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Some people might suggest that wedding veils are relics of the 19th or 20th century. Although a number of contemporary weddings have opted to forgo this classic bridal accessory, the trend is not widespread enough to eliminate the tradition entirely.
In fact, veils were prominently featured at the recent New York Bridal Fashion Week this past April, showcasing intricate embroidery and, notably, vintage lace designs. Brides have the freedom to decide whether to wear a veil on their big day, but it seems this tradition is here to stay.
It poses an interesting question, though. What has made a veil – let alone a lace wedding veil – that makes it a staple of modern weddings?
As you may have learned from some of our previous blog posts here, veils used to be not limited to weddings. While the history of the veil is complicated, if not largely shrouded in mystery, evidence suggests that women wore one every time they went to church. Be it to hear mass or attend a wedding, wearing a veil was a must at the time.
One major anecdote supporting the tradition of wearing a veil comes from the Bible, mainly 1 Corinthians. Here, the Apostle Paul wrote, addressed to the church in Corinth in Greece:
“For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head.”
1 Corinthians 11:6 (ESV)
While the word “veil” is mentioned several times in the Bible, there’s no mention of it in this verse. It only explains that Paul stresses the importance of married women keeping their heads covered, a custom already being practised in Corinth long before Paul’s letter. It symbolised a woman’s modesty, especially in the presence of God.
Over the centuries, however, the practice gradually fell out of favour until Queen Victoria’s marriage in 1840 popularised brides wearing veils at weddings. Although she didn’t intend to set a trend, white became the wedding colour and the veil, a must-have accessory.
It turns out this is the only tradition of wearing veils that will survive. Following a series of changes to the Code of Canon Law in the 1980s, the Catholic Church essentially left the veil-wearing requirement to individual parishes. Most no longer require them.
Despite this, the veil endures. For many brides, their wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. They strive to make it extraordinary, and a veil often adds a touch of magic.
Choosing to get married with a wedding veil boils down to one of two schools of thought. The first is the practical aspect of wearing one.
In this context, a veil is a fashion statement designed to complement the wedding dress and accentuate the bride’s overall look. One expert interviewed by the New York Times even suggested a veil can pair well with a minimalist wedding dress. Beyond aesthetics, a veil offers a creative canvas. Brides can personalise their bridal look with intricate embroidery or delicate beading.
Despite white being the norm, it isn’t a strict rule brides must abide by. There are other shades you can try to match with your dress, each with its own way of highlighting your appearance as you walk down the aisle. There isn’t any right or wrong way to go about this, just the style that speaks to your heart.
The second reason for wearing a bridal veil involves its symbolic value. Historical records indicate that ancient Greek and Roman women wore veils to ward off evil spirits and ensure marital bliss. Apparently, even evil spirits can get jealous.
Although this superstition might seem outdated, its influence persists in some cultures. Some families today still believe in them and insist the bride on getting married with a veil. One reason is to add more formality to the ceremony, as in the case of fathers of brides interpreting the lifting of the veil as “giving away” their daughters to the groom. The veil can be lifted by either the father or the groom.
Jewish weddings entail shrouding the bride’s face in a veil, only lifting it once the bride and groom have tied the knot. That way, the families and other attendees get reassurance from the latter that he married the bride for her inner beauty. This tradition also has its roots in the Bible, specifically the story of Jacob’s accidental marriage to Leah.
Lace was a status symbol until the 19th century when machines made lacemaking easier and faster, eventually being accessible to the middle class. As to its role in making brides beautiful, you can thank Queen Victoria again for that. She wore her lace wedding veil with her lace wedding gown, setting the standard for brides of succeeding generations.
While machines can create lace efficiently, there's something truly special about handmade lace veils. We at Madame Tulle, as well as most bridal veil designers, still believe in the artistry of handcraft, so we still make lace veils by hand. Each veil is a labour of love, created with the understanding that it will be a cherished part of someone’s big day. This passion drives us to produce exceptional pieces – and that inspires us to pull out all the stops.
More importantly, lace is incomparable in terms of styling versatility. From delicate and romantic to bold and dramatic, there's a lace pattern to suit every bride's style. Whether you dream of a classic bridal look or a modern twist, lace can elevate your wedding ensemble. And the best part? It complements a variety of wedding gown styles, from the simplest to the most elaborate.
As weddings evolve to reflect contemporary tastes and values, the role of the wedding veil may also transform. Yet, its enduring charm lies in its ability to infuse a touch of timeless elegance and romanticism into modern celebrations of love.
At Madame Tulle, we understand the importance of personal expression and believe that a lace wedding veil should complement your unique vision. Our expert designers can create a custom veil that perfectly captures your style, whether you prefer a classic, modern, or bohemian aesthetic. By blending tradition with innovation, we help brides create unforgettable moments that will be cherished for a lifetime.
