Choosing the Right Headpiece

There are many headpiece choices for today's bride. She can choose from a range of traditional styles based on the type of gown she will wear, the formality of the wedding, and the time of day the ceremony will be held. A bride should choose a headpiece that is in proportion to her dress and has similar trimming details.

Headpiece Shapes
Headpieces can be found in a variety of shapes

Tiaras and Crowns: Typically seen at formal weddings, these can be decorated with rhinestones, pearls or jewels. Sizes and styles ranges from tiny pieces designed to encircle a small bun, to large ornate crowns that llok like the Queen of England. Be sure to choose a style that is proportional to your gown.

Wreaths and Flower Circles: Suited for outdoor or casual weddings, wreaths and circlets made from flowers and greenery can be worn with veils or without.

Headbands and V-Front Bands: Headbands are especially suited to brides who wear bangs. Bands can be worn with or without veils, and can be covered in simple fabric matching the wedding gown, or decorated with flowers, lace, pearls or rhinestones.

Skullcaps: Sometimes called Juliet caps, these are usually small frames that fit very close to the head, supporting the veil.

Barrettes and Combs: Modern brides sometimes forego formal headpieces and veils altogether and wear simple combs or barrettes. These can be decorated with flowers, pearls or rhinestones. The emphasis is on the hairstyle rather than the decoration when these are worn.

Hats: From small pillbox shapes to large round picture hats, from sheer lace and tulle to heavy brushed felt, the variety in hats is endless. Worn with veils or without, depending on the style of the hat.

Veil Length

Veil length is usually determined by the formality of the wedding and the style and detailing of the gown. There are five common traditional veil lengths, however the more you look the more you find.

Shoulder length ends either just below the bottom of the ears, or just below the shoulders. This length is traditionally worn alone at a morning, afternoon, informal or semi-formal wedding. It works well for brides who wish to show intricate beadwork on the back of their gown. When used as a blusher and combined with other lengths, it is appropriate for formal and semi-formal weddings.

Elbow length ends just above or at the bride's elbow. It is used for gowns with no train or for gowns with detailing at the waist. This length works well with a blusher.

Fingertip length is currently the most popular length for a veil. This length is perfect for semi-formal or formal weddings in the afternoon or evening but can be used for any type of wedding. The veil ends just below the middle knuckle of the middle finger. A fingertip veil is particularly beautiful when combined with an elbow length blusher.

Chapel length falls to the floor, and is appropriate for semi-formal or formal weddings. It is usually combined with other shorter layers, and worn with gowns that have at least a slight train.

Cathedral length flows past the hem of the gown and extends onto the train at least one foot. Cathedral length veils are usually three yards in length and can go to fifteen yards. They are typically used for formal evening weddings, often combined with a fingertip blusher.

One thing to remember is that veil lengths can be customized to the height of the bride. Although a 36-inch fingertip veil may be standard, the length can be adjusted so that it falls correctly to the middle knuckle of the bride's middle finger.

The Blusher
The blusher is the portion of the veil that is placed over the head to cover the bride's face. This is the part of the veil that the groom lifts and throws back in order to kiss the bride. Today, the most common veil is a double tier, where the shorter tier is the blusher. Even if the bride chooses not to place the blusher over her face, she can still wear a double tier veil. This would be made of two pieces of the veil fabric cut in different lengths, such as elbow and fingertip length, or fingertip and cathedral length. A veil may also be single tier or triple tier depending on the look the bride wants.

Detachable Veils
While veils are lovely during the wedding ceremony, the may be difficult to manage during a reception. Food, candles, dancing, and dozens of pairs of feet may be more obstacles than a bride can handle. Consider a detachable veil that can be removed after the formal wedding photos have been completed. Most veils can be attached to the headpiece with a strip of Velcro or snaps, and removed quickly when the bride is ready.

Veil Shapes
The shape of a veil influences how much fullness and gathering is required in joining it to the headpiece or base, and how full the bottom edge appears. Common veil shapes include:

The full oval, which is cut as a rectangle, with slightly rounded corners, and then gathered at the top edge. The sides fall smoothly, and this shape works when the veil is attached to the headpiece at the front rather than the back.

The half oval is cut like a rectangle, with two bottom corners are slightly rounded, and gathered at the top edge. This shape works well when the veil is attached to the back of the headpiece.

The rectangle is cut with 90 degree corners, and then gathered at the top edge. This shape works will when the veil drops directly from the back of the headpiece.

The teardrop is narrower at the top than at the lower edge, with top and bottom edges shaped like a semi-circle. This shape works well when used as a cathedral veil, but is not attractive when used with a pouf.

The circle is cut in a circular shape and gathered in the middle. This veil gives no appearance of an edge and is best for shoulder length veils. The standard size for a circle is 72-inches in diameter, which is the width of most bridal illusion and tulle. One side of a circle can be used as a blusher.

The pouf is simply gathered material at the top of the veil, used to add height and character to a headpiece. It is usually used with tiaras, crowns, pillbox hats, or other elaborate headpieces. A standard pouf may be up to eight inches high. Another option is a shorter, wider pouf that appears more like a halo. A bride might also choose to add several layers to her veil for a full effect around the face and head.

Veil Fabrics
Veils today are usually made from nylon netting called illusion or tulle. The fabric comes in width of 72 inches or 108 inches, and in a variety of colors and finishes. Some bridal illusion appears to have a shimmer, while others are completely matte. Other fabric choices include chiffon, silk illusion, or lace.

Veil Colors
There are three traditional veil colors. White is pure white in color, to match white satin, chiffon, cotton, or lace gowns. Winter white, diamond white, or silk white refer to a color that is between white and ivory, to match white silk, antique or vintage gowns that are not true white. Ivory is off-white with a yellowish tint, to match ivory satin, chiffon, cotton, or lace gowns. Most bridal illusion and tulle comes in a variety of colors.

Veil Edges
Veil edges can be plain, rolled, curly or scalloped. It can be left plain or covered with ribbon, pearls, crystals, lace, satin cord, or embroidery. You can also decorate the nylon veil with sequins, pearls, lace appliques, or crystals. The heavier the edging, the more the veil will be weighted down. For a fluffy look, it's best to use not edging at all.