Keep that veil looking picture perfect, no matter what happens on the wedding day by being well prepared. The method that should be chosen depends on what kind of hairstyle the bride has, and whether or not she wants to be able to remove the veil at some point during the day.
How to Secure the Veil
There are several ways to secure a wedding veil so that it will stay firmly in place. Some methods are better suited to particular hairstyles, but all work well and will keep the veil on all night, no matter how much time the bride spends on the dance floor.
- Updo. In general, if an updo is being worn, the veil can simply slide in place, and the teeth of the comb will be well secured under the hairpins or in the taut hair at the base of the neck. A couple additional hairpins can be used to make the veil extra secure, but this isn't usually necessary, and can make it more difficult to remove the veil for the reception without mussing the hair.
- Pin Curl. Decide where the veil should be secured. At that spot, take a thin segment of hair, approximately the width of a pencil, and wind it around a finger until the hair is coiled against the scalp. Secure against the scalp with two bobby pins placed over the curl in an X pattern. See figure one below. Slip the teeth of the veil comb under the pin curl. This technique is often used by Las Vegas showgirls to keep their heavy headpieces in place.
- Pony Tail. Similar to the pin curl method, take a pencil-width section of hair and use a small, clear hair band to create a tiny pony tail. Slip the teeth of the comb of the veil under the pony tail. Both the pony tail and pin curl method are particularly good for hair worn down or short hair, but should only be used if the bride doesn't intend to take the veil off at some point during the reception. Once the veil is removed, the mechanism will show.
- Bobby Pins Alone. If the bride wants to wear her hair down or has short hair, and wants to be able to remove the veil after the ceremony, a couple bobby pins can be used to help secure the teeth of the comb to the hair. If this method is used, be sure to remove the hairpins before trying to remove the veil, or the hairstyle can be seriously mussed.
A Note on Comb Materials
Most bridal veils are sewn onto clear plastic combs, but higher quality veils are attached to metal combs. Metal combs have a slimmer profile, so are less visible, grip hair better (especially valuable if the bride has fine hair), and are flexible, so can be bent to the exact curve of the bride's head (thus making the veil more secure and comfortable.
Now the question of how to secure a wedding veil is settled—but how to wear it? Read more about the correct way to wear a veil, different veil fabrics, and the difference that veil width can make.
Nicole Wills - Nicole Wills is the President and Lead Designer for Tradewind Tiaras, Inc., where she has built a business and designed accessories for ...
