Different Wedding Veil Lengths

Bridal veils are available in different lengths and are often a topic of conversation when our brides are putting the final touches on their wedding day look. Read through this guide as we share the different wedding veil lengths and which works best for your dress.

Though veils are designed with tulle, there are more types and lengths of veils than most think! We have created a cheat sheet of different veil lengths you may see or even try on in your bridal shopping appointments.

Bird Cage (4-9”)

Bird Cage veils are a very fun, editorial veil. They’re petite veils that can be made in a traditional tulle or Russian netting. These veils can be worn on the wedding day or work as a prop for a boudoir photo shoot. Either way, Bird Cage veils are perfect for the edgy, non-traditional bride looking for a great statement.

Shoulder Length (20-22”)

Shoulder length veils are a very classic veil. Because iconic bride, Audrey Hepburn, wore a shoulder-length veil on her wedding day, this veil is often worn down runways and is seen as fashion-forward. Put a flirty touch on your bridal look with a shoulder length veil and make your own runway bridal look.

Blusher Veil (30”)

The blusher veil is worn over the bride’s face as she walks down the aisle. The blusher is 30 inches in length, stopping around the waistline on the bride. This veil is connected to a longer veil that ranges in length from 42 inches, 90 inches, or 108 inches. You can keep your look completely traditional with the blusher worn over the face or you can modernize this accessory by using just the blusher for additional shape and volume. We have seen our brides walk down the aisle with the blusher behind them. This creates shape and depending on the style and detailing of your veil, creates a beautiful framing along your sihlouette. The choice in how your wear your veil is completely yours. Learn more about veils here!

Elbow Length (32”)

An Elbow length wedding veil that falls right at the elbow.  This veil length pairs perfectly with a-line and ball gowns because of the length. We don’t typically recommend this veil for a bride that is wearing a fitted gown because it can create a harsh line on the bride.

Bride, Erin wears an elbow veil length to outside wedding. See her wedding here.

Fingertip Length (38-40”)

Fingertip Length wedding veils are one of the most popular veil lengths. This length is popular because it gives brides the freedom to wear a veil, however, it is short enough to not feel overwhelming. These veils look great with almost any style dress and are easy to maintain throughout the wedding and photos, too.

Knee Length (48”)

Knee length veils are perfect for different wedding gown silhouettes. The veil is short enough to wear during the reception. Brides are free to dance around freely, and not have to worry about your veil being stepped on or caught anywhere.  This veil should fall anywhere between your knee and mid-calf.

Waltz Veil (60”)

The Waltz Veil, sometimes called a Ballet Veil, is very similar to the knee length.  It’s still long and very comfortable to wear during the reception. The only difference is that it should fall between the mid-calf and ankle. This veil is ideal for brides who love long veils but don’t want the veil brushing the floor throughout their wedding.

Floor Length (72”)

The Floor Length Veil kisses the floor just as you do.  This wedding veil is perfect for the bride that wants a long veil, but does not want a train. If your measurements aren’t lining up so that your veil is perfectly kissing the floor, ask your seamstress to tailor the veil to the exact length that you’d like.

Chapel Length (90”)

Chapel length veils give the bride a small train. This sweet and romantic veil works best for a bride that does not have a train on their gown. This veil gives the bride a train but does not feel overwhelming. You also shouldn’t have to worry about this long veil getting caught or snagged, or fluffing this veil for pictures.

Cathedral Length (105-120”)

The Cathedral Length Veil is a classic and most well-known veil. Because of the name and length of the veil, most brides think this veil only works for church ceremony weddings. However, the Cathedral veils give brides an elegant entrance at any venue. Long, Cathedral length veils are often the veils you see with exquisite, fine detailing. Although a simple, clean cathedral veil is still sure to make a grand entrance, too.

Royal Length (140”)

Recent iconic brides like Meaghan Markle and Priyanka Chopra have inspired brides to wear a veil even longer than a Cathedral length. While some brides thought Priyanka’s veil was ‘extra’ or overstated, long veils are a bold accessory that

In the end, we always recommend to try on a few of the veils that we have.  You never really know what you’ll love until you put it on. There are different wedding veils combinations that work with different silhouettes.  We’ll guide you every step of the way.

Real bride wears royal veil length at wedding in New Orleans. See her wedding here.

What veil Lengths are trending?

At The Bridal Finery, we see our real brides choose their veil length based on many factors such as the length of their train, the style of their dress, and the silhouette of their dress. The popular length that we’ve been seeing recently is cathedral-length veils. This is a trend we don’t see going anywhere soon! A light and airy cathedral veil is the beautiful touch of subtle drama and the perfect way to incorporate any additional detailing.

Should a wedding veil be longer than a train?

While veil length is still a personal preference, if you decide that you’d like to wear a veil that is longer than floor length without a royal train, we usually recommend having your veil about or at least one inch longer than your gown. This option works well for brides who want the elegant drama while keeping the veil and dress cohesive in length. A soft, single-tiered veil is a team favorite that brings tradition into any gown!

What is the rule of wedding veils?

There are no rules when it comes to your veil on your wedding day. While some brides may choose to use their veil to keep tradition, other brides might use their veil as a chance to bring in additional flair and detailing to their bridal look. Typically, brides will wear their veil for the ceremony and photos and will take their veil off before the reception.

Always, our answer will be to go with the veil that you feel your best in! Book an accessories appointment and be sure to try on veils of all lengths and styles to ensure you choose the veil that complements your gown the best.

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