11 @ 3:43 pm (reply)

15.

Member

lullafly (message) 27 posts, Newbee

I never spent much time dreaming up my wedding day when I was a little girl, but the one thing I always was certain I’d have was a long veil.

Ironically, now that I’m actually getting married, I’m considering what childhood-me would have hated: the birdcage veil.

Honestly, I think you really do need to go try some on with your dress. I initially did not like birdcage veils, but after trying on long ones and short ones with my dress, I found myself surprised to love short ones more. You’ll just never know what will feel right with them until you try several styles.

5/6/11 @ 4:55 pm (reply)

16.

Member

mdarrah (message) 1,205 posts, Bumble bee

I loved the look of the cathedral veil, but im too much of a klutz and was getting married barefoot on the beach = not a good fit. I think so many women look GREAT in birdcage veils, but I tried one on and both my mother and the shop owner almost fell over laughing = not “me” at all. I love the idea of a blusher, but again, married outside in the wind = no good with extra fabric flapping in my face. But I wore a finger tip length single layer veil and it was perfect for me. It did get me an extra bridal feeling, it was long enough to be elegant, and short enough to be manageable. I recommend trying them all on with your dress, and keep your venue in mind, to see what works for you.

5/6/11 @ 4:55 pm (reply)

17.

Member

plantains (message) 2,489 posts, Buzzing bee

I was set on cathedral until my first fitting yesterday. I am now leaning much more towards fingertip. I just can’t quite decide on the edging…

5/6/11 @ 5:13 pm (reply)

18.

Bee

Mrs. Earrings (message) 2,481 posts, Buzzing bee

I found the choice of veils overwhelming so I went for a compromise- a simple fingertip one-tiered veil. There are so many beautiful veils out there that I think you really cant go wrong whatever you end up choosing!

5/6/11 @ 5:37 pm (reply)

19.

Member

suprise84 (message) 43 posts, Newbee

If I wear a veil it will be my mums, it is fingertip length but since we are having a surprise home garden ceremony and reception I may end up just having flowers in my hair

5/6/11 @ 6:56 pm (reply)

20.

Bee

Mrs. Ostrich (message) 1,948 posts, Buzzing bee

if i were having a fabulous, mid century-inspired wedding, i’d go birdcage all the way. but if the world was my oyster, the cathedral veil takes my breath away every time. i’m excited to see what you go with, S!

5/7/11 @ 12:31 pm (reply)

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