Wearing a wedding garter

History of the Wedding Garter:

Centuries ago wedding guests believed that having a piece of the wedding dress brought them good luck but this would end up with the brides dress being ripped and torn thus the idea of the wedding garter was born. Though the tradition has evolved a bit it is still incorporated into many weddings today. 

How to measure for your wedding garter?

Super easy just find a cloth measuring tape and measure around your leg where you want to wear the garter. Usually garters are worn about 6 inches above the knee but you can where it wherever it feels most comfortable. No worries if you do not have a cloth measuring tape! You can just use a piece of string to measure the distance then measure the string on a ruler, yard stick or tape measure. 

Different types of Wedding Veils

Classic Bridal Veil

Clara Fingertip Veil: https://www.etsy.com/listing/122666765/wedding-veil-fingertip-length-tulle-veil?ref=shop_home_active_5

This is the classic gathered style veil that most of us probably think of when someone says Wedding Veil. This is by far the most common style and is available in many different lengths and fullness. 

There are general terms for the different veil lengths: Shoulder length Veil, Elbow Length Veil, Fingertip Length Veil, Ballet/Waltz Length Veil, Ankle length/Floor Length Veil, Chapel Length Veil, Cathedral Length Veil and Royal Cathedral Veil. But It is very important to remember that the actual length in inches for each veil length will vary from designer to designer so it is always best to measure to ensure it is the proper fit with your dress style. 

What is veil fullness?

http://melindarosedesign.blogspot.com/2013/04/helpwhich-veil-fullness-do-i-choose.html

Classic Wedding Veil with Blusher

This is a classic gathered style veil with a blusher. This veil is sometimes called a two tier veil as both layers can be worn back. This is not a drop veil style (all on piece). It is two gathered style veils sewn together onto one comb giving the bride two layers. Many brides wear the top layer as a blusher to flip over their face for the ceremony before the kiss. It is commonly about 30-32" in length but can be other lengths as well and will vary by designer.  

Drop Veil/Circle Veil

Corrine Elbow Length Circle Veil: https://www.etsy.com/listing/155426773/wedding-veil-circle-veil-drop-veil-elbow?ref=shop_home_active_4

This wedding veil is a single piece of tulle cut in the shape of a circle or an oval. It is either pinned in the hair with hair pins, a comb is sewn into the veil, or a brooch pin is pinned through the veil and a tulle wrapped comb. Lately many brides have chosen to wear the veil in the hair with a crown holding it in the hair. This is a very sheer and romantic style veil. 

It is available in lengths from elbow all the way to a royal cathedral length. Again with the 'blusher' typically around 30-32". The elbow length usually has a slightly shorter blusher.

Mantilla Veil

French Lace Silk Mantilla Veil: https://www.etsy.com/listing/122409285/silk-mantilla-veil-with-french-alencon?ref=shop_home_active_20

The mantilla style veil came from Spain and is an oval cut shape trimmed in lace. It is available in many different lengths but the fingertip and cathedral lengths are the most popular with this style of veil. This particular veil pictured is made with silk tulle but this veil is commonly made with bridal illusion tulle as well. 

Oval Shaped Veil

Oval Shaped Fingertip Veil with Lace: https://www.etsy.com/listing/178986616/wedding-veil-oval-shaped-bridal-veil?ref=shop_home_active_9

This veil is cut in the the shape of an oval just like the mantilla veil with a very slight gather at the comb. It has a very sheer look. This style is a really great option for those dresses with beautiful backs that you do not want to hide. It is available with out lace upon request.

Bridal Cap Veil

Camilla Bridal Cap Veil: https://www.etsy.com/listing/122407944/juliet-cap-bridal-veil-wedding-veil?ref=shop_home_active_21

This is such a fun and nostalgic bridal veil! This is the veil style brides wore in the 20' and 30's and were often worn with flowers on each side or a floral crown. However it can also be worn with beautiful jewels on each side. It is commonly 2 layers but can be made with just a single layer and a gathers on each side. When choosing this veil it is very important to consider your dress silhouette and hairstyle to ensure that you will love the look.

Bridal Cap

Claire Bridal Cap: https://www.etsy.com/listing/122669456/dotted-bridal-cap-juliet-cap-bridal-veil?ref=shop_home_active_13

This cap is also 20's/30's inspired and is super gorgeous! This style must also be carefully considered with your dress and hairstyle as well. 

Blusher/Birdcage Veil

Jane Double Layer Tulle/Birdcage Veil: https://www.etsy.com/listing/151531565/double-layer-birdcage-veil-blusher-veil?ref=shop_home_active_6

A blusher veil is pretty much any veil that covers the face (or the part of the veil that covers the face). This style of veil pictured is also commonly referred to as a birdcage veil and has been tremendously popular as it is small and lightweight and looks great worn with a headpiece. The length vary's from about  9 inches to about 17-18 inches. There are an incredible amount of options available for this style of veil! Single layer, or double layer, tulle and/or netting, rhinestones, pearls, cystals, flowers etc. 

