Uncovering the Veiled Truth

Though it's merely a piece of sheer white lace, a veil can make a bride feel and look like she is truly getting married.

Veils date back to ancient Greeks and Romans, who used them to fend off evil spirits and demons. They thought the evil spirits would not be able to get to the person behind the veil, hence preserving her for her husband.

The fabric became popular in the late eighteenth century in America. One of George Washington's aides saw Nellie, Washington's daughter, sitting by a lace-curtained window and was stunned by her beauty. She recreated the scene at her wedding by making a veil of white lace. And the color of the veil, white, is related to the color of the wedding gown, which represents the purity of the bride.

A veil can be whatever you want it to be, from simple and understated to extravagant and detailed. It can be any length, from below the wedding train to grazing the elbow. It can be plain or decorated with items like pearls, lace or gems.

Whatever you choose, make sure the veil doesn't compete with your dress. A fancy veil will be too much for a detailed gown. But you can dress up a plain dress with a lacy veil.

When trying on veils, do your hair and makeup the way you'll wear it on the big day if you can, to get the full effect of the veil. Then, stand in front of a full-length mirror to see the veil from all angles. A veil may look flattering in the front but may not complement the back of your dress.

Don't forget to take a walk around the house a few times in your veil, especially if yours will be long. You'll look like a princess no matter what kind of veil you wear. But no one wants to ruin their walk down the aisle by tripping on their veil.

It's up to you whether you want to wear a veil. If you don't, you can often opt for a more modern head covering like a tiara, barrette or other headpiece (Check with your officiant to make sure it's OK to not wear a veil). Just be sure that you will feel like a bride on the big day, whether you are wearing a veil or not. §
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Veil Lingo

Veils have a language of their own. Before you go shopping, teach yourself some veil terminology.

• Fingertip: hits at the fingertips.

• Bouffant: goes above the head and is often worn without a headpiece.

• Chapel or cathedral: long and wide, usually extending past the train.

• Mantilla: Spanish-inspired and edged with lace.

• Elbow: hits at the elbow.

• Flyaway: accentuates the back and just hits the shoulder.

• Ballerina: hits between the knee and ankle.  §

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