21 Stunning Wedding Veil Ideas From Real Brides

There's something so magical about putting on a veil. For many brides, this is the moment when it finally clicks that the wedding is really happening and they’re not just playing dress-up in a gorgeous gown. In addition to its emotional symbolism, this iconic bridal accessory plays a crucial role in defining your overall style. Choose from different fabrics, lengths, and embellishments to create a look that speaks to your personality!

Birdcage and shoulder-length veils are unique and fashion-forward, perfect for playing up a short wedding dress. Elbow and fingertip styles are popular because they complement almost any type of gown. The ballet or waltz veil hits somewhere between the knee and the ankle, so it’s a good choice for brides who love a longer style but don’t want to worry about tripping over it. A floor or chapel style that falls a couple of inches beyond the gown creates a romantic and elegant look. A cathedral is the longest type of veil, making it the ultimate showstopper for brides who want a dramatic walk down the aisle.

To help you choose a veil that fits your fashion style, we’ve gathered some exquisite examples from real-life weddings.

01 of 21

Matching Motifs

Bride and groom — Photo by Christine Brizendine of Dabble Me This

For bride Casey, it was the matching veil that ultimately made her say "yes" to a strapless Peter Langner ball gown. Both her dress and long veil feature embroidered lace flowers—which was very fitting for the Monet-inspired nuptials.

02 of 21

Bold Embroidery

Couple kissing — Photo by Etcetera Photography

Jesse's cathedral length veil matched her beaded A-line gown perfectly. With similar lace and beading detail, her veil rounded out the princess look.

03 of 21

All-Over Sequins

Bride's bouquet — Photo by Rachel Rodgers Photography

For the bride who loves all things sparkly, there are veils out there made just for you, and bride Jeanine is proof. To match her sexy diamond-studded mermaid dress, Jeanine wore a sequined blusher veil. She tied the knot to her NFL beau on a New York City rooftop and we can't imagine a better look for the occasion.

04 of 21

Sparkly Birdcage

Don't sleep on birdcage veils! Bride Katrina added a little glam to her elegant destination wedding look with this beaded Pronovias veil. "I didn't want a long veil so this beaded headband was perfect for me," says the bride.

05 of 21

Classic Mantilla

Jordan’s scalloped Mantilla veil added a stunning contrast to her understated gown. She and her husband, Matt, got married in a modern fête at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, Texas.

06 of 21

Tender Tiers

Bride in tiered veil and intricate dress — Jillian Mitchell; Event Planning by Daniela Navaro; Bride's Dress by Calla Blanche; Hair & Makeup by Karla Flores

Dulce and Nishant’s multicultural destination wedding in San Miguel del Allende in Mexico was filled with steal-worthy details. The bride’s satin-edged, tiered veil added softness to her ornate gown.

07 of 21

Unexpected Color

For the Indian ceremony, Dulce wore traditional attire to honor her husband Nishant's heritage. The ornate look was complete with a maroon raw silk veil with gold trim.

08 of 21

Celestial-Inspired

Celestial-inspired details are always so dreamy, and that's why we love that actress Shantel VanSanten chose to wear a star-embroidered Galia Lahav gown and veil for one of her three wedding ceremonies to Victor Webster. She explains, "The veil had a huge North Star embroidered on it to remind me of Victor, who is my light guiding me home."

09 of 21

Regal Romance

Live out your princess fantasies with a regal train and veil. Rachel could pass for a royal with her jaw-dropping bridal ensemble. She and her husband Gabriel chose Casa De Campo in La Romana, the Dominican Republic, as their one-of-a-kind wedding locale.

10 of 21

Pearl-Studded

Groom kissing bride — Photo by Haseok Chung Studio

Pearls are always a good idea. Just take it from bride Grace, who wore a custom beaded veil. She wore her hair in a high bun to hold the weight of the pearls and to showcase her Vera Wang gown's high neckline.

