A Fresh New Take on Bridal Veils

By Vennette Lailani Seprado

Veils have been a staple in women’s clothing for thousands of years.  It has served various functions from practical headgear to religious accouterment but it wasn’t until the 19^th century that it became the wedding veil we know today. Traditionally, bridal veils symbolize virginity and modesty. Nowadays, it’s more of an accessory to complete a bridal look. Some modern brides have opted to forgo wearing veils altogether choosing instead to go for decorative headpieces, bejeweled combs, and clips or adding fresh flowers to complete their look.

We gathered five styles with a fresh take on the traditional veil that might just rekindle your interest in donning this most romantic wedding staple.

The Juliet Cap

Originally named after William Shakespeare’s ill-fated 16th-century heroine, this style reached its peak during the 1920’s till the 1930’s. Typically, it’s a net-like fabric or lace gathered around the head and pinned at the sides as is or with either an heirloom brooch or a spray of floral blooms as accents. The Juliet cap made a comeback amongst vintage loving brides when British supermodel Kate Moss famously wore this style at her 2011 nuptials to rocker Jaime Hince igniting a fascination for the new bohemian glam wedding style.

Say It With Lace

Nothing screams traditional than a Spanish Mantilla. The mantilla is a scalloped lace veil covering a woman’s head and shoulders popular in Latin countries for its strong ties with Catholicism. Brides of today will wear a mantilla because of its timeless elegance and flair for the drama. Artfully embroidered with a lovely drape, this style is perfect when worn pinned over the head for a traditional look that beautifully frames the bride’s face.  There are no rules in choosing a gown for this style but WE recommend a silhouette that elongates the body and gives shape, allowing the mantilla to form a beautiful lace halo around the body.

Celestial

Celestial motifs have been popular this past couple of years. Established fashion houses such as Valentino and Dior have incorporated images of the sun, moon, and stars into their prints and embroideries and it didn’t take long for the bridal market to pick up on this trend.

Last year, Ziad Nakad, a Lebanese couturier presented his Fall/Winter couture collection featuring spectacular princess ball gowns with an equally dazzling fully embellished veil of stars. This style may be overwhelming and wearing the night sky on your head may go from bridal to fortune teller real quick if not done right. A less literal approach may be more wearable with a scattering or pearls or crystals sewn onto the veil for that extra shimmer and sparkle.

Secret Symbols

There’s nothing more delicious than wearing a secret element in one’s clothing. It could be an unexpected printed lining of a jacket or in a bridal setting, an embroidered pair of initials tucked into the folds of the hem or sleeves.

Meghan Markle for example, the new Duchess of Sussex donned a 16-and-a-half-foot veil made from silk tulle, with flowers representing the 53 Commonwealth countries embroidered in silk and organza.

Angelina Jolie, on the other hand, took an unconventional approach by having her kids’ doodles embroidered on her veil. This deeply personal touch can be as subtle or as bold and can work seamlessly with the bride’s overall look.

Flake It Till You Make It

Not a fan of lace or beadwork but still want a little bit of shine? Then you may want to try this nod to the hair trend using metallic foil on hair which was seen on the runways of Jason Wu, Dries Van Noten and locally, Jaz Cerezo from last year. Metallic flakes on veils are fresh, modern and artistic. Gold or silver accents add just the right amount of sheen that could work well for a minimalist or industrial wedding style.

Famed bridal and evening gown designer Vera Wang once said:

“The wedding veil is at once sacred and seductive”

A wedding is a tradition in itself, but in a wedding, there are many opportunities for a couple to connect to their history, heritage, family, values, and beliefs. It could be through their themes and motifs or their choice of garments and accessories. The veil is the ultimate bridal finishing touch so finding the perfect one to match a bride’s style, dress and hair require a bit more thought and consideration than acquiring a piece of gossamer-like fabric draped over one’s head.