The Complete Wedding Veil Guide

A wedding veil can completely transform your bridal look. From a delicate shoulder-length veil to a dramatic royal-length design, the right veil should complement your dress, hairstyle and wedding setting while still feeling unmistakably you.

At Becci’s Bridal Designs, our veils are individually handmade to order. This guide explains the different lengths, materials, tiers, finishes and styles available, helping you choose the perfect veil for your wedding day.

Wedding Veil Lengths

Veil lengths are approximate and may fall differently depending on your height, hairstyle, comb placement and the shape of your dress.

Birdcage Veil – approximately 25 cm

A short, vintage-inspired veil that usually covers part of the face. Birdcage veils work beautifully with shorter dresses, tailored bridal suits and vintage or alternative wedding styles.

Shoulder Length – approximately 50 cm

A light and easy-to-wear option that finishes around the shoulders. This length adds softness without covering the details on the back of your dress.

Elbow or Waist Length – approximately 75 cm

A versatile veil that usually finishes around the waist or elbows. It provides a traditional bridal look without the additional fabric of a floor-length veil.

Fingertip Length – approximately 100 cm

One of the most popular and flattering lengths. A fingertip veil falls around the bride’s hands when her arms are relaxed and works with most dress shapes.

Ballet Length – approximately 130 cm

Also known as knee length, this veil falls between the knees and lower calf. It creates movement and softness while remaining easy to walk and dance in.

Waltz Length – approximately 150 cm

A romantic longer veil that finishes around the lower calf or ankle. It gives the appearance of a flowing veil without trailing extensively along the floor.

Floor Length – approximately 200 cm

A floor-length veil gently reaches the ground and creates an elegant silhouette. It is a lovely option for dresses without a train or for brides who want length without a large trailing veil.

Chapel Length – approximately 250 cm

A classic formal veil that extends onto the floor behind the bride. Chapel veils are dramatic without being as long or demanding as cathedral and royal-length styles.

Cathedral Length – approximately 300 cm

Cathedral veils extend beyond the train of the dress, creating a beautiful entrance and a striking effect in photographs. They are particularly suited to formal ceremonies and larger venues.

Royal Length – approximately 350–500 cm

Our most dramatic veil length. A royal veil creates a magnificent extended train and works particularly well in churches, stately homes and grand venues.

When choosing a long veil, consider the length of your dress train, the size of your venue and whether you will have someone available to arrange the veil before photographs and the ceremony.

How Are Veils Measured?

Veil length is generally measured from the top of the comb or attachment point to the longest point of the veil.

The same veil can appear slightly shorter or longer depending on:

• Your height

• Where the comb is positioned

• The height and shape of your hairstyle

• The fullness of the veil

• Whether the veil is gathered or ungathered

• The shape and width of your dress

• The length of any lace, embroidery or decorative edging

If you would like a veil to finish at a very specific point, we recommend measuring from the place where you intend to position the comb rather than choosing solely by the name of the length.

Veil Materials

Soft Bridal Tulle

Soft bridal tulle is lightweight, fine and beautifully fluid. It drapes gently around the body and is ideal for romantic, understated and modern bridal styles.

This is an excellent choice if you would like your veil to feel soft rather than structured.

Traditional Bridal Tulle

Traditional tulle has slightly more body and structure. It can create a fuller silhouette and helps embellishments, edging and gathered designs hold their shape.

Illusion Tulle

Illusion tulle is very fine and sheer, allowing the details of your dress to remain visible beneath the veil. It is particularly effective for delicate embroidered, pearl or crystal designs.

Glitter Tulle

Glitter tulle creates a subtle or statement sparkle as it catches the light. The appearance can vary considerably between natural daylight, indoor lighting and flash photography.

Some loose glitter transfer may occur depending on the fabric and finish used.

Lace and Embroidered Tulle

Lace and embroidered veils can feature floral, botanical, celestial or decorative patterns. Because patterned fabrics are cut and positioned by hand, the exact placement of individual motifs may vary slightly between veils.