Flora Large Tulle Blusher with Silk Flowers:https://www.etsy.com/listing/122308654/tulle-birdcage-blusher-veil-with-silk?ref=shop_home_active_15 

I hope this is helpful in your search for the perfect veil for your dress! Please do email me via my Etsy shop if you have any additional questions about veils.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MelindaRoseDesign

Thanks,

Melinda Rose

All about birdcage veils!!

There are so many creative ways to wear a birdcage veil or blusher veil! Its mind blowing to see the creativity that is running rampant out there for all the brides to be :) It can also be super overwhelming especially when you are new to the game! So here is the low down on the different types of birdcage veils and blusher veils available as well as some great styling ideas.

Three Basic Styles:

This is the CLASSIC birdcage veil sewn onto a single comb. This is the most popular length: 9-10" from the comb to the front edge of the comb. The comb in the picture is placed near the top of the head. It is not long enough to be place all the way back  behind the head and go over the face. However, you can also find lengths of 12" and 18" styles. The 12" will be slightly larger around and the 18" will be even larger to accommodate going around the head fully. You will need to ask the manufacturer specifically for this measurement as these are not consistent. Birdcage veils are also commonly styled in the hair with bobbie pins to give the veil the exact style you want. Birdcage netting is springy so the bobbie pins help hold it down.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122309467/birdcage-veil-dotted-birdcage-veil?ref=shop_home_active_4

This is the BANDEAU style veil. This is a strip of birdcage veiling that is secured in the hair with bobbie pins  or with small combs on each end. This style is typically placed with the combs on the left and the right sides of the head. It can be worn tight fitting like the photo or more of a loose style. This style also requires extra bobbie pins and a little pinching along the top edge of the netting to secure it neatly to the head. The bandeau style can also be made in tulle.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/92726252/ivory-birdcage-veil-bandeau-style?ref=shop_home_active_12

Here is a Tulle Blusher similar to the birdcage style. This particular veil is made with a silk tulle but it is commonly made with standard bridal illusion tulle. The silk tulle is less springy and easier to form over the head. This is also the same style and length (9-10") as the classic birdcage veil above. This style is more flexible with lengths as it can be cut to the exact length that you want. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/155422912/silk-tulle-veil-blusher-veil-birdcage?ref=shop_home_active_8

Various other designs based on the blusher style:

This is a double layer tulle and birdcage veil. This style has been very popular as it helps to soften the netting and add a little different style to the traditional birdcage. This veil is 10-11" but is also available in longer lengths similar to the traditional birdcage veil. I have also seen it worn with the top layer flipped back.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151531565/double-layer-birdcage-veil-blusher-veil?ref=listing-shop-header-4

You can also do a double layer with just tulle. The veil can be the traditional size or a larger more full size like pictured below. The layers can both be flipped forward or one back and one forward. Then for the reception you can flip both layers back.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122313118/double-layer-tulle-blusher-veil-tulle?ref=shop_home_active_19

These veils can also be purchased with beautiful details like bows, fascinators and lace embellishments

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122310516/birdcage-veil-with-silk-bow-blusher-veil?ref=shop_home_active_19

Is your head starting to spin yet?! Many brides also choose to accent their veils with little pearls and rhinestones scattered across the veil or along the bottom edge. Its a beautiful way to add a little sparkle or glamour adding that finishing touch :)

Styling ideas:

All photos from Style Me Pretty Weddings

How to care for and store my wedding veil until the wedding

When you receive your tulle veil carefully take it out of the box and hang it up. Make sure to put the veil back in the bag to keep it from getting dusty. Hang it in a dark place away from the sun and animals like a closet. In my studio, we use clothes pins to hold the comb to the hanger. Long veils will need to hang from a high spot or can be folded over a hanger. 

To remove wrinkles you can get your veil steamed at a professional dry cleaners or you can steam it yourself with a steamer. Another tip I tell my brides if you don't have a steamer is to just hang it up (out of the bag) in the bathroom (not in the shower) and turn the shower on full heat and let the bathroom steam up. The steam from the shower will get most if not all the wrinkles out. Do this for about 10 mins or longer for more stubborn  wrinkles. You can hand smooth any stubborn wrinkles as well and let it steam a little longer if needed. Super easy! You can even do this the morning of as long as you leave your veil enough time for the steam to evaporate from the veil itself. A little water will not harm your veil. 

Also make sure the area around your veil is clean if it needs to drape on the floor :)

Best,

Mel

U Shape Veil By MRD

A back view of the U shape of my standard veils that are gathered onto a comb. The veil pictured is an ivory elbow length veil in medium fullness. This veil with the option of other fullnesses is available here:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122666549/wedding-veil-elbow-length-bridal-veil?ref=shop_home_active_5
Please visit my Etsy shop for other veil lengths and styles:

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/MelindaRoseDesign?ref=si_shop

HELP...which veil fullness do I choose??

I often receive questions about which veil fullness to choose so I thought I would create a post for all those brides who would love to see the difference in fullness on a mid size comb more clearly laid out :) This however does not include information about which length of veil to choose. That will be for another post...



54" Fullness/Sheer Fullness veil: This isnt the greatest pic of the 54" width since it doesnt show the back fully but it should help a bit. This is the most common fullness used with the shortest veils like the elbow and shoulder length veils. It can be used on the longer length veils if you are looking for something really simple and sheer. This will show off any beautiful detail you have on your dress that you dont want to hide with a fuller veil. This width does not wrap the arms. It just hangs in the back :)

72" Fullness/Medium Fullness Veil: This is the most common fullness in fingertip and ballet length veils. This is also a beautiful fullness for a floor length or even a chapel or cathedral length if you don't want too much veil but want the length. This veil gently wraps the shoulders if needed but not too much. Very common fullness! You will also want to consider the width of your train when choosing fullness. You can measure at the widest point from left to right or call the bridal salon you ordered if you do not have your dress yet.

108" Fullness/Fullest Veil: This veil length is great for the longer lengths as it is more proportionate in width and length. The veil is pictured on a larger 4" comb but I currently use a 3" comb instead as I think it is easier for the bride to work with. This veil will wrap the shoulders especially the shorter veil length you go. This fullness is also a great choice if you are wanting a shorter and more poufy style veil. You will also want to consider the width of your train when choosing fullness. You can measure at the widest point from left to right or call the bridal salon you ordered if you do not have your dress yet.

THANK YOU to Kathryn of Altas & Elia Photography for the amazing photographs this year!! Check her out at http://atlasandelia.com/



♥ Melinda Rose

How to Iron a Birdcage Veil

It is inevitable that those little veils come with wrinkles but they are really quite easy to remove. Watch the above link for pointers on how to remove wrinkles without using an iron.

For more stubborn wrinkles use an clothing iron. BUT make sure to use the LOWEST!! heat setting (nylon) on your iron. When ironing you need to move fairly quickly but very carefully. If you leave the heat set on the veil too long in one spot it will melt the veiling. Just keep the iron moving and you should be fine. It really doesnt take long to remove wrinkles with a little heat. If you are at all worried that your iron gets unusually hot try to use the tips in the video above a few times or borrow one that doesn't get too hot. You can even use a clean white cotton cloth between the iron and the veil although it will be tricky to manuver. You could tape it to the iron too. Make sure to wrap the piece of cotton up around the iron so the tape is high and not on the heated part at all! and make sure there are not wrinkles on the cotton cloth.

You can also use the iron to shape the veil so it has a nice cupping shape and lays over your face (you will probably still need some bobbie pins. I will eventually be adding my own video on how to iron the veil and how to shape the veil using the iron. But here are some steps on how to shape and iron your veil:

1. Make sure your iron and ironing board are clean
2. Turn on your iron to the lowest heat setting (nylon)
3. Place the veil upside down on the ironing board so the side that will be touching your face is facing upwards
4. Hold the veil by the comb
5. Iron out all the wrinkles (do this first and let it cool for a few minutes if needed)
6. Then shape your veil
7. While holding the veil, shape by ironing with the front half/ front side of the iron on the lower half of the veil.
8. And remember to keep the iron moving!

The same goes for a long tulle veil as a birdcage style veil. Read the above section on how to iron a birdcage veil as well. Use the lowest heat setting (nylon) and keep the iron moving. You may need to iron it more than once but let it cool before going over it again.


Helpful tips:

-LOWEST heat setting on your iron (nylon)
-Iron the veil upside down (this helps in shaping the veil too)
-Dont burn yourself!!
-And Congrats from Melinda Rose Designs

How to measure your head for a bridal cap

Its actually really easy to measure your head for your bridal cap. Just grab a 'cloth' tape and wrap it around the widest part of your head. Just like the picture below:

Make sure when you wrap it around the head its not too tight or too loose. You will want it too feel like it would when you are wearing the actual cap. When measuring, you will also want to consider how you will be wearing your hair on your wedding day and how much more body may be there.

Dont have a cloth tape!? No worries a string and a yard stick will work perfectly fine. Just wrap the string around your head the same way you would with a cloth tape and make a mark at the desired circumference and lay it along a yard stick to get the length in inches.