DIY veil, go simple or different?

MCmeow

Oh man finally time for the projects. I bought the illusion tulle material for my veil. I definitely want it to hit past floor length. I love the sonnet veil on BHLDN 
I'm already an artist and I know how to use gold leaf so I think I can replicate the concept (but still make it unique) because I can notttt afford a $625 veil (damn). I've been incorporating subtle painterly things into the wedding (watercolored our ceremony site onto direction cards, will watercolor programs, etc), so this sort of veil might bring something kinda personal but not make it into some weird theme and overdo it. I'm just pretty terrible at matching accessories together so I want to ask strangers of course, I know friends would just say it's a good idea when it's not lol.
This is my dress which is a little more gold in person, I didn't use the official sottero&midgely photo because it's misleading, so I found some random lady: 


Would these these two work well together? Or should I go with a simple drop veil with nothing on it? I'm also wearing a small leaf crown with minimal jewelry.


All opinions welcome before I get to painting! Thanks

and if anyone has some tulle advice and knowledge drop them here too!

OurWildKingdom

The sonnet veil and your dress will look gorgeous together! I really like the gold. Post pics!

MCmeow

OurWildKingdom said:

The sonnet veil and your dress will look gorgeous together! I really like the gold. Post pics!

Thanks! I will  

MesmrEwe

Keep it simple!  It'll still look fantastic together - Also, knowing how much the gold leaf is going to add up to in a hurry, and knowing it'll easily brush off, I wouldn't go that route...

MCmeow

MesmrEwe said:

Keep it simple!  It'll still look fantastic together - Also, knowing how much the gold leaf is going to add up to in a hurry, and knowing it'll easily brush off, I wouldn't go that route...

True about the flaking. I'm actually getting the gold leaf for free though (My dad does art/furniture restoration so he's giving me the extra he has, and he has alottttt). I'll try some test pieces with the sample tulle I have first and see how it works before doing it on the actual veil.

short+sassy

MCmeow said:

MesmrEwe said:

Keep it simple!  It'll still look fantastic together - Also, knowing how much the gold leaf is going to add up to in a hurry, and knowing it'll easily brush off, I wouldn't go that route...

True about the flaking. I'm actually getting the gold leaf for free though (My dad does art/furniture restoration so he's giving me the extra he has, and he has alottttt). I'll try some test pieces with the sample tulle I have first and see how it works before doing it on the actual veil.

I'd love to see pics of your sample.  I suspect that will come out really pretty.

I hear you on veil cost.  I tried one on at David's Bridal and LOVED that it had rhinestones dotted throughout it.  $250 veil.  Hell no.  But gave me the idea .  Found a brand new one that looked exactly the same from an Ebay seller for $12, including shipping.  Cha-ching.

MCmeow

Resurrecting this thread! I gave up doing his veil until my mom and alterations lady convinced me to go for it! I felt discouraged because I did a few test pieces and realized how much work goes into it but then figured that I'm only getting married once and I'd love to put my personality into what I wear, I love the painterly and messy look of it while not looking out of control.

First I sketched the design on wax paper, taped it flat to the floor, then pinned my veil at the right locations so it won't be loose while painting. Then I painted with white acrylic, let it dry, lifted it from the wax paper,  painted again.


Then I let it dry and I applied gilding oil wherever I want gold, after 1 hour it became sticky enough to apply gold leaf which I have to be verrrrry careful with.

Looks so messy close up lol I'll need to touch it up:

Let it dry again, then I used a dry soft brush to brush away the loose gold and voila!!! (I still need to reapply the gold in some areas but I'm really happy with it)

geebee908

Gorgeous!

MCmeow

geebee908 said:

Gorgeous!

Thanks!!

OurWildKingdom

Beautiful!

MCmeow

OurWildKingdom said:

Beautiful!

Thank you!

geebee908

So, what was your cost for the project and what kind of time commitment was it? I'm curious about the cost to buy this retail vs. what you put into it in materials, time, and talent (fair wage?).

MCmeow

geebee908 said:

So, what was your cost for the project and what kind of time commitment was it? I'm curious about the cost to buy this retail vs. what you put into it in materials, time, and talent (fair wage?).

The tulle and comb materials were <$20 on etsy. The acrylic was a bottle I already had for a few years, probably $5. The gold leaf and oil was gifted by my dad, he does restoration and gets it cheaper than most places and I didn't use too much of the oil so I'll give it back to him, but I don't know for how much, I estimate in a store they would cost $50+. In total the project cost me about $25. The trials took about 2 hours I think, I was testing the pattern and such. The actual creation of the veil pre-painting took me 2-3 hours (measuring, cutting and sewing). The painting process took me half a day. Maybe 6-7 hours total? I spent all Presidents' Day doing it while my fiancé was at work  

Store bought: $650
Cost for me: $25
Time: 12 hours with trials.

MesmrEwe

Looks beautiful!!!

knottie41689bf2ca341c17

Gorgeous!