The moment the bride’s veil is raised during the wedding ceremony to reveal her face is always a touching and emotional moment, evoking gasps and tears from those in attendance.
Although wedding veils are now mostly viewed as a fashion accessory to enhance the bridal ensemble, they have historically carried significant symbolism that has somewhat fallen out of favor in recent times.
While veils have maintained their popularity over the years, there was a period when some brides began abandoning this traditional embellishment in favor of more contemporary alternatives such as flower crowns and hairpins, according to Gemma Logan, a wedding specialist at Book a Party.
But experts say veils are now back in a big way, with brides opting for more elaborate designs, bespoke customisations, and luxurious materials like real silk, detailed lace and embroidery.
The vision of a bride entirely enrobed in white became ingrained in society around the middle of the 19th century, according to the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Some historians believe that the practice of obscuring the bride’s face was thought to ward off evil spirits. Later, veils became a symbol of a bride’s chastity and purity for her husband – as well as a status symbol.
Bridal couture designer Phillipa Lepley – who designed the veils worn by Geri Halliwell, Alice Naylor-Leyland, Flora Vesterberg and Princess Charlotte of Bourbon Two Sicillies – explains to FEMAIL: ‘During the Victorian era, the veil evolved into a symbol of social status, with its weight, length, and quality reflecting the bride’s position in society.’
In modern times, the symbolic significance of wearing a veil has shifted, Lepley says. ‘Most modern brides select a veil based on personal preference or aesthetic appeal. Whether worn over the face or draped down the back, in my view both styles are elegant and graceful.’
When Hailey Bieber said ‘I do’ to Justin Bieber in 2019, she did so in a custom gown and veil designed by the late Virgil Abloh, with the words ‘Till Death Do Us Part’ embroidered on the 75-ft-long tulle
Kourtney Kardashian had her cathedral-length veil hand-embroidered with floral details and a huge image of the Virgin Mary inspired by a tattoo on her husband Travis Barker’s head
Sofia Ritchie’s short but chic custom Chanel dewdrop veil was adorned with resin water droplets to create a sparkling effect as she walked down the aisle towards her husband, Elliot Grainge at their wedding in 2023
Phillipa Lepley says brides are becoming more keen on ‘totally bespoke, exceptionally special veils’ to say ‘I do’ in
Hand-embroidered details are particularly special, says Sarah Jane of Britten Weddings, with colourful flowers being a popular choice
Sarah Jane, who founded her custom wedding veil design brand Britten Weddings in 2009, adds that the COVID pandemic also had an impact on demand, with longer, more dramatic veils falling out of fashion as newlyweds were forced to have smaller courthouse weddings that called for more casual wedding wear.
Phillipa, whose couture veils have been worn most recently by Princess Aisha of Jordan during her wedding ceremony with Kareem Yazeed Al Mufti, says that the traditional veiled look – where the veil is worn on the back of the bride’s head, framing her like a halo and flowing down her back – remains popular, but an increasing number of brides are opting to cover their faces.
‘Since the Royal Wedding in 2011 and various other high-profile celebrity ceremonies, more brides are opting to walk down the aisle with their veil blusher actually covering their face.
‘I have always thought that is the most romantic, beautiful look, for a once-in-a-lifetime moment.’
Sarah Jane adds that a face-shrouding veil is seen as a more ‘high-impact fashion accessory’ among younger brides.
‘They love the drama of that ‘reveal’ moment for the camera, but afterwards they’ll often switch to a second-look mini veil for dancing!’
Personalised veils are becoming more popular, driven by celebrities like Hailey Bieber – whose 75-foot-long tulle veil with lace flower embroidery also featured the words ‘Till Death Do Us Part’ – and Kourtney Kardashian, whose sweeping veil was hand-embroidered with a depiction of the Virgin Mary inspired by a tattoo on her husband Travis Barker’s head.
Phillipa says her brand has seen an increase in brides who have gotten their wedding dress elsewhere but want to complete the look with a ‘totally bespoke, exceptionally special veil’ from her and her team.
Phillipa Lepley’s bridal veils are crafted from the finest materials and embroidered by her and her team by hand
One bride requested her bespoke Phillipa Lepley veil be embroidered with paw prints from her beloved pet
Sarah Jane adds that many brides are keen on having phrases or dates that are important to them embroidered on their veils to make them more personal
Embroidering flowers is a popular way of incorporating colour into an otherwise all-white bridal look
‘One bride included her beloved pooch’s paw prints within her bespoke design,’ she adds. Brides are also increasingly opting for ‘intricate hand embroidery frequently featuring initials or family crests’, or ‘heirloom veils adorned with a cartouche on the centre back’.
Explaining why bespoke veils are all the rage right now, Sarah Jane says: ‘We are in a ‘statement veil’ era because the veil is the one part of a bridal look that’s a completely blank canvas.
‘Gowns are trending cleaner and more minimalist, so the veil is where you get to indulge a bit. Budgets have gone up since 2020, the average bride spends more on their wedding and more on their veil.
‘Lots of reasons for this but social media and influencers must be top of the list. Embroidery is huge and was really boosted by Hailey Bieber.’
Brides are also experimenting with colour in their veils more, Gemma says, moving beyond the traditional ivory or white.
‘Some brides are going for soft blush pinks, champagne or even bold, unexpected colours like deep emerald or navy blue.
‘It’s all about matching the veil with the overall feel of the wedding and the bride’s personality.’
The demand for wedding veils that stand out is only ticking upwards. More recently, Millie Bobby Brown wore a custom Monvieve Franca lace-trimmed veil that showcased the elaborate Italian handmade lace when pooled on the ground when she wed Jake Bongiovi in May 2024, while Sofia Richie sent every bride in 2023 swooning over her short but stunning sparkling dew drop veil.
Phillipa describes veils as ‘more than just a bridal accessory’. ‘They embody romance and tradition. I particularly love the way in which veils can evolve into treasured heirlooms, adding a meaningful, sustainable dimension to their significance.
‘We hear of veils being lovingly draped over a cradle, transforming it into a cherished keepsake that carries the history and love of the family through generations. In this way, veils become enduring symbols of love, legacy, and memory.’
