8 Wedding Veil Styles to Complement Your Dream Dress

Veils are one accessory almost exclusively reserved for brides. Originally worn as a symbol of purity and modesty, this delicate accessory is now seen by many brides as the perfect Wedding Veil accompaniment to their wedding gown in the UAE and worldwide.

Whether it’s a simple stretch of white tulle or a colorful creation with intricate embroidery and appliqués, veil styles are as varied and unique as the women who wear them. So, it’s up to every bride-to-be to find the one that best complements her style, ceremonial look, and overall wedding theme.

In this guide, you’ll learn about 8 types of wedding veils so you can pick the perfect one for your big day.

Wedding Veil Looks to Choose From

At first glance, it might seem like all veils look the same, a sheer piece of fabric cascading down a bride’s back and face. To someone with a more discerning eye (and a keen fashion sense), however, this wedding day adornment is much more diverse.

Here are some of the most common styles of wedding veils you’ll find in bridal shops and boutiques:

1. Birdcage Veil

Reminiscent of the 1940s and 1950s, this small and flirty veil measures between 4 and 9 inches long and is intended to cover part of the bride’s face. It can also be angled to one side for a touch of retro glam and a little more exposure.

Birdcage veils are often made from stiff netting or see-through tulle and can feature embellishments like pearls or crystals. They’re mostly seen with updos or attached to headbands, pillbox hats or combs, but you can certainly work them into loose hairstyles as well.

2. Blusher Veil

Also known as wedge veils, blushers are a more traditional choice that consists of a 30-inch piece of material typically fastened to the crown of the bride’s head and covering her entire face. Blusher veils are meant to add a touch of mystery and anticipation to the wedding day reveal when the bride’s face is unveiled.

Although blushers are of a style all their own, they can also be sewn onto other veils as a layering option.

3. Elbow Veil

The elbow veil is usually worn high on the head, hitting at or near, you guessed it, the bride’s elbows. Made popular in the 1960s, it’s a great choice if you want a low-key look with an understated vintage vibe.

It’s usually about 32 inches long, a short-to-medium size ideal for showcasing the skirt or train on a wedding gown, and guaranteed not to get snagged on anything, restrict the bride’s movements or overpower her if she has a petite frame.

4. Fingertip Veil

Offering all the showstopping drama of floor-length numbers while still allowing you to move around freely, fingertip veils are arguably the most versatile design of the bunch. The name of this veil gives the length away, conventionally 38-40 inches, and it stops right at the bride’s fingertips when her arms are at her side.

Fingertip veils go well with almost every dress silhouette and design, but they’re particularly stunning when paired with ball gowns and A-line bridal attires that have a fuller skirt. For a more romantic, dreamy look, you can match it with a flower crown or a glittering barrette.

5. Ballet Veil

Ballet or waltz veils are the last stop on the medium-length scale (60 inches) before you hit the floor-length style territory. They’re often lace-trimmed and cut off mid-calf, which is why they have all the benefits of low-maintenance, dancefloor-friendly short veils while still giving you the feminine, fairytale-like feels of long ones.

Worn high or low on the head, ballet veils look best with flowing, soft dress fabrics like chiffon, organza and tulle. As for gown silhouettes, they’re most commonly styled with bohemian-inspired dresses with subtle embroidery and floral appliqués, ethereal princess-like frocks with full skirts and fit-and-flare or A-line gowns with flouncy, cascading trains.

6. Cathedral Veil

For brides with a flair for the dramatic (and a generous fabric budget), a cathedral veil is definitely the way to go. Usually between 105 and 120 inches long, this extravagant veil style cascades down from the headpiece and trails behind the bride for around one to two feet. It’s by far the longest option (for anyone who isn’t royalty, anyway) and mainly reserved for formal weddings with grandiose venues.

Given their length, cathedral veils are high-maintenance accessories that you need to be extra careful with so they don’t trip you up or get caught on anything. However, they allow you to incorporate more eye-catching elements into your bridal look, like Swarovski crystals, lace trims and lots of beautiful beadwork.

7. Royal Veil

Upping the stakes in length and grandeur, royal veils are a monarch’s go-to and the longest design in this list, up to 140 inches. It pools in all its glory behind the bride to several, sometimes dozens of feet, and makes for a spectacular entrance (think Lady Di’s 153-yard-long veil!).

If you decide to wear a royal veil, you’ll want to make sure the venue is big enough for you to flaunt your regal fashion choice and have one (or a few) bridal party members help you carry it, fluff it up and keep it in place throughout the ceremony.

Such a veil is best suited for minimalist-style gowns with clean lines and slimmer silhouettes that won’t compete for attention with all that fabric. On the embellishment front, you can’t go wrong here — all the pearls, rhinestones and lace details you’ve ever wanted, go for it!

8. Juliet Cap Veil

A turn from the standard two-tiered veil beloved by bohemian and vintage-loving brides (most notably, Kate Moss), the Juliet cap veil is a true 1920s throwback. It consists of a small, round cap that hugs the crown of your head, much like a cloche hat, with the veil netting draped over it.

Traditionally, Juliet cap veils are worn low across the forehead or pulled back towards the crown, and they’re usually a perfect match for loose hairstyles like wavy locks or tousled curls. They don’t have a set length, so you can opt for whichever style you feel most comfortable in.

Design Your Own Veil

Beautiful as all these styles may be, you might still feel like you haven’t found “the one” yet.

In that case, why not custom-create your very own veil? Today, several luxury couture bridal boutiques in the UAE, like Nour Sabi, offer bespoke veils that are tailor-made to your exact preferences.

From the length and color to the fabric, edging and embroidery, you’re free to choose every aspect and create a one-of-a-kind veil that speaks to you. So, enlist the help of an experienced designer to bring your vision to life and complement that gorgeous gown of yours.