Another Interesting Topic, Veil, or No Veil, Significance?

jrkjpf

Something I've always wondered, and instead of spending a few hours on the boring search engines reading pages that are completely unrelated to my original search...Veil, or No Veil, is there a significance or importance behind it. Besides the brides taste or choice, is there really a reason to or not to wear one? Does it need to be infront of the face (which i believe is a purity thing), if it was made for the purity reason, what is the point in only having it in the back?

Ok ok, I'm bored too, and again, i'd rather have semi-live discussion than read boring websites.

Anysunrise

If I remember right, wasn't a veil traditionally so the groom didn't see the bride's face until after they were married so he couldn't back out? Back when arranged marriages were all the rage. Since that's almost never the case anymore, it probably just remained as a fashion thing, so no, there's no real reason to wear or not wear one. I'd imagine the single layer back of the head one is just for the sake of ease.

ETA: Well, there's like 500 different reasons about where the tradition comes from, I don't remember where I heard this one. Either way, it's probably a safe bet none of them are applicable in this day and age.

mctlong

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_another-interesting-topic-veil-veil-significance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:90f04914-51a5-4d52-b124-0c45e7ae4397Post:e2f68cad-0ec8-4ae6-8609-f2999ffb20aa">Re: Another Interesting Topic, Veil, or No Veil, Significance?</a>:
[QUOTE]If I remember right, wasn't a veil traditionally so the groom didn't see the bride's face until after they were married so he couldn't back out?
Posted by Anysunrise[/QUOTE]

LOL!  Thats funny!

Loopyseven

I don't know anything about the history of it.  Personally I was leaning towards no veil becuase all of them seemed too "first communion-y" to me, but then I tried on a chapel length and was sold.

achiduck

I don't plan on wearing one. While I think they look pretty on other women (in most cases), I've just never really pictured myself with one. The only veil I'm interested in wearing is a birdcage veil. 

However, once I go dress/veil shopping and actually try them all on this may all go out the window, but it's my intention not to wear a 'traditional' veil. 

impslave

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_another-interesting-topic-veil-veil-significance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:90f04914-51a5-4d52-b124-0c45e7ae4397Post:e62a5c4a-1b11-428f-8327-1c47ca894187">Re: Another Interesting Topic, Veil, or No Veil, Significance?</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't know anything about the history of it. <strong> Personally I was leaning towards no veil becuase all of them seemed too "first communion-y" to me</strong>, but then I tried on a chapel length and was sold.
Posted by Loopyseven[/QUOTE]

<div>Ditto the bold for me!  I passionately hated wearing one at First Communion and was pretty adamant about not wearing one for my wedding.  I was going to only wear a pearl and crystal headband, but the seamstress who altered my dress put a blusher on me during a fitting and I loved how it looked.</div>

Birdie1483

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_another-interesting-topic-veil-veil-significance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:90f04914-51a5-4d52-b124-0c45e7ae4397Post:ec1c2e25-cf3a-4cf9-808c-aeb1d2cfda89">Re: Another Interesting Topic, Veil, or No Veil, Significance?</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't plan on wearing one. While I think they look pretty on other women (in most cases), I've just never really pictured myself with one. The only veil I'm interested in wearing is a birdcage veil.  However, once I go dress/veil shopping and actually try them all on this may all go out the window, but it's my intention not to wear a 'traditional' veil. 
Posted by achiduck[/QUOTE]

This is how it was for me. They were too "poofy" and all for me and I didn't think I wanted one. However, I ended up finding a single tier fingerlength veil that fit nicely on my head and was just enough veil for me. :) I would shop around and if you end up not liking any, then don't do it.

tenofcups4me

They're in the old testament so the origins go way back. Of course I imagine women regularly wore veils at the time so it wasn't necessarily specific to weddings.

I didn't intend to wear a veil for my first wedding but the salesperson plopped the veil that matched my dress on my head while I was trying on the dress and I fell in love with it. It was the only one I tried on.

I would not ever, however, wear a veil over my face. While the exact origins might vary, they all come down to the idea of modesty (and shame, which goes often goes hand in hand with modesty) and I find the concept pretty offensive and demeaning. It's the same basic ideas behind the reasons for some Muslim women covering their faces today.

Birdie1483

I frankly just don't want that much tulle on my head.

GeauxTigers17

I thought they were to hide the bride from evil spirits? Or am I confusing that with the original purpose of bridesmaids?

I'm wearing one, with a blusher, but I'm really traditional. I just liked the way it looked. 

mica178

If you want to wear one in a nod to tradition, go for it.  I wore a mantilla veil as a nod to both the Spanish origin of my dress and my H's Cuban/Spanish roots.  There was no blusher, obviously.

