Posted by Grace Bonney, of Design*Sponge:
Sorry about the late post. My 4-year-old computer finally decided to give up the fight, and now I'm trying to learn to type on a borrowed computer that doesn't agree with my fingers. Argh—computers!
Today I wanted to talk a bit about veils. For me, veils were one bit of tradition I was quick to dismiss because I felt like I was being trapped in a fancy cage made of tulle. So I nixed the idea and moved on.
Now, as the big day creeps closer and closer (2 weeks! eek!) I find myself wanting that flowy bit of fabric, but not willing to shell out an additional $300. So my first instinct was to head to a discount bridal store and pick up a $50 veil as a backup. But boy does the cost make a big difference. $50 tulle is indeed very different from fancy $300 tulle. I felt like each one was scratching my arms and neck so much that I couldn't bear to plunk down $50 for one. And now I'm left wondering if there is a world of mid-range veils that don't cost $300, but don't feel like a $50 veil?
Did you guys wear veils, and if so, did you splurge on a fancy one? Or find a way to make the discount ones work? And is there a place where $75-$100 veils exist and don't feel scratchy? I feel like my head might want a tiny bit of decoration, and perhaps a traditional veil (rather than a bird cage or flower head piece) is the best way to go for my traditional dress.
From: Blah | 4/10/09 at 11:09 am
Why don't you DIY it? I don't understand how a veil would be so difficult to make. It's just a piece of cloth pinned to your head. You can get a yard or whatever length your want at the fabric store, fix it up how you want, heck, you can even place little appliques on for decoration. I'm sure that would be within your cost range, maybe even less, and you can get that nice fabris you're wanting.
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Then again, you might be swamped at this point with getting all the last minute projects done, buying a veil might seem less stressful at this point for you, but if you have a day, I'd say go today to the fabric shop and pick out some lovely fabric. You're creative enough to make it how you want
From: Amy | 4/10/09 at 11:18 am
I bought a veil for the tradition part of the wedding ceremony, but as soon as photos are over, it is coming off!!
When I went to my first fitting, my seamstress told me that I grossly overpaid for my veil ($150). She said she could have easily made one more beautiful for a fraction of the cost. I suggest looking in to that option, but do it quick since the date is creeping up very fast! Good Luck!
From: Sherri Caudell Brennan, Fashion Editor @ Martha Stewart Weddings | 4/10/09 at 11:21 am
Hey everyone. Wanted to let you know that Tigerlilly Jewelry has great elbow-length veils in cut, pencil, and lace edges for $35-90. Not scratchy! We use them a lot for photo shoots. They also have some cute birdcage veils on sale for $49! Check out all of their options at tigerlillyjewelry.com
From: LPC | 4/10/09 at 11:38 am
I am personally a great fan of the traditional veil and feel it has gotten a bum rap of late.
From: Leah | 4/10/09 at 12:06 pm
I was really pleased with my veil, after much concern about actually wearing one. I think it sort of "made" my look. You can see it here: http://www.stylemepretty.com/?s=leah+and+michael&submit-2=go
I got it at kenleycollins.com and I think it went for less than $60.
From: Leah | 4/10/09 at 12:08 pm
oops... here
From: Deirdre Ingram | 4/10/09 at 12:38 pm
Hi Grace! I know what you mean about veils. I visited several high end bridal salons in my area and was shocked by the price of some tulle attached to a comb! I was going to do one of the bridal ribbon headbands that are the trend now, but the dress shop where I got my dress happened to have a brand new Reem Acra veil for $200 that complemented me in my dress so much I could not say no. It is beautifully embroidered and originally went for $1800. There is someone in my area that I was going to check out too: http://www.olenasveils.com/ . She has gotten rave reviews on local bridal boards. Good luck!
From: Lindsey | 4/10/09 at 12:48 pm
I sympathize with your frustrations. I tried on a beautiful cathedral length veil with my wedding dress but could not stomach paying $300 for a piece of tulle sewn onto a comb. i tried the DIY route... purchasing the tulle, pattern, and comb at JoAnne Fabrics. It turned out horribly (I do not have the creative gene). Finally in desperation I went to David's Bridal website and found the perfect veil- simple, cathedral length, fine tulle (not scratchy)- for about $60!!! Factoring in shipping and handling it was about $80 and arrived within 3 days. I highly recommend it! Lots of luck!
From: Liane | 4/10/09 at 1:02 pm
Borrow one from a friend! They still probably have one from their wedding that they won't use again, it covers "something borrowed," and it's free! That's what I did, and it worked out great so that I had something just a little bit fancier for the ceremony. So my advice is: ask around!
From: housechore | 4/10/09 at 1:08 pm
I'd suggest looking at Etsy for something unique and classy. Perhaps a fascinator would be enough head adornment for you? Here are some shops I've been checking out, no affiliation:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6067481
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5210893§ion_id=5289092
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5060316
From: Jolyn | 4/10/09 at 1:48 pm
I know this has nothing to do with veils but what does your engagement ring look like? I'm just curious.
