Characterized by the extravagant, flowing skirt paired with the tightly fitted bodice, the ball gown wedding dress makes every bride look like a fairytale princess on her wedding day. Just as important is the veil, a beautiful bridal accessory that helps you make an impact as you walk down the aisle.

In ancient Rome, the veil disguised the bride from evil spirits as she walked down the aisle. Later, it came to symbolize her purity. These days, modern brides don’t need protection on their wedding day and eschew these connotations. They choose veils based on budget, aesthetics, and personal preference. Like the dress, the veil makes a statement.

The 3 Best Veils For Your Ball Gown Wedding Dress

The ball gown wedding dress has a distinctive style and silhouette that lends itself well to big entrances. The best veils honor that, imbuing your final ensemble with whimsy, regality, or theatricality, depending on which direction you want to go. Anything too short or too modern may look too informal to match the dreamy quality of your ball gown wedding dress.

Cathedral Veil

The most romantic option, the long, flowing cathedral veil heightens the drama of the already eye-catching gown. If your theme for your wedding day is “go big or go home,” the cathedral veil is your best pick to go with your ball gown wedding dress.

The cathedral veil is designed to sweep the floor after you, past the length of your gown. It’s usually 108 to 120 inches long.

Chapel Veil

The chapel (or church length) veil is a classic, traditional look that adds just a touch of drama. At 90 inches, the chapel veil gives your ball gown wedding dress the look of a sweeping train without the inconvenience (and bustling) of one.

The chapel veil pairs well with almost any style of wedding dress, especially the ball gown silhouette.

Fingertip Veil

The fingertip veil flows seamlessly into the train of your gown, letting your ball gown wedding dress shine as you walk down the aisle. The veil is designed to fall to your hips, approximately 38 to 40 inches long. As a bonus, it allows any designs on the back of your wedding dress to be visible as well.

50 Shades of White: Choosing the Right Color, Balance, and Fabric For Your Veil

Once you’ve selected the best type of veil for your ball gown wedding dress, it’s time to move onto the details.

Color

Welcome to the wonderful world of wedding dress shopping, where you’ll learn that not all shades of white are equal. Wedding dresses come in stark white, natural white, ivory, champagne, alabaster, and even light gold.

Choose a veil that matches your gown’s color as closely as possible. If you’ve ever seen two almost but not quite identical colors placed side-by-side, you’ve already experienced how distracting that discrepancy can be.

If you’re unable to match the colors exactly, don’t worry. One workaround is to choose a veil at least one or two shades lighter than your gown so that it brightens your dress.

Balance

When it comes to fashion, Goldilocks is an unlikely mentor, but her philosophy works on many levels. Never settle for too little or too much, and always look for “just right.” Embrace that mindset as you choose the best veil for your ball gown wedding dress.

If you’ve chosen a dress overflowing with embellishments, look for a simpler veil that won’t distract from your gown. If you favor a simpler, elegant design, a more ornate wedding veil can give your look some extra detail.

Fabrics

Ball gown wedding dresses typically come in chiffon, organza, and tulle. These lightweight fabrics are arranged in multiple layers to create a full but light skirt. A veil made of similar fabrics complements the floaty, airy look.

Ball gown wedding dresses made from crepe, charmeuse, or satin have a slight glamorous sheen to them. Others may have a mix of fabrics to create the right effect. Look for a veil that incorporates these elements so that it harmonizes with your dress.

3 Tips For Finding the Best Veil For Your Wedding Dress

Preparation is the key to success. Check out some tips below on having a successful shopping trip.

Bring a Fabric Swatch With You to Stores

As descriptive as you can be with words, nothing beats having a physical item to compare the veil to. Having the fabric swatch on hand lets you compare colors exactly and gives the salesperson something concrete to match.

You can even take it a step further and come armed with photos of yourself in your wedding dress. The more information you can provide, the better.

Experiment With Different Styles

You never know how a veil or dress will look until it’s on. Keep in mind that today there are almost no occasions that require you to wear a veil; your wedding day may be the only time you ever get to do so. Don’t be afraid to have fun with the veil. Even if it’s not your normal style, try it on anyway and see how you feel. You just might surprise yourself!

Rules Were Made to Be Broken

Especially when it comes to personal style.

Fashion rules come and go every decade. For every rule that’s supposedly set in stone, there’s a designer who sets out to break them.

The perfect veil and wedding dress reflect your personality, and the sight of them together will always be a reminder of your wedding day. They symbolize a major life event. So, if you decide you want something totally outside the usual choices, don’t be afraid to break some rules. After all, it’s your day.

The most important thing is that you feel gorgeous and excited about your wedding!