Sara Gabriel "April" Veil

When choosing the perfect veil, there are many things for a bride to consider! It can be confusing, but we are here to help!  With our Sara Gabriel veiling and accessories trunk show right around the corner, we wanted to give our brides a little mini tutorial to help them understand all the options they will have when designing their perfect accessories! Length, trim, and cut all play a part in finding the veil that compliments a bride’s dress perfectly, and makes her look like the most beautiful bride in the world on her big day!

Veil Lengths

One of the first factors to consider when choosing a veil is length!

*Visor Veils

Very short veils such as visor veils do not extend past the chin. If your wedding dress has a high neck detail, or is an eclectic or sophisticated style wedding gown, these veils can work well!

* Should Length Veils

Shoulder length veils are generally around 20 inches in length. They work really with dresses that have bust, waist, or lower back details. They can add an element of class and fun, and give wedding dresses a beautiful but also less formal look.

* Elbow Length Veils

Elbow length veils are generally around 25 inches in length, and tend to fall right around the elbows. They can pair beautifully with romantic ballgown dresses, because they end where the fullness in the skirt normally begins.

* Waist Length Veils

Waist length veils are just slightly longer than elbow length veils and are generally around 30 inches. They normally look good with any dress that does not feature a train.

* Fingertip Length Veils

Fingertip length veils are one of our most popular lengths. They are approximately 36 inches long, and look great paired with a wide variety of dress styles.

* Knee Length Veils

Knee length veils are around 45 inches and fall right around the knees. This length can sometimes give the bride a more formal feel, without the length interfering or taking away from the train of the dress.

* Floor Length Veils

Floor length veils can also sometimes be referred to as ballet length veils, and they just hit the floor measuring at around 72 inches. These veils look great with full length gowns that do not have a train.

* Chapel Length Veils

Chapel length veils drape onto the floor and are approximately 90 inches long. They look great with any dress that has a train!

* Cathedral Length Veils

Cathedral length veils are the longest, and in turn generally the most formal. They are typically around 120 inches long and can extend up to nine feet along the ground. They look beautiful when worn with full length, classic wedding gowns.

Veil Trims

Another very important factor to consider when looking for your dream veil, are the different trim options.

* Cut or Plain Edge

This is one of the most common type of veil edges, and looks great with any type of gown. There is no finish on the edging, which gives the veil a more simple and delicate look.

* Pencil Edging

Pencil edging is also one of the most commonly used finishes on veils, and looks great with almost any type of gown. It is the smallest edge finish available and is generally offered in a wide variety of colors.

* Satin Ribbon Edging

Satin ribbon edging is a delicate finish that adds a softer touch to a bride’s look. The ribbon can come in different widths and colors to create a bolder look.

* Rippled Edging

The rippled edging on a veil creates a wave effect, adding volume and movement to any length veil. This edge can also be created using any color thread that gets bound bound around a clear line, creating a wave.

* Rhinestone/Crystal Band

The rhinestone or crystal edging on a veil is perfect for any bride looking for a little sparkle. The edge can be made entirely of one type of beading, or an elegant mixture, adding more texture and dimension to the overall look of the dress.

* Lace Edging

The classic lace edging, is the perfect way for a bride to add a romantic, classic touch to her veil. A wide rang of different lace patterns, textures, and designs can be used to create the perfect veil trim. Lace can also be used as applique, spread throughout various parts of the veil.


The last important factor that needs to be considered when finding the perfect veil, is the cut.

* Petal Cut

Petal cut veils can vary in specifics depending on the designer’s interpretation, but they are generally made with rose or other petal shaped adornments or edges, or are made from three or more oval pieces that hang down to form petals around the brides head or cascade down the back. This cut can come in a variety of different lengths.

* Cascade Cut

The cascade cut veils start to take shape around the shoulders, and creates a lot of natural movement. This effect can also be created using any number of layers.

* Rectangular Cut

The rectangular cut veil has corners that fall longer than the back length, and create a prominent rectangular shape.

* Standard Cut

The standard cut veil with round corners is the most common type of veil cut. The cut is very rounded and gradual, and can be offered in any width.

* Standard Cut with Square Corners

The standard cut with square corners is very similar to the standard cut veil, but the corners come in the shape a square. The corner can either be the same length as the back, or a couple inches shorter. This type of veil looks best with some lacy trim along the bottom edge.