Wedding Veil Lengths: Which One Is Right for You?
Finding the Veil Length That Complements Your Dress
Your perfect wedding veil length starts with the moment you can't stop picturing. A fingertip veil keeps things light and easy to move in, a waltz veil floats down around your calves, and chapel and cathedral veils trail behind you down the aisle. The easiest way to choose is to try a few on with your dress.
Did you know your veil can change your whole look? The same gown can feel soft and romantic with a long cathedral veil, then breezy and modern with a short one. That's why we love trying veils on at your appointment, so you can see a few lengths side by side in the mirror.
Want to know the best part? Our Lovely Veils collection gives you 7 styles, each in 2 lengths, exclusively at all 19 Lovely Bride shops. Keep scrolling for every length, what each one pairs with, and how to find yours.
Key takeaways
- Fingertip, waltz, chapel, and cathedral are the four featured Lovely Veils lengths, from shortest to longest.
- Longer veils make a statement down the aisle, and shorter veils are easy to wear all day.
- Blushers are having a moment: the double-tier BLAIR and GWEN let you wear the top layer over your face for the walk down the aisle.
- The best way to choose is to try a few lengths on with your dress at your appointment.
- Order your veil the day you buy your dress, since most accessories take 3 to 4 months.
What are the wedding veil lengths?
There are four wedding veil lengths in the Lovely Veils collection, and each one is named for where it falls. Veil length is measured from where the comb sits in your hair, so the same veil can land a little differently depending on your height and how high or low you wear it.
You'll also hear about a few other lengths while you shop: shoulder veils (about 20 – 22 inches) and elbow veils (about 25 – 30 inches) are shorter, and a floor-length veil (about 72 inches) stops right at the hem. Want more bridal words? See our wedding dress terms guide.
| Length | Length range | Where it falls | Lovely Veils styles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingertip | 36 – 40 inches | To your fingertips, with your arms at your sides | KIT |
| Waltz | 54 – 60 inches | Between your knees and ankles | BLAIR, DREW, GWEN, WELLS, RAE, ROWE |
| Chapel | 80 – 90 inches | Just past the floor, with a soft trail behind you | DREW, RAE, ROWE |
| Cathedral | 108 – 120 inches | The longest, trailing well past your hem | KIT, BLAIR, GWEN, WELLS |
How do you choose a wedding veil length for your dress?
Choose your wedding veil length by matching it to your train, your back details, and how long you'll wear it. A few things to look at:
- Your train. A cathedral veil that trails past your train makes a showstopping line down the aisle, while a shorter veil lets the train take the spotlight.
- Your back details. Buttons, a low back, or a corset are worth showing off, and a sheer single-tier veil keeps them in view.
- How long you'll wear it. If you're keeping your veil on for the reception, a fingertip or waltz length is easy to dance in.
- The photo you're picturing. If you're imagining your veil sweeping out behind you, go long. If you love a clean, modern line, go short.
- Your venue. Outdoors, a long veil catches the breeze for gorgeous photos, and a shorter length is easier to manage on a windy day.
What's the difference between a single-tier and double-tier veil?
A single-tier veil is one layer of tulle. It's light and sheer, so every detail of your dress shows through. In the Lovely Veils collection, KIT, DREW, WELLS, RAE, and ROWE are single tier.
A double-tier veil has two layers of tulle, for a little more fullness and softness. BLAIR and GWEN are the double-tier Lovely Veils styles, perfect for brides who want the veil to feel like part of the look rather than an extra.
A blusher is the short front layer of a veil worn over your face as you walk down the aisle, then lifted back before the kiss. Blushers are having a moment right now, and BLAIR and GWEN, the double-tier Lovely Veils styles, let you wear the top layer as a blusher. Love the look but prefer a single tier? You can wear it forward over your face for the walk too, like the photos below.
Which veil edge is right for you?
The right veil edge depends on how much detail you want. A cut edge is the simplest, a ribbon or lace edge frames the veil, and pearls add a little sparkle.
- Cut edge: clean and simple, perfect for brides who want the dress to do the talking. KIT and BLAIR have a cut edge.
- Ribbon edge: a 1/16" ribbon finish that traces the veil with a fine line. Find it on DREW and GWEN.
- Scattered pearls: WELLS has a cut edge with scattered pearl embellishments, for a little sparkle without beading on the dress.
- Spanish tulle: RAE is soft Spanish tulle with a cut edge.
- Lace edge: ROWE is finished with a lace edge, perfect for brides who love a romantic touch.
Which Lovely Veils style is right for you?
Lovely Veils comes in 7 styles, each in 2 lengths, exclusively at all 19 Lovely Bride shops. Here's every style at a glance:
- KIT: single-tier tulle with a cut edge, in fingertip and cathedral
- BLAIR: double-tier tulle with a cut edge, in waltz and cathedral
- DREW: single-tier tulle with a 1/16" ribbon edge, in waltz and chapel
- GWEN: double-tier tulle with a 1/16" ribbon edge, in waltz and cathedral
- WELLS: single-tier tulle with a cut edge and scattered pearl embellishments, in waltz and cathedral
- RAE: single-tier Spanish tulle with a cut edge, in waltz and chapel
- ROWE: single-tier tulle with a lace edge, in waltz and chapel
Why should you try your veil on with your dress?
Trying your veil on with your dress is the only way to see how the length, edge, and tulle work together. A veil looks completely different in your hand than it does on you, so at your appointment you can try a few with the dresses you love and see them side by side in the mirror.
Plan to order your veil the day you buy your dress. At Lovely Bride, most accessories take 3 to 4 months, and some are available off the rack. See our FAQ for more on timing.
Already said yes? Contact your local Lovely to book an accessory appointment and find your veil.
Frequently asked questions
What are the four wedding veil lengths?
From shortest to longest, the Lovely Veils lengths are fingertip, waltz, chapel, and cathedral. A fingertip veil (36 – 40 inches) falls to your fingertips, a waltz veil (54 – 60 inches) falls between your knees and ankles, a chapel veil (80 – 90 inches) reaches just past the floor, and a cathedral veil (108 – 120 inches) trails well behind you.
What's the difference between a chapel and a cathedral veil?
A chapel veil reaches just past the floor with a soft trail behind you. A cathedral veil is the longest length, trailing well past your hem for a big moment down the aisle.
What is a blusher veil?
A blusher is the short front layer of a veil worn over your face as you walk down the aisle, then lifted back before the kiss. In the Lovely Veils collection, the double-tier styles BLAIR and GWEN let you wear the top layer as a blusher.
Should your veil be longer than your train?
It doesn't have to be. A cathedral veil that extends past your train makes a big, flowing moment down the aisle, while a veil that stops short of the train lets the train's details show. Try both with your dress to see which line you love.
When should I order my wedding veil?
Order your veil the day you buy your wedding dress. At Lovely Bride, most accessories take 3 to 4 months, and some are available off the rack.
Can I buy a Lovely Veil if I already have my dress?
Yes! Contact your local Lovely Bride to book an accessory appointment, and try a few lengths and edges with your stylist.
Where can I buy Lovely Veils?
Lovely Veils are exclusively available at all 19 Lovely Bride shops across the U.S. and London. Find your nearest Lovely Bride to book an appointment.
Ready to find the one?
Heart your favorite gowns on the DRESSES page, then book your appointment at your nearest Lovely Bride and try a few veil lengths with them. Already have the dress? Contact your local Lovely to book an accessory appointment. We can't wait to see Our Lovelies in their veils! P.S. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest to see every Lovely Veil on real brides.
Featured In:
