Traditional Lace Veil

When it comes to your wedding planning checklist, have you considered whether or not you're going to wear a veil when you walk down the aisle? Like many wedding traditions, the history of the veil is rich and storied. In fact, the veiling of the bride has origins in the idea that she's vulnerable to enchantment, so she must be hidden from evil spirits. The Romans veiled brides in flame-colored veils to scare off the spirits. In the case of an arranged marriage, when the bride and groom may be seeing each other for the first time, the veil shields the bride's face from the groom until the last possible second. In other words, the veil saves everyone some embarrassment in the short term in case they don't like what they see.

In many religions, the veil is a sign of humility and respect before God during a religious ceremony. Fast forward to Victorian times when reverence was transformed into a status symbol. The Victorians believed the weight, length, and quality of the veil was a sign of the bride's status. Not surprisingly, royal brides had the longest veils and trains. In modern times, the tradition of wearing a veil has become more of a finishing touch in wedding fashion. The veil pulls together the hair and the dress - creating a beautiful accent to the bridal look.