Can you get a veil embroidered?

There are two ways to make a wedding veil more elegant. One is to dot the tulle fabric with embellishments like crystals and pearls. They add a look of extravagance without costing an arm and a leg, as some are artificially made but look like the real deal, though they can make the veil heavy if too many are added.  

HAPPILY EVER AFTER | Embroidered Veil

The other is intricate embroidery handmade by skilled hands. Despite taking a long while to complete, embroidered bridal veils are beyond dazzling. In fact, as we’ll discuss here later, such custom wedding veils are popular among celebrity brides for a couple of reasons. Here’s how you can make the most out of embroidery on your perfect veil.

The Art of Embroidery

To embroider something into a piece of fabric – in this case, a wedding veil – means adding threads using a needle. While it sounds similar to stitching, embroidery serves a different purpose. Whereas stitching is used for mending fabric, embroidery is for decorating it.

Embroidery is one of the oldest forms of art, dating back much farther than wedding veils and even the concept of a wedding. The earliest example was discovered with a hunter’s attire dating back to around 30,000 B.C., which was embroidered and studded with ivory. The art persisted and found its way into traditional wedding attire.

While embroidery today can be done using machines, handmade designs still have plenty of fans. One reason is that hand embroidery sports a neater backside, which is important for an embroidered veil that displays both sides. Also, anything crafted by hand tends to be a labour of love and cherished like a priceless heirloom.

Embroidering a beautiful wedding veil uses the same tools as general embroidery (e.g., embroidery needles and hoops) and generally consists of the following steps:

1. Layout: A water-soluble stabiliser is placed underneath the tulle, after which both are stretched out across the embroidery hoop. Once secure, the designs are drawn onto the stabiliser side using a no-bleed marker.
2. Embroidery: Using various embroidery techniques, the designer fills out the drawn patterns with thread. Regular thread works for bridal veils, but clear thread is great for achieving seamlessness on light-coloured fabrics.
3. Washing: After cutting out any excess stabiliser, the patterns are then submerged in warm water to dissolve the remaining stabiliser. This step is performed once all the designs have been embroidered.

Embroidery is the longest part of the veil-making process, especially if it’s done manually and with a custom design. If you fancy personalised embroidery in your dream veil, you’d want to make an order months ahead of your wedding day.

Embroidery Design Ideas

With hand embroidery, the list of possible design ideas is limited to your imagination. Think of it as drawing or writing but with a needle and thread instead of a pen. Naturally, more intricate designs will require more materials and effort.

On that note, why limit yourself to lace appliques and patterns of wedding-related objects? Brides often have their veils embroidered to commemorate certain names and events that led them to their special day. That way, when they dig up their custom veil one day, they remember how far they’ve come and who helped them all the way.

ALWAYS & FOREVER II | Two Tier Embroidered Veil

Some examples of text-based embroidery for veils include:

• Newlywed’s Initials: You can choose to have your and your groom’s first names embroidered, but initials can be as cost-effective as they’re sentimental. Such a design is frequently paired with the date of their wedding.
• Memorials: If a loved one – human or not – passed away close to the wedding date, you can opt to immortalise them with their name and pattern on the wedding veil. In doing so, they can feel like they’re in attendance in spirit.
• Love-Related Phrases: Special phrases like “Always & Forever” or “Till Death Do Us Part” are simple yet dreamy enough to define your wedding. Couple them with your and your groom’s names or initials for the best effect.

For icons and other object-based designs, consider one that holds the utmost importance to you. For example, Meghan Markle’s bespoke wedding veil was adorned with floral embroidery, including a unique flora from each of the 53 Commonwealth countries, from Antigua and Barbuda’s agave to Zambia’s bougainvillea. The golden wattle was used to represent Australia.

TOGETHER FOREVER II | Two Tier Embroidered Veil

Floral designs aside, other examples include family crests and cultural symbols. Case in point: Kourtney Kardashian’s custom wedding veil featured an embroidered image of the Virgin Mary, a nod to her husband Travis Barker’s religious head tattoo.

The level of personalisation embroidery offers is too good to pass, especially for celebrity brides looking to make their ensembles stand out. Of course, random details like embroidered flowers and birds are also an option. 

Wrapping Up

Embroidery turns any wedding veil into a piece of art. From the delicate stitchwork to the ability to add a personal touch, it’s definitely worth considering when window shopping for the perfect veil to go with your wedding dress.