Head(piece) Over Heels In Love
From bold jumpsuits to daring two-piece sets, throughout the years bridal fashion has broken free from the confines of tradition and has evolved to encompass a range of looks – and so too has the world of bridal accessories. Here, Emma Warner Allen discusses how various headpieces can effectively elevate your look on your wedding day, with the help of Parisima Kouklan, designer and owner of Veils of Melbourne.
Photo by: Ada + Ivy Photography
Behind The Veil
The bridal veil is one of the oldest constituent parts of the bridal ensemble and it can be traced back to the time of the Ancient Romans and the Ancient Greeks. Originally, the veil arose as a way to hide the bride from any evil spirits that might prey on her happiness. Gradually, this custom evolved to become a means of upholding the Western tradition of ensuring the groom did not steal a glance at his beautiful bride before the officiation, which was believed to be bad luck. Perhaps surprisingly, the veil fell out of popularity in the seventeenth and eighteenth century before returning with gusto after Queen Victoria wore a veil to her wedding to Prince Albert.
Though many brides are now forgoing the veil, including this timeless piece within your bridal ensemble can be an exceptional way to elevate your bridal look and effortlessly fuse modernity with more traditional styles. “These days, wearing
veils is more like a modern approach than traditional,” Kouklan affirms, stating that veils are often included “to add drama, romance, or [to] complement the dress”.
While in the past the veil was utilised to shield the bride from bad luck or spare her from evil spirits, thereby covering the face in the process, nowadays those who do choose to incorporate a veil have it as an accent piece at the back of the hair rather than the more traditional covering of the face. “Most veils are not meant to cover the face as it’s not trendy anymore, unless it’s a religious ceremony,” Kouklan agrees.
I Know You Like My Style
Veils have recently seen a resurgence in popularity, with several celebrities electing to include this romantic headgear to complete their bridal ensemble. From Ariana Grande’s short but voluminous veil – complete with a beautiful white bow – to Hailey Bieber’s elegant cathedral-length veil with ‘till death do us part’ inscribed on the French lace, there are a range of different styles you can choose from.
As the veil is often placed on the hair, a common concern for brides is that the addition of a veil will ruin their meticulously groomed ‘do. However, this is not the case, and Kouklan assures that “there is a variety of veil styles that could accommodate any hairstyle” – meaning you really can’t go wrong. Remarkably versatile, veils are also not limited to the one style.
Veils can be defined by a range of different styles and brides can rest assured that there will be a veil to suit every wedding dress, from something with rustic lace to something embodying regal elegance. The pouf is the type of veil donned by Ariana Grande at her recent secret wedding – it is a gathered piece of tulle that fastens to a comb to create height and volume for the veil. A blusher is similar to the pouf, the difference being that it can be worn over the face and flipped after the ceremony. A chapel veil extends to the floor and suits a dress with a train to add a touch of elegance. Meanwhile, the cathedral is similar to the chapel, but it encompasses a longer train. The fingertip is aptly named as the tulle falls to about the length of your fingertips if your hands are placed by your sides. Likewise, the elbow veil falls to your elbows, while the fountain veil is gathered at the crown of the head and cascades around the face. The birdcage veil also frames the face but is typically a longer piece of material that is not tiered like the fountain veil. Whatever your style, the main things Kouklan urges brides to consider are “the fabric, the correct style to complement the dress, and the right volume”.
Prioritising Accessorising
For those not wanting to brave the veil, but who are still wanting to accessorise their bridal ensemble, there is an endless array of possibilities to add a point of interest and tie your look together so that you feel – and look – confident with the knowledge that you are meticulously presented on such an important day.
For modern brides opting for a boho wedding, flower crowns and floral headpieces are becoming increasingly popular. Matching your headpiece with your bouquet can be an excellent way to create a cohesive look that ties in with your wedding’s theme. As preserved flowers are gaining popularity for their durability and beautiful bright colours, some brides are turning towards dried flowers to incorporate into their look. Having seen brides utilise “more fresh flowers” within their wedding ensemble, Kouklan also asserts that particularly for bohemian styles, “wearing flower crowns around the forehead, or pinned to one side of the head is very common”, and a great way to add further visual interest.
For those not seeking blooms, other simple hair accessories such as hair pins or metal crowns can be an excellent alternative to add a little bit of extra sparkle to your ensemble. While the wedding expert notes that fascinators aren’t a popular hair accessory, pins and hair veins remain popular and can create a timeless look. Kouklan also notes that one of the most striking and memorable looks she has seen was when the bride styled her hair with a metal floral headpiece – the choice is yours! There are endless ways to ensure your hair looks its best on your special day. From timeless veils to hair clips, be sure to consult with an expert to see how you can best style your gorgeous locks to ensure that you are looking your best and feeling confident.