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A Guide to Wedding Veil Lengths and Styles

 

Here's everything you need to know about this popular bridal accessory.

Deciding which veil to wear is a major moment in creating your overall wedding day look. With wedding veil styles ranging from a face-framing, four-inch silhouette to a floor-skimming, one-hundred-twenty-inch design, there are a plethora of choices available for brides to choose from during their journey to the aisle. “Your wedding is the only time in life you can justify wearing a veil. So why not?" shares hairstylist Leigh Hardges of Maxine Salon. But here's the catch: The veil selection process isn't as simple as choosing an option that's either long or short.

Different types of styles and lengths can completely transform your wedding aesthetic—for instance, a blusher may convey a retro-chic vibe, while a cathedral-length veil will feel traditional and dramatic—and there are various small details that brides need to pay attention to when shopping for "the one."

Even though finding the right veil can be tricky, it isn't impossible, however. Trust us, there's a veil out there for every type of bride, you just have to know what to look for. That's why we put together this simple guide to wedding veil lengths and styles, complete with expert tips from bridal stylists. Here's everything you need to know.

A Breakdown of Wedding Veil Styles by Length

As mentioned, there are so many lengths to choose from when it comes to veil styles. Here, we break down all the options so that you can easily select a look that suits your overall day-of vision.

Birdcage Wedding Veil: 4-9"

This short and flirty wedding veil can cover just the eyes, skim the nose, or fall at the jawline. Usually made of a net or lace, this style is also known as a bandeau veil.

Shoulder-Length Wedding Veil: 20-22"

As the name suggests, this wedding veil style hits your shoulders, allowing your ensemble to be the star of the show. This design is a great option for brides who want a traditional-looking veil that doesn't compete with the details of their dress.

Blusher Wedding Veil: 30"

Also known as a wedge veil, this style offers a less traditional look with vintage appeal. "A blusher is a short veil that falls over the face and ends near the top of the dress," says Stephanie Caravella of Bel Aire Bridal. "During the ceremony, it's pulled back to reveal the bride, which makes for an exciting and moving moment—the first time the groom sees his bride's face."

Elbow Wedding Veil: 32"

If you want a more conservative look for your ceremony, an elbow-length veil is an elegant way to cover up without wearing a bulky bolero or shrug. "An elbow veil falls gracefully over the shoulders to the bride's—you guessed it—elbow," says Caravella.

Fingertip Wedding Veil: 38-40"

"A fingertip veil falls beyond the bride's hips and is a popular choice because it allows any design on the back of a bride's gown to be seen through the sheer fabric," Caravella explains.

Knee-Length Wedding Veil: 48"

Designed to fall to your knees, this wedding veil length offers drama and elegance without weighing you down. This style can also be adjusted to fall a little longer or a little shorter depending on your height.

Waltz Wedding Veil: 60"

There's no rule that says you need to take off your veil for the reception. But if you do choose to keep it on, make sure it won't get in the way of dancing and mingling. "A waltz veil falls to the mid-calf and is a great option for those who want to wear a longer veil for the reception, but still want the freedom to move throughout the evening," says Caravella This wedding veil style is also called a ballet veil.

Floor-Length Wedding Veil: 72"

"A floor-length veil just grazes the floor and matches the length of the bride's gown," says Caravella. The flowing fabric will add extra volume to your look, perfect for a bride who was torn between a ball gown and a more streamlined silhouette.

Chapel Wedding Veil: 90"

Opting to forgo a train? A chapel-length veil will create the illusion of a train, without any pesky bustling required. "A chapel-length veil sweeps across the floor extending slightly beyond the bride's gown," says Caravella.

Cathedral Wedding Veil: 108-120"

For the most regal entrance, you must have a cathedral-length veil. "A cathedral-length veil extends beyond the train of the bride's gown and is the most dramatic down-the-aisle length," says Caravella.

The Top Tips to Keep in Mind When Shopping for a Wedding Veil

 

As you begin to pick out your perfect veil style, here is what to keep in mind during the process.

Pinpoint Your Budget—and Stick to It

Always have a price tag in mind—and stick to it when shopping for your accessory. What can seem to be a flimsy piece of fabric can actually cost much more than expected, easily racking up your wedding style cost. Some veils may even cost more than the actual dress itself. "Like gowns, veils can range significantly in price—usually dependent on the detailing," says Briana Abedi, former senior stylist at Carine's Bridal Atelier in Washington D.C. "A simple veil can start at about $250 to $300, while our more ornate veils can reach up to $3,000 or higher." Having an idea of what you can spend will help you narrow down the options right away.

