The typical veil edgings available from most bridal salons are lovely and classic, but couture veil-makers create beautiful and unique edgings that compliment today's innovative gown designs. High quality components like real pearls and Swarovski crystals are popular, as are veils incorporating some color. The veil has moved beyond a simple and common accessory to something highly custom and special.
Types of Unique Wedding Veil Edgings
A bride interested in something a little more special than the typical bridal salon fare might consider:
- Pearl and Crystal Edging. This edging is highly luxurious. Genuine pearls and Swarovski crystals are hand-sewn along the edge of a veil, offering a very slight definition to the edge, a bit of texture, and the luxury that only such high quality components can create. This edging works beautifully on bridal illusion and English netting veils, but is not recommended for silk tulle wedding veils. The silk tulle is so soft and flowing that the pearls and crystals, even though small, are a little too heavy for the fabric and make the edging droop strangely.
- Embroidered Edging. For a truly custom look, a talented veil designer can create a custom embroidered design to match an element of the gown. Like pearl and crystal edging, an embroidered edge is recommended only for bridal illusion and English netting veils, not for more delicate silk veils.
- Rhinestone Edging. A strip of rhinestones (typically Swarovski) is sewn to the edge of a veil, creating a brilliant line of sparkle. This edging is quite heavy compared to other edgings, and isn't recommended with silk tulle.
- Colors. Color is hot in wedding gown design. Brides no longer have to stick with white, ivory, or diamond white gowns, as more and more wedding dresses with colorful accents hit the market. There's no better way to pull the whole look together than by incorporating some of the color accents in the accessories as well. In a veil, this can be accomplished by using a colored ribbon edge or pencil edge, using colored Swarovski crystals in a pearl and crystal edge, or even by using a colored tulle for the fabric of the veil itself. Colors can be incorporated in veils made of all standard bridal veil fabrics.
Which Edging to Choose
A veil is an accessory, not the dominant element in any wedding ensemble. Most brides remove the veil after the ceremony and go without for the reception, in fact. A veil should enhance the overall look, not steal the show. With elaborate, custom edgings, it can be easy to go overboard.
As a rule of thumb, the edging should be chosen to complement some element of the gown. If a gown has color, for example, it is appropriate to add a touch of color to the veil. But that same colorful veil would seem out of context if the color only complements the bridal bouquet—the bride won't be holding the bouquet for the whole reception, after all. Similarly, embroidered edges work best with gowns that feature an embroidered element already, and pearl and crystal edging best complements wedding dresses with beaded embellishments.
Ultimately, however, it comes down to personal choice. The bride's vision is the appropriate choice; she'll be happiest if she sticks with her instinct and chooses what she loves, rather than what the bridal industry says is appropriate or best. On her wedding day, of all days, a bride should let her personality shine through her wardrobe choices, whatever those might be.
Nicole Wills - Nicole Wills is the President and Lead Designer for Tradewind Tiaras, Inc., where she has built a business and designed accessories for ...
