The "wedding veil" tradition!

When it comes to wedding traditions, the veil may actually predate the wearing of white. Although there is no definitive reason for the wearing of a veil, there are a few theories that we think you might find interesting. One has to do with ancient Greeks and Romans’ fear of evil spirits and demons. In fact, that’s where many bridal traditions actually come from, including bridesmaids wearing similar dresses! 

In an effort to frighten away or disguise the bride from evil spirits, brides-to-be were dressed in brightly colored fabrics like red and obscured by a veil. But many times, the veil prevented the bride from seeing well and that’s why her father or another person "gave her away." He was actually escorting her down the aisle so she wouldn’t bump into anything or fall.

We’ve all heard it’s “bad luck” for the groom to see the bride prior to the wedding. So the veil took care of this issue up until the ceremony, which was especially helpful in the case of arranged marriages.

As weddings evolved into religious ceremonies, the meaning behind the veil began to symbolize modesty and obedience. In many religions it’s seen as a symbol of reverence for women to cover their heads. When white wedding dresses were worn to symbolize chastity, the white veil followed suit.

Regardless of the actual origin, veils have evolved over time and remain a favorite custom of ours. At The Bridal Cottage, we continue this tradition with a variety of options from birdcage to cathedral and simple to sparkly. We’ll help you find one that will coordinate perfectly with the style of your gown.