But if you don't like the tradition or don't like the look of a veil on your head, there's no reason nowadays to wear a veil.

jess9802

I've heard all these explanations for the significance of a veil. I do not think my dress style (a tea-length gown) lends itself to a veil, so I am not having one, much to my FMIL's consternation. Otherwise, I think veils really complete the whole look.

browneydgrl

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_another-interesting-topic-veil-veil-significance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:90f04914-51a5-4d52-b124-0c45e7ae4397Post:e62a5c4a-1b11-428f-8327-1c47ca894187">Re: Another Interesting Topic, Veil, or No Veil, Significance?</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't know anything about the history of it.  Personally I was leaning towards no veil becuase all of them seemed too "first communion-y" to me, but then I tried on a chapel length and was sold.
Posted by Loopyseven[/QUOTE]

<div>I, too, was not planning on a veil, but I tried one on when I bought my dress so they could do "the complete look." My best friend was really sold on it and she's not a pushy sort so I trusted her judgement and took the veil. It's still not a must-have in my book but will I think that in twenty years? Or the day of my wedding? Who knows? Better safe than sorry I guess. And I've heard that they make for good photo ops. =P</div><div>
</div>

DramaGeek

I initially refused to wear one because of the old school reason of hiding the bride's face so the groom couldn't back out, from the days of arranged marriages, but my dress seemed incomplete without one.  I ended up with a single tier, square, fingertip length veil that was under my updo, so there was no possible way it could go over my face.

jrkjpf

I'm up in the air about one or not. If i do go with one, it will most likely small and not covering my face. I do in fact know the hairstyle I want, and just don't think it will happen, but who knows. Although, mom is very very old school. She came from Germany and lived in what i call the "old world", poverty, no modernization at that point, so her views and traditions are still stuck in that world, should be an interesting time once the first "try on" happens

jenjenaz

what's the protocol for when you remove the veil?  i had one on for my first wedding, behind my updo, and it didn't go over my face at all.  and then i removed it for the reception....is that what you're supposed to do?  i was, honestly, afraid of whipping around and catching the sucker on fire or something.

for my upcoming wedding, i haven't decided yet.  but thought i'd ask this question of you ladies in case i do decide to go with one.  i'm going to bring my old veil to my dress shopping today....

jrkjpf

Most of the weddings I have been to where the bride did wear a veil, she took it off during the reception. I am not sure if that is what you are suppose to do, but I am sure they had some of the same concerns.

DramaGeek

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_another-interesting-topic-veil-veil-significance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:90f04914-51a5-4d52-b124-0c45e7ae4397Post:0db552b3-19c5-43e4-800a-3c8c6f377107">Re: Another Interesting Topic, Veil, or No Veil, Significance?</a>:
[QUOTE]what's the protocol for when you remove the veil?  i had one on for my first wedding, behind my updo, and it didn't go over my face at all.  and then i removed it for the reception....is that what you're supposed to do?  i was, honestly, afraid of whipping around and catching the sucker on fire or something. for my upcoming wedding, i haven't decided yet.  but thought i'd ask this question of you ladies in case i do decide to go with one.  i'm going to bring my old veil to my dress shopping today....
Posted by jenjenaz[/QUOTE]

I don't think there is a "supposed to."  I intended to remove mine for the reception, but it wasn't bothering me or in my way so I decided to leave it in because, really, how often do you ge to wear it?!  I didn't remove it until we got home after the reception and after party.

tuckhm

I had never planned on wearing a veil since I never really felt it was my style.  But when I decided to have a vintage style wedding I strongly considered wearing a bird cage veil.  But once I tried them on, I couldn't stand having something in my face and I didn't want to feel uncomfortable on the day of my wedding just for fashion.  I finally decided to skip the veil all together.

jemmini6

I think veils have lost their symbolism these days and are now purely a fashion/personal choice.  Not saying that some people don't hold true to it for whatever reason, but just that it's not generally accepted that you wear a veil because of ______.

I'm planning to wear a veil with my dress because I like the way it looks.  I will be taking it off for the reception though for practicality purposes.

jmorford

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_another-interesting-topic-veil-veil-significance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:90f04914-51a5-4d52-b124-0c45e7ae4397Post:e617dc13-de0b-47b5-8f11-de28e877320c">Re: Another Interesting Topic, Veil, or No Veil, Significance?</a>:
[QUOTE]I thought they were to hide the bride from evil spirits? Or am I confusing that with the original purpose of bridesmaids? I'm wearing one, with a blusher, but I'm really traditional. I just liked the way it looked. 
Posted by GeauxTigers17[/QUOTE]

i think that's what bridesmaids were for.

i didn't want one... but my grandmother did. and she wanted it so bad that she paid for it.. so i have an elbow length, with blusher.
i plan on taking it off for the reception.

leia1979

I'm not wearing a veil, but it's just a matter of aesthetic preference. I have long hair and preferred to not cover it with a veil. My hair is the veil.