I’ve been pretty obsessed with veils lately. Well, actually, I’ve been pretty obsessed with veils since getting engaged. I knew I wanted a lace-edged mantilla veil before I knew what kind of dress I wanted. And after trying on 150 wedding dresses, I knew I wanted a cathedral length veil. I want to be draped in yards of soft Alencon lace, framing my face. As traditional as it looks, it’s my favorite style of veil.
Waist length Mantilla Veil / Image via PoshVeils
Just to remind you, my dress comes with a cathedral length mantilla veil. Lucky me. The lace is the same lace that is used on the dress, and it really finishes off the whole look. I love how it drapes around the shoulders and frames the dress.
Personal Photos
I LOVE my veil. But, I really want to wear a veil for the reception, too. And because I’m going to bustle the train of the dress, I thought maybe I could bustle the veil, too. I had read about it on a few sites, but the overall consensus is that the tulle will most likely rip, and my veil will be destroyed. Okay. Plan B time.
I plan on getting a fingertip length mantilla veil for the reception. Since my veil came with my dress, I didn’t really realize how expensive these veils are! When I was trying on 150 wedding dresses, the cathedral length veils I tried on were just plain tulle and were typically an astronomical $700 +. I mean, they are super pretty, but is it worth the price? A fingertip length mantilla veil would cost at least $500 in a bridal salon.
Two Tier Spanish Mantilla / Image via AlisaBrides
Right now, I’m considering DIY-ing a mantilla veil, similar to other bees before me. Mrs. Sunbeam (and Mrs. DG) made a beautiful waist length lace-edged veil. Mrs. Spring Roll DIYed a very cute short mantilla veil. I’m not afraid to put the time in to hand sew the lace, but I’m worried about the lace matching my dress! Does anyone have any DIY mantilla tips? I don’t want to mess it up.
While we’re on the topic of veils, there was a post on the Weddingbee LGBTQ board a few weeks ago about queer brides wearing veils. The consensus was that it shouldn’t matter if you’re gay, straight, bisexual, queer – you should wear a veil if you want to! I wholeheartedly agree. I love veils. I want to wear one for as long as I’m allowed to! Which in reality, is one day. But, Fiancee Eagle thinks that a Spanish mantilla may be a bit much. She thinks I’ll look “very Catholic,” and is worried I’ll get annoyed with my reception veil. I think even a little annoyance will be worth feeling like a bride and getting some awesome photos. Plus, its like having a second dress! The dress really will look different with a shorter veil.
Are you wearing a veil? Why or why not? Anyone have any DIY veil tips?
That two tier fingertip mantilla veil is to die for! You’re going to look stunning 
@Mrs. Ostrich: I would LOVE to wear that veil! I’m not going to cover my face though, haha. I either want to DIY or buy a fingertip length mantilla. I hope it looks as good on me as it does on the model!
Oh my word, that is amazing that your dress came with a veil! And what a gorgeous veil it is! Seriously, takes my breath away. Mantilla veils are insanely expensive – the one at the salon was, I think, $450 or something like that. I’m so happy with the one I bought on Etsy at a much more reasonable price. It was so gorgeous and fun to wear – definitely one of my favorite pieces of my wedding day look. It’s fingertip length, so just say the word, and it’s yours to borrow! 
I’d probably skip the reception veil–I’ve seen brides try it and they rarely last more than half an hour and they are nearly always ruined. You’re running around socializing, eating, dancing, eating, drinking, socializing–having a veil on your head is going to get annoying.
That’s why you rarely see brides with veils on at their reception–they are a pain to wear. If you do decide you really want to do that, get something as inexpensive as possible and don’t be sad if/when it’s destroyed.
Loooove your inspiration! I think DIYing it could be pretty cheap and easy (coming from someone who has never made a veil, mind you) and then you could wear it around whenever you want. Which should be always.
I am very pro veil for everyone! I feel like brides without them don’t look like real brides.
That being said, I wanted to warn you about wearing a veil at the reception. I had mine on for a little bit when we got to the reception (mine was fingertip), and whenever someone hugged me, it would yank the veil. It got annoying and I was concerned it would be yanked out of my hair. I had a gorgeous ribbon tie headband with a jeweled brooch that I put on my head, so I still looked very bridal. I would suggest that, or a small cage or short veil that won’t get pulled on when people hug you!
I am obsessed with veils to right now. I was losing sleep over it. I bought a very expensive veil, and then I started having buyer’s remorse. I couldn’t get myself to be ok with my decision. So I searched and searched and searched for other brides that have bought a veil similar to mine… but none were found. My veil is from the 2012 Cosmobella collection, 2 tier cathedral veil with beaded lace. It’s beautiful!!! I just can’t believe I got myself to fork over 800$!! Tha’s why I am losing sleep. I am starting to think maybe I should have bought something with simple thin lace…uggh. I need help. Does this classify me as a bridezilla??
Uh, I definitely agree that whoever wants to wear a veil should. So many of those veils pics are HOT. I just looove veils.
Those last two pictures are GORGEOUS. I only wish I could pull a veil of like that girl! I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
I borrowed my veil (along with most of my jewelry) from my twin sister. It was a waist-length simple veil with a bit of beading along the edge. I took it off after church pictures but before reception bridal party pics. It worked out great.
I’m planning a fingertip veil for the church, and switching to a fascinator with a bit of french netting for the reception.
I wore a mantilla veil at my wedding! It was the only thing I knew I wanted in my wedding even before I met my now-husband. I loved it. I felt like such a bride.
I am wearing the same veil as you. I didn’t end up buying Primavera but couldn’t get the veil out of my head. In the end I have decieded to go with a crystal hair piece for the reception and not wear my veil for this part of the day.
Mrs. Eagle, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Age and Occupation: 22, Medical Sciences Graduate Student / Science Instructor Fiancee's Age and Occupation: 23, Nurse Engagement Date: April 2011 Wedding Date: August 2012 Venue: Historic Lougheed House About Me: I'm a science-geek graduate student who is studying craniofacial malformations and evolutionary developmental biology. I have a passion for DIY crafts, amazing red wine, and all-things-wedding. Together with my wonderful fiancée, we are planning a formal black tie wedding filled with DIY projects and vintage decor. When I'm not reading about science-y things or wedding blogs, I enjoy teaching science-y things to kids and trying to be Martha Stewart incarnate.
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