If there's one gap we keep running into, it's veils. Brides ask us about cathedral length versus chapel length more than almost anything else, and there's a lot of good information out there that doesn't quite answer the real question: which veil goes with which dress. So here's our actual guide, with seven veils we carry right now, from a fine silk tulle piece edged in Chantilly lace to a budget-friendly double layer net veil under $200.
What to look for in a wedding veil
A veil is doing two jobs at once: framing your face during the ceremony and extending your silhouette in photos. The fabric matters more than people expect. Silk tulle has a soft, almost invisible drape and photographs beautifully, English net holds a little more body and catches light differently, and a veil with a lace edge or mantilla trim reads more traditional and pairs best with a simpler gown. Length is the other half of the equation, and it's the one most brides get stuck on, which is exactly what the sizing section below is for.
Seven wedding veils to shop right now
Frederique veil, Théoro
A silk tulle veil edged in Chantilly lace from Calais, worked on French bridal mesh so fine it all but disappears in photos. Made to order by Théoro, available at Mae Bridal, and the one we reach for when a bride wants something quietly luxurious rather than loud. Shop the Frederique veil, $1,400.
Lace mantilla veil, Tailored Tulle
Crafted from fine English net and framed in a lace edge that drapes over the head and around the face, the way a traditional mantilla should. Made to order by Tailored Tulle, available at Mae Bridal, in lengths from shoulder to fingertip. Shop the lace mantilla veil, from $229.
Hailey lace drop veil, Tailored Tulle
A drop veil with delicate scalloped lace along the edge and a scattering of small sequins for a subtle shine, so it slips on over the head rather than attaching with a comb. Made to order by Tailored Tulle, available at Mae Bridal, in fingertip, waltz, and chapel lengths. Shop the Hailey lace drop veil, from $407.
Symphony fingertip cascade veil with crystal accents, Ariel Taub
A fingertip-length cascade veil, 42 inches long, with a flowing silhouette and scattered crystal accents that catch the light without competing with embellishment on the gown. Made to order by Ariel Taub, available at Mae Bridal, in five shades of white. Shop the Symphony veil, $480.
2601 chapel veil with ribbon edge, Ariel Taub
A modern angel-cut veil with a clean ribbon edge instead of lace, built for effortless movement rather than sculptural drama. Chapel length, made to order by Ariel Taub, available at Mae Bridal, and a good pick for a minimalist gown that doesn't need another decorative element competing with it. Shop the 2601 chapel veil, $300.
Tiana two-tier cathedral veil with wide lace trim, Ariel Taub
This is the one for a bride who wants the full cathedral moment. Two tiers of tulle finished in wide lace trim, built for regal drama down a long aisle. Made to order by Ariel Taub, available at Mae Bridal. Shop the Tiana veil, $1,200.
English net drop veil, Tailored Tulle
A double layer drop veil in soft English net, for a bride who wants the wow moment of a drop veil without a lot of added volume. The net sits closer to the body than tulle and drapes rather than poofs. Made to order by Tailored Tulle, available at Mae Bridal, in elbow, fingertip, and waltz lengths. Shop the English net drop veil, from $176.
How to choose a wedding veil
Start with your gown's silhouette. A mermaid or trumpet gown has a strong line that a long veil, cathedral or two-tier cathedral, tends to echo and extend rather than compete with. A full ballgown can carry a cathedral veil too, since there's already a lot of fabric in motion and a long veil just adds to the moment. A sleek slip dress or a minimalist gown usually looks best with something shorter, fingertip or waltz, so the dress stays the focal point instead of getting visually crowded.
Then think about your train. As a rule of thumb, your veil should sit at or just shy of your train's length so the two don't fight for attention walking down the aisle. A cathedral veil next to a cathedral train reads as one long, intentional line. A short veil in front of a long train usually looks like an afterthought, so if your dress has serious length, let the veil catch up to it, or go dramatically shorter on purpose, like a birdcage or shoulder length, for contrast instead of competition.
Shop the full collection
Browse the rest of our wedding veils collection, from drop veils under $200 to cathedral styles built for a grand entrance.
Wedding veils, answered
What veil length goes with my dress?
Match the drama of the veil to the drama of the dress. Fitted mermaid and trumpet silhouettes tend to look best in longer veils, cathedral or two-tier cathedral, that extend their line, while fuller or more minimal gowns can go either way depending on how much visual weight you want behind you.
Should my veil be the same length as my train?
Close to it, yes. A veil that roughly matches or sits just under the train reads as a single cohesive silhouette. If your train is long and your veil is short, the dress and the veil can end up looking like two separate decisions instead of one look.
Can I wear a lace or mantilla veil if my dress already has lace?
You can, as long as the laces don't clash in scale or tone. A mantilla veil with fine, delicate lace pairs easily with a heavier lace gown, while two bold, large-scale lace patterns next to each other can start to compete. When in doubt, bring your veil options to a fitting and look at them against the actual dress.
Do I need a blusher, or just the main veil layer?
That's entirely personal. A blusher, the shorter layer worn over the face for the ceremony and then lifted or flipped back, is a classic moment but not a requirement. Plenty of brides skip it and wear a single-layer veil instead, especially with a shorter or more casual style.
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