From: Sarah | 4/10/09 at 2:20 pm
I did the exact thing for my wedding. I thought there was no way I was going to wear a veil and three days before the wedding I had someone make one for me. It took her 5 minutes to whip stitch it together and it was perfect! If you're feeling it, just do it. It will make you feel that much more special. And coming from a non-girly-girl, you wont feel like a snow beast!
From: JLR | 4/10/09 at 2:46 pm
I had the same problem because when I got married tieras were in and I just couldn't do it. I bought a clear comb, tulle, and small rosettes (not fabric-they almost looked ceramic) at Michaels Craft Store and made it myself. I always wanted a cathedral length veil and because it was attached to a comb it was narrow but very long. The tulle was actually very soft. I also took the same rosettes and glued them to long hair pins which I put into my hair so when I removed the veil after the ceremony there was still some decoration and it "matched" the veil.
From: Jennifer | 4/10/09 at 3:12 pm
I have been working on a veil for my own wedding, and found that they have very nice ones at Hobby Lobby and Wal-Mart for around $10 and feel fine. They are easily customizable also.
From: Courtney | 4/10/09 at 4:07 pm
I was a bit torn in regards to a headpiece, so I decided to wear a veil for the ceremony and flowers for the reception. I found my veil for $120, and it was a nice, fine (soft) tulle. Unfortunately it wasn't in NYC, so that's not really of help to you, but there is a mid-range out there, and I hope you can find one! Also, the DIY route isn't a bad idea if you or a friend have the time!
From: Barclay | 4/10/09 at 11:26 pm
My mom has knitted me a shawl which I will be using as my veil in November. It's a cream-colored, lightweight, lace shawl but obviously not as see-through as tulle, so it is just going to attach to my head somehow with a comb. I have no idea how I will attach it to the comb so it doesn't ruin the shawl for future use ... probably sew it on or maybe use a little wire.
I like the idea of using one from a friend - doing double duty as your "borrowed" item. Also, I cannot believe that Reem Acra would normally charge $1800 for a veil?!?!? With a straight face?
From: Annie @ Marry You Me | 4/11/09 at 1:34 pm
I had my cathedral length custom made by Meghan Lawlor collections - with a custom swarovski comb and fine italian tulle for only $150 - she also has stock veils she's already made and she ships wherever. Check her website out:
http://www.meghanlawlorcollections.com/
Good luck
From: Jennifer | 4/11/09 at 2:57 pm
I wanted to wear a veil at my wedding because, when the heck else would I get a chance to?!? My husand and I were married in a Cathedral in downtown Seattle, so the formalness of a veil went well with the location, too. And I was fortunate to have a beautifully simple small hat one with simple embellishments that my mother wore at her wedding that attached above a bun in my hair. And, it only reached to the middle of my back, so was very manageable and never got in my way during the wedding or reception.
I'd agree with many of the other posts of DIY or last minute stock veils available.
All the best in your final preps, Grace!
From: la petite maison | 4/11/09 at 6:01 pm
My friend made one for me. I had a champagne taste on a beer budget (was in grad school. I found a veil design I loved in an issue of MSW magazine (hee hee), and my friend was able to create one just like it for less than $20. Let us know what you decide!
From: Sugar | 4/11/09 at 8:05 pm
I had my seamstress turn my mom's lace mantilla into a veil - beautiful (and inexpensive!).
From: Gina | 4/12/09 at 4:54 am
I wore a veil (against the advice of my bridal gown consultant, who turned out to be a flake in other ways as well). And I loved it.
Mine cost around $100, but that was because it had some pretty labor-intensive beading on it, as well as a gorgeous indian-inspired scalloped edge.
It was totally worth it. It made me feel like a bride.
From: Stacey | 4/14/09 at 2:50 am
I've been looking on Etsy and found a number of sweet veils for under $50!
From: grace | 4/14/09 at 12:23 pm
thanks for all these tips guys! i think i may have come up with a non-veil solution but i'm going to keep all of this in mind before i leave. i'm going to try to find a back-up one just in case.
jolyn- my ring looks like this top one, but it's not from tiffany:
http://www.herecomestheguide.com/images/drf/Tiffany/Tiffany6.jpg
grace
From: Imogen | 4/15/09 at 6:41 am
Initially I too was completely 'anti-veil' but a couple of months ago I changed my mind after seeing some photos of bird-cage (not birds-nest as someone in a bridal shop described them to me
) veils. I love the vintage, and slightly theatrical, look of them and since my dress is in that style I thought it would work well. Also, as someone above commented - when else do you get the chance to wear a veil?
I hunted a few bridal shops and even considered (briefly) making my own but then I discovered that the designer who is making my dress (www.lizzieagnew.co.uk) also makes the very thing I was looking for! Handy or what?! I'm hoping it will look something like this http://bklynbrideonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/double-poppy-with-veiling.jpg but smaller.
From: africaliving | 5/7/09 at 2:10 pm
I wore a veil at the last minute too. I needed a last minute alteration on my dress and the woman doing it convinced me to buy a $250 veil she'd made. It looked terrific and it had a powerful psychological effect on my husband-to-be. Unfortunately, I don't have many photos as I removed it right after the ceremony. So, if you go with one for part of the day- don't forget to take photos of it!