Lets Talk Veil Fabric
When shopping for a veil there are quite a few details to consider; length, color, and finishes. A good place to start is the material, here are some of the more commonly used veil fabrics.
Tulle & Netting
Netting is an open-mesh material comprised of lots of spaces. The spaces (or holes) are mainly geometric in shape, the size and the shape of the holes determines the type of netting. Tulle is lightweight and is made up of fine netting. It can be made of different fibers, such as silk, polyester, rayon, and nylon. Tulle is easily the most popular veil fabric. But even then, there are quite a few types of tulle to consider.
Illusion Tulle is delicate and very sheer. Made of nylon it has a medium body that can give you a bit of volume at the comb. Illusion tulle is great for veils with a blusher due to its translucent quality, or a birdcage inspired veil for an elopement like the Estelle veil.
Soft Tulle is also made of nylon and slightly heavier in weight, this option has more of a drape than illusion tulle. It’s great for both short and long veils, though as it’s slightly less sheer I would not recommend for a blusher.
Silk Tulle is made from 100% silk, this is the most luxurious (and expensive) of options. Silk tulle is super soft and creates a beautiful drape. It is less transparent and heavier compared to a veil made of nylon illusion tulle.
English Net is soft and pliable and has a natural stretch. Not to be confused with tulle, it’s a bit denser, and it has a heavier drape. This fabric is not very sheer, it is great for single layer veils and other hair accessories, like the Belle bow.
Here are few non tulle options:
Silk Organza is super lightweight and crisp, veils made from this fabric have more body and are less sheer than tulle. Silk Organza is perfect for a modern and fun bridal veil.
Silk Chiffon is a lightweight woven fabric. Soft and opaque, you can only see an illusion of what’s underneath. This fabric will hang beautifully and is perfect for a bride that wants a modern and unique look.
Russian Veiling is a very open nylon netting that forms a diamond. This material is most commonly used for birdcage veils and other bridal headpieces.
So what’s the best fabric for a wedding veil? It’s up to you! For a more traditional look, an illusion tulle veil fits the bill, for a little more drama, try silk chiffon. Keep in mind the dress, the veil fabric should compliment the wedding dress, not overshadow.