The story of the wedding veil: How will you wear yours?

Weddings are occasions steeped in tradition, from the ones directed by our beliefs to those handed down through our families. Wherever you go, however, you'll be sure to see several instantly recognisable pieces of imagery – the wedding dress, usually seen in a shimmering tone of white, the bouquet, and the trailing delicate fabric of the veil. 

In this tradition borrowed from another age, the wedding veil has become intertwined with the modern bride's look, and can be worn in a number of ways.

An intricate past

There are numerous tales about the origins of the veil. Stories range from the days of arranged marriage, whereby the veil was used to shield the bride's face from view until the deal was sealed, preventing the groom from backing out at the last minute if he wasn't a fan of his wife to be – harsh!

Alternatively, there are accounts dating back to Ancient Rome, where the bride would wear what was known as a 'flammeum', or an intensely coloured, flame orange veil. The Ancient Greeks also believed it could protect the bride by warding off spirits or the 'evil eye'. 

Choosing how to wear yours

Of course, you don't even have to wear a veil at all. Not all brides do, and some may even wear a half face veil (in the fashion of a fascinator) in lieu of a cathedral length style. Whatever you choose, it's important to coordinate with the rest of your wedding accessories, such as your jewellery or hair clips, to ensure they work well together.  

You also need to have a think about how you wish to wear it. Will you walk barefaced down the aisle, or go for a traditional reveal at the end of the ceremony? You and your partner can decide on how you'd like it to fit in with the day, and whether you'd like it to symbolise anything in particular.