11 of 21

Lace Trim

Sometimes all you need is a little lace trim to spice up your wedding veil, without overpowering a statement dress. Bride Unique made it a mission to accessorize with small or Black woman-owned brands so she paired her Cassandra Lynne veil with a sparkling headpiece from Pantora Bridal.

12 of 21

Volumizing Blusher

Chanel Iman and Sterling Shepard wedding ceremony — Amy and Stuart Photography; Event Planning by
Mindy Weiss Party Consultants; Bride's Dress & Veil by Zuhair Murad; Groom's Attire by Hugo Boss

Traditionally, a blusher veil is worn to cover the bride’s face during the ceremony processional. While model Chanel Iman did just that, she also used hers to add dramatic volume for portraits. She and her husband, Sterling Shepard, were wed in a fashion that could be described as nothing short of an iconic Beverly Hills fête.

13 of 21

Juliet Cap Lace and Tulle

We adore this bride’s 1920s/1930s-inspired Juliet cap lace and tulle wedding veil. Trendsetter Kate Moss also wore this type of style on her big day, so she’s in good company.

14 of 21

Floor-Length

Newlywed portrait amongst evergreens — Christy Cassano; Bride's Dress by Odylyne the Ceremony; Veil by Daphne Newman Design; Groom's Attire by Men’s Wearhouse; Floral Design by
Selva Floral Design

Don’t be afraid to break the rules—just because you’re getting married in a densely forested woodland doesn’t mean you can’t rock a floor-length veil (just remove it for the reception). Danika and Stephan said their “I dos” in a dramatic yet natural setting amongst the evergreens of Oregon.

15 of 21

A Sentimental Statement

Bride looking up at groom while wearing her mother's veil — Larissa Cleveland Photography; Event Planning by Every Elegant Detail; Bride's Dress by Galia Lahav, from Kinsley James; Hair by Patty Perez; Groom's Attire by Elevée

For her elegant ceremony at San Francisco's Bently Reserve, Tori donned a topper with some history. "I wore the veil my mom wore at her wedding," she recalls of the satin-trimmed, near-floor-length piece. "It was very special to both of us.”

16 of 21

Scalloped Lace

bride wearing veil — Photo by Hugo Coelho

When self-care blogger and speaker Aisha Beau Johnson wed David Brandon Frisbey in Sintra, Portugal, she did so in an unconventional, yet classic look. To keep the statement sleeves of her Rime Arodaky gown as the focal point, she accessorized with a cathedral-length Celeste New York veil with scalloped lace trim.

17 of 21

Floral Appliqués

Zaheen and Haniya Khan first look — Gianny Campos; Event Planning by Rebekkah Rosado of Runway Events; Bride's Dress by Naeem Khan; Hair by Lacy Redway at The Wall Group; Groom's Attire by Tom Ford

Haniya and Zaheen's garden-themed nuptials at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami practically called for this whimsical and romantic veil with 3D floral appliqués. The design was a match made in heaven with the bride's custom Naeem Khan gown (created by her father-in-law!).

18 of 21

Touch of Gold

For her Hindu wedding ceremony in Orlando, Amanda wore a dusty pink and gold lehenga and dupatta. She paired the traditional attire with a matching pink veil with gold trim.

19 of 21

Shorter Blusher

When Candice was planning her bridal look for her Malibu elopement, a veil wasn't part of her plan. However, her hairstylist convinced her to add a simple blusher veil from BHLDN at the last minute—for which the bride says she is "forever grateful."

20 of 21

Ribbon Trim

Amanda’s April wedding at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Florida was inspired by the seaside surroundings. Fittingly, her elbow-length veil with satin ribbon trim added a beautiful finishing touch without weighing her down.

21 of 21

Pink Petals

Kate added a whimsical twist to her otherwise traditional gown thanks to an eye-catching veil with pink petals, designed by Elle & Jae. She got married at the 1909 in Topanga Canyon, California.

The 25 Best Wedding Veils of 2023 for Every Bridal Style