This natural variation makes every handmade veil unique.

Veil Tiers

Single-Tier Veils

A single-tier veil consists of one continuous layer falling behind the bride. It does not include a section designed to cover the face.

Single-tier veils usually feel lighter and less full, allowing the back of the dress to remain more visible. They are particularly suited to detailed gowns, modern bridal looks and statement lace or embroidery.

Two-Tier Veils

A two-tier veil includes a shorter upper layer and a longer lower layer. The upper tier may create additional fullness at the back or be worn forward as a blusher.

Two-tier veils offer a more traditional bridal silhouette and can look especially beautiful with simple dresses that benefit from extra volume or detail.

Multi-Tier Veils

Multi-tier veils contain three or more layers, creating greater fullness and movement. These are ideal for brides wanting a dramatic, statement bridal look.

What Is a Blusher?

A blusher is the shorter section of a veil designed to be worn over the face during the ceremony. It can then be lifted back by the person accompanying you, your partner or yourself.

Not every two-tier veil automatically has a suitable blusher. The upper layer must be long enough and shaped correctly to fall comfortably over the face without pulling on the comb.

When ordering, check whether the design includes:

• No blusher

• A fixed blusher

• A separate detachable blusher

• A shorter decorative second tier that is not intended to cover the face

If you plan to wear the blusher over your face, consider the placement of embellishments and edging. Heavy lace, crystals or pearls around the front may affect how the veil sits.

Veil Fullness and Width

Veil length determines how far the veil falls, while its width and gathering determine how full it appears.

Narrow or Light Fullness

A narrow veil falls mainly behind the shoulders, creating a clean and understated silhouette. It allows more of the dress to remain visible.

Medium Fullness

Medium fullness provides a balanced, traditional appearance without feeling too voluminous. It suits most dress shapes and wedding settings.

Full or Extra-Full Veils

A wider veil creates more volume around the shoulders and a broader train on the floor. This can look especially striking with simple gowns and larger venues.

Highly embellished or embroidered fabrics may naturally feel fuller or heavier than plain soft tulle.

Popular Veil Styles

Gathered Veils

The tulle is gathered onto a comb, creating volume around the attachment point. The amount of gathering determines how full the veil appears around the head and shoulders.

Drop Veils

A drop veil is cut as a soft, continuous shape and usually has little or no gathering. It falls smoothly over the head and body and can create a delicate, ethereal appearance.

Drop veils may be worn with a section over the face and are often secured with a comb or decorative pins.

Mantilla-Style Veils

A mantilla-style veil is traditionally worn over the head, with lace or decorative embroidery framing the face. It may be attached using a discreet comb or pins.

Cape Veils

A bridal cape attaches at the shoulders or back of the dress instead of being worn in the hair. Cape veils are ideal for brides who do not want to disturb their hairstyle or who would like a modern alternative to a traditional veil.

Always check that your dress has a suitable place for the cape attachments.

Juliet Cap Veils

Juliet cap veils are shaped around the head to create a romantic vintage silhouette. They may be secured with combs, pins, bands or decorative elements at each side.

Veil Edge Finishes

Raw-Cut Edge

A raw-cut veil has a clean edge with no additional trim. This creates a light, modern finish that blends softly into the dress and surroundings.

Tulle does not usually fray like woven fabric, so it does not require a stitched hem. On embroidered fabrics, the cut edge may pass through sections of embroidery, leaving small cut threads or partial motifs. This is a normal feature of the fabric and finish.

Pencil Edge

A fine stitched edge adds subtle definition without making the veil appear heavy. It is a classic and versatile finish.

Satin or Ribbon Edge

A narrow satin or ribbon trim creates a more defined outline. Wider ribbon edging makes a stronger statement and can give the veil additional structure.

Lace Edge

Lace may be applied around the entire veil or concentrated around the lower section. Lace-edged veils work beautifully with both lace gowns and simple dresses, although the lace does not need to be an exact match to the dress.

