Veil or no veil—that’s the question many brides-to-be grapple with the decision of whether or not to wear a wedding veil on their big day, but the truth is, you don’t have to wear a veil with your dress if you don’t want to. Wearing a bridal veil is laced in tradition and has been a staple in pop culture, from royal wedding veils on Meghan Markle to celebrity veils on stars like Paris Hilton and Sofia Richie and Kourtney Kardashian, but in recent years, more and more brides have chosen to forego the veil altogether or opt for an alternative hair accessory instead. If you find yourself questioning whether you should wear a veil or not, rest assured that it is perfectly acceptable to embrace whatever choice feels right for you. Below, I consulted with some of my fellow The Knot Editors to break down the top pros and cons of wearing a veil on your wedding day. We share everything you need to take into consideration to finalize your wedding outfit, so read our tips (and real-life advice!) to make a decision that’s right for you.
The beauty of weddings today is that you can easily customize your bridal look to reflect your unique personality. It is absolutely okay to skip the veil if it doesn’t resonate with you or your wedding theme. Many brides nowadays are opting for alternative options that showcase their individual style and make a bold statement. Consider exploring tiaras, headbands and even hair bows as perfect substitutes for a traditional veil. These alternatives can add an element of elegance and charm to your ensemble while allowing you to express your own personal style.
Pros and Cons of Wearing a Veil
Pro: Veils make for epic pictures.
“It’s hard to forget the aerial image of Priyanka Chopra’s 75-foot-long veil or the blusher covering Kate Middleton’s face before she walked into Westminster Abbey. Talk about bringing the wow factor. In both instances, these celeb brides donned veils for their vow exchange before taking them off to party the night away. You certainly don’t need to wear a veil for the entirety of your wedding celebration, but adding one to your ceremony hairstyle ensures you’ll end up with stunning, romantic wedding photographs that’ll quickly turn into cherished heirlooms. Pro tip: Make sure your photographer has access to your veil while you’re getting ready. The ethereal aesthetic of veils makes them a great styling accessory for detail shots of your wedding jewelry and invitation suite.”
Con: If you’re having an outdoor wedding, proceed with caution.
“I’ll start this by saying: I love veils and was so excited to wear a gorgeous, floor-length style on my wedding day. However, I spent much of my outdoor backyard wedding trying to tame the stunning piece of tulle, which was constantly being whipped around by the wind and stepped on by my wedding party members’ muddy shoes. While this did make for some beautiful and memorable photos, it was a source of stress throughout the day. And at the end of the ceremony, after my husband and I kissed, I turned my head to face my guests a little too quickly and my veil literally flew off my head. The strong breeze picked it up and carried it away, never to be seen again. So while I think wearing some sort of headpiece is kind of a must, buyer beware: If you’re having an outdoor wedding, you might try a shorter veil or alternative headpiece (and make sure it’s pinned on tight!).”
“Veils are special because they’re a once-in-a-lifetime kind of accessory. Headbands, hair pins and fascinators are all fancy dress options you can wear to galas, cocktail parties or even New Year’s Eve, but there is something inherently romantic about an accessory specifically meant for your wedding day and all the symbolism and tradition (some of it outdated, but some of it really beautiful) that goes along with it. And, it’s a low-stakes kind of accessory. If you opt for a veil only to find it’s particularly cumbersome or unwieldy, you can always remove it.”
