A back piece can be a comb or a short, gathered veil or both. Back pieces are attached at the back of the head, usually at the base of an up-do. They can consist of a short tulle spray, an embellished piece with stones, beads, pearls, or crystals, or a silk floral. Often tulle is combined with an ornament for an intricate display.
Why do brides wear veils?
In ancient societies, weddings were customarily large, with entire villages and even kingdoms joining in the long festivities. Religion and superstition held a strong place in everyday life and in ceremonial events.
Headdresses and veils have traditionally had some sacred or cultural significance. Head coverings were worn by both men and women as an expression of modesty or as decoration, and there was a time when the length of a bride’s veil signified her status, as did the fabric from which it was made.
White gowns and robes were reserved for royalty or the rich because it was difficult to maintain this color before bleaching techniques were perfected. The veil, however, predates the wearing of white and there are many reasons why brides originally wore them. They are steeped in the beliefs and customs of the day.
Blusher veils cover all of the face and sometimes fall to the shoulder. They’re designed to be worn during the ceremony and removed or flipped back after the pronunciation of the marriage. They’re usually worn as a second veil to a main veil.
Photo by Carolina Rivera
Cathedral length veils are very long, measuring 126 inches in length. They were traditionally made of silk or embroidered satin, an impossibly heavy length of fabric, and are now usually made of fine netting. They’re often worn with blushers, both of which are removed after the ceremony and replaced with a headpiece or shorter veil.
Photo by Becca Romero
White gowns and robes were reserved for royalty or the rich because it was difficult to maintain this color before bleaching techniques were perfected. The veil, however, predates the wearing of white and there are many reasons why brides originally wore them. They are steeped in the beliefs and customs of the day.
Most modern brides choose their headpieces as a matter of taste. Here’s a description of the many types of veils and headpieces available to help you decide what’s right for you.
Ballet
Ballet length veils, sometimes referred to as princess length, are about 54 inches in length, designed to fall to the calf.
Birdcage
Ballet length veils, sometimes referred to as princess length, are about 54 inches in length, designed to fall to the calf.
Bubble
Bubble veils are designed to be worn at the crown of the head - the top back. The voluminous effect is achieved either by bundling or gathering tulle or by folding tulle back on itself to make it ‘bubble’. The rest of the veil is usually on the shorter side and will cascade from the bubble down the back.
Butterfly
The butterfly veil is cut in a narrow oval with the sides pulled toward the back, causing it to cascade or drape over itself, giving the appearance of butterfly wings. Usually made of illusion netting and often trimmed with a lace or embroidered border, it can hit anywhere from shoulder to floor.
Cap
Caps or Juliet caps are similar in shape to a baby’s bonnet and fit closely to the crown of the head but do not cover any part of the ears or neck. They’re made from bridal fabric or lace and can be embellished with stones, beads or embroidery, most often seen with a veil attached.
Fingertip veils measure about 45 inches and will usually have several layers of tulle. They typically end at the bride’s fingertips when her arms are down.
Photo by Becca Romero
Raw edge veils are made of bridal netting which does not fray or unravel. The cut edge of the netting is left as is, without rolling, stitching, trim, or binding of any kind.
Chapel
Chapel length veils are the second longest type of veil, measuring 90 inches, long enough to reach about two feet beyond the floor. They’re typically removed after the ceremony and can be replaced with a smaller veil or headpiece.
Crescent
Crescents are a type of comb, shaped like a crescent or half-moon and embellished. They’re typically worn around a bun or some other curve of the head.
Crown
A crown is a full circle that sits on top of the head. Usually made of metal and embellished with stones or beads, it is sometimes worn to hold in place a fine mesh mantilla-style veil with a front overhang. A lace crown (headband) might have an attached veil, pouf, or bubble at the back.
Chapel
Elbow length veils measure 30 inches and are single or double layered veils. The top layer often doubles as a blusher.
Fascinator
A fascinator is a small hat or decorative hair ornament that’s worn at the side of the head. It usually features feathers, flowers, beads, netting, or lace and is attached using a comb or hairclip. Fascinators can also be attached to headbands and veils, especially birdcages.
Floor
Floor length veils are about 65 inches and are designed to just hit the floor.
Flyaway
Flyaway veils consist of one or more layers of tulle that fall only to the shoulders, allowing the veil to fly away from the face.
Half Crown
A half-crown is a half-circle, larger than a tiara in size and weight. It’s made of metal and embellished with stones or pearls, and attaches to the hair with combs.
Headband
Headbands follow the shape of the head and can be made of re-embroidered lace, fabric, or stones. Headbands can rest over the top of the head or circle the forehead and are often worn with a veil or pouf. They can be elaborately detailed or simple, narrow or wide, sometimes covering the entire curve of the forehead and the hairline.
Knee
Knee length veils measure about 50 inches and are designed to end at the knee.
Mantilla
Mantillas are made from a circular cut piece of lace or bridal tulle trimmed with lace and placed over the crown of the head. They traditionally fall to the fingertips or longer and are held in place by a high comb that stands straight up with the mantilla falling over it. Contemporary brides are wearing mantillas with a flat comb hidden by the veil or the bride’s hair. The front curve of the veil can be left down over the forehead.
Rolled edge veils are exactly what they sound like. The raw or cut edge of the fabric is rolled through a small tube on the sewing foot as it’s pulled across the machine plate, where it’s stitched in place to create a smooth finish. You can also find veil edges finished with fabric, embroidery, or beads.
Waltz length veils, sometimes referred to as ballet length, typically hit at the mid-calf to the ankle, about 54-60 inches in length.
Pouf
A pouf is made from layers of folded tulle and is usually worn at the back of the head. It’s often accompanied by a headband and sometimes a very short spray of tulle or a short veil.
Spray
A spray is a type of comb headpiece made of feathers, crystals, flexible wire, beads, silk flowers or other embellishments, worn anywhere on the head, with or without a veil.
Tiara
A tiara is a half-circle that is lighter in weight and smaller in size than a half crown. It’s placed on top of and stands away from the head rather than lying flat like a headband. It’s made of metal embellished with jewels or pearls and is attached to the hair with combs.
V-band
A V-band lies across the forehead in a centralized V-shape with the two arms extending over the outer top of the head and attaching with combs. V-bands can be simple or dramatically embellished with stones, beads, and wire sprays.
Wreath
Bridal wreaths sit centered on the crown of the head. They’re usually made of natural materials such as flowers, leaves, twig sprays, even small fruits and silk flowers. They’re sometimes embellished with ribbon streamers and are seen with or without an attached veil.
Our collection of veils
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As the wedding ceremony and the meaning of veils evolve, they continue to be wrapped in religious, spiritual, or personal significance. It’s believed that the veil is the oldest part of the bride’s outfit and pronounced to the world she was an untouched maiden.
Although many of these old-world traditions and superstitions may not apply to today’s bride, the veil still plays a significant role in most weddings and can be a beautiful addition to your ensemble!
Wear Your Love specializes in comfortable, packable, and luxuriously soft wedding dresses made to fit your unique body right out of the box. Do you have questions? Read our FAQ or GET IN TOUCH.
Cover photo by Carolina Rivera
Lee Caleca
Lee Caleca is a prolific writer with experience in several career fields. She’s appeared in newsprint, magazines, theatre, on camera, on stage and runway, and has held responsibilities including wedding photographer, location assistant, set design, property, casting, and costume design and execution.