Scalloped Edge

A scalloped edge creates a soft decorative outline and may be formed using lace, embroidery or shaped stitching.

Pearl, Crystal or Beaded Edge

Pearls, crystals and beads add texture and sparkle. Heavier beading may affect the drape and weight of the veil, particularly around the face or on longer designs.

Horsehair Edge

A horsehair braid edge gives the veil structure and creates sculptural waves. It is ideal for brides wanting a contemporary, voluminous finish.

Veil Embellishments

Veils may be decorated with:

• Pearls

• Crystals or rhinestones

• Sequins

• Glitter

• Lace appliqués

• Embroidered flowers

• Three-dimensional flowers

• Floral or botanical embroidery

• Stars, moons and celestial details

• Personalised names, initials, dates or wording

Hand-applied embellishments may have small variations in spacing and placement. This is part of the character of a handmade item rather than a manufacturing fault.

Choosing Your Veil Colour

Common veil colours include white, off-white, ivory and blush. Colour names are not universal, so one supplier’s ivory may differ from another supplier’s ivory.

A veil does not always need to be an exact colour match. Because tulle is sheer, the shade is affected by the dress beneath it, the number of layers and the surrounding light.

If you are unsure, compare a fabric sample with your dress in natural daylight. Screen settings and studio lighting can make colours appear warmer, cooler, lighter or darker than they are in person.

Matching a Veil to Your Dress

Consider which details you would most like to highlight.

• A highly detailed dress may suit a simple raw-edge veil.

• A minimalist gown creates a beautiful background for embroidery, pearls or lace.

• A dress with a statement back may benefit from fine, sheer tulle or a single-tier design.

• A lace veil does not have to match the dress lace exactly, but the patterns should complement rather than compete with one another.

• A long veil usually looks most balanced when it extends beyond the dress train.

• Coloured, black and celestial veils are beautiful options for alternative and non-traditional bridal looks.

Your veil should complement your dress, but it should also reflect your personality. There is no rule that says a bride must choose a plain or traditional design.

Veil Combs and Placement

Most traditional veils are attached to a comb that can be positioned:

• Above an updo for greater height and fullness

• Directly behind an updo for a balanced appearance

• Beneath an updo for a softer, lower fall

• At the crown for a traditional look

• Lower at the back of the head for a modern, understated style

Fine or very smooth hair may need additional grips, small braids or hidden anchor points to hold the comb securely. We recommend taking your veil to your hair trial so your stylist can test its placement and prepare the most secure attachment.

Wearing a Veil With Hair Accessories

A veil can be worn with a tiara, headband, hair vine, comb, pins or flowers. The veil and accessory may sit together or be positioned separately, allowing the veil to be removed after the ceremony while the decorative hairpiece remains in place.

If you intend to remove your veil during the day, discuss this with your hairstylist before the wedding.

Before Your Wedding Day

When your veil arrives:

1. Remove it carefully from its packaging.

2. Check the design, colour, length and attachment.

3. Store it away from pets, moisture, direct sunlight and strong odours.

4. Hang it securely or lay it flat in acid-free tissue paper.

5. Allow creases to fall naturally before using steam.

6. Take it to your hair trial if possible.

Do not iron tulle directly. If steaming is required, use a low setting and keep the steamer a safe distance from the fabric. Take particular care around glued embellishments, glitter, lace and embroidery.

Handmade Especially for You

Every Becci’s Bridal Designs veil is individually made to order. Small variations in embroidery placement, lace position and hand-applied embellishments are part of the handmade process and help make each veil unique.

Please check the individual product description carefully for the exact length, width, material, colour, number of tiers, attachment and finish included with your chosen design.

If you need help selecting a length or style, please contact us with details of your dress, hairstyle, height and wedding setting. We will be happy to help you find a veil that completes your bridal look beautifully.

Find Your Perfect Veil

Explore our collection of handmade wedding veils, from simple soft-tulle designs to romantic floral embroidery, sparkling details, dramatic cathedral lengths and unique alternative styles.

Shop Wedding Veils