To veil or not to veil?

I always think of accessories as the delightful cream cheese frosting on the most delicious red velvet cake. Ultimately, insert the cake combo of your dreams, and the head rush you feel after that first bite is equal to the finding the perfect accessories that compliment your fab party dress.

Brides will often ask me whether a veil is necessary or even appropriate for a bride who might be a late bloomer. While ultimately the decision is what I call 'player's choice', my gut reaction is always a resounding 'YES!' There is only one occasion where a woman has the occasion to wear a veil without being chased by men in white suits with butterfly nets. When a bride gets married, it is her chance to bring all the drama along for the ride. A veil which completes her bridal aesthetic is a fantastic way to complete the ensemble, and most commonly brides are opting to wear their veil for the ceremony only.

What length is appropriate? The length of a bride's veil will depend on the style of the gown. If the gown has a cathedral length train, a cathedral length veil is the right choice. The same goes for a chapel length train, where a chapel length veil is a great combo. However, a gown that enjoys a chapel or sweep train can also be paired with a fingertip or elbow length veil. For the vintage bride, a birdcage veil is the perfect touch. These shorter options are a little less formal and are great for outdoor ceremony sites or for brides who want the pomp with a little less circumstance.

A blusher for the blushing bride? All veil lengths come with the option to include a blusher. A blusher is an additional layer of tulle that traditionally goes over the bride's face until the escort of the bride parts ways with her, and lovingly hands her to her betrothed. This type of veil option is very traditional and is perfect for brides who want their ceremony and bridal look to be on the more conservative side. It also gives added volume, giving it more prominence and a bigger accessory role.

Ivory dress, ivory veil? Many brides don't realize that an ivory veil is not the right choice for an ivory dress. An ivory veil is too saturated with color, making it appear more champagne than ivory. It is not intuitive, but it is the truth. If a bride's gown is ivory, she should choose a diamond white veil which will definitely compliment the ivory fabric much more so than an ivory veil. The veil should always complete the bridal look, not overpower it.

There is certainly never a right or wrong answer to this question. For brides local to LA, we can't recommend highly enough bridal consultant Hermin Papazian at Sak's Fith Avenue in Beverly Hills. She is a valued member on their bridal team, and is armed with a wealth of knowledge about veils and gowns.

A veil is a great accessory for any bride, but ultimately it's a bride's choice to don one or 86 it entirely. Keep true to your bridal aesthetic, and the answer will become crystal clear.