Close your eyes and picture a bride. Though everyone sees a different dress, a different bouquet, no one imagines a bride without her veil. It is the ultimate bridal accessory. Think about it. Even in casual clothing, put on a veil, voilà -- you become a bride.
Photo: Isabel Lawrence Photographers
Like a beautiful bow, your veil completes the package. No other accessory is as dependent on your dress, your body type, and your personality. Ultimately, your headpiece reflects your personal style. How do you want to look?
VEILS
Length And Style. Not surprisingly, veils run the gamut of lengths. Though not written in stone, certain veils seem to match certain gowns. A very formal wedding gown, with a chapel or cathedral length train, easily carries a full-length veil, extending one foot past the train. A standard length veil, to the elbow or fingertip, complements every silhouette. According to Fabi Oshaneh, bridal department manager at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills, "The main thing is that veils are not pouffy. Like headpieces, they are less dense, more sophisticated." She notes that the short veil, which ends at the upper arm, is the most popular with her brides.
Blushers. You've heard of "the blushing bride," but does every bride need a blusher? Not necessarily. However, even when the ceremony doesn't require one -- and many do -- most brides still wear a blusher, which is lifted at a certain point in the service. It's your decision. Just remember, wearing a bridal veil is one thing you can never do again.
Decorative Veils. Decorative veils are a great way to go, especially if your dress is simple. "Edged veils are the number one item," remarked Pattie Winkler, manager of Suky Rosan, the prestigious bridal shop in suburban Philadelphia. "This is a gorgeous, sophisticated look. We edge the veil in the fabric of the dress or 1/8- to 1/4-inch silk ribbon. For another fabulous, very dressy style, we edge the veil in crystals, creating a shimmering effect as the bride walks down the aisle." It's almost like diamonds.
Also timeless: Droplets or appliqués. Like edging, pearl, crystal or rhinestone drops sprinkled throughout your veil add a touch of shimmer as you walk down the aisle.
Designer Veils. Not comfortable with all that glitters? Not to worry. Bridal gown designer and fashion guru Vera Wang is featuring a simple square-cut veil that sits on a comb atop the bridal mane. "No poufs, no flowers, no beads, just one veil which covers the face. It's Indian in inspiration," said Wang spokesperson Laura O'Brien. "It engulfs the bride in tulle. It makes it very special and very visual." And with the bride shrouded in such a way, "It certainly makes for a more mysterious ceremony."
The Mantilla. Another look in the limelight is the mantilla -- a Spanish-inspired veil edged with lace that will forever remind us of Grace Kelly. When model Annette Roque wore one at her wedding to Matt Lauer of NBC's "Today" show, brides and the headpiece industry turned heads. "We got phone calls from brides all around the country," said designer Newman. Giorgio Armani bridal wear has also featured the mantilla look.
HEADPIECES
Tiaras. Call it the Princess Bride look. Tiaras still reign as the hottest trend in bridal headwear. But this is not your typical bejeweled and bulky crown. The bridal tiara of the moment is a mere wisp of a thing, tastefully beaded, delightfully airy and simply elegant. Leading bridal headpiece designers agree that when it comes to tiaras, small and subtle says now.
Jeweled Headpieces. Want more sparkle? Many headpiece designers are working with crystals, rhinestones and shiny metals. In fact, the most recent trend in sparkle gives new meaning to the phrase "something blue." Top designers are now adding tiny colored jewels such as sapphires and amethysts to their pieces.
Jeweled Hair. Trend setting headpiece designer Nelson D'Leon of New York City has taken the hair-jewelry concept one step further by scattering hairpins throughout a bride's coif. He describes dreamy sparkling metal orchids sprinkled through a bride's upswept do. The veil attaches on a separate comb at the back of the head.
Designers agree on one thing: Don't let trends dictate your veil or headpiece. "Everyone has a vision of what they are going to look like on their wedding day," said O'Brien of Vera Wang. "There are no hard and fast rules in fashion. Rules are made to be broken." After all, every bride is a princess, no matter what crowns her head.
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