Consider Your Hairstyle

A chignon versus long flowing curls may result in completely different veil styles. For example, if you're wearing the former, you may want to opt for a shorter veil, so that you place it below the bun to show off the updo. If you're envisioning the latter, however, a longer veil would be best, as you can pin this style on the crown of your head to add volume.

If you're hoping to add hair accessories to your look, let your bridal stylist know what you have in mind so they can help you choose the right veil style that will suit the accessories and keep the hair from looking cluttered.

Try On Multiple Wedding Veils With Your Dress

Your veil will help shape your style on the big day, so, naturally, you'll want something that balances the vibes of your dress without overshadowing it. Abedi, who likes to show the bride different styles that might complement her gown, says "I like to pick several options for the bride to experiment with to embody different looks. The look can change completely just with the addition of a veil, so it's important that the bride feels most beautiful in whatever the vision may be."

Don't be afraid to try something you wouldn't normally gravitate towards, too. You may be surprised—keeping things matchy-matchy isn't always the best way to complement your gown, depending on the look you want to achieve. "Sometimes, mixing textures is a great way to add some originality," adds Abedi. "For instance, a lace-trim veil paired with a very clean gown."

How to Select the Right Wedding Veil Based on Your Dress

 

Need more guidance? We get it. There's a lot to process when it comes to choosing a veil. Here, we highlight the best wedding dress and veil pairings to help alleviate the stress you may feel when searching for your accessory.

A Heavily Embellished Gown

If you have your heart set on a heavily beaded or embellished dress, you can go one of two ways with your veil. For the princess bride who loves some sparkle, a classic, raw edge cathedral veil with scattered Swarovski crystals that will twinkle as you walk down the aisle is absolutely stunning, says Carla Imbriano, lead designer at Boutique de Voile. Another fitting option she suggests: "A veil with minimal matching beadwork along the edge."

A Simple-But-Stunning Dress

If a bride has a simple dress and wants to amp up the drama without any embellishments, an angel-cut veil trimmed in satin, horsehair, or organza is always a good choice, notes Terry Hall, senior director of Galia Lahav. "It will frame the face of the bride beautifully, and when it cascades down, you'll see a spiral of fabric on the edge that gives you that dramatic look and feel." A veil with touches of light lace is also very elegant styled with a simple dress, explains bridal stylist and wedding expert Renée Strauss.

A Dress With a Statement Back

A breathtaking ornate or sheer illusion lace back is a popular trend. To show off your backside, Imbriano recommends a special custom-cut cathedral without any accents (beadwork or crystals) in the body of the veil. Think sheer and chic and remember to steer clear of multiple layers of fabric.

A Gown With a Long Train

As long as your gown doesn't have a ton of back detail, you can pretty much wear any type of veil with a dress that has a long train, shares Hall. His favorite, however, is by far a cathedral veil. "It's so interesting and creates a dramatic, ethereal look."

A Modern Dress

For brides opting to go the contemporary route (think fit-and-flare, mermaid gowns, and tea-length dresses), a more modern style veil is perfectly appropriate, points out Elisha Caplan, designer and owner of Elisha Caplan. "These are the short, layered, square-cut, and blusher styles. A short veil–shoulder to elbow length–is great for a tea-length dress or a city hall dress," she says.

A Vintage Wedding Dress

If your something borrowed happens to be your wedding dress, why not go all out with a birdcage veil to match? "It will become the ornate part of the ensemble," says Strauss.

A Short Wedding Dress

The shorter the dress, the shorter the veil. "For a sassy, cocktail-length gown or shorter, we love a birdcage veil, or better yet, a whimsical multiple-layer veil in a shorter length... Something reminiscent of an Audrey Hepburn movie," says Imbriano.

A Beachy Bohemian Dress

Getting hitched oceanfront? According to Strauss, a chapel veil is great for a beach wedding when you want the veil flowing in the wind but not to be too cumbersome.

FAQ

Should a veil be longer than a wedding dress train?

If opting for a long wedding veil, like chapel or cathedral, your veil should be longer than your dress's train. This allows for a seamless portrait, ensuring your train doesn't blend in with the veil fabric and design.

What is the difference between a chapel-length veil and a cathedral-length veil?

The difference between these two veils lies in their length. A chapel-length veil typically measures at 90", while a cathedral-length veil measures at 108-120". Meaning, deciding what style works for you will depend on your wedding dress train length and your height.

Do I have to wear a veil for my wedding?

Absolutely not! If a wedding veil doesn't suit the look you're going for, you can forgo wearing this accessory. Instead, consider sporting a tiara, headband, or dainty hair accessories on the big day.