Veils are easy to make and cost a fraction of the price of ready-made veils. Make your veil as simple or as elaborate as you choose.
MOST VEILS ARE MADE FROM TULLE OR ILLUSION NETTING. Illusion is slightly softer and the preferred choice. Both options range in width from 54" to 108".The desired fullness determines which width to buy. Illusion and tulle are made from polyester, nylon or silk. Polyester and nylon are readily available and reasonably priced. Nylon melts easily so use a warm iron and press cloth. Silk is expensive, harder to find and drapes limply. Other veil options include organza or netting.
Color
Illusion and tulle both come in three basic colors white, diamond white and ivory. White is the brightest shade and goes best with gowns made from synthetic fabrics. Diamond white is a slightly warmer shade of white and matches the color of white silk. Ivory has a yellow tint and is available in several shades. Illusion, also called shimmer or sparkle, is available in all three colors. To assure a perfect color match, take a fabric swatch from the gown with you when you shop, or purchase netting swatches to compare to the gown.
Length
Make the veil any length you choose. The traditional length for shoulder length veils is 24"; cathedral length is 126".To determine the appropriate length, consider where the veil will be attached, the gown design, the veil style and how formal the wedding will be. For cathedral or chapel-length veils, also consider the bride's height and shoe heel height.
Veils should never interfere with a gown's design. For example, if the gown has a focal point at the back waist, the veil should fall either above or below the focal point. To determine veil length, have the bride try on her dress while wearing her wedding shoes, and style her hair similar to how it will be at the wedding. Have the bride stand in front of a full-length mirror. Place a measuring tape end where the headpiece will sit or where the veil will be clipped to her hair. Let the tape hang down the bride's back. Determine a flattering length for the longest veil layer. Repeat the process to determine the length of any additional shorter layers.
Determine the veil fullness, and purchase a length of illusion equal to the sum of all layers. For example, for the featured two-layer ribbon-edged veil, the length of the longer layer is 36" and the upper layer is 18", so at least 54" of 72"-wide white illusion was purchased to create the veil.
MOST VEILS ARE MADE FROM TULLE OR ILLUSION NETTING. Illusion is slightly softer and the preferred choice. Both options range in width from 54" to 108".The desired fullness determines which width to buy. Illusion and tulle are made from polyester, nylon or silk. Polyester and nylon are readily available and reasonably priced. Nylon melts easily so use a warm iron and press cloth. Silk is expensive, harder to find and drapes limply. Other veil options include organza or netting.
