A wedding day is one of the most special days in a person’s life, and every detail matters. From the venue to the decor to the dress, every aspect of a wedding is carefully planned and executed to perfection. …and one of the most important elements of a bride’s wedding day look is the veil!

Veils have been a part of wedding tradition for centuries, and they add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any bridal outfit. Once you’ve said ‘yes to the dress’, the veil is your next stop on the wedding planning train! So where do you start? You’ve got options!

Length & Material

To start, veils vary by length and material, so you will want to decide what length and what material you would like for your veil to be. There are endless options when it comes to veil lengths, but the most common length I work with and get requests for are cathedral length veils! It’s no wonder as they are timeless and stunning! Check out a few of the custom cathedral-length veils I’ve created below!

Top left: 2022 Bride, Megan Photographer @Jandnstudios, Top Middle: 2022 Bride, Rachel, Photographer @abbyrosephoto, Top Right: 2023 Bride Ashley, Photographer @pennyralenephotography, Bottom 2022 Bride, Megan Photographer @janevictoriaphotography

Now that you’ve decided on the perfect length, it’s time to choose a trim (or lackthereof!). For this, your have fewer options including lace, cording, ribbon, beading, etc. The list goes on! I have even had a bride that was a huge Disney fan request I sew “hidden Mickeys” into her veil! Or, opt for a plain (no trim) veil for gowns that already have a lot going on!

Tip: Your bridal shop can tell you if the designer of your gown created a coordinating veil. If so, it might be worth considering purchasing at the same time as your gown! (as veils can be discontinued by the time you go to purchase it months later, we have seen it happen often!).

Pre-made/ Store Bought Veils

There are many great options for purchasing pre-made veils these days, your bridal shop that you purchased your gown from could be your first stop! Sometimes they have a perfectly coordinated veil provided by the original designer of the gown. Or, check other local shops. Purchasing online can be hit or miss, so proceed with caution! If you do choose to purchase online, do so far in advance so you have time to shop more if you don’t like it in person.

Tip: If your store (or online) purchased veil came in with a plastic comb on it, bring it to Sarah Kolis at your 1st Bridal fitting to have it switched to a metal comb! (Hairstylists greatly dislike plastic combs as they can not be bent and twisted to accommodate your hairstyle like the metal can).

Heirloom Veils

We have so many brides bring in their mom or grandmother’s veil hoping to wear it! This is also a great option and such a special way to honor family at your wedding. Who can do this? Well it really depends on the condition of the veil. Typically, veils don’t tend to have stains or spills on them so assuming that and the color of the veil is to your liking, great! If it has yellowed greatly, consider first taking it to a cleaner to see their abilities on bringing it back to life!

Some brides want to use their heirloom veil, but want to modify to match their dress or update it a bit to match their bridal style. For example, the ’80s era may have seen the veil attached to a crown or headband of some sort. So assuming you would like that removed, Sarah Kolis can do that for you and/or even switch it to a metal comb too! (Hairstylists dislike plastic combs as they cannot be bent into the proper shape!)

Custom Veils

Lastly, some brides prefer to have a custom veil made to suit their unique style and vision. That’s where a skilled seamstress like Sarah Kolis comes in. While you may know Sarah’s work in bridal alterations and custom wedding gowns, she is also skilled in creating custom bridal veils. ask Sarah Kolis to custom make a veil for you to the perfect shape, length, and trim to coordinately perfectly with your gown! Even inquire about it at your 1st bridal alterations fitting! Sarah approaches each veil as a work of art, carefully considering the bride’s unique style, dress design, and desired look. With her expertise in bridal alterations, she knows how to craft a veil that perfectly enhances the bride’s features and harmonizes with the gown’s silhouette. Whether it’s a classic cathedral veil, a modern edgy style, or even something totally unique like a bold color or fancy applique’s, Sarah’s meticulous attention to detail ensures that every stitch and embellishment is flawlessly executed.

The Process of a custom veil with Sarah Kolis

Sarah begins with a conversation with the bride at the 1st Bridal Alterations Fitting (or optional consultation if you choose to do so). She listens carefully to the bride’s vision for her veil, taking note of the style of the dress, the wedding theme, and any specific details the bride wants to incorporate. Once the consultation is complete, Sarah gets to work creating the veil. She carefully selects the fabric, whether it be delicate lace, soft tulle, or luxurious silk trims, and cuts it to the perfect length and shape. Sarah pays close attention to every detail, adding intricate lace appliques or delicate beadwork if requested. Sarah needs about 6 weeks to work on your veil!

Visit sarahkolis.com to book a bridal alterations fitting!

Tip: Before your alterations fitting, take the gown to a local boutique fabric shop (like Haberman Fabrics… Sarah’s favorite!) to shop for lace and/or other trim options! If you see a trim you like, go for it! FYI Sarah already has tulle in stock.

Real bride spotlight: Katie

About this time last year I had the honor of altering my friend Katie’s wedding dress and making her a custom veil! I loved hearing from Katie about her entire wedding dress and veil experience. My hope is that reading about other brides experiences will help future brides dream up the perfect day of their own!

Katie found her beautiful dress at Becker’s Bridal, and she even brought me, her mom, and her Maid of honor, Katherine along! After finding her dress, I completed her alterations and created a cathedral-length veil for her using a beautiful lace she found online! Katie’s big day was absolutely perfect! The pictures below speak for themselves! Katie was a stunning bride. A fun feature of Katie’s day was the 1958 Pink Buick Car they incorporated. Check it out!

“The person helping me try on dresses made it so easy. She listened to me, helping me cut out options based on what she heard me say I was looking for, and she helped me think through what I was looking for. My advice to future brides is to try on many different styles, you never know what you might like without trying it on. I felt beautiful on my wedding day.”

“Sarah did my alterations. I was concerned about the top not fitting after our first alteration. Sarah encouraged me to make any changes, she wanted me to feel beautiful and not worry. She expressed options and together we decided what made sense. She would have done anything she could to make sure my dress was perfect. That is just who Sarah is. She is so dedicated to her clients and her business. She wants all brides to feel their best and will always make adjustments when needed.”

“I kept my veil on until the reception. It was a talking piece at my wedding because it matched my dress so beautifully. I found lace online from Etsy that matched perfectly and brought it to Sarah. I think that is what is so great about going custom for a veil or dress. You can tailor it to your dress, style, and liking.”

Bride Katie, 2022

Bride: Katie, 2022, Photographer: @andrealynne_photography, HMUA @primpmeup

Want to share your wedding story? You can do so here!

Visit sarahkolis.com to book a bridal alterations fitting!