Hello!
As some of you try on gown after gown, looking for just the right one, a question as to whether to wear a veil or not may arise. Back in the day, most brides were married in a religious venue and were required to wear some covering on their heads ,hence the use of the veil. But now things have changed! Brides are married on beaches, and on mountain cliff sides, farm fields and city aquariums.  To gravel walkways, sandy beaches and acorn scattered wood settings, brides have come up with other ways to adorn their hair and accentuate their gowns.

Probably one of the most popular that will come to mind is the "birdcage." I think it is the simpler version of the hats that brides wore during the seventies. It is a simple netting that covers the nose and touches the chin, sometimes having flowers or a comb of bling attached. Weddings by Paulette has many of these to choose from in stock and catalogs to order from as well. . Our seamstresses can also custom make one for you, so that the netting falls just so and doesn't tickle your nose or fall too far below your chin. A piece of Mom's or Grandmom's sentimental jewelry attached can be incorporated into your design so that you have that "something borrowed." prominent in all your wedding pictures.

Many brides have chosen to adorn their hair with rings of fresh flowers that are woven into their wedding hairstyles. Others have decided to up that look a little and scatter small pearls and other sparkles throughout their hair, forgoing the head covering completely.

But there is something to be said for the veil.  I always tell brides, that their wedding day is the only day they will ever wear a veil, there will never be another opportunity or event where one is required or suggested. All gowns are beautiful, but the addition of a veil is often the very thing needed to complete the magical , bridal
look.  Veils come in several lengths and work for different venues, gowns and even different shapes and sizes of the bride.

The most dramatic veil is the cathedral. Many girls may remember the gown train and veil of Kate Middleton. The veil starts at the top of the head and runs to the tip, or even longer,  length of the train of the wedding gown. A "blusher" or additional piece of tulle can fall over the face of the bride prior to the ceremony, which is later pushed to the back of her head and falls into the folds of the veil itself. Brides prior to the seventies usually wore the dramatic cathedral with a blusher. This type of veil has made an astonishing comeback as brides desire to make an entrance that turns everyone's heads. Weddings by Paulette has beautiful cathedral veils, some with bling, some with color, some with lace, etc.and we  have many catalogs to order from also.

Another veil that is very popular is the knee length veil, often called "the waltz." As called, it falls to about the knee of the bride, is very manageable and adds that head turning drama that every bride wants. This is a wonderful veil for the ceremony setting that might not offer a long cathedral aisle or has a less than smooth, snagless walkway. The waltz also elongates the torso and continues the lines of the gown without accentuating the hips.

Lastly, a veil that many brides come to Weddings by Paulette thinking will be their choice, is the elbow length. It is often used with a less formal gown. Some brides feel that because they are not tall that a shorter veil is the way they should go. I feel that a shorter veil just makes the bride look short. It falls at the waist and if a bride's waist is not her best feature, this type of veil can also allow your guests to focus right on that area. I suggest to brides that if an elbow length veil is a must, then throw the folds back onto your shoulders and do not bring the folds around to the front of your gown.  It will be a recognition of the formality of the occasion, but not overwhelm the bride at the same time.

The most important reminder that Weddings by Paulette staff will give their brides, "it is your day, you can wear anything you want!!!" Be creative, be assertive in all choices, and remember, A BRIDE IS ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL!!!!