Image Source: Anomalie Unboxed
Once you have the core design elements of your gown such as the silhouette, sleeve style and hemline picked out, you must turn your attention towards embellishments and accessories that will enhance the beauty of the gown and make it stand out at the event. Some of the questions that you will need to answer now are what kind of embroidery or embellishments do you wish to add to the fabric, what kind of veil should you opt for, and what other accessories will complete your outfit. In this guide, we will take you through the different choices of embellishments and accessories with tips on how to pick the right ones to adorn your gown in the most appealing manner
Choosing the Right Embellishments for your Gown
Your gown’s fabric is like a blank canvas for the designer who can impart it a mesmerising aesthetic and feel with the help of embellishments. Different embellishments and styles of embroidery can provide a completely different finish to the gown. The shinier embellishments like crystals impart a festive look to the gown while simpler embellishments like pearls add a demure and feminine vibe to the outfit
The details are not the details.
They make the design
Charles Eames
Designer and architect
Since the sheer variety when it comes to embellishments can be overwhelming, you must consult your designer to find out which embellishments are in trend and will pair well with the overall look of your gown. Cost is also an important factor to consider, because certain techniques such as hand embroidery and 3D embroidery can be quite expensive. Hence, you must ask your designer for embellishment options that are fashionable and will fit your budget too. Here is a glossary of embellishment types for you to brush up your knowledge before your consultation with your gown designer
Decoding Different Veil Styles
A veil is a sheer fabric draped over the bride’s head as a mark of modesty and reverence, akin to the “ghoonghat” worn by Indian brides. This delicate piece of fabric is the perfect finishing touch to a bridal look and Christian wedding gowns seem incomplete without it. After scouring through tons of designs for the perfect bridal gown, you would want the veil that goes with it to be immaculate too. You will need to choose a veil that is the perfect length for your wedding dress and pairs harmoniously with the other design elements of the gown. Let us decode some of the most striking elements of different veil styles for you to help you make the right choice
(a) Length of the Veil
The length of the veil can vary from a few inches to a few feet and needs to be chosen depending on the silhouette and grandeur of your wedding dress. Here is a list of some of the most popular veil lengths along with the wedding dress styles they pair well with – click on each tab to know more about the style
Birdcage veils are short veils that cover the face and extend just past the chin. They can also be worn slanted for a statement look. These short veils made of sheer fabric or net are extremely easy to throw on and are ideal for outdoor weddings. They pair well with both vintage gowns as well as shorter wedding dresses
A Blusher veil is a short veil that falls over the face and ends at the upper half of the gown. It is up to 30 inches in length and provides a retro vibe to the wedding dress. This sheer veil covers the bride’s face as she walks down the aisle, building up the excitement to when the veil is lifted at the altar. It is a good option for petite brides who don’t want to be drowned by the fabric of the veil
An Elbow Length veil is around 25-30 inches in length and ends at the bride’s elbows. Elbow veils can be single-tiered or multi-tiered. These veils complement ball gown silhouettes really well because they end where the poofy skirt begins, thereby balancing the two halves of the outfit. They are best avoided with a fitted mermaid gown because the veil will hide the curves that the gown tries to highlight
A Fingertip veil falls beyond the hips and its sheer fabric allows any statement back design to be clearly visible through the veil. This veil length is perfect for both mermaid and sheath gowns because it flows beyond the curves of the silhouette without disrupting them. It is considered a universally flattering veil style that complements the natural curves of the bride
A Ballerina or Ballet veil is one that falls between the knees and the ankle and is an ideal veil length for a semi-formal setting. This veil is perfect for gowns without a train because it adds some volume at the back of the skirt. It pairs well with most silhouettes and is also comfortable to wear on the dance floor without the fear of tripping over the fabric
A Cathedral veil is a majestic veil which spans 126 to 144 inches in length. This style of veil is perfect for a lavish indoor wedding and should be paired with a cathedral length gown train, with the veil extending beyond the train when spread out. This veil style is suitable for the brides who are craving for a regal look on their big day
(b) Width of the Veil
Source: TheWeddingVeilShop
The width of the veil is as important a design element as the length, particularly for longer veils. You wouldn’t want a veil so wide and full that it swamps your dress, nor a veil that is narrower than the train, which will take away from the visual appeal of the outfit. The width of the veil will therefore need to be determined based on the silhouette of the gown and the design of the train. Refer this article to find out what the most popular veil widths are and which one will complement your gown the most
(c) Colours for the Veil
Source: Amazon
Simply changing the colour of the veil can transform the whole mood of the outfit. You can opt for a veil that matches your gown’s colour or can go for a veil in a contrasting hue to make a statement. Here is a guide for veil colours for white wedding gowns
(d) Veil Edges
Source: Michelle Pagonis
The edges of the veil can be accentuated in a number of ways, with lace, ribbons, rhinestones etc. These elements could be picked so as to match the design of the gown or to enhance it with a statement edging. As an example, a Mantilla veil has a distinct lace edge that imparts a delicate look to the veil and helps to frame the face of the bride in a striking manner. You can read more about different kinds of veil edges in this article
(e) Embellishments on the Veil
Source: Etsy
Embellishments such as pearls and rhinestones can further elevate the look of the veil and add a fairytale vibe to your outfit. Check out this article for more information on veil embellishments
(f) Tiered Veil
A tiered veil contains multiple tiers of tulle that create a cascade at the back. Brides can choose between one, two or multiple tiers for their veil depending upon the volume they wish to create at the back
Source: Hera Couture
Now that you are familiar with all the design elements of a veil, you must sit down with your designer to select the best veil style that blends in seamlessly with the embellishments, silhouette and train of your wedding gown. You must also consult your hair stylist regarding the placement of the veil to complement your hairstyle and the headpieces you will be wearing on D-day. Here is an article to help you with details on selecting the perfect veil for your outfit
Pro*Tips
From our designers
Veil Adornment
While white and off-white are the standard colours for veils for Christian wedding gowns, opting for a coloured or embellished veil will make your bridal outfit stand out. Check out this article for more design inspiration
Styling Veils with Indo-Western Gowns
Even though veils are traditionally worn with Christian wedding gowns, they can also be a spectacular addition to an Indo-Western gown for an Indian wedding or pre-wedding function. Here are some ideas on how you can style a veil with an Indo-western gown
A Birdcage veil as a stylish headgear with an Anarkali gown
A coloured Cathedral veil as a replacement for a dupatta with an embellished floor-length gown
An embellished tulle/net veil with an Indo-western bridal gown, as an alternative to a lehenga with a chunari draped over the head
Remember, you will look the most phenomenal in your gown only when all the accessories and embellishments come together in a cohesive manner. You can refer to this article to create a checklist of wedding accessories, from the sash to the shoes, which you must pick out before the big day. So do not neglect these essential details till the last minute and curate them carefully for a ravishing outfit
