fashion

“You’re just a girl in a white dress until you add the veil!” says Victoria Rucks, District Manager for David’s Bridal Canada, when asked if brides are still choosing to wear the traditional garment.Despite an increase in veil-less brides popping up in magazines and online, Rucks, a wedding fashion expert, says that many women are sticking with tradition when it comes to the veil. “If they’re doing a church wedding, most brides are still opting for a formal veil, whether it’s to the shoulder or to the wrist or a full-on cathedral veil.”

But millennial brides are wearing veils in a way that suits their modern style, often incorporating sparkly “hair candy” into their wedding day look. “Brides are partnering a floral or beaded hair comb or sparkly headband with a veil for the ceremony, and then, come time for the party, the veil comes off and the headpiece stays in.” Brilliant, right?

Here, Rucks breaks down what each veil style might suggest about your personal style.

Birdcage Veil or Fascintor: “These are the trendsetters,” Rucks says of brides who opt for this stylish, contemporary look. Increasing in popularity, vintage-inspired birdcage veils are either done on a headpiece or a hair comb and sometimes have delicate tulleing, flowers and/or beading. Rucks adds, “A birdcage veil or fascinator piece gives a very traditional wedding gown a more contemporary feel.”

Shoulder-length Veil: This type of veil is perfect for fashionable brides. It’s perfect for a bride who considers herself to have classic style when worn with a traditional bridal gown, but it also pairs perfectly with a ’50s-inspired poodle skirt or tea-length gown for retro-inspired brides. “Wearing gloves and and a short veil with a bit of a ribbon trim on it pulls that whole look together,” Rucks says.

Fingertip Veil: We’ll give you one guess as to why this is called a fingertip veil! These veils, which fall somewhere between “classic” and “traditional,” just about skim your fingertips when you stand with your arms by your side. Rucks says they remain the most popular style of veil, probably because they can work in almost any venue and complement any style of gown. Rucks also notes that brides that chooe fingertip veils are often the ones that opt for a sparkly headband or other “hair candy” to wear during the reception.

Cathedral Veil: If you’re a bride that loves drama, then you will love walking down the aisle with a cathedral veil trailing behind you. (Princess Diana’s iconic veil is an extreme version of this.) This style is also popular among brides who are very traditional. “The cathedral veil adds volume,” Rucks says and recommends pairing this veil style with a fit-and-flare or a mermaid-style gown. “Something that’s a little more body conscious so you have the flowing effect of the veil with it.”