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Lovely In Lace

Expert advice on finding the right veil

THERE’S NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. All eyes are on the bride the moment she first sets foot on the aisle. Her dress will make hearts flutter. Her shoes will hint of a certain fairytale princess. And her veil—soft in French lace or edgy in short tulle—will entice onlookers to want more. As we enter an era of practicality, the veil also pre-sents a challenge. Can a bride be fiscally responsible and still wear a knock-out veil? Luckily, today’s designers are answering with a resounding “yes,” and offering a selection of veils that are both couture and commonsensical. Our local expert, Justine Murray—founder and designer behind Justine M Couture, a vintage and contemporary bridal accessory and jewelry business—shares her take on the trends and tips for finding a veil uniquely yours.

Q: Which veils are in vogue?
A: With the current economic climate, designers are finding creative ways to offer affordable couture pieces without compromising the integrity of the designs. Short and sassy veils are in vogue, worn to the side and front. You’ll find chin-length veils in French net with attachable silk flowers that double as a headpiece or brooch. There is, however, still a demand for fingertip and full cathedral veils and every length in between. 

While authentic French corded (Alençon) lace veils will once again be extremely popular this year, they represent some of the more expensive veils on the market. As corded lace must be hand sewn, its price is four times higher than its uncorded counterpart. The use of uncorded, lighter Chantilly and Alençon laces creates a delicate vintage look and is easy on the budget. That being said, I suggest that if you see a lace veil that you just must have but it is out of your budget, ask if the veil can be made with the lace just around the top or bottom portion.

Q: How can a bride make the most of her veil?
A: Most long veils can be converted into a wrap or shawl for the evening. We often show brides how to get the most wear out of their veil by showcasing it in ways they might not have thought a veil could be styled.  The “Madelaine” bustle veil is essentially a long lace veil with a vintage rhinestone brooch that allows the veil to be bustled onto itself or the wedding gown. This way, the veil can be pinned at any length, and it gives the bride the option to change her veil style throughout the day and evening, creating a unique look.

Q: How can a bride style a veil so it is her own unique look?
A: It’s all about personality. The bride’s personality must be evident in her selection; otherwise, even the most beautiful bride just won’t shine to her full potential. Often a bride’s dress has a special embellishment that is an accenting color to her gown. We have designed many veils where we have tastefully added such embellishments—beads or vintage lace, to name a few ingredients—in a complementary color. There are so many beautiful tulles available on the market. The Simone veil is a Swiss or polka-dot tulle veil which looks fantastic with many simpler gowns. Brides can also try a pink or baby-blue tulle veil that doubles up as an evening wrap after the ceremony.    
 

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