Should I wear a veil for my wedding?

Wedding veils are a timeless wedding tradition. Way back when, veils weren’t just an elegant and luxurious wedding accessory to complement the gown, but rather a symbol.

Initially, back in ancient times, veils were thought to protect the bride from evil spirits and to pay homage to Vesta, the goddess of hearth and home and protector of life. Over time, the symbolism that comes with wearing a veil has evolved. For some cultures and religions, it can be a symbol of purity and modesty. In others, it is a tribute to religious texts.

In more recent times, whether a bride wears a veil or not largely comes down to personal choice and current fashions. For example, the tradition of wearing a veil enjoyed a resurgence back in the 19th Century, when Queen Victoria wore one.

Do I have to wear a veil?

Though the idea of wearing a veil for your wedding veil is one steeped in tradition, wearing a veil is neither a prerequisite nor a necessity regardless of where you get married. To veil or not to veil is a deeply personal choice, and if you decide that wearing one isn’t for you, then that’s fine!

In our experience, a lot of brides are on the fence about whether to wear a veil or not. If that sounds like you, here are a few things to consider. Firstly, when you imagine yourself walking down the aisle are you wearing a veil? If so, it might be a good idea to try one with your wedding dress to see how you feel about it. After all, this could be your first and only opportunity to try one on!

Secondly, you might consider wearing your veil for only the ceremony - especially if the fuss of wearing one is putting off. Many brides choose to wear a veil for just the ceremony and then remove it for the reception.

Does a veil have to cover my face?

If you like the thought of a veil but aren’t sure if you’d like to cover your face with one, don’t fret! There are two kinds of veil: single tier and two tier veils.
Two tier veils feature the traditional ‘blusher’ which can be worn over the face. The idea is that the groom lifts this veil after the wedding vows to represent the handover of the bride from her father to her husband. Or, at least, that used to be what it represented. Now, when a bride wears a blusher over her face it is more a nod to femininity and mysteriousness or just a way of honouring age-old traditions.

You don’t have to cover your face with a veil if you don’t want to. Single tier veils are designed to drape down your back and don’t feature the blusher. As well as this, the blusher on a two-tier veil doesn’t have to be worn over the face either. It can, and quite often is, swept back to create a layered look instead.

Can I wear a veil if I’ve been married before?

This is another common question among brides who are tying the knot for a second time. Often, there’s a lot of old-fashioned rules about what you can and can’t wear if you’re getting married again. But we say, pay them no mind! As it’s your wedding day, you can wear whatever you want! There are no hard and fast rules and, at the end of the day, the type and colour dress you wear and whether you wear a veil or not is totally up to you. You do you, girl!

Wedding Veil Alternatives

If you’ve decided that a veil isn’t for you, there are plenty of alternative options available. Wedding hair accessories are the perfect place to start in your quest for alternatives to the traditional veil. From hair vines and drapes for a mysterious woodland aesthetic to boho brow bands and regal tiaras, there are several choices that can be just as dramatic and elegant as a wedding veil.

Here at Lace & Favour, we stock a wide range of gorgeous wedding hair accessories and veil alternatives that are simply stunning. Whether you’re a contemporary bride looking for that finishing flourish or a classic bride that doesn’t want the fuss of a traditional veil, we can guarantee there’s a hair accessory for you that will highlight your individual style and make you feel like the queen you are! Shop online with us today to discover our extensive selection and fall head over heels for our wonderful wedding accessories.