When choosing your veil, take into consideration the style, length, and design of your dress. You want a veil that complements your wedding gown, not one that takes the focus away from it. Your veil should draw attention to your face, not to itself, but some well-executed details on a veil can add a dramatic flair or a touch of personality.

For a fun look that’s slightly non-traditional, choose a veil trimmed with colored ribbon. Add a pop of red to your veil to coordinate with red roses, or choose a ribbon trim that matches your bridesmaids’ dresses. Black ribbon trim on a white veil can create a sophisticated look.

For a dramatic effect, pair a cathedral-length veil with a simple but elegant dress. You can also help achieve your desired look with different types of trim for your veil. An embroidered or beaded veil can create a romantic look. A veil can be edged in beads, pearls, or even Swarovski crystals to match the detailing on your dress without being overwhelming. Elegant embroidery can extend all the way around the veil or can be limited to just the edge. For a more striking romantic effect, choose a lace-trimmed mantilla veil that cascades around your shoulders. If you’re looking for a truly unique look, consider a veil in a fabric other than tulle. Chiffon is less sheer and heavier than tulle and creates a beautiful cascading effect.

The length of your veil is also an important consideration. Remember the shorter the veil, the more fullness it will have, so a shoulder length or elbow length veil will have more poof than a fingertip, waist, or hip length veil. A cathedral length veil should be worn only with gowns that are as long as or longer than the veil. If your dress has any sort of focal point, such as a flower at the hip, your veil should be cut just above or below this point. A veil that ends in line with a focal point will create a horizontal dividing line that may appear to chop you in half. Remember that longer veils can be difficult to manage. If you have your heart set on a long veil for your ceremony, consider switching to a shorter veil during the reception.

You will also need to decide how many tiers you want to have on your veil. One-tier veils do not have a blusher and are very simple and elegant. Many brides choose to wear a one-tier veil with a modern dress to achieve a sophisticated, stylish look. Veils with two or three tiers can help set a very traditional, romantic tone for your wedding. With a veil that has two or more tiers, you can use the top tier as a blusher to cover your face when you walk down the aisle. Some veils with multiple tiers even let you remove tiers to create a simpler look for the reception.

The birdcage veil is a style that has become increasingly popular in recent years. The birdcage veil is a short veil made of French net that covers half of the face, creating a vintage-inspired look. For added elegance, choose a birdcage veil trimmed in crystals or seed beads. When paired with a vintage style dress, a birdcage veil can create a beautiful and simple, yet striking look.