Every bride dreams of the perfect wedding day from the dress to the flowers, the decor to the menu. But one detail that many brides overlook is the length of the veil. Which length is right for you? Will a cathedral length overwhelm your look? Does a short veil look too tiny? In this guide to veil lengths – with examples from talented designer Tessa Kim – you’ll learn tips and tricks to find the perfect length of wedding veil for your big day.
All veils in this blog post are handmade by the talented Tessa Kim; and all photos are by the lovely Deyla Huss Photography. See the amazing list of vendors here.
In this blog post, we’ll cover these important veil topics:
• Veil Lengths
• What to Consider When Selecting a Veil
• Trends in Veil Lengths
• Where to Shop Wedding Veils
Let’s get started!
First, let’s talk about the different veils available so you can see the difference in their lengths.
Veil Lengths to Consider
There are several wedding veil lengths available, but we’ll focus on the seven veils you’ve likely heard of before. These are the shoulder, elbow, fingertip, waltz, floor, cathedral, and chapel.
Here is a quick guide to lengths:
• Mini: 8″ – The shortest style
• Shoulder: 20″ – Hits at your shoulder
• Elbow: 25″ – Goes to your elbow
• Fingertip: 45″ – Approximate length to your fingertips
• Waltz: 55″ – Waist length
• Floor: 70″ – Floor length
• Chapel: 90″ – A bit longer than floor length
• Cathedral: 110″ – The longest readily-available length
Check out some examples.
The length of the veil you select will affect the overall look and style of your bridal ensemble.
Short vs. Long
A short veil provides a modern, retro, or vintage style, while a long length adds elegance and sophistication for a formal walk down the aisle.
Here’s an example of an 8″ mini veil complete with elegant pearls.
And here’s a long floor-length gown with soft tulle forming a single layer.
What Matters Most
The most important things to consider when selecting your veil are:
1.) Style: select a length that resonates with your style
2.) Cohesion: choose a veil that coordinates with your wedding dress
3.) Tone/Theme: pick a style that reflects the tone and theme of your wedding.
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Next, we’ll discuss how your unique face shape and dress style will help when picking the proper veil length for you.
What to Consider When Selecting a Veil
First, consider your unique face shape.
Face Shape
Did you know that different veils will complement face shapes differently? Round faces look best with longer veils, while square faces pop with a short veil. An oval-shaped face goes with any length of veil. But don’t let that stop you: it’s important to tie in your wedding dress style when selecting your veil.
Dress Style
The length of your veil should be similar in style and formality to your dress. A simple gown may benefit from a long, ornate veil for impact and add to its overall glamour. Meanwhile, if your wedding dress already has a lot going on – ornate beadwork, detail, rhinestones – you may benefit from a simple or shorter veil that won’t overwhelm your look.
Wedding Venue
Your venue, the theme of your wedding, and its location – even the time of year! – play a role in the veil length. A beach wedding works best with a practical veil that is short in length (hello, wind!) but an elegant formal wedding may require a more dramatic and long veil to wear down the aisle.
The bottom line? Choose a wedding veil length that works well with your style, the wedding venue and theme, and the overall tone.
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When in doubt, bring in some of the latest trends to tie your look together!
Wedding Veil Lengths + Trends
Here are the top wedding veil trends to consider this season, all beautifully handcrafted by Tessa Kim. Her new 2024 collection recently launched and we’re sharing some of our favorites below.
Some of the most popular lengths include the mantilla veil, two-tier veils, and veils with lace, pearl, or crystal accents all over. Here are some images of these trendy veil styles.
NOTE: She can create custom-length veils, so if you see a wedding veil you like you can request it in a different length to suit your needs.
Mini Drop Veil with Lace Trim
Lace Mantilla Veil
French Soft Tulle Drop Veil
Juliet Cap Veil
Sparkle Drop Veil
Mini Birdcage Veil with Headband
Double-Layer Birdcage Veil with Crystals
Floor Length Veil with Flower Embellishments
Chenille Dot Birdcage Veil
French Sequin Pearl and Beading Floor-Length Veil
Shoulder Length Mini Two-Tier Veil
That’s not all: see the full collection here.
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Now that you’ve seen some brilliant examples and you know all about wedding veil lengths, it’s time to shop your perfect veil.
SHOP NOW
Love what you see here? Tessa Kim is an amazing designer and we recommend her wholeheartedly. (Read her reviews: they speak for themselves.)
► DISCOUNT CODE: In honor of the new 2024 veil collection, Tessa is offering a special discount exclusively for Emmaline Bride readers. Use code: TESSAKIMEB at checkout for 20% off your order. Shop TessaKim.com or on Etsy.
Here is a comprehensive list of the wonderful vendors who attributed their skill to this beautiful new collection!
VENDORS
► Veils: Tessa Kim
► Photos: Deyla Huss
► Florals: Roots of Joy Botanicals
► Makeup/hair: Olivia Hawthorne Makeup
► Dress Shop: Anna’s Bridal
► Studio: Apex studio
► Gowns: Monique Lhuillier Bride
► Models: The Option Agency
► Furniture Rental: Great Jones NW
Conclusion
As you’ve seen here, a veil is so much more than just a veil. When you understand the different lengths, consider personal factors, and keep in line with the trends, you’ll be on your way to choosing a veil length that feels right for you – and your wedding.
What questions do you have for us, or would you like Tessa to answer? Leave your veil length questions in the comment box and we’ll swoop in to answer!
Hope it helps!
xo
Emma
Tessa Kim is a Featured Artist at Emmaline Bride.
