With the vintage theme at its’ peak this season, the 2010 bride has a new option to complete her wedding day ensemble…the birdcage veil. Formerly named a “fascinator” in the 1920s-30′s, this trend debuted last season and remains a hot choice for this year’s brides.

Look back to the past to be inspired

If you have read previous blogs, like Fabulous Fascinators or A Modern-Day Vintage Wedding, you know how much I love vintage fashion inspired weddings! I must say, I absolutely LOVE this trend. It is so much fun and the pictures these veils create are breathtaking!

I started noticing this trend last season when the vintage wedding theme really hit the bridal scene. I think designers are looking back to the past to be inspired for their designs. Not that contemporary wedding fashion has changed that much over the years, but vintage fashion is a little more simple… effortless elegance. Contemporary bridal gowns have strayed into a what I like to call the “ballerina” category. Most designers over the last decade have moved from the simple A-line dress and have added multiple tiers of organza and tulle. Not that these dresses aren’t exquisite, but they sometimes take the focus away from the actual bride herself!

Traditional or contemporary blush?

I could talk about wedding gowns all day but that is not the subject. Now, back to the veils. If you are looking to recreate vintage fashion on your wedding day I do recommend you checking out these veils. There are plenty of options to choose from. The traditional form is really just a piece of lace or netting which encircles your head, stopping just above the lip line. Other versions include a short “blusher”, which covers your eyes, and a “angle” veil, which does not encircle your head, and is worn on the side, covering the crown of your head over to the opposite side. It looks to be the more contemporary choice worn by this seasons’ brides.

Trying to keep with your theme

Most are adorned with feathers, jewels, or silk flowers. The angle veils and blusher, typically are fashioned on a comb used to anchor the veil either from the back or one side of the head. I have seen many recently that are affixed to hats, usually in a “sparrow” hat form or smaller “teardrop” version. I do love the hats, but just the simple lace or netting alone is gorgeous. I stumbled across an amazing designer, Dorene Vandermeer at unveiledbridaldesigns.com, who creates these beautiful one of a kind veils. Her online shop has a wonderful selection and you may even create your own veil. Prices range from $135.00-$600.00 depending on design. For custom design pricing you will have to enquire through the designer.

Last on topic, I have seen a few brides mix their cage veils with the traditional bridal veil. If done correctly it is a very sophisticated and elegant look. With most traditional veils we suggest a blusher to worn, which clips in about the crown of your head and extends over your face and typical length extends to your bust line. Most styles are full, like your veil, but using a cage veil as your blusher will eliminate excess material around your face (which is why many contemporary brides are opting out of wearing a veils).

I wore a veil on my wedding day and was content with my decision. My dress was very traditional, so a cage veil wasn’t really the appropriate choice. I do think a veil completes your wedding ensemble so please give it a thorough thought before passing on tradition. There was something special about me, in my veil, and walking down the aisle arm in arm with my father. It was a great experience to have my father lift my veil and having my husband-to-be seeing me for the first time as his bride and not his fiance. An amazing experience I will never forget! Whatever decision you make will reflect what is best for you and I’m sure you will look absolutely breathtaking on your wedding day. Good luck and a lifetime of happiness!

Images from ehow.com, wedding-all-about.blogspot.com, unveiledbridaldesigns.com, rockstarphotographyblog.com, utahbrideblog.com, overthetopfascinators.com, and julietelizabethblog.com

This entry was posted on Monday, May 10th, 2010 at 7:02 am and is filed under Trends. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.