How to Pick the Right Veil for Your Bridal Gown

“When selecting the best veil to pair with your gown, be open to trying many different styles to see what works best,” advises bridal stylist Maradee Wahl of Dear Maradee. “Ask your bridal stylist or a friend to help by taking pictures from the front, side, and back, and repeat this process with or without a blusher if you may include one. Take a video walking so you can assess the view everyone will see as you’re walking down the aisle!” 

Brides who have a minimalist dress may choose to add to the look by selecting a more embellished veil, while a detailed dress may be better complemented with a simple style. However, that’s based on personal preference – there’s nothing wrong with a beaded dress paired with a sparkling veil or a crepe sheath with a classic fingertip tulle selection. Lace gowns can be trickier, as you don’t want a lace-trimmed veil to clash with your dress. “A clean cut edge veil works with many different gowns, as the line will disappear and give a diaphanous effect. This is a great choice for brides when the gown designer doesn’t offer a ‘matching’ ensemble veil,” Maradee explains. 

Cathedral veils have become incredibly popular in recent years, and it’s no wonder why. Even the simplest style evokes a sense of beauty and drama, and there is no doubting that a long, flowing veil makes for some stunning photographs. There can be some variance in how long a cathedral veil is, though, which at first glance can make it hard to know which is the right choice. And if you have an especially long train, you might even need to go the custom route. So what’s the right length? “A long veil that ends 12 to 18 inches past the end of your train works with most styles and silhouettes!” reveals Maradee. 

For more advice from Maradee, find out how to know you've found the right dress and how to pick the right pair of bridal shoes.