Blush Weddings: Headdress, Veils & Accessories…

Headdress, Veils & Accessories…
Know your stuff!

The tiara is OUT and vintage glam is IN! Unless you’re Royalty or you’ve just won a beauty pageant, there is no need for you to wear a tiara on your wedding day. Besides that, let’s face it girls, the tiara is just naff! But before we get into what’s HOT and what’s certainly NOT, let’s talk Veils.

We find that most brides these days opt not to wear a veil at all, which is absolutely up to you.
However, we’ve done our homework and have decided to give you some much needed info about veils.

A little bit of History for you:

The first recorded instance of veiling for women is recorded in an Assyrian legal text from the 13th century BCE, which restricted its use to noble women and forbade prostitutes and common women from adopting it. The Mycenaean Greek term a-pu-ko-wo-ko meaning "craftsman of horse veil" written in Linear B syllabic script is also attested since ca. 1300 BC. Ancient Greek texts have also spoken of veiling and seclusion of women being practiced among the Persian elite. Statues from Persepolis depict women both veiled and unveiled, and it seems to be regarded as an attribute of prostitution under their belief.

Sjoe! Quite a mouthful! Well, there are many different types and some have a few different names. So are you ready… here we go!

Blusher Veil:
This veil is a short, one-layer piece of fabric or tulle that is wrapped over the head and face. It ends just below the chin. This is commonly known as a Birdcage Veil.

Chapel Veil:
This veil is typically two layered. The first piece is approximately 2,5 yards long which covers the face. The other layer covers the back of the head and extends to the floor. This is more formal and is worn with a wedding gown that has a Chapel Train.

Cathedral Veil:
This is the most formal veil of them all. It is similar to the Chapel Veil which also has two layers but quite a bit longer than the Chapel Veil. The layer that covers the face is 3,5 yards in length and the other layer covering the back of the head extends to the floor but flows past the train of the wedding gown.

Elbow Veil:
Enough Said! The Elbow Veil is more common with Western Brides. It is typically a to layered tulle, mesh or veiling veil where the longest part that covers the back of the head ends at the elbow. The layer that covers the face is slightly shorter.

Finger Tip Veil:
Pretty self explanitory! This is similar to the elbow veil but longer in length and ends at the finger tips.

Waltz Veil:
This is a very formal veil like the Cathedral Veil but shows a bit more status than the others. The length, however varies according to taste. The shortest length of this veil ends at the knees. And the longest length ends at the floor the waltz veil only has a single layer of fabric.

Flyaway Veil:
Now these are fun! But maybe not to everyone’s taste…
It is less formal than the others. It is made up of several layers of tulle. It is typically worn with a simple gown that is floor length with no train or shorter.

Mantilla Veil:
This is a single layer circle-shaped piece of tulle or fabric which rests on top of the head. The edge is bordered with lace that frames the face. It was typically worn with an ankle – length gown. Some insight and history for you: A Mantilla is a lace or silk scarf worn over the head and shoulders, often over a high comb, popular with women in Spain. It is particularly associated with traditional devotional practices among women in Catholicism. The lightweight ornamental mantilla came into use in the warmer regions of Spain towards the end of the sixteenth century, and ones made of lace became popular with women in the 17th and 18th centuries being depicted most notably in the portraits of Diego Velazquez and Goya. In the nineteenth century, Queen Isabel II (1833–1868) actively encouraged its use. The practice diminished after her death, and by 1900 the use of the mantilla became largely limited to special ceremonies, such as bullfights, Holy Week and weddings.

Russian/Fishnet Veil:
This is similar to the Birdcage. It is short in length and usually attached to a headpiece. This vail typically falls asymmetrically across the face. It is a single layer of material. The netting or tulle usually has larger holes (Like a fish net or fishnet tights). The Russian Veil looks best with short dresses. So if you’re into the short, 50’s wedding idea that’s very on trend at the moment, then the Russian and Birdcage Veils are just right for you!

Because some brides choose not to wear a veil then, let’s talk hair accessories…
Here are some pictures of pretty Alice bands, combs, flowers and vintage looks. Blush Weddings custom makes all types of veil, fascinators, birdcage veils and we have a wide selection of hair accessories like the diamante Alice band. The one thing we don’t have, however, is tiaras. THEY’RE OUT!