Guide to Wedding Veil Lengths

Nothing says “I’m a bride” quite like a white, tulle wedding veil!

Once you’ve found your dream gown, that’s only the beginning of putting together a stunning bridal look. Bridal accessories are the missing pieces that tie together a bridal style and it’s important to pick items that reflect your style and perfectly complement your wedding gown. Choosing the right cut, embellishments, and color is a process of its own and takes some coordination with your face shape, dress silhouette, and wedding hairstyle. Deciding on a wedding veil is more than just long or short, every length can convey a different bridal style. A birdcage wedding veil is more modern and retro, while a cathedral wedding veil is very traditional and classic. Wearing a wedding veil isn’t for every bride, but if you’re planning to wear this age-old accessory on your big day, here is a guide to some of the most popular wedding veil lengths to help make your shopping a little easier!

Birdcage Wedding Veil: 4-9”

This short and retro wedding veil is the perfect option for a bride who wants to wear a veil but without the commitment of a veil. The birdcage wedding veil is usually a piece of netting or sheer fabric that goes over your head, extending right below the chin. It adds a bit of 1920s drama for a bride going for the vintage look but is also great for outdoor weddings. No one wants to keep taming a runaway veil that is swept up in the wind or worse gets stuck in muddy terrain!

Featuring the Giving Me Butterflies (Zsa Zsa Zsu) Bow, Photography by Joe Lee Foto

Featuring the Slay My Name Veil, Photography by Joe Lee Foto

Elbow-Length Wedding Veil: 25-32”

A common length for a wedding veil, this accessory falls (you guessed it) right at your elbow. This wedding veil length would complement a ballgown silhouette well as it stops right where the skirt of that style of gown would begin, for a cascading bridal look. Adding just enough drama, without being too over the top, for a bride who wants a bit of volume for a classically, elegant bridal look.

Fingertip Wedding Veil: 38-40”

Slightly longer than an elbow-length wedding veil, this accessory falls right below your hips and brushes your fingertips. This style of veil complements a fitted or detailed gown well as the sheer effect of the veil allows the beauty of the back of your gown to be seen. It also adds a bit of drama that is characteristic of a longer veil, while still being trip-proof, so you don’t need to worry about stepping on your veil when walking down the aisle.

Featuring the Pretty in Pearl Veil, Photography by Joe Lee Foto

Featuring the Lady in White Veil, Photography by Joe Lee Foto

Chapel Wedding Veil: 90”

Committing to a long train isn’t your style? A chapel wedding veil is a little longer than floor-length, typically sweeping just past the end of your wedding gown. It can create the illusion of a train but is much lighter while still providing a formal elegance to your bridal look. While traditional, you can add some more drama by adding lace or beaded details that match the style of your wedding gown.

Cathedral Wedding Veil: 108-120”

Fit for royalty, the cathedral wedding veil is both eye-catching and made for the dramatic ceremony grand entrance. Typically extending past the train of your dress, this is one of the longest wedding veil options. If you’re looking to feel regal on your big day this is the perfect veil but will require the assistance of bridesmaids to keep it from bunching up at the ends.

Featuring the On Cloud Nine Veil, Photography by Joe Lee Foto

Featuring the Lace to the Altar Veil, Photography by Joe Lee Foto

Mantilla Wedding Veil

Having a piece of fabric in front of your face for the entirety of your wedding ceremony can be a bit off-putting. You want to be able to take in all the sights of your big day and you can’t let good makeup go to waste being hidden behind a wedding veil. So, the mantilla veil offers the length and the drama of a traditional veil but instead frames the face with fabric instead of covering it. Typically, this style of veil is more circular than others and has a trim of lace that is cascading down the front of the veil for a sophisticated bridal look.

These are just some of the most popular wedding veil lengths, but you choose any length or style that will suit you and your wedding gown the best! Share this with a bride who is in the process of gathering her bridal accessories. Looking for a beautiful and affordable wedding veil? Browse our collection of bridal accessories that are $150 or less!

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