The History of the Wedding Veil Tradition

Wedding veils can mean different things to different brides. For example, many brides-to-be simply see a veil as a beautiful accessory that helps complement or accentuate a wedding dress. Others, however, choose to wear one as it's a time-honored tradition that has been followed for decades within their families, cultures, or religions. Some brides may even see veils as an extra cost or nuisance and prefer to skip them altogether. No matter where you land, though, one thing is for certain: Wedding veils are a major staple in the bridal fashion space.

"Today, wedding veils are widely accepted as a bridal accessory that adds a perfect finishing touch to the overall bridal look," says veil designer Samantha Stark. "Modern brides use the wedding veil as a way to show [their] personal style with a nod to tradition." She further adds, "The wedding veil is all about making a statement. Brides tend to choose veils that complement their dresses, in both length and color. Lace, rhinestones, and pearls can be added to give an even more personal touch to the overall bridal look."

Whether you're curious about the history of wedding veils or you're wondering if you should wear one to your wedding, we compiled all the information you need to help you learn more about this bridal accessory. Read on for more.

The History of Wedding Veils

Stark says no one is completely sure of the precise history of veils, and accounts vary depending on who you ask. But, most experts can agree on one narrative: "You can trace its roots back to Rome, where a bride used to walk down the aisle with a veil over her face in order to disguise herself from any evil spirits who wanted to stand in the way of her happiness," she explains. Eventually, wedding veils became symbols of a bride's chastity and modesty, and many cultures still use them for that reason. "When white wedding dresses were worn to symbolize chastity, the white veil followed suit," adds Stark.

Some religions also have specific traditions surrounding the veil. In Judaism, for example, couples partake in the Bedeken ceremony, which is when a groom looks at his bride and then places a veil over her head to ensure he's marrying the right person. "This tradition stems from the story of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah in the book of Genesis from the Torah," says Stark. "The groom is trying to not repeat Jacob’s mistake of marrying the wrong bride." She adds: "A Jewish groom believes that the veiling of his bride is also viewed as a symbolic act of focusing on the inner beauty and qualities of the woman he is marrying. The veil requires the groom to be reminded that marriage is not only of the physical realm but that of the spiritual, as well."

What's more, for Catholic weddings that take place in a church, the veil is meant to add to the bride's modesty. "Most traditional Catholic churches require that the bride's shoulders be covered during mass, whether that means a dress with sleeves or lace from a mantilla veil," says Stark. "Traditionally, a veil shows the interior desire for a bride being humble, and it is also a sign of purity."

The Symbolism of Wedding Veils Today

While some brides still wear veils for religious or cultural reasons, many now wear them because they like the look. "Modern veil traditions purely reflect personal style," says Stark. She further explains that brides don't have guidelines or restrictions on what type of veil they have to wear, so they can have fun with it. "These days, there really are no rules in what a veil should or shouldn’t look like," she says. "It’s truly all about making the bride feel gorgeous on her wedding day, and that’s a tradition we love!"

Many modern brides also opt to wear veils that hold special meaning within their families. Oftentimes, they have a family veil that was passed down through the generations, and wearing this vintage accessory is a way to pay homage to past family members. It's also common for some brides-to-be to make modern veils out of an old dress or piece of fabric that has history and significance to them.

How to Decide If You Should Wear a Wedding Veil

Since this is most likely the first (and only!) time you will wear a veil, Stark recommends trying a few styles to see what you like, and to assess whether you feel comfortable sporting one. But if you've decided you absolutely want to wear this accessory, Stark shares a few tips to keep in mind. "Longer veils make for a dramatic entrance and give an overall stunning elegant look to the bridal look, while shorter veils are fresh and fun," she says. "Another detail to consider is the blusher, which is the shorter piece of a veil that is typically worn over the front of the bride's face as she walks down the aisle. Many contemporary brides choose not to wear a blusher, but they certainly can if they like a more traditional look."

Don't want to wear a veil during your ceremony? Not a problem, you can still sport one in photos pre- and post-nuptials. "Even if a bride chooses not to wear a veil down the aisle during her ceremony, we always think having a veil in the ‘getting ready’ room is a must," says Stark. "This allows the wedding photographer to capture romantic bridal portraits that the bride will cherish forever."

You might also want to take into consideration what the more traditional women in your family expect. More specifically, while you should be true to yourself and your personal style, it might mean a lot to your mother or grandmother that you wear a veil. "Mothers of the brides and grandmas love to see their daughters in a wedding veil," shares Stark. At the end of the day, however, do what makes you feel best—after all, it's your big day.