Friday, 1st March, 2019

To Veil or not to Veil? - Fenix Events Wedding Blog

To Veil or not to Veil?

The age-old question of wearing a veil or not is often a major dilemma of brides-to-be. Whilst it has a steeping history and religious symbolism, today brides may often wear veils purely to complete their outfit. Many women today even find the veil to be outdated, and are happy to go without one. After all, it is a wedding tradition that dates back as far as ‘something old, something blue’. Whilst wearing a veil or not is a very personal choice, but there are a few things you might want to consider…

The bridal ‘veil’ received its name from its literal definition, meaning to mask or cover. In the 1900s, it was recognised as a symbol of virginity, purity, modesty and obedience. Veils covering the hair and face almost always represented the chastity of the bride. The lifting of the veil was ceremonially recognized as the crowning event of the wedding, when the beauty of the bride was finally revealed to the groom and the guests. The veil also served as a method of shielding the bride’s face from her future husband, especially in the case of arranged marriages. Superstition has it that it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride prior to the wedding, so a veil hiding her face also ensured that the groom would not see his soon-to-be-bride until the ceremony. However, in many cases, the veil prevented the bride from seeing well. That is why her father or another person “gave her away.” He was actually escorting her down the aisle so she wouldn’t bump into anything!

There are religious meanings behind a veil in different cultures. Christian brides traditionally wear a veil as the removal of it symbolises that through their marriage, the couple now has full access to one another. In other cultures, many surmise the veil relates to the ancient Greeks and Romans’ fear of evil spirits and demons. Roman brides, for instance, wore an intensely flame-colored, lavish veil called the flammeum, supposedly intended to protect the bride from these evil spirits on her special day.

In modern weddings today, some consider it unnecessary for the bride to have her face covered regardless of whether the veil symbolizes her purity or not. Just as a white wedding dress doesn’t symbolize virginity anymore, neither does a veil. However, modern veils are often not blushers, meaning they are not worn over the face, and therefore they’re used more of an accessory rather than a symbolic or religious piece. Veils now signify a special event: they are viewed as a sign of joy and celebration. It highlights the bride’s appearance and features, and is considered to be the final crowning touch. Bridal gowns can be transformed with the addition of a veil.

Despite the original meaning behind the veil having far less emphasis these days, many brides simply do not want a veil. Some view it as an outdated tradition, others believe it is futile (particularly if they have kids), or some simply believe it is a hassle with the extra cost, colour, and style to consider in addition to their dress. If brides are having an outdoor wedding, a veil is certainly not ideal in windy weather. Therefore, this choice of wearing a veil purely depends on the bride’s desires!

There are many different reasons why a bride may or may not wear a veil, and whatever you choose to do is ultimately up to you. We think you will look beautiful either way!