Lace and tulle and English net and more lace. I love veils. This year, apparently, so do our brides. Only two of our 2013 brides to date have opted out of wearing a veil, and we’ve shot seven weddings this year in which the bride chose a cathedral veil. That’s right, a veil even longer than the train on her gown. And cathedral veils, like all veils, are beautiful, but, even more than most veils, they’re unruly. So here are a few tips for managing your veil — whatever its length — on your wedding day.

• Make sure your veil is neatly ironed or steamed before the wedding day. Wrinkles might just make your veil hang crookedly. And no, your photographer can’t Photoshop them out.
• If possible, hang your veil on a hanger inside your gown’s garment bag.
• Take your veil to your hair trial run and let your stylist show you different options for veil placement, as well as showing you how to fasten the veil into your hair securely on the wedding day.
• If your stylist won’t be putting the veil on you on your wedding day, have your mother or maid of honor get comfortable with placing the veil before the big day.
• Once you’re wearing your veil, if it’s floor-length, it’s a bit of a hazard — so carry it when you’re walking whenever possible (but definitely not down the aisle!)
• Let your groom and bridesmaids know that any time they’re going to put their arms around you, it would a huge favor to you if they could slip their arm under the veil; if they put their hands outside of your veil, they will inadvertently pull your head back by pulling on the veil, and might even dislodge the comb from your hair.
• Decide ahead of time if you want to take your veil off after the ceremony, and if so, make sure your mother or maid of honor knows how to remove the veil without mussing your hairdo.
• After the wedding, if you’re having your gown preserved, have your veil preserved, too.

Oh, and one more tip: If there’s time on your wedding day, play with your veil in your wedding photos! This is something that gets overlooked if your portraits are done under a time crunch, but it can be a blast and produce some ethereal, fun photographs you will absolutely love. Because the dress usually gets all the attention — but the veil is like the delicious icing on the cake.

~ Laura